L 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5 Lesson 15 The Perseverance of the Saints and The Purity of the Gospel 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5 October 3, 2010 Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians

I.Introduction to Lesson 15 A.Could I speak to a group of persecuted saints? If so, I’d use our text. B.Paul’s qualifications to speak 1.Acts 16:16-40; 1 Thessalonians 2:2 2.2 Corinthians 11:23-29 C.What does a persecuted church look like? 1.1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2: Hebrews 10:32-34; 11:35-37 D.The context 1.God’s purpose for persecution (chap. 1) 2.False teaching threatens church from within the church (chap. 2). a.Teaching as though from Paul b.Don’t be shaken or disturbed

c.The Day of the Lord cannot have come – it must be preceded by the apostasy and the revelation of the man of sin. d.The “Restrainer” and the lawless one e.Unbelievers are blinded by error. f.Solid ground to stand on (2:13ff.) II.The Gospel: How Firm a Foundation A.The sovereignty of God in salvation (2:13-15). 1.“But we” (2:13) 2.Not an exhaustive summary (man’s sin) 3.The origin of salvation (2:13) 4.The means of salvation (2:13b-14) 5.The goal of salvation (2:14b) 6.Therefore stand on the truth you can trust (2:15; see 3:17)

B.Beyond Belief to Intimacy with God (2:16-17) 1.The context is persecution, the last days, and false teaching. 2.Paul has just reviewed the gospel, the doctrinal foundation of our standing with God and the certainty of our hope. 3.The intimate fellowship with God that believing the gospel brings. It is knowing and having fellowship with Him that encourages us to stand fast in times of suffering. a.Psalm 73 b.Acts 18:9-11; 2 Corinthians 1; Phil. 3

C.Pray for us (3:1-2). 1.From “you” to “us” in verses Note the change in imagery. 3.Why does Paul ask for prayer? 4.Who are these “evil” / “perverse” men? 5.What does it mean to be delivered from evil men? D.The evil one; the ultimate source of opposition (3:3) 1.From “us” back to “you.” 2.The Lord Jesus: the key to Satan’s defeat E.The Lord Jesus: the key to Paul’s confidence and the Thessalonians’ obedience (3:4) F.The key to “Faith,” “Love,” and “Hope” (3:5)

III.Conclusion A.Review 1.The gospel as a solid foundation (2:13-15) a.Salvation as the sovereign work of God b.Salvation thru the gospel as defined by Paul and the apostles (2:15) c.Salvation as the means of intimacy with God (2:16-17) 2.The spreading, speeding message of the pure gospel (3:1-3) a.As God delivers Paul & his associates from evil men (3:1- 2) b.As God delivers all His saints from the evil one (3:3) 3.The source of our strength (3:4-5)

B.Scripture twisting: revisionism and innovation C.The implications of the false teaching about the Day of the Lord: little god, big Men D.Paul’s teaching: Big God, little men 1.This glorifies God 2.This encourages and strengthens men E.The centrality of the gospel (and the importance of the Lord’s Table) F.Faith, love, and hope flow from the love, faithfulness, and sovereignty of God. G.The sovereignty of God and the persecuted church: 1.November 14 2.What can we say that encourages persecuted saints & motivates others?

Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 15 in the series, Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for October 3, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.