2Thes:1:8-10. Good news or bad news?
• Have any of you been confronted with a “good news, bad news” situation lately? I heard about a man who got a call from his doctor. The doctor said, “Your test results are in, and I’ve got good news and bad news for you.” The man said, “Okay --- give me the good news first.” The doctor said. “The good news is: your test results indicate you have 3 days to live.” “That’s the good news?” the guy exclaimed. “For heaven’s sake, what’s the bad news?” Well,” said the doctor, “The bad news is: I forgot to call you yesterday.”
In today’s sermon I have good news, bad news situation for you. The good news is that Jesus is returning the bad news is also Jesus is returning. What about for you is His return good news or bad news? I suppose that will depend on what side of the fence your on.
The letter to the Thessalonians is taken up with the backdrop of the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ as the Thessalonians were hearing 2The2:2 unsettling reports. They had questions for Paul and so throughout the two letters Paul affirms the events to take place upon the Lords return in so doing he answers the questions which are being debated in the Church, his answers are by no means exhaustive about the last times but it does help to fill in some gaps.
The questions were:
• Have those who died missed his return? 1 Thes 4:13-18 in regard the dead and the living.
• When will Jesus come back? 1Thes 5:1 -3 Date and time.
• What will happen to us and those who persecute us on his return? 2Thes 1: 8-10 The believer and Non.
• What can we look for to take place? 2Thes .2:3 - 4 Man of Lawlessness 8- 10 And the conquest of Christ.
The purpose of this letter is to encourage these Christians to stand firm despite the rumours they have heard and despite the persecution they face. Paul calls them to live upright holy lives, to hold to the apostles teaching, while they wait for the return of Christ.
Background: Thessalonica was a capital city in the Roman province of Macedonia, with a thriving harbour, with a Roman trade route which went right through Thessalonica connecting Rome to the Orient all of which made Thessalonica wealthy and culturally diverse, It was a free city and exempt from many exemptions that Rome placed upon other cities. It also had 50 miles SW Mount Olympus the epicentre of the gods and idol worship. - because of this climate Thessalonica was a city full of idolatry and cultural practices which challenged Christianity.
Yet despite this the gospel had took root and was turning Thessalonica upside down as people were coming to Christ.
• Is it Good news or Bad news?
1. Until his return we will face troubles. 1-4.
When people heard the gospel they were turning to the living God 1Thes 1: 9. This transformation wasn’t going unnoticed and there will always be some backlash when God is at work in a person’s life. These Thessalonians were facing persecution and trials as a result of their new found faith v 4.
These new converts would have been entrenched from childhood in all types of spirituality from Judaism to idol worship yet they had turned to the living God and as a result they would have been made outcasts in their families, friends and society at large, they faced constant persecution and trials. Look at the circumstances in which the gospel came it was in an environment of persecution Acts 17:1-8 Paul ,Silas Jason and others in a short space of time had caused a riot in the city with their message.So Paul and Silas went into hiding.
It reminds me of our Lord who said to his disciples. Jhn 16: 33” In this world you will have trouble.” None of us are immune from troubles: Consider those places in the world today like Pakistan, India Afghanistan where people come to faith from Hindi and Muslim families they will face constants threats of death even from their own families. Consider those 24 South Korean Christians well 19 who are currently being held hostage two have already been killed.It might not be as serious for us today in Britain but none the less we too will face troubles in many forms as a result of our faith.
Because the faith is in contradiction to this worlds values: You might experience it with your family or friends who give you the cold shoulder because of your faith in Christ. You might experience it through ill health issues. You might experience it in the work place or school, where you have difficulty standing up for your faith, as you face the taunts of your colleges, you may fail to fit in, because of your Christian values... THE WORDS OF Jesus come to mind once again in the upper room when he said John 14:1 “ do not let your heart be troubled”.....
• Billy Graham once said “ The Bible nowhere indicates that God withdraws us from the troubles of life. In fact, we become more involved in life’s troubles when we come to Christ. But he gives us power to go on with the battle.”
How often have we meet people who have said I used to be a Christian but..... Bart Simpson mentality, when he said one Xmas eve “O God, if you bring me lots of God stuff tomorrow, I promise not to do anything bad between now and when I wake up.”
That some how once you become a Christian all your troubles go away and you get all you ever desired. Like the ’name it and claim it brigade’ or the ’healthy wealthy and wise band’ is utter nonsense. God is NOT some sugar daddy who spoils His children.
• Are our troubles good news or bad news? Well for these Thessalonians it was good news because....Look what happens as a result of their troubles
• Faith grows v3-4.
These believers weren’t about to through in the towel, as trouble arises, these people were actually growing in faith as a result of the troubles they faced. They were trusting in God in the midst of their troubles unlike the superficial that Jesus spoke off in the parable of the sower Mark 4:16-17 . that fall away when trouble comes their way.
Walt Disney once said "All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me.... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."
Look at O.T LESSONS: Consider Job who lost everything Job 19:25 – The prophet Habakkuk who saw Judah decimated Hab 3:17-18 –Daniel and his friends In the Lion’s den and thrown into the fiery furnace who would not bow down no matter what, – rather than succumb to the situation their faith in God deepenedas a result. Dan 3:17-18
• Love increases v3
As a result of their faith in God and in the midst of trouble, their love for each other was increasing, it was a cause for them to support one another as trials and persecutions came their way. Jesus Christ was the glue that held them all together in love John 13:34. This is a true sign of God’s Church a place where love for one another is increasing, in difficult circumstances. A place where loving support and care is demonstrated in practical ways as we turn to each other sharing our burdens with one another.
The Black eyed peas. Has a number one hit with a song called “where is the love?” The chorus went like this…..People killin’, people dyin’. Children hurt and you hear then cryin’.Can you practice what you preach. And would you turn the other cheek? Father, Father, Father help us, Need some guidance from above. Cause people got me questionin where is the love?
In a hurting world, love needs to be demonstrated in this Church building – within the church community with one another and to those who are marred who will step into our community. God’s word bids us as a community of God’s people to love one another in a world which is at odds with us. 1 John 3:11-14. Then the question where is the love? will be answered, right here my friend, just as it was with the Thessalonians.
This world hasn’t any love for us in Christ, what it demonstrates is a superficial love, its fake, its empty, it’s a facade and it will draw you in and spit you out in the end it only cares about itself.
But wasn’t that the position we were in when Christ came?
We are to be a community that reflects the love of Christ not of the world a love that is genuine and sacrificial. Consider Jesus who knows what it is to face rejection was rejected ,suffered and sacrificed himself for others (who put himself out for us) our love needs where love increases for one another in the midst of troubles we all go through.
• Hope perseveres v4
Perseverance in the midst of troubles as well, how could they do that well not only because of their faith in God , love for one another but also because of their glorious hope of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. That’s why they persevered they could see the finish line. They were living in the light of his imminent return.
• On the school notice Board in the foyer of St Mary Radcliffe and Temple school in Bristol is a poster saying : ‘Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose today and will come again tomorrow.’
These Thessalonians were living like that they could see the outcome of all that’s taking place. ( Like Match of the day on TV is pre- recorded you knew the result) This hope was the key to their perseverance.
Troubles become a testing , a refining, a developing of our character producing Christian perseverance James 1:2-4. So that we might be mature and complete in Christ, ready to be the finished product when he returns.
Paul encourages them to preserver also because he explains that the roles will be reversed that relief will come to them when Christ returns V7 and retribution will come to those who persecute.
Good news or bad news?
2. Upon his return some people will face retribution .v 5 -9
Are we always just? Do we always do that which is right? Of course the answer is no, at times we fail to do that which is right we see so often miscarriages of justice in our courts. But one thing is sure. V6 God is Just. He doesn’t make mistakes when it comes to the judgement. He will not fail in his judgements to do that which is right.
Paul brings reassuring words to the Thessalonians, he is saying that the very fact you are facing persecution and trouble now and the way that other people are behaving towards them is confirmation that God’s judgement is right v5 Upon them retribution will come.
• Who have troubled us. V6
Those people who attack Gods people in this life, are in serious trouble when they stand before God on the judgement He will pay back not that he might or could but he will.
• Who do not know God and do not obey the gospel v8
This is not in reference to those who have never heard the gospel message, but it is in reference to all those that have come under the sound of the message of good news yet have refused it and still do not know God. The problem for these persecutors was not their ignorance of the gospel for they had heard it and seen it in the lives of these Thessalonians but their stubborn disobedience to believe this will have eternal consequences .
• Everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord v9. Let us all ponder these words with solemnity and fear.
3. Upon His return we will see a completed revelation
• In his return v7
The word here revealed means an (uncovering - the removal of a veil) here it is in reference to the glorious return of Jesus Christ he will be revealed from heaven and we will see the King of Kings descending from heaven 1Thes 4:16 with His powerful angels around Him with blazing fire speaks of the holiness of God and is judgement Isaiah 66:15 -16 and is not only symbolic for the purity of God and his judgement , but is also a literal manifestation upon the 2nd coming of Christ to this earth will be burnt up and laid bare 2Peter 3:10 The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything laid in will be laid bare. A refining process will take place.
This no mere fairy story ( Its not a film like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings) this is reality coming soon to a town near you! Our English language is mere baby talk when it tries to convey something as the supernatural as the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in blazing fire with all his holy angels.
What will that day hold for you? Good news or bad news?
• In Him and His people v10.
• Who do you resemble? I wonder do you resemble Christ in your likeness?
On that day when Jesus returns all will be revealed because Jesus will be glorified in his people, we will be in Him and He in us, we will be completely set apart perfected in Christ. We will reflect his light and his attributes we shall be like Him 2 Cor 3:18 we shall see him face to face.
We will marvel at Him and stand in utter Awe of Him. (Gobsmacked face) There will be no more vestiges of sin in our lives, but we shall be like Him perfected In Him shinning like the Son in all His brilliance.
But we will not be marvelling out ourselves but Him.
Yet this glorious event will also be a further judgement and condemnation upon those who rejected Him because the terrible separation of people will thus become even more startling for those outside of Christ for they will not be glorified and their state will become public and all the more obvious and they will be gathered up as chaff for the fire by His holy Angels.
Good news or bad news?
Well that depends on you .................. whether you are part of this completed revelation or not.... If not the opportunity is still there for you to respond to God to obey the gospel to avoid eternal destruction and to become part of this glorious revelation to be revealed from Heaven with Fire and His holy Angels.
And if you are suffering and facing troubles because of your faith can I encourage you to grow in faith towards God, to increase in love for one another and to persevere in this glorious hope we share in Christ’s Return.
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