Sermon text

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

[1] Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. [4] Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. [5] This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—[6] since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, [7] and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels [8] in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, [10] when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. [11] To this en we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ES

Call to Worship

Psalm 59:1–5

[1] Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
[2] deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.
[3] For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,
[4] for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
Awake, come to meet me, and see!
[5] You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah (ESV)

Psalm 59:16–17

[16] But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
[17] O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love. (ESV)

Prayer of Repentance

O God, we have no merit; let the merit of Jesus stand for us. We are undeserving, but we look to your tender mercy. We are full of sin; you are full of grace. You have given us your Son, Jesus, and now our hearts are turned towards holiness. Help us in all our doings to mortify our sin and pride. Save us from the love of the world and the pride of life, from everything that is natural to fallen man, and let Christ's nature be seen in us day by day. We pray in Jesus’ name and for His glory. Amen.

Benediction

Heavenly Father, You have told us that we will face persecution, and that we will be hated as Jesus was hated. At the same time, You have promised us that Jesus is with us as we walk through our trials and tribulations. By the work of Your Spirit, remind us of all that is true in the gospel and how much Christ loves us. Remind us that we have every spiritual gift in the heavenly places. And remind us that one day we will be with Jesus forever. Father, sustain us and preserve us, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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