Strength In Stormy Times

Strength In Stormy Times
II Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 |  Pastor Terry Wilcox

1. God’s choice – II Thessalonians 2:13-14 NLT
   Charles Spurgeon said, “he was glad God chose him before he was born, because nobody would want him after he was born.”

   Knowing that God chose you is a great source of strength.

   “First fruits” means there is more to come.
   To be sanctified is to be set apart for God’s service.

2. Our choice – II Thessalonians 2:15 NKJV
   God’s divine initiative awaits a human response.
   “He chooses us not to the exclusion of our free will, but with the inclusion of our free will.

   Standing firm and holding onto the truth is somewhat like a boat in flood waters.

3. God supports our choice – II Thessalonians 2:16
   a. His love
   b. Encouragement (consolation)
   c. Good hope
       We gain strength by these – II Thessalonians 2:17
4. Pray – II Thessalonians 3:1-2
   “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” – John Wesley
5. God’s faithfulness – II Thessalonians 3:3-5
   Ephesians 6:12
   “If you don’t believe in the devil, it’s because you’ve never resisted him.”  -Martin Luther

   The Greek “hupomone,” translated patience, is used 30 times in the New Testament as a noun and 15 times as a verb. No single English word is its equivalent.

Personal Notes