A PASTOR REVIELS HIS HEART 2 THESSALONIANS 2:13-14

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1 A PASTOR REVIELS HIS HEART 2 THESSALONIANS 2: Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) Introduction The Apostle Paul was a pastor, church planter and a missionary. In his three missionary journeys (according to the book of Acts) he visited at least 28 different places and he is credited with starting churches in Galatia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. For each of the churches that he planted, he maintained a pastoral relationship with them. Some he had the opportunity to visit again and others he kept in contact by writing epistles to them. The New Testament contains letters to the believers in Galatia (Galatians), Philippi (Philippians), Thessalonica (1 & 2 Thessalonians), Corinth (1 & 2 Corinthians), and Ephesus (Ephesians). In each of these epistles, Paul writes with passion. He was trying to disciple them in the only way he could. He probably wrote 2 Thessalonians from Athens in A.D Both of the epistles to the believers in Thessalonica, center on the revealing of the Antichrist and the second coming of Jesus. In this letter, Paul wanted to reassure them that the day of the Lord had not already come as some were saying and to strengthen their resolve because of the persecution they were going through. He also wanted to correct the behavior of those that were refusing to earn their own way and wanting the church to support them (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). Paul had a special place in his heart for each of the churches he founded, but his love pours out concerning the church in Thessalonica. Two of the members of that congregation accompanied Paul into Asia; Arsitarchus and Secundus and he bragged on them and their love for the Lord. In this portion of the book, Paul changes from his correction mode and delivers a practical side of living. No matter what the future may hold for them, Paul was encouraging them to remember that they shouldn t be staring at the clouds for Christ s return, but to be assured and have great comfort in knowing that they have accepted God s call into salvation and that they will be in that number when Christ returns. 1 P a g e

2 There are five truths that Paul imparts to them in these two verses and we get a glimpse of Paul s heart for the brethren. 1 - The Truth God Loves Us (13a) But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord But we ought always to give thanks to God for you but is a contrasting conjunction. It is a joining word that connects two parts. In this case, but, contrasts the thoughts of verses to that of This opening of thanksgiving is in response to the previous topic found in verses and that Paul gives thanks to God that they are strong in the Lord and in following the commandments of Christ and therefore will not succumb to this false teaching. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. brothers beloved by the Lord What a wonderful promise beloved by the Lord. God loves them and sometimes we just need to be reminded of that fact. Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. While the Apostle Paul didn t pen the words of John 3:16, the truth of the love of God should be a reality in their daily lives. 2 - The Truth God Chose Us (13 b) because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved However, the love that God has for mankind is not enough for salvation and to save us. God wants man to reciprocate His love. Even though God shows his love for the whole world, the whole world is not saved. This is like the choice that God made when he chose Israel. God choses believers of Jesus Christ and reveals his love to mankind manifesting itself in mercy and grace. Mercy in that 2 P a g e

3 mankind does not deserve the love of God, and grace is exhibited in putting Jesus on the cross in our place and his acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ in which all of God s wrath was placed upon Him. as the firstfruits to be saved The question is, Did God choose the believers in the church at Thessalonica believers from the beginning or as the firstfruits? Paul s use of the word for beginning or firstfruits is consistent with the teaching of the offering of the firstfruits in the Old Testament. The firstfruits is that portion that was to be dedicated to God, as in the first born son was dedicated to the LORD. In the context of these verses, it is clear that Paul means that they were the first converts in Thessalonica. So this could read, as the firstfruits of salvation in Thessalonica. 3 - The Truth God Sanctified Us (13c) through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. Sanctification is one of those high faulting theological terms that means the believer is set aside by the Holy Spirit unto salvation. It is the Spirit of God that brings conviction to the sinner and at the point of salvation that makes believers holy. belief in the truth D. M. Martin says: Paul s choice of vocabulary was the result of the contrast he was working between those who believe the truth and are saved and those who believe the lie (rejecting the truth) and are condemned. Faith in this context goes beyond its English connotation of believing the truth of a proposition and includes committing or entrusting oneself to this truth. In this way Paul both affirmed and reassured the church while at the same time reminding them of the vital importance they should attach to fidelity to the apostolic gospel. They must stand firm in the truth of the gospel, for confusion and deception are the tools of Satan, and those who succumb ultimately are destined for perdition The Truth God Called Us 14 - To this he called you through our gospel 1 Martin, D. M. (1995). 1, 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 33, pp ). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 3 P a g e

4 The continued thought is that the call of God s grace and love was sent out to all the inhabitants of Thessalonica through the gospel preached by Paul, Silas and Timothy. But the whole city was not saved as not everyone responded. In order for a person to be saved, the gospel message must be heard and the Holy Spirit must convict them of their sins. Faith and repentance are the requirement for salvation. There is a vast difference between preaching the gospel and acceptance of that gospel by the individual. 5 - The Truth God Gave Us Glory so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. When God created the plan of salvation before the creation, we are seeing the result of that plan through the Apostle Paul in taking the gospel message to the world and in this case to the city of Thessalonica. That plan included the believer sharing in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The grace that God gives to man, when accepted becomes His glory. John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (KJV) Conclusion Today we see the heart of a pastor towards his congregation. Paul was demonstrating his love towards the believers in Thessalonica by reminding them of their salvation experience. God Loves Us God Chose Us God Sanctified Us God Called Us God Gave Us Glory When the unbeliever accepts the gospel truth, repents of their sins and believes, by faith in the truth of the gospel, God saves them and the Holy Spirit seals them. 4 P a g e

5 The opposite is also true. If a person rejects the gospel, they believe the lies of Satan and end up rejecting the mercy and grace of God and they are not saved. This is the point of a critical decision on your part as you have heard the gospel message today. You are forced to make a decision. You will either accept the gospel message or reject it. Many in this audience are making that decision right now, in the pew. Perhaps others have made that decision in the past; either rejecting the gospel or accepting it. As the Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 [1], we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. [2] For he says, In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (ESV) NOW is the day of salvation. Robert C. Crowder 5 P a g e