18 Oct 2021
Keep growing in faith and love and hope in God through Jesus.
What is interesting is that this church is not like many churches today, but they were boldly testifying everywhere of their own faith, love, and hope in Jesus Christ by the Gospel, and it was spreading to many other places and encouraging other believers in other churches.
Is your faith active like that? What is your temperature and fire level today? Are other disciples giving God glory because of you, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations you endure?
This is a manifest sign
– of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer
+ Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
+ 2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
+ 2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
+ 2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
+ 2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Everlasting
The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write this: the term everlasting means eternal and never-ending. The word destruction means ruin and punishment, not annihilation or a ceasing to exist, as some may think.
Our testimony
This will happen when Jesus appears and comes back, and He shall be glorified in His saints, and He shall be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
testimony = the gospel of Jesus Christ 1Cor 15:1-8. Mat 28:18-20. Acts 1:8. Mar 16:15-20.
As you read in the book of Acts, you will see this very clearly, a preaching and teaching to all nations the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, as well as the personal testimony of believers of when and how they met God through Christ. 1The 1:5-6.
And the effect the gospel had in the church in Thessalonica sounded out in every place. 1The 1:6-8.
Let this prayer also be for each of us that Paul prayed:
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is God saying of you today? Remember the word that God said of His Son and the words of Jesus of His Father in Heaven?
What God said of His Son, Jesus:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mat 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Luk 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
What Jesus said of His Father?
Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
he that sent: Joh 8:16, Joh 14:10-11, Joh 16:32; Isa 42:1, Isa 42:6, Isa 49:4-8, Isa 50:4-9; 2Ti 4:17, 2Ti 4:22
for: Joh 4:34, Joh 5:30, Joh 6:38, Joh 14:31, Joh 15:10, Joh 17:4; Isa 42:1, Isa 42:21; Mat 3:17, Mat 17:5; Heb 4:15, Heb 5:8-9, Heb 7:26, Heb 10:5-10; 1Jn 2:1
We want to be well pleasing to our Father in Heaven.
When we repent and receive by faith…it is well pleasing to God.
When we trust and obey God by the Holy Spirit…it is well pleasing to God.
When we love God and love one another (even our enemies)…it is well pleasing to God.
When we walk in holiness and righteousness…it is well pleasing to God.
When we praise and worship God, even in our trials…it is well pleasing to God.
When we deny our self, die to self, and pick up our cross and follow Jesus…it is well pleasing to God.
When we honor Jesus and live for the glory of Jesus alone…it is well pleasing to God.
When we preach the gospel to the lost…it is well pleasing to God.
When we spend time in prayer and the Word of God and fellowship with God…it is well pleasing to God.
When we look earnestly for the blessed return of Jesus Christ to take us home…it is well pleasing to God.
When we fully surrender to Jesus with no faith or trust in self but ONLY in Jesus Christ…it is well pleasing to God.
When we live and walk in the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT, doing the same works of Jesus…it is well pleasing to God.
Therefore, let us be counted worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus, let us be well pleasing to God who saved us by grace through faith, by His free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.