Message of the Week

The Little White Community Church

Scripture: II Thess. 2: 13- 17 April 26, 2026

Message: “Stand Firm!”

by Pastor George Gnade

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6:58

Introduction:

1. As most of you know, we have been studying II Thessalonians. Today we come to II Thess. 2: 13-17.

a. In chapters one and two, Paul was promising the new Christians in Thessalonica that when Jesus returned, whenever that might be, they would be rewarded for their faithfulness to Him.

b. This was especially important because of the persecution they were enduring. Because they were being faithful to Christ, Christ would be faithful to them, counting them worthy of their reward in heaven.

2. Paul went on to say that on the same day that Jesus returned in all of His glory to “be glorified in His people,” those who persecuted them would experience “eternal destruction and be shutout from the presence of the Lord and the majesty of His power” (II Thess. 1:7-8).

3. Then in chapter two, verses 1-12, Paul explained how “the man of sin,” also called “the lawless one,” would come just before Jesus would come again.

a. Because the world no longer wanted God, God would give them over to the devil’s lies.

b. He would allow this because they had “refused to believe the truth, but had delight in wickedness” (vs. 12).

4. This meant that just as Jesus experienced persecution and died on the cross before being raised up on the third day, so in the last days before Jesus returned, the world would persecute and even kill many Christians.

a. But that is exactly when Jesus would return and raise up the Christians who had fallen asleep and transform those who were still alive.

b. Once we are taken to meet the Lord in the air, “so we will forever be with the Lord” (I Thess. 5:17). 

5. That is the context in which the passage we are studying today was written. And the primary exhortation to the Thessalonians was: “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold on to the teachings we passed on to you” (II Thess. 2: 15).

A. In the light of these truths, let us consider Paul’s words of encouragement in II Thess.2:13 -14.

1. Paul wrote: “We ought always to give thanks for you, brethren, beloved by the Lord, because from the begin-ning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and belief in the truth. And He called you to this through our gospel that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

a. “Sharing in His glory” is a reference back to II Thess.1:8-9 where this describes His return.

b. To be chosen ‘to be saved” requires the Holy Spirit to speak to us and sanctify us as we listen to the truth of His Word and believe the gospel.

c.  And in this context they were told to stand firm.

2. It is important not to confuse the wrath of God against sinners with the persecution of the saved. 

a. The one suffers from choosing to do wrong.

b. The other suffers for righteousness sake and will be rewarded for it when Jesus comes again.

3. Throughout history, but especially just before Jesus returns, the righteous will suffer persecution for choosing to do what is right. But the lost by their actions will prove God is justified in condemning them.

a. In fact, the apostle Peter stresses this same truth in I Peter 4: 12-13: “Dear children, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” 

b. And then adds in vs. 14-15: “But if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed… but if you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or a thief or any other kind of criminal behavior, or even as a meddler.”

c. “But, if you suffer because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed; but praise God that you bear His name” (I Peter 4:16).

B. This admonition to stand firm and live for the Lord is followed by some more words of encouragement.

1. Listen to II Thess. 2: 16. Paul writes: “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God the Father, who loved us, and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and deed.” 

a. Please observe, all Christians need encouragement. Paul and his followers needed encouragement. So did the new believers in Thessalonica.

b. Certainly God uses us to encourage each other. But our passage wants us to understand that indirectly our encouragement is coming from the Father and the Son.

c. It is called “eternal encouragement” because our real reward will be given to us when Jesus comes again.

2. If you understand this, then you can understand the “Beatitudes” in Matt. 5: 1-12 where every good action is accompanied by God’s promise of blessing, especially for those “who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

a. That verse is followed by the promise: “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and do all manner of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, because great is your reward in heaven.”

b. This is also why James wrote in James 1:2-4, “Considerate it all joy, my brethren, whenever you face trials of many kinds, for the testing of your faith develops perseverance. And perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

3. Parents often try to teach their children the value of delayed rewards. This is actually a Christian concept.

a. The Bible never promised us this life, warped by sin, would be easy. Roses grow with thorns. Flowers blossom but we still must pull the weeds. 

b. Life has its blessings but death can’t be avoided. No one but God can make sense out of it all.

4. Don’t ever forget that God offers us eternal encouragement. 

a. The song “Amazing grace!” says in verse three: “Through many dangers, toils, and snares we have already come. Tis grace that brought us safe thus far and grace will bring us home.”

b. All of us forget sometimes that we are “pilgrims in a barren land.” Abraham lived in tents most of his life, especially after He met the Lord. But he held on to the promise of a new world, “whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11: 10).

In conclusion: May God give us the faith we need to live godly lives for Jesus, even when everything seems to go wrong, because we believe in His promise of “eternal encouragement” that is not based on worldly values but on God’s Word.  Amen!