INTRODUCTION - 2 THESSALONIANS

This second letter was sent to the Thessalonians not long after the first one. Paul had received news that made it necessary to encourage them afresh, and to warn them of the wrong teaching spread among them about the second coming of the Lord. Paul's teaching was written to correct what false teachers were saying - they had forged a letter that was of supposed spiritual revelation to substantiate their perverse error. (2 Thessalonians 2:2 ). Wrong doctrine must be corrected because it results in wrong behaviour. This wrong teaching to the Thessalonians had affected some into thinking that the final judgment was at hand, so they had stopped working and were living off others. Paul had a sharp word for Thessalonian idolaters (2 Thessalonians 3:6,11 ), and gives corrective teaching on the Lord's return.

From the example of the apostle Paul, we learn that the best preparation for the Lord's return, is work (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:7-10, 12 ).

1. THEIR FURTHER ENCOURAGEMENT (2 Thessalonians 1:1-12)

Though Paul is the human author of this letter, because it is divinely inspired through the risen Christ, it speaks to the churches.

1.1 COMPLEMENTARY MINISTRY (2 Thessalonians 1:1)

2 Thessalonians 1:1 "To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

God is the Father of Believers Through the New Birth

John 1:12,13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, of God."

God is Not the Father of Those Who Reject Jesus Christ

John 8:42,44 "Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do'".

God is the Father of the Family of Saints

God is love. Love is His supreme quality - His family live in His love and in loving one another with the love of God, His love is made known.

1 John 4:7 "Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God."

1 John 4:12 "If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us."

Membership in God the Father is beyond compare with clubs or organisations of men, for it is a living, loving relationship in the heart of God.

The essentials that consolidate membership of the local church are faith in the Lord Jesus (John 3:16-18 ), and faith revealed by obedience to the Lord Jesus, demonstrated in the act of baptism (Mark 16:16 ) and an obedience shown in a life of pleasing the heavenly Father.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would you say that wrong teaching needs to be corrected because it causes wrong behaviour?