Confident Citizenship
2 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewThis message will emphasize the circumstances of 2 Thessalonians, and it will focus on the importance of a peaceful congregation.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This morning, we will begin our study of 2 Thessalonians.
We completed a study of 1 Thessalonians.
The occasion for the two letters differs greatly.
Although there has been a challenge to the authenticity of 2 Thessalonians, there is every reason to be confident that it is an inspired letter.
Its internal style and word choices match Paul’s.
The conditions faced by the Thessalonians remains unchanged.
All early canon lists included it.
Most likely, Paul wrote the letter soon after he wrote 1 Thessalonians.
1 Thess. 3:6, Timothy returned from Thessalonica to Athens where Paul remained by himself.
He updated Paul on the conditions the Thessalonians faced.
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians based on that exchange of information.
He would have sent the letter back by someone.
He has been updated again.
We learn that the Thessalonians were disturbed by someone, perhaps, writing to them as though they were Paul.
See 2 Thess. 2:1-2.
This false message, no doubt, created worry and confusion about suffering.
Why suffer if God will not vindicate? Why obey if there is no future return of Jesus?
Citizenship Confirmed
Citizenship Confirmed
Paul’s greeting in the letter follows, almost verbatim, the initial letter.
He still has Silas and Timothy with him.
Ecclesia: Paul uses language associated with citizenship.
An assembly is a group of people who share a common, heavenly citizenship based upon a shared trust in Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and of God’s redemptive work through his crucifixion and resurrection.
We also share a common baptism, view of the scriptures and their authority.
We share, like all citizens, a common behavior.
Biblical Christianity cannot be practiced alone.
We meet in an assembly.
You cannot do this by yourself.
We share common characteristics or traits.
There are no special behaviors just for the individual.
God’s wisdom is universal.
The characteristics of being his children are common to us, but they make us uncommon in the world (see Colossians 3 again for this).
The meetings of God’s people serve an important role in our anticipation of Christ’s coming.
Hebrews 10:24-26.
Paul refers to them as an exclusive church.
“the assembly of Thessalonians in our Father God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Beliefs about the Church: the broader culture
Two-thirds of Americans now there are valid alternatives to corporate worship. Only a little over 1 in 3 think Christians must join a local church. Three in 10 believe Christians should be quiet about political issues.
• 66% of Americans agree “Worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church.” This is higher than 2020 (58%), 2018 (58%), 2016 (59%), and 2014 (52%).
• 30% agree “Christians should be silent on issues of politics.” This is higher than 2020 (24%) and 2018 (25%).
• 36% agree “Every Christian has an obligation to join a local church.”
Of “evangelicals,” 68% agree that being part of a local church matters.
God and Jesus
God and Jesus
God and Jesus serve two purposes in this passage.
They define the realm or the domain in which these Thessalonians are “the assembly.”
This is because the Thessalonian congregation alone in Thessalonica worships the true and living God and the true Messiah.
Paul, for the first time, refers to God as “our Father.”
Through Jesus Christ, all true believers share God as “our Father.”
This also follows the teaching of Jesus who, when teaching about prayer, said: “Our Father, who is in heaven.”
He places God and Jesus on an equal plane.
They together define this assembly.
“Lord” echoes the LXX for Jehovah.
This is an important theological declaration and assurance for the Thessalonians and for every true congregation.
Grace and Peace
Grace and Peace
Like the previous phrase, this small statement carries great importance.
This in spite of its formulaic function in Paul’s letters.
Grace may wish for their well-being, but it also may wish for kindness to be present among them given their circumstances.
Peace is the absence of conflict and a key defining characteristic of the true God’s people.
Notice how God and Jesus are again given equal status as the source of grace and peace.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We should leave confident of three things:
Being part of a church is important to living in God’s will.
God and Jesus are equal.
God’s people are identified by kindness and the presence of peacefulness among them.