We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 1 An introduction to 2 Thessalonians Background • 1 and 2 Thessalonian’s are amongst the earliest of Paul’s letters probably written within weeks of his visit to Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. (Acts 17:1-15. Around 50AD) Several Jew’s, Greeks and prominent women were converted by Paul and Silas beginning the first church in Thessalonica. The link below provides an excellent interactive tool identifying Paul’s missionary journeys on both ancient and modern maps. https://viz.bible/journeys/ • Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia which was annexed by Rome in 168 BC. Michael Bird writes that ‘In Paul’s day, Thessalonica was a free city with tax exemptions. It was predominantly Greek, but with significant numbers of Italians, Thracians and Jews.’ 1 It had its own synagogue, signifying the size of the Jewish community, and was situated on a significant crossroad between Rome and Athens. Learn more here: https://www.thebiblejourney.org/the-bible-journey/10- pauls-journey-to-phrygia-macedonia/paul-in-thessalonica/ • Paul had little time with this young mixed background church, due to accusations that he and his colleagues were disrupting the Roman peace (Roman Pax) by proclaiming ‘Jesus as King’ in opposition to Caesar. (Acts 17:6-7) Jew’s, who rejected Jesus as Messiah, hid behind people of ‘bad reputation’ to create a riot, causing Paul and his companions to need to quickly leave the city. • Paul probably wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians once he reached Corinth. There he received a positive report on the young church from Timothy (1Thess 3:6) and saw the need to encourage them. This young church was fearful about the fate of believers who had died before the promised return of their King Jesus and were confused about how to live as they waited for his return. • Not long after sending the first letter, perhaps only weeks or months, Paul wrote again concerned that the pressures continued to escalate for the young believers in Thessalonica. They were persevering in faith but needed further encouragement in what to believe about Jesus' return and how to live as they waited. It appears some were arguing that Jesus has already returned and there was confusion about the day of judgement and God’s promised future. 2 Paul’s purpose in 2 Thessalonians Paul’s letter calls the church in Thessalonica to see life, both their own lives and the lives of those around them, from the perspective of the Kingdom of heaven. They are to live looking forward to the final day when the Lord Jesus will return. Whilst at the same time recognizing that through faith in Christ they live, right now, as representatives of the Kingdom of heaven. The certain hope of ‘future glory’ through faith in Jesus must drive them to resist the temptation to live for earthly glory now and instead prioritize life together as God’s called and changed people in whom Jesus is glorified. Paul’s second letter invites the Thessalonian’s and us today to live lives loyal to God’s future, certain of Jesus return, strengthened in hope that we might labour with love and endurance sharing the message of Jesus. Resources 1-2 Thessalonians Nijay K. Gupta https://www.amazon.com.au/1-2-Thessalonians-New-Covenant-Commentary-ebook/ dp/B01J96KSF2/ref=sr_1_1? dchild=1&keywords=1+and+2+thessalonians+gupta&qid=1621392612&sr=8-1 A Helpful Essay on The Final Judgement by Paul R. Williamson https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-final-judgment/ Outline of Studies Study 1: Waiting: Loyal for life. 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Study 2. Waiting: Certain of the future. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Study 3: Waiting: Strengthened in hope. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5 Study 4: Waiting: Labouring with Love 2 Thessalonians 3:6 - 18 3 STUDY 1: Waiting: Loyal for life. 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 “We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is “good,” because it is good, if “bad” because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.” C.S. Lewis 2 1. Brand Loyalty is when customers particularly favour a brand’s product over all others. For example, a particular make of car or brand of ice- cream. Is there a brand or company you are loyal to? Why? Read Acts 17: 1-10a 2. Imagine for a moment you are Jason or one of the believers dragged before the city officials. What would this experience have been like? How might it have impacted you? Paul wrote 2 letters to this young church seeking to encourage them and to particularly teach them about the return of the Lord Jesus. Please see above for further information. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 3. What is Paul thankful for? What does he boast in? 4. Compare this to 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5. What is similar? What is different? What does this teach us about the Thessalonian believers and their experience? Read 2 Thessalonians 1:5 -10 5. In verses 5 to 10 Paul describes the ultimate outcomes of God’s just character on the day Jesus returns in final judgement. What are those outcomes for the Thessalonian’s and for their persecutor’s? 6. In verse 8 what is God’s just basis for punishment? What do you think it means to ‘obey the Gospel’? 4 7. Note Verse 5. What is the evidence that proves God’s right judgement about the Thessalonian’s? Hint: Look for the evidence in verses 1 to 4. Nijay Gupta expresses Paul’s meaning in this way. You Thessalonians are suffering and you wonder, “Who is pulling the strings up there in heaven? Is God in control? Is he punishing us? Is he trustworthy? I say to you, God is in control and he is acting according to his good pleasure and looking after you at the same time. The afflictions you are suffering are not a negative reflection of your worth and value to God, but you should consider it a privilege that he would let you represent his kingdom and that he trusts you to rise above the persecution in faithfulness and hope.3 8. How have you seen God at work in your life in seasons of persecution or suffering? How can we share our testimony of God’s work in our lives with a broken and suffering world? Read 2 Thessalonians 1: 11 – 12 9. What does Paul pray for the Thessalonians? Who is at work in them? Putting it into action. 10.Paul is both praying for and calling them to be loyal to the Lord Jesus – living worthy lives. Attempt as a group to think of as many reasons as possible to be loyal to the Lord Jesus. (1:4) What is one concrete way you can act in loyalty to Jesus this week? You might like to finish your time by praying Paul’s words in v11-12 for your group, our church and one of our mission partners. 5 STUDY 2: Waiting: Certain of the Future. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 “Christ is not alive now because he rose from the dead two thousand years ago. He rose from the dead two thousand years ago because he is alive right now.” ― Christian Wiman, 4 1. How do you wait? Think of a time you have had to wait for something. For example, a holiday, Christmas or even a test result. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 2. In verse 1 what does Paul describe as happening on the day of the Lord? (CF 1 Thessalonians 4:17 – 18) 3. What is the content of the report that has unsettled the Thessalonians? 4. Given their experiences as a Church. (Acts 17:1-10a) How might such a report have impacted their view of Jesus and of the future? The ‘day of the Lord in v2 refers to the Old Testament promise that God would return to Zion to call the entire world to account and to bring his rule of justice, mercy and peace. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus who embodies the return of YHWH and the promised royal deliverer (The Messiah). 5. Compare Isaiah 45:22 – 25 and Philippians 2:8-10 How has Jesus already fulfilled the promise in Isaiah and how will he complete this fulfillment when he returns? 6. V3 What must occur and who must be revealed before the Day of the Lord comes? How is he described in the rest of the passage? 6 Fleming Rutledge helpfully writes: ‘Paul speaks of “the lawless one’ who will be revealed … what’s important here is the clear picture of a Power of Evil who actively works to subvert the purposes of God. This power is personified in the New Testament under various names (Satan, the devil, Beelzebub… Paul and other New Testament writers want us to understand that God has an active, personal Enemy who works tirelessly to distort, contaminate, and destroy God’s plan for salvation. This apocalyptic scenario takes radical evil very seriously and so should we.”5 7. Does the “lawless one” have complete freedom? What comfort would this be to the Thessalonian Church? (2:6-7) 8. In verse 8 how does Paul describe Jesus' victory on the day of the Lord? How would this strengthen the Thessalonian Church? (Cf Isaiah 11:4) Putting it into Action Paul wants the Thessalonian’s to be clear that they should expect persecution and suffering in the overlapping age between Jesus first and second coming, whilst knowing God restrains evil and they can be certain of Jesus ultimate victory.