Maranatha Grace Church

Outline:

The Coming of the Lord and Comfort in Present Persecution Ch. 1

The Coming of the Lord and the Day of the Lord, Ch. 2

The Coming of the Lord and Practical Christian LIving, Ch. 3

Hello:

Book of 2 Thessalonians Challenge – Day 18 – 2 Thessalonians 1 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)

⁵ All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might ¹⁰ on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. (2 Thessalonians 2:5-10)

In our church we end every service by saying “Maranatha, Christ revient”. Maranatha was the greeting used by the early Christians to greeted each other. They reminded themselves that the Lord Jesus is coming back. Titus 2:13 called that hope, “the blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

As we see in this chapter, the day of the Lord will be both a day of rejoicing and a day of judgment. Rejoicing for those who put their trust in Jesus, but a day of judgment for those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus (v. 8). That is why it is imperative that the good news of the Gospel be preached to all creation. Jesus is coming back.

Why has not Jesus come back yet? The Bible tells us why, because of God’s love for us. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).” When we repent, we put our trust in the Lord Jesus.

May the Lord richly bless you!

Hello:

Book of 2 Thessalonians Challenge – Day 19– 2 Thessalonians 2 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings^[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

 Happy Father’s Day!

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! (Hebrews 12:9)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

May the Lord richly bless you!

Hello:

Book of 2 Thessalonians Challenge – Day 20– 2 Thessalonians 3 (Please click on the blue links to be directed to the Readings)

¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. ¹³ And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13)

Work is a blessing. Work was an essential part of the plan of God for mankind. Before the disobedience of Adam and Eve resulting in the curse of the earth, work was instituted as a blessing by God for man. “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it (Genesis 2:15).” This work directive was a coronation of man as God representative’s on earth.

Every growing child should be taught that all kinds of work are valuable in God’s sight. “Il n’y a pas de sots métiers,” meaning that every profession is useful. From the day laborer to the rocket scientist, every occupation is noble when done well. Without garbage collection, a city would become unlivable in a few short days.  So it is not the glamor of the work that really matters, but its usefulness for the common good.

The Bible has only one requirement for work, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

May the Lord richly bless you!