January 21, 2024
Passage:  2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Speaker:  Pastor Josh Holland
Main Point:  God’s grace and peace enable perseverance and growth in every trial.

I. Believers are united with the Father and the Son. (1-2)
            A. Look to God to see what a good Father is like.
            B. Worship the Son as fully man and fully God.

II. My faith in God is either increasing or decreasing. (3-4)
            A. Faith is the root; love is the fruit.
            B. Suffering is the backdrop for my spiritual growth.

III. God provides what I need to persevere. (5-10)
            A. Perseverance in suffering demonstrates God’s gift of grace.
            B. God is perfectly just.   (cf. Rom. 1:18-32; John 3:18-19, 36)
            C. A vision of future judgment and reward encourages me today.

IV. Ask God to confirm the work He started.  (11-12)
            A. Changed lives are possible because of Christ’s finished work.
            B. The goal is to be associated with Jesus and Jesus with me.