MORE AND MORE – Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4

1. Pastor Mike opened today by reflecting on Christian faith, and the fact that as he said, “Christian faith seems easy to talk about when life is easy, but it’s most visible when life gets hard.” What does Mike mean by this? He went on to say that “Endurance doesn’t create faith; it reveals it.” Again, what does he mean by this? Has this been your experience? And what do we mean by Christian faith anyway? What is it? A short, but true definition would be, ‘active trust in God.’ If certainly is not ‘blind’, or ‘a leap’, or ‘wishful thinking.’ Does this ring true for you? How so?

2. And as we open this letter, what do the first four verses say to you – what is Paul getting at? Paul is saying to this church that he sees growth as followers of Jesus in two ways – what are those ways in verse 3? And Paul uses the phrase, ‘more and more’…what does he mean by this, and why is this important? And what else do you see in these two dimensions? Do you notice that the first one is ‘vertical’ (faith), towards God, and one is ‘horizontal’ (love) in their relation to ‘one another’? And why is this important for followers of Jesus? Do you experience growth like this in your walk with Jesus too – both ‘vertical’ and ‘horizontal’? How so?

3. But in verse 4, Paul gives us some insight that is key…do you see it? In what circumstances are their faith and love growing? How significant is this? Isn’t this the nature of the Christian life over time? Pastor Mike put it this way: “Paul sent this letter because the things that were happening had gotten worse and now they are growing in persecution and confusion on the return of the Lord. Paul offers hope despite their persecution. He is worried that this will lead them away from Jesus if it gets worse.” Do you see this too? Mike went on: “We often think that when suffering happens, that God is not present.” Have you wondered about that in your life too? How so? Why would we sometimes think this?

GOD IS JUST – Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Revelation 21:3-4

4. So, now in verses 5-10, Paul pivots from the reality he has just stated to what it means for them and those around them that are causing the persecution. What do you see in these next six verses? First and foremost, do you see that God is Just, and His Justice comes from His Righteousness? Mike said it this way: “The Thessalonians' endurance is showing evidence of God’s righteous judgment. This means that their suffering isn't proof God is absent; it signals God will relieve them and judge their opponents.” This is really key to our understanding of suffering and even persecution at the hands of others…do you see this? How so?

5. Mike said that Paul is also saying “…that the hardships of the Thessalonians were evidence of God at work in them. It also reveals that they belong to a kingdom worth suffering for.” Do you see this in verse 5 and following? How so? Mike went on: “The Kingdom of God [God’s Kingship] is something I believe is worthy to count that cost and suffer for. I want to ask, do you believe the same thing? And not only do you believe it, but do you live this out?” How do you answer these questions? They are key questions for Christians to ask and answer, yes? See what Paul’s answer is for himself in the 2 Corinthians passage – what does he say? What does he mean? How much suffering did Paul endure? Is this for us today? How so?

6. And in verses 8-10 of our passage today, Pastor Mike shared this: “Paul also shares that in the end God will make it right. God will repay comfort for the afflicted and reign righteous judgment for all. Paul shares that it is just for God to repay. Those who cause affliction with face affliction and those who have been afflicted will receive relief from their affliction.” Do you see this? Mike goes on: “Paul shares the outcome for those who don’t follow the Lord and they are sober. Eternal destruction and being away from the presence of the Lord. These are the ones that do not know God and do not obey the gospel.” Again, do you see this and know this?

7. But Pastor Mike said that we know that, for believers, the suffering is not forever…again, that’s what Paul was getting at in 2 Corinthians, yes? And what does the Revelation passage say? Who is speaking in verse 4? What does this tell believers? Is this comforting and does it ‘bring you peace’? How so?

8. And so, as Mike concluded this first Chapter of the letter, he said: “For the believer, Christ's return is joy! It says Jesus will be glorified in His saints and marveled at among all who believe. The persecuted church will be publicly vindicated, and Christ will be publicly honored through them. If you have given your life to Christ and you are in the midst of suffering, this is such good news…that there will be relief. That there is a purpose for your suffering.” Do you see this as well? How so?

ENDURING FAITH – Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; James 1:2-3, 12

9. And in these final two verses, Pastor Mike wants us to see that this is actually a prayer of Paul for this church community…and what does Paul pray for them? Mike called it, “…a prayer of endurance to honor God.” Do you see this?

10. And as counter intuitive as it is to our modern, Western ears, what does James write in his letter in Chapter 1? Can joy and suffering really be connected? And can it really produce perseverance or endurance? How so? Have you had this experience yourself? Mike closed by reminding us that, “Enduring faith proves God is at work.” Does this ring true for you? How so? And he asked us all to consider, “What’s the one act of faith that I can live out in the lives of others this week? Who needs comfort in their suffering, that we can share Christ with?” Amen!

Prayer: In prayer this week, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to the blessings He provides in your life, often in the midst of your own suffering. Pray that He would hold fast to you, provide you with comfort, and strengthen both your faith in Him and your love for those around you. Pray that He would guide your path this week for the benefit and care of others, who by sharing Him, would find comfort and blessing in their trials and hardships. And as always, pray that the Holy Spirit would give you ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to respond to His call to you, in order to be His hands and feet in this world, living with and sharing enduring faith in Him, all for God’s Glory! Amen.

Sermon Discussion Questions August 2, 2026