Warning... Warning... Warning...
The English version of this sermon is probably not as good as the Chinese version, however, neither are as good as the "in person version". When you are hearing a sermon live there are added little comments that make it so much more enjoyable and relatable. However, if you open your Bible and read along here it says "verse 1-2" or "verse such&such" - then this still might be enjoyable and useful for you. :-)
2 Thessalonians 1-2
1. Spiritual Training, eternal judgement, and being worthy
verse 1-2
This is a standard greeting of Paul's when writing to churches.
verse 3-4
Paul says, You guys are being blessed by God. God disciplines those he loves and you are being disciplined through these hardships. Look how your love is growing deeper and deeper for God and one another, that is just one example. This is why others hear a lot about how you guys are suffering for christ.
We talk about people who are interesting, people who are experiencing something different. We want to be around people who are growing, but we often hide from pain… so we live a schizophrenic life. We avoid the pain that will cause us to grow. We admire challenges others have, once they have come through the hardship. Sadly, while we or others are in the problem, we are shamefully absent.
Paul is present with these people. That is Paul knows their struggles. He is glorifying God for their struggle and their growth!
verse 5-10
Evidence… God shows you to be worthy, because you are suffering. We often think that when someone doesn't suffer, then they are holy and loved by God. Let's specify this is suffering for doing good, for living a godly life, not for sin.
There are only two kinds of people those who obey God and those who don't. Oh wait, everyone except for Jesus is disobedient and needing a Savior. The two kinds of people that will be differentiated on judgement day are those who are clinging to Jesus and those who are not.
If you are really following Jesus, please do not get angry with sinners for being sinful. It is of no use. Besides they are acting as they should. Now, on the other hand, you sure can speak clearly to Christian brothers and sisters when they are being sinful. You are called by God to encourage your brothers and sisters to run from sin and live empowered by God's grace.
Wait for God to judge the wicked. Leave room for God's wrath. Pray for those who mistreat you. Bless them. Love on them. Return good for evil.
verse 11-12
Paul prays for the brothers and sisters to thrive in this time of testing. He prays that their suffering will not be in vain, but continue to produce fruit in them and in others. What is that? Suffering brings glory to Jesus. They are suffering for being light and salt, for sharing their faith. And Paul prays that Jesus will also glorify them.
When you honor Jesus, Jesus honors you. An example of that is when you are baptized. There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels (from Luke 15 - the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost sons). Who is rejoicing? Your Father God, your Savior Jesus, and God's Spirit are rejoicing in front of the angels. So, God gets excited about you when you are excited about God & his glory.
2. The man of lawlessness, standing firm
verse 1-4
People are sending out false reports. There are lots of rumors. Just like when Japan had the earthquake a while ago, everyone ran out to buy salt, thinking it would protect them. Or like during the Sichuan earthquake, when there were rumors of the government forecasting earthquakes. Or how about when the volcano erupted in Iceland and everyone was scared to go outside.
Rumors about Jesus' return have been happening since he left. Today there are always some crazy people telling you the end is going to happen on such and such a day. But no one knows the day or the hour, except Father God (Matthew 24:36).
Before Jesus returns, there will be a great faker that pretends to be God. He will somehow be more than a president, but like a leader of all the nations.
verse 5-12
Paul taught a lot about this… but why? Likely because the people were expecting Jesus to return right away. They were hoping Jesus would immediately destroy the Roman empire. But many of these people were too focused on the present. Paul was encouraging them to think of being a Christian as running a marathon, not just going for a walk. They wanted it easy right away, but God wants us to work through life as a method of purifying us. This is the on going work of sanctification.
This liar will also be able to do amazing things, miraculous even. But all of this will be just a simple magic show from Satan. However, Jesus will show up and just by his breathe he will destroy this charlatan.
Do you love the truth? Are you incredibly honest with yourself? Are you willing to not overlook sin, but deal directly with sin in your life or an others?
If not, then you are likely going to be sent some powerful lie. Your going to deny the truth of your sinfulness, state the case for your righteousness, and thereby unwittingly deny your need for Jesus. At which point, you will be enjoying sinfulness and condemned.
Remember Jesus said, if you deny me, I'll deny you. Not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. You must live an obedient life, a life in love with God, a life of devotion and repentance. Do not trust others to save you. Do not trust yourself to save you.
On your best day, when you worship God, when you read the Bible, when you are sharing your faith with others, that is all equal to a dirty menstrual rag. Your best day, most righteous day, is the day you trust in yourself for salvation is disgusting to God. You must trust in Jesus to save you. You must give glory and honor to Jesus. You need Jesus more than you need anything else. You need Jesus more than you need money, knowledge, self-discipline, power, fame, more than you need food, water, or air to breath. You desperately need Jesus to save you and show you your sin daily.
verse 13-15
Paul says the Thessalonians were living for Jesus. They were doing good. Paul was praising them for sharing in the sufferings of Jesus. The glory of Jesus is always through the cross. Suffering is where the greatest glory, the greatest victory ever happened. We need to join Jesus in suffering if we are to join him in glory.
Do not give up on the teachings of the Bible. Do not trade them for anything else. Do not change the bible's teaching, but be changed by it. Hear the word of God and obey it. Desire more of God's word, it is like honey, better than great riches. God's word provides the path to life. It opens your heart to Jesus. God's word is the mirror that shows your sin - which is TRUTH. And God's word is the mirror that also shows Jesus in you - which is GRACE. John said, grace and truth have come through Jesus.
verse 16-17
Paul prays that they will trust more deeply in Jesus and that Jesus will supply them with all that they need to be faithful. Faithfulness is when you do and say what you know to be true. How can you know what to do if you aren't hearing God's word?
We aren't talking about just making it through today, we are talking about making it into eternity. We are talking about being confident of your eternal salvation. You will not have confidence in Christ if you are not reading the Bible. If you aren't reading the Bible and have confidence, then your confidence is likely very shallow and wrong.
Know God's Word and be confident of your salvation. The Christian life is a life of repentance, with complete confidence in Christ.
帖撒罗尼迦后书1-2章
一、灵性的训练，永恒的审判，和无愧的心
1-2节
这是一个标准的保罗写给教会的问候。
3-4节
保罗说，你们被神祝福。神管教他所爱的，他正通过这些困难来管教你。瞧你的爱是愈加深厚，为上帝和彼此加深，这只是一个例子。这就是别人听到很多你们如何为基督受苦的原因。
我们会谈论感兴趣的人和那些拥有不用经历的人。我们愿意和成长的人在一起，但我们常常躲避痛苦...所以我们活在一个精神分裂的生活。我们躲避促使我们成长的痛苦。其他人面临挑战，克服困难让我们很羡慕。可悲的是，虽然我们或其他人有问题时，我们却可耻的离开。
保罗是与这些人同在的。保罗知道他们的争战。他为他们的挣扎和成长而赞美神！
5-10节
证据：上帝说你是值得的，因为你在经历苦难。我们通常认为，当一个人不痛苦的时候，那么他们是圣洁的，是神喜爱的。但我们说的苦难，是为了让我们过一个良好的生活，敬虔的生活，而不是为了犯罪。
只有两种人：顺服神和不顺服神。哦，等等，除了耶稣大家都不顺服，都需要救世主。在审判的日子，区别的标准是是否顺服耶稣基督。
如果你真的跟随耶稣，请不要为罪人的犯罪而愤怒。这是没有用的。因为他们的行为是他们应该做的。现在，在另一方面，当主内弟兄姐妹犯罪时，你一定能清楚的指出来。你被上帝呼召，鼓励你的弟兄姐妹从罪中脱离，活在神的恩典中。
等待上帝来审判恶人。给上帝的愤怒留下余地。为那些对你不好的人祷告。祝福他们，爱他们，以德报怨。
11-12节
保罗为弟兄姐妹祷告，希望他们能在试炼中成长。他祈祷，他们的痛苦不会徒劳的，而会结出累累硕果。那是什么？苦难将会荣耀耶稣。他们正在为做光做盐，分享他们的信仰而受苦。保罗祈祷，耶稣也将荣耀他们。
当你尊重耶稣，耶稣也会尊重你。一个例子就是你的洗礼。有欢乐的天使出现（路加福音15 - 失去的羊，丢失的银钱，失丧的儿子）。是谁高兴呢？你阿巴父神，你的救主耶稣和上帝的圣灵在天使面前欢乐。所以，当你为神和他的荣耀感动时，上帝也会激动。
二、无法无天的人，站立不稳
1-4节
人们常常发出虚假的信息，会有很多谣言。就像当日本在不久前的地震时，每个人都跑出去买盐，以为它会保护他们。或者像在四川地震时，有谣言说政府能预测地震。或者象在冰岛火山爆发时，每个人都害怕到外面去。
当耶稣离开时，关于耶稣再来的谣言就屡屡发生。今天，总有一些疯狂的人告诉你末日要在这样或那样的一天发生。但是，没有人知道确切的时间，除了天父（马太24:36）。
耶稣返回之前，会有一个巨大的骗子伪装成神。他可能比总统还厉害，就像全世界的领导人。
5-12节
保罗教导很多关于这样的信息...，但是为什么？可能是因为人们期待耶稣立即再来。他们希望耶稣立即摧毁当时的罗马帝国。但是，这些人很多是太专注于现在。保罗鼓励他们把基督徒看做跑马拉松的运动员，不是简单的走几步就到了。他们希望马上很容易，但神要我们一生都奔跑，因为这是他洁净我们的方式。这是神正在进行的神圣工作。
这个骗子也能做出令人惊奇的事情，甚至是神迹。但所有这一切将只是一个来自撒旦的、简单的魔术表演。然而，耶稣会最终出现，“谈笑间，樯橹灰飞烟灭”。
你爱真相吗？你真是对自己诚实的吗？你愿意不忽略生命中的罪，而直接处理吗？
如果没有，那么你很可能陷入一些巨大的谎言。你会否定你的犯罪的事实，认为自己很公义，从而无意中否认因耶稣是你们的需要。在这一点上，你将受到罪恶和谴责。
记住耶稣说的，如果你拒绝我，我会拒绝你。不是每个对我说“主啊，主啊”的人都将进入天国。你必须过一个顺服生活，与神相爱、悔改、为神奉献。不要相信别人能救你。不要相信你自己能救你。
为神提供最好的一天，去崇拜神，去阅读圣经，去与他人分享你的信仰，这一切和一块肮脏的破月经布相等。你所谓的最好的一天，最正义的日子，是你对自己信任的救恩，是对神的憎恶。你必须相信耶稣来拯救你。你必须给耶稣的荣耀和荣誉。你需要耶稣比其他任何事情都多。相比钱，知识，自我约束，权力，名誉，你更需要耶稣，他比食物，水或空气呼吸更重要。你迫切需要耶稣来拯救你，让他指出你每天的罪。
13-15节
保罗说帖撒罗尼迦人为耶稣而生活。他们做的很好。保罗赞扬他们为耶稣而受苦。耶稣的荣耀始终贯穿在十字架上。苦难是其中最大的荣耀，是最伟大的胜利。我们需要加入耶稣的苦难，如果我们要一起领受他的荣耀。
不要放弃圣经的教导，不要把它们不当回事儿。不要更改圣经的教导，但要被它改变。听神之道而遵守它。更加渴望上帝的话，他的话更像蜂蜜，是伟大的财富。神的话提供了通往永生的路。它会打开你的心交给耶稣。神的话是一面镜子，显示你的罪 - 这是真理。上帝的话展示了耶稣在你心中 - 这是恩典。约翰说，恩典和真理已经通过耶稣来了。
16-17节
保罗祈祷，他们会更深入地信任耶稣，耶稣将提供所有这些，他们需要忠诚。当你说你知道什么是真实的，那就是你相信的。如果你没有认真听神的话，你怎么能知道该怎么做？
我们不止在谈论今天，我们在谈论永恒。我们谈论的是成为您永恒的拯救信心。如果你没有阅读圣经，你就不会信任基督。如果你不读经而说自己有信心，那么你的信心是非常肤浅的，可能是错误的。
认识神的话语，并成为你的救恩信心。基督徒的生活是一生的悔改和对基督完全的信心。
Recently I was talking with a guy who was attempting to lead a missional community. He had come from an established church setting. He was used to understanding church in terms of already established structures. He was constantly tempted to lead by edict. “We need to do this!” “These elders should be doing this!” “We need to ensure that everybody leading local house groups is at this meeting and learning “such and such.” So I tried to tell him this kind of leadership won’t do in the process of gathering and nurturing a community of mission. We need a different kind of leadership from you.
