Stabilizing Believers With Truth

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Stabilizing Believers With Truth

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5

October 6, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5

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Introduction:

Whatever you imagine the devil’s hatred for the church to be, your imagination is too small. His hatred for the church is greater than we could ever imagine.

Throughout all the ages, the great enemy of our souls, the enemy of God, the enemy of all that is good, has been seeking to destroy all that glorifies God — and that includes the people of God.

The church is in the crosshairs of Satanic activity.

The gravity of the devil’s work is often minimized by the people of God only because our God protects us, shields us, in ways that can make us unaware of it.

It’s like children underestimating what their parents do because they are shielded by their parent’s faithfulness.

In the book of Revelation, we are given a description of our enemy that should sober us.

ESV Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

GREAT DRAGON (emphasizing his power and his viciousness)

ANCIENT SERPENT (emphasizing his experience)

DEVIL (slanderer)

SATAN (adversary)

His power is witnessed by the fact that even the archangel Michael didn’t presume to deal with him in a that false teachers imagine they can deal with Satan.

ESV Jude 1:8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you." 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

John MacArthur — “Rather than personally cursing such a powerful angel as Satan, Michael deferred to the ultimate, sovereign power of God following the example of the Angel of the Lord in Zec 3:2. This is the supreme illustration of how Christians are to deal with Satan and demons. Believers are not to address them, but rather to seek the Lord’s intervening power against them”[1]

This church, the Thessalonian church, was facing Satanic attacks.

In chapter 1, they are suffering persecutions and afflictions. In first letter to this church, Paul was concerned that they are not moved by the attacks from unbelievers.

ESV 1 Thessalonians 3:1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

His desire to encourage them face to face had been Satanically hindered.

ESV 1 Thessalonians 2:17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you-- I, Paul, again and again-- but Satan hindered us.

In chapter 3, they are suffering from unruly church members. He makes the point that this can not be ignored, it must be disciplined, which indicates the threat that it poses to the church.

But here, in chapter 2, they are suffering from theological confusion.

ALL THREE OF THESE CHALLENGES HAD SATAN’S FINGERPRINTS ON THEM.

And Paul, as an undershepherd, representing the faithful shepherding of our Lord, is helping the church navigate these specific tests.

What was their theological confusion about?

And what was Paul’s approach to helping them through this Satanic attack?

[1] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Jud 9.

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.