Stand Fast - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 3-12-2017

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we looked at some areas in which we must stand fast. 

1.  “In the shifting sands of human theology,” we must be firmly anchored in the Word of God: our Faith, our Freedom, our Fellowship, our Fight, and our Finishing.  Spiritually in America—the Bible Belt—and the World are in serious decline. 

2.  The Old Paths of holiness and doctrinal purity have been forsaken for the New Paths of worldliness and ecumenism!  I expect the world to be worldly but not the church.  We do not bow our knees to the “god of this world.”  We bow them to the God of this Bible!

B.  It is one thing to know where we need to stand but another to know what will help us to do so. 

1.  In our text, we find Paul’s encouragement to the church at Thessalonica as they face spiritual change and adversity.  The adversity that once came from without now was within.  The enemy is among us! 

2.  Paul gives several things in these verses that I believe are important to our maintaining the Old Paths wherein is the good way.

1.  The Assurance of God’s Abiding Love.  Vs. 13-14, 16.  “Brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ … which hath loved us.”

Ephesians 2:4-7  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  (5)  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  (6)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  (7)  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  (Why doubt the love of Christ?)

2.  The Assurance of God’s Men Who Taught Us Truth.  Vs 15.  “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”  

2 Timothy 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (He learned from his mother, grandmother, and the Apostle Paul.  Why would he doubt their sincerity?)

3.  The Assurance of God’s Consolation.  Vs 16.  “And hath given us everlasting consolation.”

Hebrews 6:17-20  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:  (18)  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:  (19)  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;  (20)  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Our Lord said to follow Him.  He chose our path so why should we doubt Him?)

4.  The Assurance of God’s Promises of Impending Victory.  Vs 16.  “And good hope.”

Romans 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 John 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  (If the battle is the Lord’s, why should the outcome be in doubt?)

5.  The Assurance of God’s Amazing Grace in Suffering.  Vs 16.  “Through grace.”

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

1 Peter 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  (If God is the God of all grace and that grace is sufficient, why should we think that God will place more on us than we can bear?)

6.  The Assurance of God’s Comforting and Comforter.  Vs. 17.  “Comfort your hearts.”

John 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (If God promised that He would walk with us, why should we doubt His presence?)

7.  The Assurance of God’s Stablishing His Children.  Vs 17.  “And stablish you in every good word and work.

Romans 16:25-27  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  (27)  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (To strengthen and stabilize. The results of establishment in the Word of God is two-fold: 1)  In every good word [their witnessing and preaching]  2)  “in every good” … work [evangelization and missions].  If the Word of God is right, why should we doubt His promises?)