Overcoming Satan's Schemes / Kept by God’s Power

Micah Jones

Revelation Church

Wednesday Night Sunday School • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

2 Thessalonians

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Through Christ, believers can discern and overcome evil. God establishes, guards, and keeps His children.

Notes

Transcript

INTRODUCING THE LESSON

Begin class with these questions: “What is a scheme? Do you think that the word ‘scheme’ describes something good or bad? Explain.”

-a scheme is a plan of action to achieve a certain outcome

1. Persist Amid Persecution

A. Encouragement for the Persecuted

2 Thessalonians 1:1–6 NIV

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to endure persecution for their faith by viewing it in a positive light in their relationship with God. This is not to minimize the significance or the pain of persecution. Rather, Paul assured them that their persecutors would not escape the righteous judgment of God for their evildoing (verse 6).

Why do you think the Thessalonian believers were able to make steady progress in their relationship with Christ despite their ongoing, difficult persecution?

B. Hope of Christ’s Coming

2 Thessalonians 1:7–12 NIV

7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. 11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In light of all these things, Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, that God would “make [them] worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition … every desire for goodness and … every deed prompted by faith” (verse 11, NIV). God’s will for our lives is rooted in His goodness, and the ultimate goodness we can receive is to have God fulfill His purpose for our lives.

How should knowing God will judge the lost impact the way you look at those who do not know Jesus?

How should knowing that God will work out His good purpose for you help you remain faithful to Christ in the face of opposition?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

God has given to us freedom to make choices, and we are accountable to Him for those choices. The good news is that if we choose Christ and remain faithful to Him, we will be prepared to meet Him at His coming—not to be condemned but to receive everlasting life. The reward of our devotion to Christ will not be fully known or realized until He comes. Take time to praise Him for the great hope that you have.

2. Do Not Be Deceived

A. Regarding Christ’s Coming

2 Thessalonians 2:1–2 NIV

1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.

We, too, must not be deceived. Rather, we are to retain our expectation that He will return soon. This in turn should lead us to be prepared for His coming. We must not be deceived by people who say they know when Christ will come again, or speak of specific dates regarding His coming.

Why is it dangerous to get caught up in teachings that claim to know when Jesus will come?

Describe a time in your life when you were encouraged in knowing that Jesus will come again soon.

B. Let No One Deceive You

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 NIV

3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

falling away

Man of lawlessness - Antichrist

What are some good ways to avoid being deceived with regard to the coming of the Lord?

How can you determine if a teaching you hear concerning the coming of the Lord is appropriate?

3. Discern the Truth

A. Know Christ Will Prevail

2 Thessalonians 2:5–10 NIV

5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

“what is holding him back” - The Spirit-filled Church

Destroyed by Christ, His Kingdom and His Church with prevail

Why is it encouraging to know the Antichrist will be destroyed in the end?

Why would it be important to recognize the many antichrist figures warned of in ? What are the dangers of ignoring the warnings?

B. Hold to the Truth

2 Thessalonians 2:11–12 NKJV

11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Continuation of vs 10

“The” Lie

persistent resistance to the truth will harden them until God turns them over to their own lusts

The righteous judgment of God will fall on the ungodly because they reject truth and righteousness

What does it mean to “hold fast to the truth”? What is involved in doing this?

What is the proper way for you to respond to the knowledge that the ungodly will be judged?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Distinguishing between truth and deception is one of the greatest responsibilities of every Christian. Scripture gives clear direction to guard against deceivers and cling to the truth. There have always been counterfeits to the gospel. With the help of God’s Word, and in reliance upon the Holy Spirit, we can distinguish truth from error and choose truth—even when tempted by the way of sin.

CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

Our discipleship will be tested by Satanic opposition and deception. To come out victorious over this evil, we must be prepared with knowledge of God’s Word, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to recognize and resist devilish opposition and deception.

Pray together as a class for any who are facing severe tests of their faith at this time. Commit to lend spiritual aid to one another in the days to come through prayer and encouragement. Invite students to contact one another with such words in the week to come.

Lesson 13: Kept by God’s Power

INTRODUCING THE LESSON

Read , then note that this lesson focuses on God’s promise that we will be kept by His power. Discuss what this doxology in says about God’s keeping power for His people. Keep these verses in focus as you study this lesson. Our security as believers rests not with us, but with God. As long as we choose to abide in Christ, we can know without doubt that God will keep us from falling. Furthermore, we will be presented before Him without fault and with great joy when life in this world has ended.

jude 24-25

Jude 24–25 NIV

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

1. Chosen and Called

NIV

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—

25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

1. Chosen and Called

A. Be Thankful for Salvation

2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 NIV

2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 NIV

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

How do you express gratitude to Christ for salvation?

How would you describe the proper response to the fact that God chose to save all who call on the name of the Lord for salvation?

Jude 24–25 NIV

B. Practice Goodness

2 thess 2:15-17

2 Thessalonians 2:15–17 NIV

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

This is a simple yet critical aspect of salvation: We must continue to walk in the truth we have received.

Verses 16–17 form an intercessory prayer of blessing by Paul for the Thessalonians

How can you distinguish between good teaching and false teaching?

What would you define as good deeds and good words?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

The verses we just studied call us to practice discernment. This means that we determine right from wrong and good from bad, whether we are talking about the teachings of others or our own lifestyles. Such discernment comes only through prayer and a dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

2. Established and Guarded

A. Intercede in Prayer

2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 NIV

1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.

It is evident from Paul’s letters in the New Testament that he prayed regularly and passionately for others, and he was not reluctant to ask his fellow Christians to pray for him.

we must take seriously requests for prayer, and follow through as we have been asked to do.

What benefits do you see in asking for the prayers of other Christians?

What are some specific needs for which we might intercede regarding the spread of the gospel in the face of opposition?

B. Be Confident in the Lord

What are some specific needs for which we might intercede regarding the spread of the gospel in the face of opposition?

2 Thessalonians 3:3–5 NIV

3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Regardless of what others do or do not believe, or whatever evil they may try to do in opposition to the gospel, we can put our full confidence in Christ that He will strengthen and protect those who believe in Him.

Why must our confidence be in God to empower us and equip us to do what is right?

What blessings have you seen in your life and the lives of other believers as you have committed to praying for them?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

We must not take credit for or boast about our faithfulness to the Lord. Our faithfulness depends on His faithfulness to us. He keeps us faithful and gives us strength and hope to trust in Him. Therefore, we can walk in faithfulness and righteousness, honoring His name in our lost world, as we trust God to help us live for Him.

3. Commanded and Encouraged

A. Live for Christ

2 Thessalonians 3:6–12 NIV

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

The “disorderly” living Paul condemned in this passage (verse 6, KJV; “disruptive,” NIV) referred to idleness or laziness (verse 11).

In societies where Christian ethics are upheld, the belief that individuals have to work and earn their own living, and not be dependent on others for their needs, is a traditional Judeo-Christian value.

Why do you think a lack of personal responsibility would have a negative impact on a fellowship of believers?

Why is being a busybody at odds with how a Christian ought to live?

B. Never Tire of Doing Right

2 Thessalonians 3:13–16 NIV

13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Christian living calls for determination to keep doing what is right even when it is difficult

In concluding his letter, Paul commanded the Thessalonians to withdraw themselves from associating with professing Christians who would not obey what he taught.

What might cause you to tire of doing right? What do you see as the answer to this problem?

What are some practical steps you can take to help restore Christians who have strayed from the truth?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

In , we see discussion of some of the “mundane” issues of life: working for one’s living, minding one’s own business, and leading a quiet life. In contrast, Christians are more inclined to overlook such issues to focus only on reading the Bible, praying, going to church, and doing ministry. Yet Christianity must impact one’s whole life. We find a similar exhortation in : “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (NIV). Take a moment to examine your life. Ask God to show you any areas where you are not bringing glory to Him.

CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

While much of this lesson focuses on understanding that we are kept faithful to God by His power at work in us, it also contains many exhortations that we do what is right. True Christian faith is obedient faith (). We must commit to living for Christ daily, in large and small things. In this way we demonstrate that we are being kept by God’s power.

Ministry in Action

Some Christians fear failure as they struggle to live out their faith. Pray together that students will keep their trust in Christ, then walk