Encouragement for the Persecuted • 10.05.25
- Giving thanks to God for spiritual growth
- Sharing evidence of God’s just judgment
- Praying for God to sanctify and glorify
Manuscript:
Good morning church family! My name is Jack Flaherty and I have the privilege of serving as one of the pastors here at Harvest and I am excited to open up God’s Word with you all today. Before we do, it’s time to dismiss 4th-5th graders. Everyone else please open up your Bibles to 2 Thess 1. If you need a Bible the ushers would love to get one into your hands.
Today is a continuation of our series “Firm Faith.” We finished up 1 Thess last week and now we dive into 2 Thess today. Lots of similarities in this book from the first. We again see the trio of ministers listed as authors. In fact, 27x we see “we/us” in this book as compared to 2x using “I” to single out Paul. Though he takes credit for writing the letter, this is a team effort. As Nick mentioned at the beginning of the series, these men showed up, ministered for three sabbaths, then left due to persecution. Timothy went to check in after a short while and brought back a report which prompted the first letter of overall encouragement. Some warnings of doctrinal error leading to laziness on the part of the church, but nothing major. Well it seems in short time a subsequent report was brought to Paul that things were worsening. Persecution has increased and false teaching has infiltrated deeper.
So, likely within a year of the first letter, Paul follows up with more instruction to this young church to help them stand firm in their faith. What would he say to comfort this church in persecution? To clear up the errors about Christ’s return? To call them to rightly live for Christ? The answers to these questions make up this second letter.
I could notget Dory out of my mind in thinking about letter. That’s the little blue fish from Finding Nemo who is forgetful and often in way over her head. And whenever things get tough — when the ocean is too big, when she’s lost, when she feels like she can’t go any further — she repeats this simple phrase: ‘Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.’ It’s her way of saying, ‘Don’t give up. Keep going forward, even when you feel like you can’t.’ And not only does this mantra help her find Nemo in the first movie, it also helps her remembers that her parents left shells on the bottom of the ocean floor to lead her right back to them in the second movie.
Now, I don’t know about you, but life sometimes feels like swimming against a relentless current with no markers of where to go. Pressures, disappointments, opposition, even outright persecution — they can make us feel like giving up. The Thessalonian believers knew that reality well. And so Paul writes to them with a word of encouragement and markers of truth. It’s as if he’s reminding them: ‘Don’t stop. Keep swimming forward in faith. And don’t forget the truths that Jesus laid out, that I passed on, which will lead you home.’ But here’s the difference between Dory’s little mantra and Paul’s message: our perseverance is not powered by cute slogans, optimism, or personal willpower. It’s sustained and fueled by God Himself.
This is emphasized even just in the first sentence of the letter. In fact, compare the introductions from 1 Thess and 2 Thess. Slight changes from first letter that are significant.
He uses “our God” to remind them this is not some abstract deity who is distant. But their own actual relation who desires to help. No matter your earthly father you have a Heavenly Father who is matchless. He also adds from God our father and Lord Jesus. This addition serves as reminder in persecution we can endure and live because God has supplied complete pardon (grace) and total well-being (peace). It’s a reminder that’s brief but brings that much more encouragement to the persecuted. Indeed it is God who keeps them moving forward in faith.
In chapter one, we will see how the Holy Spirit seeks to encourage the persecuted through the pen of Paul by highlighting three means for help in affliction. These are gracious tools and gifts from God to his people. So, let’s look together now at God’s Word. Read 2 Thess 1:1-4.
First means of help in affliction is…
- Giving thanks to God for spiritual growth
After his greeting emphasizing the work of God in this church, he goes right into a praise and thanksgiving sharing even more about what God has done in growing their faith, increasing their love, and seeing their hope carry them through all persecutions and afflictions. Now Paul customarily gives thanks but there is something of note here in v3. “Ought to give thanks” and then “as is right/fitting.” Now he does go on to detail the content of the thanksgiving, but the cause is God. It is God who has been doing the work in them! It is to God who gets the praise. And this is something we ought to do. Not can or might or if we get around to remembering to do it. OUGHT. For it is RIGHT! Thanksgiving helps us focus on God not our afflictions.
Next Paul lays out this thanksgiving is for growing faith and increasing love. The word “growing abundantly” is an agricultural term meaning flourishing or abundant harvest! It shows up only here in the NT. Paul is singling out some incredible noteworthy growth in faith in this young church in the face of, and even as the result of, their afflictions! The word for “increasing” also has the idea of overabundant growth. And this is all people loving all people! In a world where many people are takers rather than givers, this church was full of those giving love. Like James or Eph 1 or Gal 5 or John 13 right belief (faith) and right action (love) goes together! In fact this is answer to 1 Thess 3:11-13 prayer. With exact wording of “may you increase and abound in love.” What’s more helpful in hard times than to remember God’s power to bring about spiritual growth as we hear people give specific thanks for God’s specific answers to prayer!
Next we seev4 Paul is boasting for their steadfastness & faith in affliction. This is still thanksgiving to God! Not meant to shame other churches but encourage saints. Both pump up the Thessalonians who must have felt this was a shot in the arm. “If Paul thinks we can then I bet we can do it.” Power of encouragement. But also to pump up other churches facing the same thing. “We’re not alone.” And again, yes boasting about Thessalonians but really about God producing this in them in their affliction. God is the battery power that has them like the Energizer bunny who keeps going and going and going. Like “more and more” from the first letter. Paul says “you are remaining steadfast in the faith and growing in the faith and we thank God for this growth!”
Paul wants to help this church to keep going in God’s power as he shares this thanksgiving with them. And via their example he wants to help others other churches, and by the Spirit even the churches today, to also stand firm in afflictions by practicing gratitude for spiritual growth!
A couple of specific ways we can live this out. First off, we can be the encouragement to others as we thank God for what we see in them. Not to be manipulative or coaxing, but genuinely expressing thanks to God in front of others might point out what may not be so easy for them to see. When you feel like things are rough, what better pick me up than hearing there is evident grace in your life! Don’t just give thank for whatever random things, be specific fruit.
That’s a second thing, the fruit. What Paul gives thanks for is not physical stuff but spiritual stuff. He wants to move their eyes vertically to see the ways God’s fingerprints are in trials to refine faith, deepen love, & strengthen endurance. We look too much into the physical and need to be reminded of the grace-based things in our lives. The emphasis on spiritual growth of this young church is an encouragement to them & a reminder for them to do the same practice.
Which is a third thing, not just for others to thank God on our behalf but us thanking God too! You literally cannot grumble when you practice giving thanks. Our brains don’t work that way. It’s one or the other. It’s a practice in our house that when grumbling arises we have someone prompt us to share five things we are thankful. That will get you through a tough time. I’ve mentioned this to some of you before but last summer I went to the funeral of an old coach of mine. He had been keeping a gratitude journal writing down every day where he saw God’s grace.
What have you thanked God for latterly? Go over our church member list and quietly thank God for signs of grace. Give praise to God when you observe evidence of growing in conformity to Christ, increasing trust in Christ, increased display of love for Christ and his people! Then maybe share with that person or even other people how you see God at work (like testimony time OR in SG this week). Personally thank God for nice days, good food, friends, but also how about thanking God for the trails that produce abounding faith, increasing love, and demonstrate endurance? Gratitude not grumbles facilitate the trials of life becoming the soil where faith, love, and endurance grow. See them as the God’ ordained means of growth, as it was for the Thessalonians. Then spend time thanking God for that growth, in others and in yourself.
But trials still are difficult. The Thessalonians can rejoice with Paul for what God is doing in them now and how that is an encouragement to others, but what does that mean for their future? Well Paul says the growth and endurance he sees and gives thanks for actually points to a second means of help in affliction. Read 2 Thess 1:5-10. The second means of help we see is…
- Sharing evidence of God’s just judgment
There is a lot here. But I was most helped here to be reminded Paul wasn’t trying to give a treatise on heaven & hell, though there is a good amount of beneficial information. Paul wants to encourage these persecuted saints and give them a means of help in affliction. And v7 says the three authors include themselves in the relief and help this section brings.
Whats the help? The truth that their endurance in suffering is actually evidence of salvation AND is pointing to a future judgement day where Jesus, the Lord of host, will return with hosts of angles in blazing fire to bring vindication for believers & retribution for unbelievers, all to the glory of God.
There is some debate about what “this evidence/proof” refers to in v5 but most agree it refers back to what talked about in v3-4. The steadfastness and faith of the Thessalonians in face of suffering is evidence of coming judgment. Paul says the same thing in Philippians 1:27-29. Persecution isn’t wasted but is evidence of God’s righteous judgment and worthiness of God’s people to enter His kingdom!
Now to clarify, their suffering is not what secures kingdom entry; suffering was the evidence of a salvation already secured by Jesus Christ. Stated another way, they were not made worthy of the kingdom because they suffered; they were counted worthy of the kingdom because they suffered. This idea of worthy is maybe even better understood as “fitness.” Endurance is showing they are “fit for the kingdom.” They are following their savior who suffered! As 1 Peter 1 says this is the refiners fire showing they indeed pass the test of genuine faith. As strange as this may sound to our ears, their suffering was evidence that God loved them, not a sign that He had abandoned them. Paul is reassuring them that their suffering has an eternal purpose.
This is spelled out more in v6-10. Paul explains that God will repay afflicters and relieve the afflicted v6–7. Emphasis in v5 of righteous judgment is emphasized with mention just repayment in v6. It is right that God repay those who afflict with affliction and grant relief to those who are afflicted. The imagery in these verses is likely drawn from Isaiah 66. While Christians suffer for faith now, there will be relief when Jesus is revealed. And though persecutors seem to be fine now, judgement awaits. Then v8-10 give some more specificity with this the picture of flaming fire is like. This judgement v8 says is for those who do know God and don’t obey the gospel. While the Thessalonians show their faith by obedience to Jesus even in suffering, unbelievers show lack of faith by their disobedience to Christ. And v9-10 contrasts the outcome of the two positions when Jesus comes on that day. This is Day of the Lord like Isaiah 2 or Matthew 25. There is no running and hiding it will be sudden and total and there will be only two outcomes, heaven or hell. There is punishment of eternal destruction away from Lord Jesus and glory of his might. Also on the that day, saints who believed the testimony of Paul, that is the gospel message, will glorify and marvel at or worship Jesus. Again the contrast of v8 and v10, those who believe and those who do not, those who enter glory and those who do not.
Many struggle with this idea of such direct speech about what happens when Jesus comes back. In fact even God-fearing people try to tone it down with nuance and apology. We don’t have to be jerks about it but we need to be clear God is just to judge and vindicate! Think about this, if Got continually overlooks evil without retribution in name of “love and forbearance” is he not also betraying that he is not concerned about justice?! That is not god at all! That’s a figment of our imagination! God must be just. And that’s what we want anyways! We all want justice. That’s part of being made in the image of God. For God to be just that means evil much be punished and good rewarded. He will right all wrongs. This is a help for all believers to know!
Truth is that we all deserve darkness away from God. We all ought to be eternally destroyed but never annihilated as v9 says! Yet how do we have a prayer of glory as v10 says? Because of Jesus!
Romans 3:22b-26 For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. God is a just judge! He will reward what we are due. And we all are due judgment for sin. BUT Jesus took that judgment himself. This is how he can be just and justifier. Judgment either falls on our head or on Jesus.
1 Peter 2:20-24 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. Jesus pays what is owed in himself. He suffered by entrusting himself to the just and is the model for us to follow. We endure suffering as evidence of God’s grace at work just like our savior.
Jesus was foretold as savior even before his birth Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Jesus showed he was the savior in how he lived and in what he taught. Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus is the evidence of just judgment of God. We are called to place our trust in him! In trials he is our help which we share about and hold tight too. That is our only option, holding onto Jesus. We share this evidence because its either him and glory or anything else and eternal destruction.
Jesus himself warned of this Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Which is it for you? Are you of the group who believes the testimony and experiences eternal glory OR who disbelieves and disobeys and experiences punishment? See the evidence, feel it in your own soul, and run to the only hope you have on judgment day, the Lord Jesus Christ.
How this hoping in Jesus for the future help us live right now? Probably several ways. One way is it relieves believers of the job that belongs to God. The idea “vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” is all over the Bible. Ex 23; Deut 32; Rom 12:19; and Revelation to name a few spots. God is the one who says he will make it right for those who pick on his people. How quick we are to add burdens to our back and bear grudges when its already hard enough! When I’ve done all I can, then release it to God who makes all things right.
Second, we are reminded of real places where real people experience real eternity. We need reminders of heaven and hell to rightly fear God and prioritize life. And the relief of suffering is oh such a blessed thought of future glory that spurs us on to do much now! Spend time cultivating a sanctified imagination of heaven where you dwell with him in glory!
Thirdly, long for return and justice of THAT DAY—anchor hope in Christ’s return. We don’t spend near enough time thinking about the return of Christ as we ought. For every one mention of Jesus birth there are eight mentions of his return. All this in v5-10 happens when Jesus is revealed and comes on THAT DAY to be glorified in saving through judgment. So release revenge: let God be the Judge. Endure with confidence: the day is coming when Christ will bring relief and glory. We don’t see full vindication in this lifetime, but trust that God’s justice prevails.
Let our endurance be reminder of one who endured for us. Let our suffering be reminder of one who suffered for us. and lets pray towards that end. Which is where the letter goes next. Let’s read 2 Thess 1:11-12. Third means of help in affliction is…
- Praying for God to sanctify and glorify
Really v3-10 is the entire framework for his prayer. If we keep spiritual framework of what’s come before in mind what will we pray for as a means of helping in affliction? Notice what Paul doesn’t pray for…alleviation of suffering. Just like Jesus in John 17, he instead prays that they keep growing in sanctification and experience on the final day glorification. This is also similar to the prayer of 1 Thess 5:23-24.
First Paul prays that God would count believers worthy of His calling (v. 11). This calling is the calling to saving faith believing the gospel testimony as v10 says. This is very similar language to v5 however that was future tense, and this is present tense. He zooms from heaven to now because even though future is secure, we can’t forget God is still at work in you and has work for you to do. We ask God to grow us in specific ways so we better reflect Jesus! Prayer is God’s means to strengthen us and make us shine with His glory.
Second he prays God may fulfill or complete every good purpose and act of faith (v. 11). In short his means that Paul wants their new hearts to show! Because of Jesus they will want and work for the glory of God. God will finish his sanctifying work. This make worthy is again “fit” for calling and “fitting” good desires and good works. And all of this by HIS power. None of the making fit or fulfilling is in their own strength. But in Gods stregnth. We are helped by reminding and being reminded to pray for God to work in us, in spiritual things.
Finally all of this is to glorify Christ in His people and His people in Him (v. 12). All by grace to the glory of God. Prayer is God’s means to strengthen us and make us shine with His glory. Might even say the goal of prayer is Christ glorified in his people and his people glorifying Christ. Prayer is powerful and is a means to sustain & shape his people through trials. Much like Susannah Spurgeon who was sick and bedridden much of her life. But she prayed faithfully and created a ministry to send theological books to poor pastors. Her unseen prayers and service shaped generations of preachers. She shows how prayer sanctifies & multiplies impact, even in affliction.
Whether in the position of Susannah Spurgeon or not, Thessalonian church or not, followers of Jesus still have new desires given by new heart and new plans and new good works of faith to carry out by God’s power. So how are we doing at praying for God to make his grace work in making people fit for the grace they received? How are we doing at praying for God to bring about, by his power, good purposes and faith prompted work in the lives of those we love? How are we doing at praying to be used, and for others to be used, to the glory of God?
I confess I have much room to grow here. I ask to remove suffering rather than suffering as a platform for glory of God. I often look too much to the physical and forsake the spiritual focus on prayer. If we took this mindset, how might his shape your prayers for your children? For your parents? for your friends? for those in your SG? Those in our church family? Fellow Christians in other church families? What goals do you have to reach your neighborhood with Jesus?
Let’s pray to start up and carry out Christ centered, good desired, faith-based works in our community. Lets pray for saints to fulfill the calling to ministry and have a good desire to pick up the rope already being pulled here at Harvest by sticking around to get to know someone, asking a ministry leader about serving needs to provide discipleship each week. Let’s ask God to stir up a work of faith for some who are being asked to step into SGL role, deacon role, maybe role of elder or a future church planter! We got this new building situation in future planning. Good desire faith prompted! Let’s pray and fast and get after it! By God’s grace to bring him glory!
IF you have good purposes and desires and works dreamed up, pray for them. Share them so others can pray too. And if you don’t know what they are, even like Paul just pray for God to make it work in our church and in THE CHURCH. Even in affliction, turn our eyes towards the opportunities God is giving us to grow! Let Paul’s prayer be a reminder of the power of prayer to empower perseverance and magnifies Christ.
When the afflictions are painful, when the pressure is heavy, when persecution presses in we can be encouraged that God left us with help. We can give thanks for the ways God is growing us, even or especially in trials. We share reminders of the promise of His justice, knowing He will set all things right. And we pray fervently that He will sanctify and glorify us, making us more like Christ until the day we see Him face to face. Trust God’s means of help in affliction and consider whats one action step of growing faith and love for you. Maybe that’s identifying one trial and give God thanks for how He is growing you in it. Maybe its releasing a hurt or injustice into God’s hands. Maybe its commit to pray daily this week for sanctification for you and others, even in that one specific action step.
Remember that phrase ‘Just keep swimming.’ For Dory, it was a silly reminder to not give up. For us, it’s deeper. We don’t ‘just keep swimming’ in our own strength — we keep moving forward because God holds us, because His justice is sure, because His glory is certain. Our perseverance isn’t empty optimism but is anchored in God’s promises, justice, and glory. We’re heading home and these helps are like seashells on the ocean floor meant to guide us.
In reading about this section in DA Carson’s book Praying with Paul he shares the story of Florence Chadwick as she attempted to swim from Catalina Island to mainland Californian. It was a foggy and chilly day in 1952 and swam 15 hours before starting to tire. Her coached urged her to keep going but she stopped a half mile away. She said “It was my fault. I asked to be pulled out. But it think if I could have seen the shore I would have made it.” This proved true when two months later on bright clear day she did. Don’t let afflictions cloud your view and cause you to stop short of the eternal shores. Just keep swimming by the grace of God in the power of God to the glory of God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Brothers and sisters, whatever trial you are facing today — lay hold of the means of help and be encouraged to keep the faith. Keep loving. Keep praying. Because one day, the waters of affliction will part, Christ will be revealed in glory, and you will find yourself safe on the eternal shore.
Pray