WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.560 Well, thank you very much, Johan, and everyone else who's been involved in the service. 00:00:05.679 --> 00:00:11.080 Please do have that Bible passage open in front of you, as we'll be diving in and out of it throughout this evening. 00:00:13.060 --> 00:00:23.339 In August 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, and the persecution of Christians absolutely rocketed. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:32.340 Afghanistan is now the number one country in the world where Christians are persecuted, according to the charity Open Doors. 00:00:32.700 --> 00:00:42.359 There were reports early on of Taliban soldiers going door to door, killing Christians and hurting anyone who helped hide them. 00:00:43.480 --> 00:00:45.600 Similar stories come out of Iran. 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:50.519 One story I read this week was a couple who had become Christians from a Muslim background, 00:00:50.520 --> 00:00:55.500 and they began to attend their underground church network. 00:00:56.820 --> 00:00:59.260 But one night, their door was kicked in. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.560 They were arrested, blindfolded, beaten, interrogated, and imprisoned. 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:13.260 Only months later to be released to flee Iran, never to return for fear of their lives. 00:01:14.320 --> 00:01:18.420 The persecution in these places is a constant threat. 00:01:18.420 --> 00:01:20.659 And those are just the stories we know about. 00:01:20.760 --> 00:01:29.519 There are countless, or there will be countless of stories across the world of Christians being persecuted and mistreated for their faith in Jesus. 00:01:30.960 --> 00:01:36.060 But it isn't always systematic and physical, is it? 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:46.640 We'll probably all know stories of Christians being rejected for certain jobs and professions in this country for their faith. 00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:49.640 Scientists mocked. 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:51.859 Politicians scorned. 00:01:51.900 --> 00:02:01.000 Teachers looked at with intrigue to see whether their teaching is right and what conversations they're having with their students. 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:08.479 Or Christians being denied access to venues for a conference because of the message that they will proclaim about Jesus. 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:16.340 Christians being silenced or fired from their jobs for their views that run contrary to the world. 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:25.719 Christians in the West, generally speaking, aren't persecuted physically, but we are certainly not welcomed with open arms. 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:38.400 Whilst our physical well-being might not be in danger, there are plenty of other ways that the world uses to make a stand against Christians and our faith. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:49.719 With so much going on against Christians, it can be easy to think that God is blind to the persecution and oppression of his people. 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:53.640 But we'll see the truth this evening. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:03:01.040 The truth I want us to fix our eyes on is to remember, as we turn to 2 Thessalonians, that God is not blind. 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:10.780 There is not a second of suffering that his people endure for his name that he doesn't see and that doesn't grieve him. 00:03:12.959 --> 00:03:16.000 Remember the context of this letter that we looked at last week. 00:03:16.379 --> 00:03:20.419 This church in Thessalonica were being persecuted physically. 00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:26.539 So how does Paul encourage and build up these Christians who are in a daily battle? 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:31.339 Well, in our passage for tonight, he gives them a signpost. 00:03:31.779 --> 00:03:36.919 A signpost of the future that awaits them and awaits those who persecute them. 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:42.159 These Christians were being attacked, attacked from outside and from within. 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:46.899 False teachers inside spreading lies about the return of Jesus. 00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:51.180 And so this is a hurting church. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:56.060 Maybe they thought that God was blind to their suffering. 00:03:57.580 --> 00:04:03.300 And so Paul steps in and encourages them by giving them certainty of the future. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:06.560 The future that awaits the wicked. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:09.400 Those who are persecuting this church. 00:04:09.540 --> 00:04:11.180 Those who reject Jesus. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:14.560 And the future of Christians. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:20.800 The future that we await as Jesus returns and the struggles in this life are over. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:26.300 And my hope is that as we study these two truths together from our passage, 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:30.540 that we'll be encouraged and to stand firm in our faith. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:34.379 And in the midst of suffering for the name of Jesus, 00:04:35.660 --> 00:04:39.620 that we'll be comforted with the knowledge that whatever we face in this life, 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:43.459 God sees it all and he will bring justice. 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:47.399 And if you're here and you're not a Christian this evening, 00:04:47.399 --> 00:04:52.759 I hope you see just how important the decision is whether you follow Jesus 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:54.819 or whether you reject him. 00:04:56.040 --> 00:04:59.800 So please keep that passage in 2 Thessalonians open in front of you 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:02.480 because we're going to jump about in these verses. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:07.640 Looking first at the future of the wicked and then the future of the faithful. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:11.780 So the first thing we see in this passage is the future of the wicked. 00:05:12.020 --> 00:05:14.900 In verses 6 and in verses 8 and 9. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:16.120 The future of the wicked. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:20.379 Now the world is full of stories of people 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:23.620 who've gotten away with atrocities against others. 00:05:24.520 --> 00:05:26.100 You see it on a global level. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:31.600 Wars being fought out of selfishness of one man or of one nation. 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:35.200 History is full of powerful figures 00:05:35.200 --> 00:05:39.580 who were responsible for killing thousands upon thousands of people 00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:42.260 and they thought they were untouchable. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:48.240 It's easy for people to think that they might be above the rules 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:49.439 because they have power, 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:52.280 that they won't suffer any consequences for their actions. 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:54.220 And so they oppress. 00:05:54.760 --> 00:05:55.879 They persecute. 00:05:55.980 --> 00:05:58.879 They hurt those who don't quite fit with their agenda 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:00.780 or with their goals. 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:04.800 That's the context of the Thessalonian church, isn't it? 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:07.600 These Christians were coming under attack, 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:09.800 suffering at the hands of wicked people. 00:06:10.780 --> 00:06:13.680 These Christians were living counter-cultural lives. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:14.420 They were different. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:18.100 The people in this church had changed. 00:06:18.220 --> 00:06:20.379 They'd started living for Jesus. 00:06:20.840 --> 00:06:24.200 And so the community around this church began to hate them. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:28.139 And they probably thought that they were going to get away with it 00:06:28.139 --> 00:06:30.039 because after all, 00:06:30.099 --> 00:06:32.240 the church is the minority in this situation. 00:06:33.659 --> 00:06:36.000 But look at what Paul says in verse 6. 00:06:36.099 --> 00:06:36.899 Read that with me. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:38.659 God is just. 00:06:39.779 --> 00:06:43.219 He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:48.759 Paul is encouraging these suffering Christians by saying, 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:50.959 don't worry, God is not blind. 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:53.339 He has seen all of your afflictions, 00:06:53.459 --> 00:06:54.339 all of your pain, 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:56.719 all of your suffering for his name, 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:59.039 and he will bring justice. 00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:03.360 Now the judgment that's predicted here in these verses 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.819 is God's ultimate judgment on that final day. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:09.060 When all of humanity will stand before him. 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:10.599 God is not blind 00:07:10.599 --> 00:07:13.399 to the goings-on of this world 00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:15.319 and how people treat Christians 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:16.959 and how they respond to God. 00:07:18.739 --> 00:07:21.339 And in these verses about God's judgment, 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:23.439 we see three things about God's judgment 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.539 that give us a holistic picture 00:07:25.539 --> 00:07:27.639 of the future of the wicked 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:30.099 as they will suffer under God's judgment. 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:33.919 The first is that God is just. 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:35.419 Verse 6 says, 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:36.120 God is just. 00:07:36.239 --> 00:07:39.299 He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:43.379 Now God being just isn't a simple characteristic. 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:44.579 of how he acts. 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:48.019 God is the very definition of justice. 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:51.699 It means that he is perfectly righteous 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:55.120 and good in how he responds to his creation. 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:58.659 As human beings, we love justice 00:07:58.659 --> 00:08:01.199 and we hate it when injustice rules. 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:03.419 We get angry when we see people 00:08:03.419 --> 00:08:05.620 getting away with things they've done wrong. 00:08:06.919 --> 00:08:08.139 Committing evil deeds 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:10.039 and yet walking away scot-free. 00:08:10.859 --> 00:08:12.739 When we look at atrocities 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:13.960 committed against people, 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:16.139 we rightly cry out for injustice. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:19.579 We rightly cry out for justice, sorry. 00:08:20.780 --> 00:08:22.819 When we think about God being just, 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.540 we need to remember that God 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:26.980 is the very standard of what justice is. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:30.360 Because when we cry out for justice, 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:32.899 it's normally out of a sense 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:33.980 that we've been wronged 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.060 and we want revenge. 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:38.700 We were hurt. 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:39.200 And so, 00:08:39.680 --> 00:08:40.620 with impatience, 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:41.779 we cry out for justice 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:42.940 and we want it right now. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:44.460 We don't want it in six months 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:45.039 or a year 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:45.700 or ten years. 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:46.560 We want it now. 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:49.720 Our justice can be a bit like that 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:50.300 of a child 00:08:50.300 --> 00:08:51.200 who justifies 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.159 punching their brother 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:53.820 because they did it to me first. 00:08:55.259 --> 00:08:56.740 But God is not like us. 00:08:57.740 --> 00:08:57.980 His punishment 00:08:57.980 --> 00:08:58.700 punishment 00:08:58.700 --> 00:08:59.600 and judgment 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:01.139 on those who stand against him 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:02.139 isn't revenge. 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.740 He doesn't stand in heaven 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:06.180 rubbing his hands 00:09:06.180 --> 00:09:07.580 eagerly with joy 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:09.019 waiting for the day 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.740 that he can finally get back 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:12.139 at evil people. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.720 But God's judgment 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:17.279 comes out of his desire 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:18.120 for justice. 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:21.080 God has made it clear 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:22.100 how his creation 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:23.560 should and can 00:09:23.560 --> 00:09:24.299 live in harmony 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:24.860 with him. 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:26.159 And out of love 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:27.019 throughout history 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:28.080 God has called us 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:29.279 a rebellious humanity 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:32.080 to turn from our sin 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:33.179 and be made right 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:33.759 with him. 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:36.940 But we reject God. 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:38.000 That is our natural 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:38.720 inclination. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:40.299 The Bible says 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:41.659 in Romans 3.23 00:09:41.659 --> 00:09:43.019 that all have sinned 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.139 and fall short 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:45.360 of the glory of God. 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:48.000 Elsewhere in Romans 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:48.399 it says 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.340 no one is righteous. 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:51.100 No, not one. 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:54.399 God being just 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:55.440 means that something 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:56.860 needed to happen. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:58.100 There needed 00:09:58.100 --> 00:09:59.340 to be judgment. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:01.059 But God being 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:01.879 perfectly just 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:02.539 made a way 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.940 for people to be saved 00:10:03.940 --> 00:10:05.700 by putting the judgment 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:06.879 on his son. 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:09.059 So all those 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:09.960 who put their trust 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:10.559 in Jesus 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.320 are free 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:13.000 from that judgment. 00:10:14.679 --> 00:10:15.860 Because of our sin 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.840 all of humanity 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:17.879 is under the sentence 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:18.539 of death 00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:19.460 in rebellion 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.700 against God 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:21.299 and deserving 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:22.019 of his judgment. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:24.240 But for the Christian 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.120 there is freedom 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:27.820 because Jesus 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:29.379 has paid the price. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.120 Jesus stood 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:32.820 in our place 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:33.220 and we'll come 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:33.980 to celebrate that 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:34.539 later on 00:10:34.539 --> 00:10:35.220 in our service 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:35.580 together 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:36.080 but for now 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:37.000 I want us to see 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:38.320 that for God 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.299 to be just 00:10:39.299 --> 00:10:41.240 all rebellion 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.120 and rejection 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:42.639 of him 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.720 must be punished. 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:46.399 without justice 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.360 sin would run 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.080 unchecked 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:48.540 and evil 00:10:48.540 --> 00:10:49.240 would reign 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.220 but God 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:51.080 being perfectly 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:51.600 just 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:52.480 and perfectly 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:53.019 loving 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:55.060 sets the standard 00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:55.660 of what true 00:10:55.660 --> 00:10:56.399 justice is. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:57.139 God's judgment 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.320 is just. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:00.940 And the second 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:01.320 thing 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:02.500 about the future 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.300 of the wicked 00:11:03.300 --> 00:11:04.759 and God's judgment 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:06.139 is that it's 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:06.500 frightening. 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:09.259 Look at some 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:09.740 of the words 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.440 that Paul uses 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:11.159 to describe 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:11.820 God's judgment. 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:13.039 I'll read the words 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:13.940 from the ESV 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:14.440 which is more 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:14.980 of an accurate 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:16.000 translation here. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:17.419 Verse 6 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:17.980 says that 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:19.220 God will repay 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:20.080 the affliction 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:21.259 with affliction 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:21.899 those who 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:22.679 afflict you. 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:24.259 Verse 8 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:24.720 says that 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:25.279 God will 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.379 be revealed 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:26.940 that Jesus 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:28.159 will be revealed 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:29.120 on that final 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.120 day in flaming 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:30.759 fire 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.559 inflicting 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:32.159 vengeance 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:32.840 on those 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:33.419 who do not 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:33.980 know God. 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:35.500 and verse 9 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.500 says that 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:36.800 they will 00:11:36.800 --> 00:11:37.340 suffer the 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:37.740 punishment 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:38.399 of eternal 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:39.019 destruction. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:42.080 Now put 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:42.539 yourself in 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:42.879 the place 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.180 of these 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:43.560 Christians 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:43.920 as they 00:11:43.920 --> 00:11:44.420 look out 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:44.820 to their 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:45.300 city 00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:46.539 and see 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:46.980 people 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:47.399 waiting 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.139 to attack 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.420 them. 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.360 It may 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:50.860 seem 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:51.920 that injustice 00:11:51.920 --> 00:11:52.680 has won 00:11:52.680 --> 00:11:55.480 but Paul 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.060 says that 00:11:56.060 --> 00:11:56.420 God will 00:11:56.420 --> 00:11:56.800 have the 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:57.279 last word 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:57.580 on that 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:58.159 final day 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:58.519 when he 00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:58.840 brings 00:11:58.840 --> 00:11:59.259 judgment 00:11:59.259 --> 00:11:59.920 on those 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:00.320 who are 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:00.800 afflicting 00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:01.100 these 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:01.539 Christians 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.920 and those 00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:03.200 who do 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:03.560 not know 00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:03.940 Jesus. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:06.159 the words 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:06.779 affliction 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.460 vengeance 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.259 and destruction 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:08.580 as the 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.019 ESV 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:09.639 puts them 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:10.539 they're 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:10.940 frightening 00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:13.560 but Paul 00:12:13.560 --> 00:12:14.159 doesn't use 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:14.500 them to 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.399 scare people 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.080 into becoming 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:16.600 Christians. 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:18.240 Paul is 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.820 using these 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.360 words to 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.360 warn those 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:20.899 in the 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.200 church 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:21.700 this is a 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:22.100 letter to 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:22.560 a local 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:23.139 church 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:24.080 he's 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:24.700 warning those 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:25.139 in the 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:25.460 church 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:25.700 those 00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:26.240 attacking 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:26.700 the church 00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:27.580 from inside 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:29.100 that this 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:29.420 is their 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:29.800 future 00:12:29.800 --> 00:12:31.159 if they 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:31.539 do not 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:31.920 repent 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:32.379 from their 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:32.700 sin 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:33.620 and follow 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:34.139 Jesus. 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:36.960 Paul is 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:37.679 trying to 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:38.320 encourage 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:38.759 these 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:39.460 hurting 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.080 Christians 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:41.360 to remember 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.679 that God 00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:43.060 is not 00:12:43.060 --> 00:12:43.740 blind to 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:43.960 their 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:44.320 suffering 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:44.899 he will 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.620 act against 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.060 those who 00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:46.620 are harming 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:46.980 them 00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:49.120 but these 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:49.639 words should 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.519 also urge 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.039 this church 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:51.519 to go and 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:52.060 tell people 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:52.700 about Jesus 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:53.379 because we 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:53.860 don't want 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:55.039 anyone to 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:55.679 suffer under 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:56.120 the judgment 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:56.659 of God. 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.399 God's judgment 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.159 is frightening 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:01.539 and the 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:01.959 last thing 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:02.339 about the 00:13:02.339 --> 00:13:02.819 future of 00:13:02.819 --> 00:13:03.199 the wicked 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:03.839 and God's 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:04.139 judgment 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.159 is that it 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:05.699 is final 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:07.539 read verses 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:08.259 8 to 9 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:08.819 with me 00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:10.120 he will 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:10.799 punish those 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:11.120 who do 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:11.980 not know 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.519 God and 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:12.839 who do 00:13:12.839 --> 00:13:13.360 not obey 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:13.919 the gospel 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:14.319 of our 00:13:14.319 --> 00:13:14.860 Lord Jesus 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.079 they will 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:16.759 be punished 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.579 with everlasting 00:13:17.579 --> 00:13:18.299 destruction 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:19.600 and shut out 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:19.959 from the 00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:20.519 presence of 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:20.959 the Lord 00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:21.719 and from 00:13:21.719 --> 00:13:22.219 the glory 00:13:22.219 --> 00:13:22.659 of his 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.079 might 00:13:23.079 --> 00:13:25.740 now Paul 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.179 is a 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:26.579 straight 00:13:26.579 --> 00:13:27.159 talker 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:28.299 as he 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:28.899 explains 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:29.419 the ultimate 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:30.079 future of 00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:30.740 every single 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:31.339 person who 00:13:31.339 --> 00:13:31.799 does not 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:33.019 respond in 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:33.839 obedience to 00:13:33.839 --> 00:13:34.319 the gospel 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:34.839 of Jesus 00:13:34.839 --> 00:13:37.459 for those 00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:38.100 who reject 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:38.839 Jesus on 00:13:38.839 --> 00:13:39.360 that final 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:39.779 day he 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.279 will come 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:40.839 as judge 00:13:40.839 --> 00:13:41.299 not as 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:41.639 savior 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:44.919 the question 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:45.480 will be 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:45.959 on that 00:13:45.959 --> 00:13:46.799 day how 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:47.159 did you 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:47.839 respond to 00:13:47.839 --> 00:13:48.339 Jesus in 00:13:48.339 --> 00:13:48.939 this life 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:51.480 if you 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.299 responded with 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:53.039 faith and 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:54.159 obedience you 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.699 will have a 00:13:54.699 --> 00:13:55.899 glorious future 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.379 that we will 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:57.039 look at in a 00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:57.339 second 00:13:57.339 --> 00:13:59.519 but if you 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.379 reject Jesus 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:01.159 in this life 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.659 and do not 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.299 respond in 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:03.059 obedience and 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:03.899 follow him 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.480 destruction and 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.419 judgment awaits 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:09.299 there will be no 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.199 second chances 00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:12.339 no do-overs 00:14:12.339 --> 00:14:14.259 and so there is 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.039 no time to 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:15.419 waste 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:17.500 if you want a 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.279 Christian if you 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:18.819 do not know 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:19.579 Jesus if you 00:14:19.579 --> 00:14:20.240 are not living 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.679 for him then 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:22.399 this future of 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.159 judgment is what 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:23.899 awaits you at 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:24.399 the end 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:26.679 an eternal 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.860 destruction shut 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.439 out from the 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:29.019 presence of 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:29.639 God the place 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:30.419 we often call 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.319 hell a place 00:14:31.319 --> 00:14:32.500 of eternal 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.360 conscious 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.179 suffering 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:36.899 now approximately 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:39.259 178,000 people 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:40.220 die a day 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:42.519 and for many of 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:43.100 them this is the 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:44.079 future that awaits 00:14:44.079 --> 00:14:46.840 please consider the 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:47.620 claims of Jesus 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.360 tonight and do 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.259 not waste another 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.079 day on the road 00:14:50.079 --> 00:14:50.740 that leads to 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.559 hell but put your 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.439 trust in Jesus 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:56.759 the Bible describes 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:58.059 those who reject 00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:59.019 Jesus as wicked 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:01.179 because we are 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:02.099 all born in sin 00:15:02.099 --> 00:15:02.539 and rebellion 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.339 against God we 00:15:03.339 --> 00:15:04.659 could never do 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:07.139 enough to be 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:08.099 good enough to 00:15:08.099 --> 00:15:08.859 be right with God 00:15:08.859 --> 00:15:09.439 on our own 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:11.719 we can only be 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:12.339 right with God 00:15:12.339 --> 00:15:13.139 through Jesus 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.779 and our creator 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.579 knows what is 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.359 best he wants 00:15:16.359 --> 00:15:17.000 people to be 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.619 right with him 00:15:17.619 --> 00:15:18.559 put your trust in 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:19.519 Jesus and live 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:23.879 for him and 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.579 this future that 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:25.299 awaits the wicked 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:26.240 should challenge us 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.539 as Christians to 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.659 take the gospel to 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.399 this world that is 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.360 dying and going to 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.759 judgment without the 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.480 saving knowledge of 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:35.240 Jesus these are 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:35.960 people in our 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:38.740 homes people in 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.620 our workplaces 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.500 people in our 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.460 neighborhoods in our 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.679 streets people that 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.679 we rub shoulders with 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:46.879 every day we are 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.579 the ones with the 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.280 message that can 00:15:49.280 --> 00:15:51.060 bring hope the 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:52.259 message that 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.300 everyone needs to 00:15:53.300 --> 00:15:54.360 hear but we need 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:55.240 to share it with 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:59.160 them the message of 00:15:59.160 --> 00:15:59.900 the future of the 00:15:59.900 --> 00:16:00.840 wicked should also be 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:01.759 a reminder to the 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:02.700 suffering Christian 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.879 that God is not 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.900 blind he has not 00:16:05.900 --> 00:16:06.900 forgotten about or 00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:07.680 overlooked your 00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:09.280 suffering God is 00:16:09.280 --> 00:16:10.620 just as angered at 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.500 our pain at the 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.300 pain and suffering 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:13.280 inflicted on his 00:16:13.280 --> 00:16:14.200 people as you are 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.520 in fact God is more 00:16:15.520 --> 00:16:17.879 angered by it and it 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.000 will not go unpunished 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:22.019 the future of the 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.960 wicked the future of 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:24.080 all those who reject 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:25.580 Jesus is God's 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.460 judgment which is 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:28.799 just frightening and 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:32.080 final and the second 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:32.779 thing I want us to 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:33.779 see this evening from 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.740 this passage is the 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.620 future of the 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:37.059 faithful in verses 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:38.580 6 and 7 and 10 and 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:40.460 12 the future of the 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:42.779 faithful now in these 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.480 verses we see 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.700 marvelous truths that 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.860 are specific to those 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.820 who are suffering for 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:48.379 the name of Jesus and 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.220 because of their faith 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:51.120 in him but we also 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:52.580 see awe-inspiring 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:53.920 truths of the reality 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:54.980 of eternity that 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:56.340 awaits every single 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:59.140 Christian so if the 00:16:59.140 --> 00:17:00.160 first half of our time 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:01.640 together was the hard 00:17:01.640 --> 00:17:02.760 news of the gospel the 00:17:02.760 --> 00:17:03.780 news of judgment and 00:17:03.780 --> 00:17:05.220 hell this is the good 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.019 news forgiveness 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:08.940 redemption perfect union 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:12.120 with God and for us to 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:14.000 share the true gospel the 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.460 gospel the apostles preached 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:17.039 the gospel that Jesus 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.859 proclaimed then we need 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:20.220 both sides of that coin 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:22.500 both the good news and 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:25.279 the hard news to read 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.680 verses 6 to 7 with me 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:28.579 God is just he will pay 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:30.160 back those trouble to 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:31.480 those who trouble you and 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:33.440 give relief to you who are 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:35.160 troubled and to us as 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:37.900 well this will happen when 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.259 the Lord Jesus is revealed 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:41.160 from heaven in blazing fire 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:43.040 with his powerful angels 00:17:43.040 --> 00:17:46.300 do you see that Paul is 00:17:46.300 --> 00:17:47.620 promising these Christians 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:51.160 relief relief from their 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.759 oppressors relief from 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:54.740 persecution relief from 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.060 suffering in the name of 00:17:56.060 --> 00:17:56.440 Jesus 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:59.660 looking at their situation 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:01.040 they probably didn't feel 00:18:01.040 --> 00:18:02.100 that that was ever going to 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.400 happen 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:05.880 they see the pain they feel 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:07.060 the blow from the enemy 00:18:07.060 --> 00:18:08.480 they feel the attack that 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.480 hits them on the back 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:11.000 they see the physical 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.319 dangers that surround them 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:14.120 every day relief was 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:15.279 probably the last thing 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:15.940 they would have thought 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:19.579 but Paul is inviting them 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.480 to fix their eyes on 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:22.720 eternal things on things 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:24.200 that are unseen and to be 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:26.940 comforted and notice how 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.900 Paul says they aren't in 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:29.559 alone because he includes 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.940 himself in this verse by 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:33.220 saying we too long for this 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:37.299 relief it's the idea of rest 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:39.579 eternal rest and relief from 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:41.680 the enemies of God and in 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:43.059 the presence of God forever 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:45.139 now this doesn't mean that 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:47.319 all of our troubles in this 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:48.460 life will go away it doesn't 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.839 mean that there won't be any 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:51.659 rest or relief in this life if 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.519 you look throughout church 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:54.180 history there were times of 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.720 great persecution against 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:57.759 Christians there were also 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.279 times of peace and rest 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:04.200 but can you imagine just how 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:07.359 comforting this message of 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:09.319 this promise of relief would be 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.539 to this suffering church 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:12.980 it's a bit like those scenes 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:14.139 from the movies where a little 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:15.660 kid is being pushed around on 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:17.079 the playground by a group of 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:18.660 bullies they're physically 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:20.740 bigger than him they're 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.200 stronger and they decide to 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.639 combine forces and push the 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:26.180 wee guy to the floor now at this 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:27.099 point in the movies it's 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:28.059 normally where the teacher 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:30.220 jumps in or the hero of the 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:31.339 story comes in 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:36.119 but in that moment the main 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:37.500 concern of the little kid on 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:40.200 the floor is the sheer size of 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.799 the bullies towering over him 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:44.539 it's natural to look at the 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.919 dangers that are right in front 00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:47.659 of your face use the things you 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:50.460 can see but Paul is telling 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.500 these Christians don't look at 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.639 the bullies don't look at those 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.980 oppressing you don't look at your 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:57.559 persecutors in verse 7 Paul 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:59.000 says look at your lives look at 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.419 your persecutions from an 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:02.779 eternal perspective and 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:05.139 remember the relief and rest is 00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:09.460 yours in Christ there is hope 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:11.480 because on that final day Jesus 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:14.019 will come in blazing fire with his 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:16.700 holy powerful angels as the end of 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:18.339 verse 7 says now both of those 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:20.839 images fire and angels are images 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:23.559 that the Bible uses to describe 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.299 judgment and the punishment of 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:25.619 evil 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:29.440 through these Christians will find 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:30.079 relief 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:32.679 Paul is pointing them to their 00:20:32.679 --> 00:20:35.159 secure future in Jesus which will 00:20:35.159 --> 00:20:36.740 make when God will make his 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:38.200 dwelling place with mankind 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:40.839 those wonderful promises that on 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.879 that day there will be no more 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.379 crying 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:43.519 no more pain 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.480 no more death 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:46.519 no more sin 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:50.740 and we will Christians will live in 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:53.240 the eternal glorious presence of 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.579 God 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:56.619 Paul says relief is coming 00:20:56.619 --> 00:21:00.079 and then he goes on in verses 10 to 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.519 12 read those with me 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:04.799 on that day he he comes to be 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:07.200 glorified in his holy people and to 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:09.579 be marveled at among all those who 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:11.500 have believed this includes you 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:14.440 because you believed our testimony to 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:17.120 you with this in mind we constantly 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.059 pray for you 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:20.799 that our God may make you worthy of 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:23.700 his calling and that by his power he 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:26.100 may bring to fruition your every 00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:28.180 desire for goodness and your every 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.759 deed prompted by faith 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:32.360 we pray this so that the name of 00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:34.960 Jesus Christ Jesus may be glorified in 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:37.360 you and you in him according to the 00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:40.100 grace of our God and the Lord Jesus 00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:40.660 Christ 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:45.800 these verses speak of it the day that 00:21:45.800 --> 00:21:49.240 Jesus will return and the rewards that 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.880 all Christians will receive 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:54.940 there are rewards both for the now in 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:57.680 this life and the not yet as we wait 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.660 for the future to be materialized 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:02.380 so let's first look at the rewards for 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:04.640 the not yet let's look at verse 10 where 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:07.160 it says on the day he comes to be 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:09.940 glorified in his holy people and to be 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:12.200 marveled at among all those who have 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:14.680 believed this includes you because you 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.940 believed our testimony to you 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:21.100 all the difficulties that we face in 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:22.840 this life for the name of Jesus will 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:25.059 fall into the background when we see the 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:28.180 weight of eternal glory that awaits us 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:31.400 it will make our problems disappear in 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:33.940 this life but it will help us fix our 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:36.120 eyes on Jesus even in the darkest of 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:40.939 days the imagery of is of Jesus the king 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:43.619 coming with crowds and crowds of people 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:46.719 watching him it's a little bit like a 00:22:46.719 --> 00:22:50.759 bride walking into a church we had it 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.819 here just a few months ago the groom 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:55.739 standing up here with the pastor and 00:22:55.739 --> 00:22:57.799 then the music starts the crowd are told 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:59.879 to stand for the bridal party and in 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:03.920 comes the bride every single eye is on 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:07.940 her little conversations in the pews 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.980 everyone remarking just how beautiful 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:12.880 she looks how wonderful the dress is and 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:15.900 suddenly the minute the groom sees the 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:20.540 bride all the nerves are gone the stress 00:23:20.540 --> 00:23:22.520 of the day the stress of preparations 00:23:22.520 --> 00:23:25.720 fall away as he stands and looks at his 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:29.559 beautiful bride and on that day when 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:32.480 Jesus comes all of his people will look 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:34.880 at him with awe and marvel at his 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:38.819 splendor and glory and you see what 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:42.039 Paul says verse 10 this includes you 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:45.720 Paul is saying look to the future return 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:48.019 of Jesus and be encouraged be strengthened 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:50.519 in your faith because you know that you 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:52.180 will be with him for eternity 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:56.320 so if that's the not yet element of these 00:23:56.320 --> 00:23:58.279 glorious truths then Paul goes on to 00:23:58.279 --> 00:24:00.600 speak about what it means for the lives 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:03.900 of Christians every day in verses 11 to 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:07.680 12 Paul says in light of the truth of 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:10.700 that glorious future from verse 10 that 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:13.080 he constantly prays for the Thessalonian 00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:15.380 church for their day to day now what does 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:18.740 he pray verse 11 that our God may make 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:21.620 you worthy of his calling verse 11 that 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:24.199 by his power he may spring to fruition 00:24:24.199 --> 00:24:27.599 your every desire for goodness verse 12 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:31.019 that Jesus may be glorified in them 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:35.299 these are things that we can pray for 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:37.199 one another and we should pray for one 00:24:37.199 --> 00:24:40.079 another things that we can pray for the 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:42.219 persecuted church and that we can pray 00:24:42.219 --> 00:24:45.859 for ourselves as believers now I would 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:47.699 encourage you to take these three things 00:24:47.699 --> 00:24:50.579 from verses 11 and 12 and pray for three 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:54.579 Christians this week use the language of 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:56.839 the Bible and pray that God would work in 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:58.639 the lives of those three people who are 00:24:58.639 --> 00:25:00.859 close to you and dear to you it will be a 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:03.000 massive encouragement to them text them 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.220 when you say you're praying for them as 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.439 well 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:10.200 these prayers of Paul show the importance of 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:12.140 how the truth of the Christian faith should 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:16.240 impact our daily lives the future promises of 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:19.420 eternal glory must be met with practical 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:22.080 everyday obedience in the Christian life 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:27.259 as we eagerly long for heaven and look to 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:29.039 the glorious future that awaits every 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:31.420 Christian we need to remember that we still 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:35.620 have work to do here and we must continue to 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:38.000 serve Jesus every day until the day that he 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:40.060 returns or we're called home 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:44.519 now how are we made worthy of our calling as 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:47.400 verse 11 says well we don't live the 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:50.019 Christian life we don't obey God in order 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:52.019 to be saved that's only possible through 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:54.440 Jesus but we live the Christian life the 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:57.720 obedient Christian life out of thankfulness 00:25:57.720 --> 00:26:00.220 and praise for what God has already done for 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:04.200 us in Jesus we respond to what God has done 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:07.940 out of thankfulness to him all of the work 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:10.259 that we should be doing as a church and as 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:12.600 individual Christians should be out of a 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:16.880 desire to see God glorified to see Jesus 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:21.480 glorified our faith being worked out as a 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:24.640 declaration of praise to our great God which 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:27.120 in turn will be a witness to the watching world 00:26:27.120 --> 00:26:29.580 around us because we're constantly pointing 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:33.960 people to Jesus it's that same attitude of 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:37.560 John the Baptist who in John 3 30 said that 00:26:37.560 --> 00:26:41.420 Jesus and his fame must increase and John and 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:44.240 his fame his ministry must decrease because 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:48.900 Jesus is the focus of his life the life of a 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:51.360 Christian is one of humility that points to 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:54.299 Jesus giving him all the glory as we wait for 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:56.939 that wonderful day when we will see him and be 00:26:56.939 --> 00:26:58.039 in his presence forever 00:26:58.039 --> 00:27:02.359 so brothers and sisters look to the future 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:05.399 that awaits you as a Christian be in awe of 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:08.119 Jesus and how amazing it will be to spend 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:10.479 eternity in his presence and then put that 00:27:10.479 --> 00:27:12.919 faith into action every single day 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:17.619 glorify him now as you serve this local 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:21.439 church glorify Jesus as you come alongside one 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:25.159 another and care for each other glorify Jesus as 00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:27.779 you take the gospel to the world that needs him 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:31.799 and glorify Jesus by following God's word and 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:35.899 living obedient lives full of growth as we eagerly 00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:40.459 await his return and pray these prayers for one 00:27:40.459 --> 00:27:42.759 another pray for our persecuted brothers and 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:47.599 sisters across the world live daily for the glory of 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:50.740 God by the power of the spirit and point people to 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:56.319 Christ share the gospel freely because only in 00:27:56.319 --> 00:28:02.259 Jesus can hope be found and no one can go too far for 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:08.639 forgiveness no one can out sin God's grace no one is 00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:13.439 beyond the love of God but how will they know that if no 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:19.180 one tells them we may not live in Afghanistan with the 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:21.680 Taliban going door-to-door hunting Christians we may 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:25.860 not be in Iran where we need to hide and meet in secret but 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:30.059 we are in a spiritual battle where the world lives and 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:34.820 breathes a hatred for God and for Christians that can and 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:38.039 often does result in persecution and the oppression of 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:41.620 Christians how do we respond to that we need to remember that 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:47.979 God is not blind and we need to remember that there is not a 00:28:47.979 --> 00:28:51.779 second of suffering that his people endure for his name that 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:56.959 he doesn't see and that doesn't grieve him we need to remember that 00:28:56.959 --> 00:29:00.819 there are two futures the future of the wicked and of judgment and 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:08.220 eternal separation from God in hell and a future of the faithful one of 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:15.019 glorious union with Jesus that will last forever that future should impact how 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:20.859 we live now how we serve one another and how we think about pointing people to 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:26.019 Jesus with every opportunity we have let's pray together 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:40.699 heavenly father we thank you for your word we thank you that you have given us all that we need to 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:45.180 know to obey you all that we need to know to 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:50.180 respond with obedience to the gospel 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:57.100 father this evening we have covered both the hard news and the good news and I pray 00:29:57.100 --> 00:30:01.799 that if we need to be unsettled that you would unsettle us 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:09.599 and settle us with the truth of judgment of sin and of a life without you 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:20.180 but father would you also comfort us that there is hope there is life that there is eternal life 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:23.619 in your perfect presence through Jesus Christ 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:30.980 and father would you help us live obediently to the gospel every single day 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:36.019 and point people to Jesus that is what you've created us to do 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:41.980 and help us serve you well by lifting the name of Jesus above every other name 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:47.660 for the upbuilding of your kingdom and for the glory of Christ we pray 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.980 amen