CHAPTER 1 : LEARNING FROM THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANS

LEARNING FROM THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANS 
Reading : 2 Thessalonicans chapter 1

QUESTIONS OF MEDITATION II Thessalonians Chapter 1

1) What two blessings does Paul’s greeting includes prayer for? (II Thessalonians 1:2)

2) What threefold spiritual growth in the lives of the Thessalonians led Paul to give thanks? (II Thessalonians 1:3-4)

3) What blessing is promised these persecuted believers? (II Thessalonians 1:5)

4) What are the oppressed for Jesus Christ’s sake bidden to do? (II Thessalonians 1:7)

5) What will be the portion of all who reject Jesus Christ? (II Thessalonians 1:9)

6) In whom will Jesus Christ be glorified when He comes again? (II Thessalonians 1:10)

7) Paul’s prayer can be answered only ”with power” from whom in this verse? (II Thessalonians 1:11)

8) What worthy motive prompted Paul’s prayer in verse twelve? (II Thessalonians 1:12)

I. INTRODUCTION

Paul writes this epistle to the church of the Thessalonians who is going through moment of persecutions and tribulations as we read in verse 4

"... in all your persecutions and tribulations ... "

In the midst of such hard times, it is amazing to notice that this church is challenging us today by some encouraging facts Paul is pointing out in his epistle.

Fact 1: The faith and love of the Thessalonians made progress in the midst of their affliction


In verse 3, Paul praises the Thessalonians because, in the midst of their affliction, their faith grows extremely as much as their charity is abundant. It is written,

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth"

2nd fact : They showed endurance in the midst of their affliction

In verse 4, Paul says, "in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure"

3rd fact : Their focus was on the puirsuit of the interests of the Kingdom of God

In verse 5, Paul reveals why the Thessalonians were suffering. It was not because of any sin or iniquity. Rather, it was because of the Kingdom of God as it is written,

1:5 "... the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer."

II. 3 THINGS TO LEARN FROM THE CHURCH OF THESSALONICA
👉 The first thing we learn from the Church of Thessalonica is that the affliction of the enemy is not made to crush our faith, but to make it grow and progress.

In Egypt, the Pharaoh intentionally oppressed the people of Israel in order to stop their growth and multiplication. But the more the Pharaoh oppressed the people, the more the people multiplied as we read in Exodus 1:12:

"But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel."

Only a living faith can grow. If your faith is not growing, it is a clear sign that your faith is no longer living. It is dead.

Ask yourself these questions today : Is your faith growing? Is your charity toward others abounding?

👉 The second thing that the Church of Thessalonica teaches us is that God will not always bring us out of affliction when we ask for it. At times, He will equip us with endurance so that we can deal with  the affliction until the right time comes for us to come out of it.

Do you feel like giving up because of the trials, persecutions and tribulations you are going through in your marriage, your finances, your place of work, etc? Does it look like you have nothing to hold on to that will encourage you to continue to walk with Jesus? Are you loosing any hope that your situation will ever get better?

Be encouraged today that the Thessalonians went through the same but they endured.

It is important to know that our Christian Life is a marathon. In a marathon it is not about who runs faster but about who runs longer. As a matter of fact, in a marathon, it is not about speed but about endurance.

👉 The third thing that the Church of Thessalonica teaches us is that when we pursue the interests of the Kingdom of God, we will always be fought by the enemy, but the enemy will never be permitted to defeat us.

The Bible affirms this principle in Jeremiah 1:19

"And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee."

Again, in Jeremiah 15:20,it is written,

"And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I [am] with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD."

Finally in Revelation 12: 7, it is written, 

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."

= PRAYER = PRAYER = PRAYER =

🙏 PRAYER 1 - Pray the Father that your faith may not fail in the midst of difficult times

Read and pray with Luke 22:32

🙏 PRAYER 2- Pray the Father that as the Thessalonians your faith will grow and make progress

Read and pray with 2 Thessalonians 1: 3

🙏 PRAYER 3- Pray the Father that the affliction of the enemy against you will not stop you but works for your multiplication.

Read and pray with Exodus 1:12

🙏 PRAYER 4- Pray the Father for the supernatural grace of endurance in the midst of hard times.

Read and pray with 2 Thessalonians 1: 3

🙏 PRAYER 5- Pray the Father and declare with faith

"They will make war against me, but they will not overcome me, for YOU are with me to save me and deliver me"

"The dragon and his angels will fight, but they will never be stronger than me, and their place will no longer be found in my territory."

JESUS IS LORD 

Pastor T.D. KASUKU K.K.

The Word Of Life Church International