1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2012 Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2012

2. Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide An Appeal Dear User…. This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. P LEASE U SE A S I S.

3. Jon Paulien, Principal Contributor

4. 1 The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica 2 Preserving Relationships 3 Thessalonica in Paul’s Day 4 Joyous and Thankful (1 Thess 1:1–10) 5 The Apostolic Example (2:1–12) 6 Friends Forever (2:13–3:13) 7 Living Holy Lives (4:1–12) 8 The Dead in Christ (4:13–18) 9 Final Events (5:1–11) 10 Church Life (5:12–28) 11 Promise to the Persecuted (2 Thess 1:1–12) 12 The Antichrist ( 2:1–12) 13 Keeping the Church Faithful (2:13–3:18) 1 and 2 Thessalonians Contents

5. 1 and 2 Thessalonians Our Goal {5} We’ll get a glimpse into the life of an early Christian church and see some of the struggles and challenges that it faced, including the difficulties that arose from the fact that Christ had not yet returned.

6. 1 and 2 Thessalonians Lesson 11, September 17 1 and 2 Thessalonians Lesson 11, September 17 Promise to the Persecuted

7. Promise to the Persecuted Key Text 2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESV “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.”

8. Promise to the Persecuted Initial Words {127} New problems arose in the church that may even have become worse due to the misapplication of what Paul wrote in the first letter. Second Thessalonians was Paul’s attempt to further correct the situation. At the Second Coming, believers will be rescued by God’s spectacular intervention in Christ.

9. Promise to the Persecuted Quick Look 1. Thanksgiving for Growth (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4a) 2. Encouragement in Persecution (2 Thessalonians 1:4b-10) 3. Prayers for Blessing (2 Thessalonians 1:10-12)

10. Promise to the Persecuted 1. Thanksgiving for Growth 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 NKJV “Grace to you and from God our Father…. We are bound to thank God always for you…because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of everyone…abounds toward each other…for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulation that you endure.

11. 1.Thanksgiving for Growth Fresh Greetings {128} Paul changes from “in God the Father” to “in God our Father.” This adds a relational touch. There are people who feel close to Jesus yet are afraid of God the Father. Paul assures that they can have as much confidence in their relationship with the Father as they do with Jesus.

12. 1.Thanksgiving for Growth “Faith, Love, and Patience” {129} Paul feels obligated to thank God for the Thessalonians because their faith is getting stronger and stronger. Their love for one another is also increasing. This kind of growth is basic to any healthy church. Like a plant, if a church does not grow spiritually, it will die.

13. 1.Thanksgiving for Growth “Faith, Love, and Patience” {129} Instead of faith, hope, and love, Paul talks about their faith, love, and patience. The result of their increase in faith and love is their fortitude in the face of affliction. The Thessalonians have become a model of Christian commitment under fire.

14. Promise to the Persecuted 2. Encouragement in Persecution 2 Thessalonians 1:4b-10 NKJV “In all your persecution…that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God… to repay with tribulation whose who troubled you and to give you who are troubled rest…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven when He comes, in that Day.”

15. 2. Encouragement in Persecution Suffering as a Sign of the End {130} What does the persecution of Christians prove? It is certainly not evidence of God’s judgment against His people. To the contrary, it is a pointer to the future judgment, in which the people of God are vindicated and those who perse- cuted them receive the same kind of experience they inflicted on others.

16. 2. Encouragement in Persecution Suffering as a Sign of the End {130} God’s judgment sets things right. Those who persecute the people of God will one day face the justice of God. But those who experience injustice on account of their faith today can look with confidence to God’s future judgment. On that day, it will be evident to all that they were the objects of God’s favor.

17. 2. Encouragement in Persecution Suffering as a Sign of the End {130} Injustice will not last forever. Thus, the saints of God are invited to have patience. Their patience and faith in the face of trial validates that God has chosen them. In this way Christian suffering can be the basis for rejoicing. It is real-life evidence of whose side we will be on when Jesus comes.

18. 2. Encouragement in Persecution Fire and Destruction {131} Jesus can be trusted to exercise divine justice but without overkill. Divine justice will result in suffering, but not one iota more than necessary. We don’t need to take justice into our own hands.

19. Promise to the Persecuted 3. Prayer for Blessing 1 Thessalonians 1:10-12 NKJV “He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints…. Therefore we also pray for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you….”

20. 3. Prayer for Blessings Glorifying Christ {132} The glory of Jesus is exhibited in the character of those who believe in Him. Paul rejoices that his prayers and efforts for the Thessalonians will be vindicated at the return of Jesus

21. 3. Prayer for Blessings Glorifying Christ {132} Paul shifts easily from God to Jesus, using the two names interchangeably. Jesus is God. The greater Jesus is, the more powerful His salvation and the clearer a picture of God we receive as we contemplate His life, death, resurrection, and return. If Jesus is truly God, then the Father is just like Him.

22. Promise to the Persecuted Final Words {130} Have you been unfairly victimized, with the perpetrators receiving no apparent punishment for their actions? What comfort can you take in the promises of God’s judgment? Or have you treated people badly, unfairly, and have gotten away with it? How do you view the promises of God’s end-time judgment?