The Vengeance & Judgment of God Pt 2

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The Vengeance & Judgment of God Pt 2

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

September 15, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10

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Introduction:

A day of great woe is coming.

It is the day of the Lord.

It is the time of the revelation of the judge from Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ.

IT IS A DAY OF VENGEANCE.

It will be a time when justice is meted out. It will be a time when those who have afflicted God’s people will be afflicted by God.

It will be a fearful time, when the world experiences the FURY of God.

That should cause humanity to tremble.

We have known men whom no one would want to meet in a furious state.

Think about meeting with the fury of God.

Think about someone who possesses all power, someone who gives us our existence and sustains it, someone who is accountable to no one but Himself, and His fury is now vented upon you.

The Bible describes God’s judgment in terms of fury.

Romans 2:8 - but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (Romans 2:8 ESV)

ESV Revelation 16:17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into athe air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, b"It is done!" 18 And there were aflashes of lightning, rumblings,1 peals of thunder, and ba great earthquake csuch as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. 19 aThe great city bwas split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God cremembered dBabylon the great, eto make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. (Rev 16:17 ESV)

ESV Revelation 19:15 aFrom his mouth comes a sharp sword bwith which to strike down the nations, and che will rule them with a rod of iron. dHe will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (Rev 19:15 ESV)

θυμός is the word. It means passion, anger, wrath, rage.

God’s judgment is described with words that communicate feeling. God will zealously, passionately, carry out the sentences of justice.

THAT IS, GOD’S JUDGMENT WILL BE IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH HIS DESIRES AND IN EXPRESSION OF HIS UNLIMITED POWER.

These are truths that must be preached to the world.

The apostles preached the truth of the coming judgment of God in Christ to the lost.

This is what Paul preached to the Athenians.

ESV Acts 17:31 because he has fixed aa day on which bhe will judge the world cin righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and dof this he has given assurance to all eby raising him from the dead." (Act 17:31 ESV)

But as we saw this morning, this is also something that must be preached to the church.

It is because the Lord’s people know that this day is coming that they can entrust themselves to a faithful creator. It is because of faith in the justice of God that God’s people can rest and trust even when they are living in days of injustice and persecution and suffering.

*Yes, we want the repentance and the salvation of sinners. Yes, we are very much aware of God’s mercy to us in our own case. But we do not want a world without justice.

*Some have been troubled by the cries of God’s people for vengeance in the Old Testament. Some have even tried to pit the God of the Old Testament against what we see in the New, as if the Old Testament God is at odds with the God of the New Testament, or man’s views of God have somehow evolved and that explains what they think to be a discrepancy.

The fact of the matter, as we see in our text, is that we have the same God in the Old and New Testaments and His character and nature have not changed. We see judgment and we see grace in the Old Testament. We see judgment and we see grace in the New. We see offers of salvation in the Old Testament and we see offers of salvation in the New. We see God’s people longing for justice in the Old Testament and we see God’s people longing for justice in the New.

ESV 2 Timothy 4:14 aAlexander the coppersmith did me great harm; bthe Lord will repay him according to his deeds. (2Ti 4:14 ESV)

Every human heart, even the heart most confused about what true justice is and would substitute perversion for justice, desires justice according to its vision.

When Jesus comes again He is bringing justice with Him.

Not a justice formed according to the standards of men.

Not a justice that accords with our own personal desires.

An Orderly Church

November 17, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 2:6–12

Introduction: Healthy churches are orderly churches. Disorder is the fruit of sin, and it is the work of Satan. His work twists, distorts, disrupts, and DEFIES everything that God put in place. The Bible declares that God is NOT a God of disorder. His wisdom produces order and peace. When Paul was addressing the chaotic worship practices of the Corinthian church, he makes this point in the middle of his instruction. NAS 1 Corinthians 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. The word translated “confusion” is a word that means disorder. NET 1 Corinthians 14:33 for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace. As in all the churches of the saints, When Paul is forced to defend himself and his ministry to them, in his second letter, he voices his concern about what he might find when he comes to them. ESV 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish-- that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. ALL OF THIS REPRESENTS TWO KINDS OF WISDOM IN THE WORLD — DEMONIC WISDOM AND GODLY WISDOM AS THE BOOK OF JAMES TELLS US. James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? mBy his good conduct let him show his works nin the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter ojealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not pthe wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, qdemonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But rthe wisdom from above is first pure, then speaceable, gentle, open to reason, tfull of mercy and good fruits, uimpartial and vsincere. 18 And wa harvest of righteousness xis sown in peace by those who make peace. NOTICE THE PROGRESSION. Where there is natural wisdom there are self-driven desires. Where there are self-driven desires there is disorder. And where there is disorder there is an absence of righteousness and peace. What you can be certain of, then, is that the Spirit of God is pleased with orderly churches. CHURCHES THAT REFLECT SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WORD. CHURCHES THAT REFLECT SUBMISSION TO GOD ORDAINED AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH. CHURCHES THAT REFLECT SUBMISSION TO THE NEEDFUL APPLICATIONS OF TRUTH AND ENFORCEMENT OF TRUTH IN THE LIFE OF A CONGREGATION. What that also means is that faithful shepherding aims at that order. Disorder should concern faithful shepherds. Disorder must be addressed by faithful shepherds. Disorder must not be allowed to continue in faithful churches. FAITHFUL CHURCHES ARE CHARACTERIZED BY SHEPHERDS WHO INSIST ON ORDER, AND BELIEVERS WHO FOLLOW THOSE SHEPHERDS. We see a great example of that in our verses today. Paul is thankful for all the good fruit that he has seen in the Thessalonian church. He has praised this church consistently. And when he considers this church, as a whole, he sees them as healthy. But he is aware of disorderly members. He must address that disorder, and the Thessalonians must prove his confidence in them to be accurate by helping him address that disorder. REMEMBER WHAT PAUL HAS JUST SAID ABOUT THEM. ESV 2 Thessalonians 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.

Mutuality & Confidence In Ministry

October 20, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 2:6–12

Introduction: Wherever you find a spiritually healthy family, you find mutual love and care. And, in such a family, that mutuality extends from one generation to the next. This is something that the Scriptures clearly teach for family life. Children honor their parents. Parents do not exasperate their children. Husbands and wives love and care for one another. Parents care for their children materially as they grow up. Children care for their parents materially and physically in their old age. What is true in the natural family is also to be true in the family of God. And that is what we see in our verses today. We see the beauty of salvation in the mutuality of ministry. We see the apostle Paul seeking prayer support from those whom they had evangelized — the Thessalonians. But in the very same context where he is seeking their help, he continues to provide spiritual guidance and shepherding. It is a beautiful, God produced and God pleasing, mutuality in ministry. Mutual love and care between spiritual shepherds and those being shepherded. A mutuality that speaks of the love and care and support that exists in the family of God. IT IS A MUTUAL LOVE AND CARE THAT IS FOUND IN ANY HEALTHY CHURCH. But there is something additional here. While there is an appeal for, and a demonstration of, mutuality in ministry, there is also Paul’s knowledge about ministry that includes an unshakable confidence about the things that we ask for. I. PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO BROUGHT YOU THE WORD (vs.1-2) This is why I mentioned mutuality in ministry. Paul’s appeal for prayer is given to those who never knew what true prayer was until he had come to them with the gospel. They have been reached through his ministry, and now they are being asked to contribute to the REACH of his ministry through prayer. His appeal is based on their mutual love as brethren (brothers). His appeal is based on their knowledge of his ministry TO THEM. A. PRAY FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD (vs.1) “Pray for us” he says. In what ways do we pray for you and those who labor with you Paul? Pray for the ministry of the Word of God. 1. PRAY FOR ITS ADVANCEMENT The word means “to run.” The idea being, as the various translations recognize, that the Word of God would run in the sense of ADVANCEMENT. LSB – “spread rapidly” ESV – “speed ahead” May the ministry of the Word of God spread all around, may it find wide open opportunities so that it advances speedily. PAUL UNDERSTOOD, AND ALWAYS WANTED THEM TO UNDERSTAND, THAT THOUGH THE WORD IS CARRIED BY HUMAN MESSENGERS, ITS ADVANCEMENT IS EXPLAINED BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND POWER. All the human activity in the world will never explain the successful spread of the Word of God. The word RUNS when God opens the pathway in front of it. ESV 2 Corinthians 2:12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

Confident Petitions

November 3, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

Introduction: Prayer is not just the expression of praise; it is also petition. We SEEK the Lord for every kind of help, and we bring our needs to the throne of God — knowing that, in Christ, God’s throne has become for us a throne of gracious help. ESV Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. THAT VERSE REMINDS US THAT THE BELIEVER’S PRAYERS ARE ALSO ABLE TO BE CONFIDENT PRAYERS. Believers must be taught this. Believers must be reminded of this. That when we pray rightly, we can pray knowing that we have the things we are seeking from God. PRAYER IS NOT CHANGING THE MIND OF GOD; IT IS AGREEING WITH THE MIND OF GOD. ESV John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. We have just finished a brief section of great celebration. We saw a contrast worthy of praise. We saw a conversion worthy of praise We saw a conclusion worthy of praise. We saw a conviction fitting for praise (in response to the things for which we give God praise). But now, Paul ends this section with PETITION. SHEPHERD’S DON’T JUST EXHORT TO FAITHFULNESS; THEY PRAY FOR FAITHFULNESS. GOD’S GREAT GIFTS TO US HAVE NOT ENDED OUR NEED FOR GOD. GOD’S GREAT GIFTS TO US GO ON BENEFITING US IN A WAY THAT STILL MEANS OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD. Both the confidence of prayer, and the seeking nature of prayer, are on display in these two verses. This morning, we think about confident petitions. I. THE BELIEVER’S HELPER (vs.16a) When we think about confidence in prayer, and dependence (or humility) in prayer, both are explained by the one who hears our prayers and answers them. WE SEEK THE FACE OF GOD. THE GOD WHOM WE HAVE TO COME TO KNOW IN OUR SAVIOR — HIS SON. THE GOD WHO HAS REVEALED HIMSELF TO US IN SCRIPTURE. PRAYER ALWAYS BEGINS WITH GOD. Before we ever utter a word. Before we ever voice a request. We begin by acknowledging God Himself. It is the knowledge of God that rightly informs our prayers. It is the knowledge of God that rightly regulates our requests. WE ASK ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL. WE ASK IN THE NAME OF GOD’S SON. WE ASK IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD’S NATURE AND CHARACTER AND REVEALED WILL. BUT WE ARE ALSO ASKING IN A WAY THAT REPRESENTS COMMUNION WITH GOD. We are not simply voicing words. We are not merely vocalizing our thoughts and desires. PRAYER IS NOT SELF-TALK. WE ARE APPROACHING GOD PERSONALLY, WORSHIPFULLY, AND COMMUNICATING WHAT IS ON OUR MINDS. Martyn Lloyd-Jones — “But now prayer means that you and I can go into the presence of God and that we have communion with God. We do not just go on our knees and offer up some pious hopes and fears and aspirations and our own thoughts. No, we are going to have communion with the living God! We are entering into His very presence. The first thing about prayer is that we realize that. Furthermore, as those New Testament prayers that I quoted to you illustrate so plainly, when we pray we do not immediately start with our problem or what we want or need. No; we start by worshiping God and by adoring Him. Take the Lord’s Prayer—how perfectly that puts it: “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” This is adoration! This is worship! This is praise! Watch our Lord, the Son of God, praying, and listen to Him. This is how He prays: “Holy Father” (John 17:11)! This is not “saying a prayer,” not just “offering a prayer.” No, no! “Holy Father”! This is what prayer means.”#_ftn1 #_ftnref1 Martyn Lloyd-Jones, https://ref.ly/logosres/authchrnty?ref=bible.ac2.41-42&off=116037&ctx=se+god+dwelt+there.%0a~but+now+prayer+means in Authentic Christianity, 1st U.S. ed., vol. 1, Studies in the Book of Acts (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2000), 165.