Thanksgiving For Exemplary Church Growth

2 Thessalonians 1:1-3
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The Thessalonian Church was an exemplary church in many ways. It was a model Church, a Church well-pleasing to God, a “crown of rejoicing and glory” to the Apostle. What made this Church well-pleasing to God and a source of joy and exemplary model to others? The divine work of grace, genuine conversion of her members, their lively faith, love and hope, patience and perseverance in persecution, their obedience and practical holiness, their well-known evangelistic zeal and focused expectation of Christ’s return for the saints. Nothing is said about their large membership, financial strength and wealth, their political power or impressive position in the society or popularity in their community. Indeed, the Thessalonian Church was a persecuted church (1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4). What made the Church great in God’s sight was their clear experience of salvation, sanctification, steadfastness, and unwavering commitment to the whole counsel of God as “taught of God” and as taught by the Apostle (1 Thessalonians 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). They were teachable and their lives reflected what they had been taught of God and by the Apostle.

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This second Epistle was written some months after the first Epistle. The Apostle had prayed for their growth and he had also exhorted them to grow (1 Thessalonians 4:1,10). Now he commends them for growing exceedingly. He was really pleased with their progress and he wrote this Epistle to guide them into fuller revelation while encouraging them to stand firm and remain faithful to the Lord in persecution and trials.

1.?? ?Enduring Grace As Foundation For Believing

2 Thessalonians 1:1,2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14; Acts 13:43; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:17,18; Colossians 3:15-17; Philippians 4:7-9.

?Though Silvanus and Timothy were co-workers with Paul (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:19), he was the sole author of the Epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:5; 3:17). Silvanus or Silas was a faithful missionary partner and he ministered effectively with Paul (Acts 15:22, 27, 32-34,40,41; 16:19-26; 2 Corinthians 1:19). Timothy was Paul’s faithful son in the faith who frequently served as his emissary and representative (1 Thessalonians 3:1,2; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; Philippians 2:19-24; 1 Timothy 1:3). This team of supportive ministers working whole-heartedly and faithfully with Paul had raised up heavenly-minded churches in Thessalonica and in many other cities. The Thessalonians had genuine repentance (1 Thessalonians 1:9) and were brought into vital union and relationship with God and Jesus Christ. “In God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1).

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“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. Grace is God’s undeserved, unmerited favour to us. When we were sinners, enemies of God and enemies of righteousness, God in His grace granted us repentance and forgiveness (Acts 5:31). “By grace are ye saved.” We are “justified freely by His grace.” The “manifold grace of God” is available for everyone of us to keep us victorious in all circumstances. His “manifold grace” include saving grace (Titus 2:11), sustaining grace (Hebrews 4:16), supplicating grace (Zechariah 12:10), sanctifying grace (Hebrews 10:29), serving grace (Hebrews 12:28), strengthening grace (2 Timothy 2:1), sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9), great grace (Acts 4:33), more grace (James 4:6), super abundant grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). We receive peace and grace from the same Source. From Christ and in Christ, abiding peace, abundant peace can always be ours.
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2.Exceedingly growing faith of the brethren ?

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2 Thessalonians 1:3; Romans 1:16,17; 3:23-28; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:9; Ephesians 6:16; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 10:22, 35-39.

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“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because …” Why did Paul feel compelled to thank God for the Thessalonian Church? Not for possessing any worldly substance, success or significance but for possessing the indispensable virtue of faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Paul was thankful or grateful to God because their “faith groweth exceedingly.” The word “groweth” signifies continual growth day by day. As their challenges to the Christian life increased their faith also increased to be victorious.

What made Paul grateful was not the Thessalonians’ growing size, budget, popularity or status in society. His joy knew no bounds because they were growing “from faith to faith.” Saved and justified by faith, they lived and walked by faith (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:7). Sanctified by faith, they stood fast in the faith; quenching all the fiery darts of the wicked by faith, they were “able to withstand in the evil day and to stand” (Acts 15:9; 26:18; 1 Corithians 16:13; Ephesians 6:16,13).

Resisting the adversary of their souls “stedfast in the faith”, they overcame the world by faith (1 Peter 5:8,9; 1 John 5:4,5) knowing that “according as His divine power (He) hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises”, “through faith and patience (they) inherit the promises” (2 Peter 1:3,4; Hebrews 6:12). As our “faith groweth exceedingly” we shall have the conversion through faith (Acts 14:27; 15:3), the commitment of faith (Hebrews 11:8-10), the courage of faith (Hebrews 11:24-27), the confession of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13), the contentment of faith (2 Thessalonians 1:4), the consolation of faith (Hebrews 10:34-39), the conviction of faith (Romans 8:28-39).

3.Exemplary Godly fellowship among believers

2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:9,10; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13; Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34,35; Romans 12:9,10; 13:8-10; 1 John 3:11-18; 5:2,3.

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“And the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth”. Their charity, that is, their love towards each other abounding was like water overflowing its banks. The virtue of increased love was not demonstrated by just a few of them but by everyone towards everyone else. It was a striking manifestation of the power of divine grace in their hearts. Though persecuted, they did not become self-centred neither did live in self-pity nursing their wounds and bemoaning their injuries; they spent their time loving and caring for one another.

The love spoken of here was not fleshly, sentimental, emotional feeling or superficial sympathy for each other. It was loving, sacrificial service or labour of love, permeating the entire congregation.

They were all loving towards one another and were all beloved of one another. There was no schism or division among them. They constantly obeyed the timeless commands: “by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13), “speaking the truth in love, grow up into Him” (Ephesians 4:15), “walk worthy, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1,2), “be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8), “let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
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