The Lord is with you. Your future is beautiful and sure.

Normal Christianity in Extreme Times – 2 Thessalonians Series – Part 7

The Gift of a Settled Heart

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, February 9, 2014)

[13] But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a difference between the church and the world according to the Scriptures. Yet in extreme times, the church may become so influenced by the world that a biblically abnormal assembly becomes the new normal. Then the difference between the church and the world is not all that clear, and we lose our distinctiveness which is so critical for our mission.

The answer for that sad condition is for God's people to be exposed again to the truth and to believe in it. This will be the way that the Spirit of God makes the body of Christ more holy, setting us apart from the world. We are destined for a very unusual salvation, and we need to live like it by setting our hearts on things that are above, where Christ is.

The good news of Jesus Christ calls us to a confident expectation of a life of heavenly reward. That makes a difference now, because we have become convinced that the meek will inherit the earth. Therefore our obedience to the Lord's mission and our delight in God are not in vain. We will obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The realer that is to us, the saner we will be.

[15] So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.This useful life that causes us to take care of the weak and the poor and to overlook offenses against us, just to give two examples, is not rocket science. Simply put, the crazy idolatry of this world pushes us into self-preoccupation and lazy selfishness. The Spirit of Christ moves us to joyfully serve others in the name of Jesus. This is well-known, and is testified to in the Scriptures and experience. We need to hold fast to this God-loving, other-serving lifestyle.

[16] Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, [17] comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.This good life is a gift of God's grace. To be established and comforted in it is a great blessing.

Put the Word to Work: We need the grace of God to follow simple patterns of kind living. We need the peace that can only come from the face of the Savior who died and rose again for us.

1. When you feel distressed and unstable remember that God comforts and establishes you.

2. When you feel that your life has been taken away, consider that you have a secure destiny.

Singing Psalm 27:9 from Trinity Psalter

Hide not Your face from me, / Your servant now, I pray; / The day you angry be / O turn me not away! / You've been my help. Forsake me not! / God, my Salvation, leave me not!

A Second Thessalonians Hymn – Verse 7 (Louisville, SM)

The chosen of our God

Will seek the living Lord.

Established in the life of love

They stand upon the Word— They stand upon the Word.