Believers Should Stand Firm
Introduction
Encouragement and assurance for believers.
Hopefully, you will be encouraged by this morning’s Bible study.
What Paul says to the Thessalonians, Scripture says to us.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 NLT
13 As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 14 He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, 17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
Examine the Scriptures:
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 NLT
Believers Should Stand Firm
13 As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord.
Paul reassures the Thessalonians that they are loved by the Lord.
The Thessalonians were a source of joy to the apostles.
- Believers are loved by the Lord.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation
- Believers are chosen by God.
1 Thessalonians 1:4 NLT
4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.
—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.
- Believers are made holy by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit transforms believers.
The only work we do is:
John 6:29 NLT
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
John 3:16 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
- Believers are saved through belief in the truth of the scriptures.
All we need to do is believe in Christ and accept the gift that is being offered to us.
- Christians are God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.
Additional scripture:
Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Romans 9:15-16 NLT
15 For God said to Moses,
“I will show mercy to anyone I choose,
and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”
16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
Colossians 1:11-14 NLT
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
14 He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News;
- God calls people through the gospel message.
The initiative in salvation comes from God, not man.
God called the Thessalonians to salvation by using the Gospel spoken by Paul and his companions and the power of the Holy Spirit.
- The apostles were the human instruments delivering that message.
Think about this. God uses people, scripture, and the Holy Spirit.
God uses you to deliver the Gospel message.
now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:10 NLT
10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 NLT
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.
Romans 5:2 NLT
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Romans 8:17-18 NLT
17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.
Colossians 1:27 NLT
27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 NLT
12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.
- Believers will share in the glory of Jesus Christ.
- Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
15 With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
Believers need to stand firm.
Encourage each other with these words:
1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT
13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
Philippians 4:1 NLT
4:1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord.
Ephesians 6:13-14 NLT
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
- Keep a strong grip on the teaching you received.
Remain faithful to Christ
Hold to sound doctrine
Resist sin and temptation.
Endure suffering without abandoning faith.
Trust God rather than fearing circumstances.
***Don’t believe the false teachers who are telling you that you missed the rapture.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,
17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
Psalm 28:7 NLT
7 The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Philippians 4:13 NLT
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Psalm 118:14 NLT
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
