Pre-sermon Passage Orientation
October 19
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Head:
The second epistle to the Thessalonians followed no more than a year and a half after the first letter, probably sooner. The second letter also contains instructions about the second coming of Jesus. It seems a group came through the area saying the resurrection had already taken place (see 2:1-2). Paul begins in chapter one by encouraging the church concerning their authentic faith.
Heart:
Paul (and Silvanus and Timothy) begin the letter by building up the Thessalonians. They ground the encouragement in theological insights. When he gets to the “therefore” portion of chapter one, he has already contrasted their genuine faith and the actions of those who don’t know God or obey the gospel. From a reader’s perspective, it is clear which group should be emulated.
Hands:
The application section should not be taken out of sequence. Paul is writing to believers who placed their faith in God already. He is not indicating they could be worthy of God’s calling in some sense apart from faith. It is faith that produces the work not work producing faith. Believers are called to live consistent with God’s work in their lives.
Habits:
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul wrote of the church’s general understanding concerning the coming of Jesus. That a group was able to confuse some of them highlights the need to not just study doctrine or theology until it can be explained. We need to live it and reassure ourselves of biblical truth continually.