Message of the Week

The Little White Community Church

Scripture: II Thess. 1: 1-12 April 12, 2026

Message: “Counted Worthy!”

By Pastor George Gnade

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6:16

Introduction:

1. Before taking a break for Easter, we finished our study of I Thessalonians. Because the two books have a lot in common, I felt led to study Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians next.

2. One of the most important themes of I Thessa-lonians was the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. In I Thess. 4: 13-18, Paul explained how Christians who died before Jesus returned would be raised up first and given their new spiritual bodies.

b. Then all the Christians who were still alive would also be transformed, and we would all meet the Lord in the air. “So we would forever be with the Lord” (I Thess. 4:17).

3. The reason this question was raised in the first place was their belief that Jesus was going to come soon. Some even stopped working in anticipation of this great event. Paul told them to get back to work.

a. Otherwise they would become a burden to others, especially if it didn’t happen as quickly as they thought it would (II Thess. 3: 6-10).

b. Paul warned them that while Jesus could come any time, no one knew when He would come. So they had to constantly live in the tension between these two truths. 

c. And even now over two thousand years later, we must still live in this tension. Many believe Jesus will come soon because all the signs of His coming are now in place. But no one knows the day or the hour. 

4. In I Thess. 5:1. Paul wrote: “About times and seasons we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

a. As a result, unbelievers will be caught off guard. But Christians should not be caught off guard because we know what to expect.

b. Sadly, Jesus had to warn even those who did believe of the danger of not being prepared. Many of His parables were written to lukewarm Christians who were supposed to take this life seriously, but continued to live like the world anyway.

A. That brings us to II Thess. 1:3-4 where Paul praises the majority of the Christians in Thessalonica for taking their faith seriously. 

1. He wrote: “Your faith is growing more and more, and the love of every one of you for each other is increasing” (vs. 3).

2. “Therefore, among God’s churches, we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”

 3. Many people accept Christ because they know they need forgiveness. But when unexpected trials and persecution comes, they are not prepared for it.

a. Over and over again, the N.T. warns us that this life is full of such trials.

b. In James 1:2, he writes: “Count it all joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

c. And in vs.12, he offers us the wonderful promise: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood firm, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

4. Praise God the Christians in Thessalonica passed this test with flying colors.

B. This caused Paul to congratulate them while encouraging them.

1. In fact, twice Paul says something to them and about them that we all need to hear.

a. In vs.5, he says: “All of this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result, you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering.”

b. And again in vs. 11, he repeats himself: “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and by His power He may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”

2. First in vs. 5, Paul shares his faith that God will “count them worthy” of His kingdom. Then in vs. 11, he promises to pray for them that God would “count them worthy” of His calling. 

a. May God find us worthy of His calling, especially as we stand firm through our trials and persecutions.

b. But please notice how important our prayers are for each other as we face these trials. God does not want us to go through these trials alone.

C. Let us close by considering the real intent of our passage. It is the promise that Jesus will reward us when He comes again.

1. In II Thess. 1:5, it says: “God is just!” 

a. “He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.” That is why we should never play God and seek vengeance ourselves. He promises us He will be just and punish those who hurt His people.

b. And then vs. 5 continues: “He will give relief to those who are troubled...”

2. When will this happen? Vs. 7 continues: “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.”

3. What will He do? 

a. Vs. 8 says: “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord.”

b. At the same time, “on the day” that He comes, He will also be “glorified in His holy people and marveled at by those who have believed. This includes you because you have believed our testimony to you” (vs. 9-10)! If we believe, it will include us also.  

In conclusion:  Like the Thessalonians, may God help us to be faithful, even in the midst of our trials and persecution, so He will count us worthy when He returns in all His glory.  Amen and Amen!