Three Encouragements for the Year Ahead

This sermon, based on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, offers three encouragements for believers to embrace resilience through reliance on God, especially in the coming year. It draws parallels to the "Greatest Generation's" perseverance during challenging times, asserting that Christ-followers can demonstrate similar courage under pressure (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

The three encouragements are:

• Encouragement of Praise: Keep Thanking God throughout the Year (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4). Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy expressed continuous thanks to God for the Thessalonian believers. Their gratitude stemmed from observing the believers' abundantly growing faith, increasing love for one another, enduring hope, and a testimony that encouraged others. This serves as a call for believers to consistently give thanks for God's work in their lives.

• Encouragement of Promise: Keep Trusting God throughout the Year (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Believers are encouraged to trust God through present injustices because His righteous judgment will prevail. The suffering they endure is evidence that they will be considered worthy of God's kingdom. God will justly repay those who afflict believers and grant relief to the afflicted when Jesus is revealed from heaven. Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel will suffer eternal destruction. This passage emphasizes that our hope rests not in earthly vindication but in Christ's return, underscoring the urgency of the gospel due to the reality of eternity.

• Encouragement of Prayer: Keep Turning to (Talking with) God throughout the Year (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12). The sermon highlights prayer as a vital resource. Paul consistently prayed for the Thessalonians, specifically that God would make them worthy of His calling and empower their every resolve for good and work of faith. The request in prayer focuses on God's work in and through believers, emphasizing daily dependence on His power. The ultimate reason for prayer is that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in believers and they in Him, according to God’s grace.

In summary, believers are exhorted to foster resilience by:

•Consistently thanking God for His work in their lives.

•Steadfastly trusting God, especially concerning His future righteous judgment and Christ's return.

•Regularly turning to God in prayer, seeking His power for spiritual growth and witness, all for His glory.