INTRODUCTION

1. General observations of the features of Faith of the Thessalonians

a) Work of faith 1 Thessalonians 1:3a

b) Labour of love 1 Thessalonians 1:3b

c) Patience of hope 1 Thessalonians 1:3c

2. More specific observations of the features of Faith of the Thessalonians

a) A faith that grows exceedingly 2 Thessalonians 1:3b

b) Love that abounds towards each other 2 Thessalonians 1:3c

3. A specially highlighted feature

a) One that caused Paul to “boast” about the Thessalonians

b) That feature is the focus of our message today

i) Your perseverance

ii) Your faith

iii) “Perseverance of faith”  2 Thessalonians 1:4

 

A TRIO OF SALVATION-FRUIT

1. This Trio is commonly noted

a) Faith

i) 1 Thessalonians 1:3a

ii) Colossians 1:4a

b) Love

i) 1 Thessalonians 1:3b

ii) Colossians 1:4b

c) Hope

i) 1 Thessalonians 1:3c

ii) Colossians 1:5a

2. These are basic and common fruit of salvation

a) “In all the world” Colossians 1:6a

b) It is “fruit” Colossians 1:6b

c) It comes from grace Colossians 1:6c

 

PATIENCE OF HOPE

1. The word “Patience”

a) Essence of the word “Perseverance”

b) Significance of the word

i) Ability to cope under pressure

ii) Ability to remain (in faith) under pressure

2. The Perseverance of the Saints

a) A key Theological Feature of Calvinistic Theology

b) It is called “The Perseverance of the Saints”

i) The true believer will persevere in his faith to the very end

ii) God will enable him

iii) Grace will be given by the Lord

3. The Translated word “Patience”

a) Patience and Perseverance

b) Patience is the “here and now”

i) It is how we face up to persecution

ii) It is the opposite of rash impatience

c) Perseverance is the “long view”

i) It is what persists

ii) It is what continues

 

THE CULTIVATION OF PERSEVERANCE

1. Perseverance amidst “persecutions”

a) In persecutions

b) In all persecutions 2 Thessalonians 1:4b

i) In the Plural

ii) Many persecutions

c) Perseverance emerges

d) Perseverance continues

2. Perseverance amidst “tribulations”

a) In tribulation

b) In all tribulations 2 Thessalonians 1:4c

i) In the Plural

ii) Many persecutions

c) Perseverance emerges

d) Perseverance continues

 

ENDURANCE

1. Endurance is a closely related word

a) Patience

b) Perseverance

c) Endurance 2 Thessalonians 1:4d

2. This is word that is important to know

a) There are things that we can change

b) There are things that we cannot change

c) The quality of “Endurance” will help us last out in the long run

d) It is a life-time quality!

 

CONCLUSION

1. Faith, Love, Hope

2. These are essential fruit of salvation

3. Patience, Perseverance and Endurance

4. These must be carefully cultivated that our faith in God would last us a life time!