The Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians - Part 7

Love for Unbelievers

• God loves unbelievers. Matthew 5:43-48
• God loves unbelievers in a limited way. Acts 14:17, Romans 2:4
  Love for Believers
• God’s love for the believer controls everything that he does in the life of the believer.
  Romans 8:28
• God’s love for the believer lasts for all eternity. Romans 8:35-39
  Necessity of a Changed Life
  The Work of the Spirit
  The Result of the Cross
  The work of the Spirit is tied to the cross. Hebrews 10:14, Romans 8:3-4
  The Guarantee of a Changed Life
• The changed life is the proof that our sins are forgiven. Romans 8:1-2
• The work of the Spirit will not allow a believer not to have a changed life. Romans 8:5-9
  When are Traditions not Authoritative?
  The Importance of Context
  When Tradition is Bad
  Man-Made
  Tradition can be teaching that is made up by men is not binding on the believer.
  Mark 7:8, Matthew 15:3, Colossians 2:8
  When Tradition is Good
  Divine Revelation
  Tradition can be biblical truth that has been handed down from the apostles.
  2 Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6
  Is Jesus God or is the Father God?
  The Multiple Roles of the Son
  Jesus is God
• Jesus is described as God. John 1:1, 20:28, Hebrews 1:8
• Jesus’ enemies understood that he was claiming to be God. John 5:18, 10:33
  Jesus is the Man who is the Redeemer
• As the redeemer Jesus is a man who redeemed men. Hebrews 2:17
• As the man who redeems God is his father. 2 Thessalonians 2:16
  Eternal Encouragement
  Believers Thrive on Encouragement
• Biblical hope is a confidence that something will be ours even though we do not yet have it. Romans 5:1
• The promise of eternal life is to cause believers to push the envelope in living for their Lord.