Perseverance and Faith

Introduction

A. ILL. “Perseverance: Mary Groda.” We like to hear stories of those who succeed against great adversity. We like to know that some because of dedication, focus, and resiliency refused to give up when the pressure was on. We like to hear of those who believe that failure is only another opportunity to try again. Those kind of stories make us try harder ourselves. We also become faced with the reality that in order to attain our goal takes hard work and perseverance. The path of success is not an easy one. Rarely do we achieve our goal without some sweat, adversity, and a refusal to quit. The person who wants to succeed in business must push the limits at times to gain the goal. The person who wants to lose weight must fight the demons of desire to win. The high school student must demonstrate academic standards above the norm to receive the scholarship. Those who want to raise good children must spend time with them. Whatever the goal, a desire to succeed must exceed the desire to quit.

B. Have you ever thought about our Christian walk requiring a desire to succeed more than to quit? We talk about perseverance, but do we really know what that means in our Christian walk? I am not saying that our salvation depends on us, but our faithfulness does. God saves, but our demonstration of that truth depends on us. And there is a clear distinction between those who walk with God and those who do not. 2 Thessalonians was written within months if not weeks of the first letter. With the first letter having been written, it had to be delivered. The deliverer would have stayed in Thessalonica for a time and then returning to Paul would have reported what had been seen and said. This second letter is a response to the problems going on in the church.

C. There is little difference in the subject matter between the two letters. The main issue is the return of Christ. Paul takes the first two chapters to further clarify some questions about Christ’s return. The third chapter is an admonition about how the Thessalonians are to live in light of Christ’s return. Much of the information given in this second letter repeats the information given in the first letter. But in this second letter, Paul goes to great lengths to give more insight into Christ’s return so that these new Christians can remain focused how they are to live as they wait for Christ to return. The point of chapter one is simply this—persevere in your walk with God. Glorify Christ in the way you live. When Christ returns he will reward those who are his and punish those who do not belong to him. While we wait for his return, live lives which demonstrate faith and a high purpose. As we expand our study this morning we will be encouraged to persevere in our walk with God; to remember that we have a goal which will demands a desire to succeed more than a desire to quit. Let’s begin with singing.

Thanksgiving

A. Paul begins this letter with one long sentence. This is not uncommon Paul. It is almost as if he is overflowing with things to say and doesn’t want to lose momentum. He thanks God for their growing faith and love. He had prayed for God to bring an increase in their love in 1 Thess. 3:11 and God has answered that prayer. He also says that he boasts about their perseverance and faith as demonstrated in the face of persecution and trials. While Acts 17 gives us some insight into what these were originally we don’t know the form or intensity of these difficulties now. The word persecution is more than being cut off from society. There are some physical and verbal persecutions that they are going through. Yet, they persevere in their walk with God. They are not giving up their relationship with Jesus just because of difficulties.

B. Paul says this is proof of God’s just choice and that they are worthy to be a part of the kingdom. Paul doesn’t mean that the way they live is gaining their salvation but rather that their perseverance is an indication that they are serious about their walk with God. Paul says their suffering is not fruitless. When Christ returns he will bring trouble for those who do the persecuting and relief to the persecuted. This is just. This is right. This is fair. God’s decision to reward and punish is fair and equitable. This has nothing to do with vindictiveness. This is fair consequence for choices made. When Jesus returns (v.8), God will punish those who do not know him and those who do not obey the gospel. Two separate groups are mentioned. What does Paul mean?

i. Those who do not know God are not those who have never heard the gospel. These would be similar to those mentioned in Romans 1. Every person has within them this sense of right and wrong. They can look around and see creation and know that randomness is not the answer. Instead of pursuing what was obviously from God, they chose instead to pursue their own foolish desires.

ii. Those who do not obey the gospel are those who have heard about Jesus and have not given their lives to him. These are the ones who know the truth and have had the truth explained but choose instead to ignore the truth or not to obey it. Such a choice will result in punishment.

C. The punishment will be to be shut out of the presence of God (v.9). Those who choose to follow their own desires will not be in the presence of God and will not be able to share in his majesty. The decision to not follow Christ has consequences and God will carry out those consequences when Christ returns. There will be no reason to plead your case. Your decision will have been made and God will carry out the decision you made. Paul’s words are to encourage these young Christians to continue in their faith. They are to continue to doggedly persevere in their walk with God. So what lessons are there for us to learn from this text?

Lessons

A. First, faith is best seen in tension. We live at time in which our walk with God while accepted is quickly being asked to be set aside for the greater good. We are to speak of our faith at work because it may be offensive. We are to accept alternative lifestyles as personal choices. The word “wrong” is leaving our vocabulary because it puts people off. Look at verse 7. The word “relief” means to be set free from restraints and tension. The suffering which the Thessalonians went through is more than what we go through, but it may not always be that way. Here’s the point. In order for there to be relief there must be tension. We should never be surprised when our walk with God is challenged. We should never be surprised when those around us try to get us to cut corners and to cheat. We should never be surprised when we are asked to turn the other way while others engage in unethical practices. But that is when our faith must be seen. This will not be easy. In fact, it may be costly. But our faith is best seen when there is tension between us and this world.

B. Second, this tension will last until Christ returns. Notice again verse 7. This tension doesn’t go away until Christ returns. This life isn’t supposed to be easy because of our faith and our walk with God. It is supposed to be hard. This is not always the case, but what I am getting ready to say is a general truth. If there are not times in your life when you don’t feel this tension between your walk with God and the world, then you probably need to reexamine your life and see whose side your on. There ought to be times when we aren’t sure it’s worth continuing. There are to be times when we think giving up might be easier than continuing. There ought to be times when temptations are real and holding on to God is difficult. Don’t misunderstand—walking with God provides strength to overcome, but if there isn’t any tension in your life concerning your faith you may be spiritually dead. We are supposed to have this tension until Christ returns. It is in this tension that relief can be given.

C. Third, perseverance is active not passive. We are not in this for the short run but for the long haul. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 13 in the parable of the sower. There are those who are like rocky ground. They hear the gospel receive it quickly and joyfully but when persecution and trouble arises they just as quickly fall away. This is not a sprint; this is a marathon. Perseverance means we keep plugging away until the Lord returns. ILL. “Perseverance: Lou Gehrig.” There may be times we don’t feel like continuing, but the real mark of perseverance is when our desire to succeed outlasts our desire to quit. Perseverance means we push, pull, sweat, plug away, keep hitting until the Lord returns. Do we do this for ourselves? Absolutely not. According to verse 12 we persevere so that others may see Christ in us. We are to live so that the Lord Jesus may be glorified in our lives. People are supposed to see that Jesus is a wonderful Savior by the conduct of our lives. And when he returns there will be a great reception. Jesus will bring relief to all who have persevered. ILL. “Dreams: taking risks.” When Jesus returns there will be horns blasting and people screaming and cheering. But until that day, our lives are to reflect the One who has called us to be his. Are you persevering? Is your faith seen? Is there a real tension in your life because of your faith? Invitation.

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