The Model Church Continued: 2 Thes. 2:13-3:5
When you’re in the midst of trials and suffering a word of encouragement from someone you admire is welcomed; Paul was that person. He shared his feelings of gratitude reminding them of God’s love, their chosenness, and calling. As Abraham was chosen to begin the Hebrew nation so are they chosen to be a beginning of the early churches: a model church. Through their belief in Christ and Spirit-ability to live in His kingdom they are learning to possess it. Paul wrote they had ‘obtained the glory of Christ’, that means Jesus shares His glory by their witness and example to the world. People see Jesus in the way we handle life, standing firm in our faith, as we trust Him for His outcome. True for the Thessalonians and true for us.
As this church learned about the God of the Old Testament, the traditions, that were handed down through Paul, they were gaining understanding of God’s character as it relates to the gospel of the New Testament Paul preached (1 Cor. 11:2).
Prayer was vital to Paul’s ministry team and as they prayed for this model church they didn’t hesitate to ask for prayer themselves (3:1) knowing the gospel had to move forward even though spiritual warfare was ahead. Remember, the team escaped the persecution of Thessalonica by fleeing to Corinth and Paul knew the evil one, the devil, isn’t finished with them yet.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9
These verses remind this church that the Lord is faithful in building their foundation and will guard and protect it as He has from the beginning. As a model church they’re an example to other faith communities doing what Paul commands or better translated, his preaching and teachings, fully authorized messages, with instructions, warnings, and counsel (1 Cor. 3:10-15).
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10a, 11
Lastly, he prays a quick prayer for the Lord to ‘direct their hearts’ toward confidence in God’s love and guidance every step of the way. That’s ‘hanging in there’ power of the Holy Spirit to endure anything under any circumstances. How crucial that is to any believer in any nation able to read these words today that are under Islamic or any evil rule. In the same way as Christ endured His sufferings and persecutions they are empowered to endure theirs. The enemy may try to quench their faith but the Spirit blows on the fire of their hearts and reignites them.
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