Outline
“Setting the Record Straight– Comfort and Encouragement”(
2 Thess. 2:13-17)

Intro/Set-up: Review From 2 Thess. 2:6-12

I. A Stark Contrast (v. 13)
- Paul is thankful
- Love of the truth vs. rejection of the truth
- The Process of Salvation: Choosing -> Sanctifying -> Believing

II. The Grand Reception (v. 14)
- Paul’s preaching = an avenue for the Gospel
- Romans 10:17
- An avenue to Christ’s glory

III. Don’t Waiver; Keep Going (v. 15)
- The foundation has been laid
- Stand firm and Hold fast!

IV. Conclusion (vv. 16-17)
- Paul’s Prayer for the Thessalonians
- Comfort and Encouragement

Leighton Flowers “Fortress analogy” (from teaching @ Calvary Chapel Pastors conference in Castle Rock: https://vimeo.com/834049432)
- God builds a fortress around a city
- God sends messengers out to tell of a storm coming to the region
- Anyone who comes inside the fortress will survive
- But anyone who stays outside the fortress will surely die
“Well guess what happens…”
- The storm comes and everyone who was in the fortress lives and everyone outside the fortress dies
“Could it rightly be said that everyone inside the fortress was predestined to live? ”Yes“
Could it rightly be said that everyone outside the fortress was predestined to die?” Yes Notice I have not said one thing about God predetermining who would and would not get into the fortress

Quotes:

“Try to explain election, and you may lose your mind; but explain it away and you will lose your soul.” –Warren Wiersbe

“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.” That looks back to the past… sanctification by the Spirit [and] belief in the truth looks to the present. [And] the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is future.” –Dr. J Vernon McGee

“God’s truth was not invented by men: it was handed down from God to man (1 Cor. 15:1–6; Gal. 1:11–12), and each generation of believers had guarded this truth and passed it on to others (2 Tim. 2:2).” –Warren Wiersbe

“Paul stated clearly the believers’ dual responsibility in guarding the truth: “stand fast, and hold the traditions” (2 Thess. 2:15). Stand fast means “Do not move away from the truth of the gospel” (see 1 Cor. 16:13; Col. 1:23)...If we stand, then we can hold. This word means “to hold fast, to hold firmly.” It is related to a Greek word that means “strength, might, power.” We are not to hold God’s truth in a careless way, but grasp it firmly with power and never let it slip from us. Each generation of Christians must receive the truth from others, guard it, and make sure it is kept intact for the next generation.” –Warren Wiersbe

“Before Paul asked God to do something specific for the Thessalonians, he remembered all God had done for them. God has loved them, and gave them everlasting consolation and good hope by grace.In our intercession and petition, we do well to remember God’s past faithfulness and present blessing. His faithfulness in the past is a promise of His faithfulness for the future.” –David Guzik

“God has given us much, and all his past gifts are pleas for more gifts. Men do not plead so. The beggar in the street cannot say, ‘Give me a penny to-day because you gave me one yesterday,’ else we might reply, ‘That is the reason why I should not give you any more.’ But when dealing with God, this is a good plea.” –Charles Spurgeon

Resources for Today's Study:

"How can we be rooted and grounded in love?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/rooted-and-grounded-in-love.html

Leighton Flowers teaching from Calvary Chapel Cherry Creek:
https://vimeo.com/834049432

"What is Soteriology?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/Soteriology.html

2 Thessalonians Resources:

2 Thessalonians Summary (GotQuestions.org):
https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-2-Thessalonians.html

2 Thessalonians Visual Overview (From the Bible Project):
https://youtu.be/kbPBDKOn1cc

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (visual map):
https://viz.bible/journeys/

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey Summary Report
https://www.gotquestions.org/Paul-second-missionary-journey.html

Recommended Reading:

Prophecy Pro’s books:

The Prophecy Pros' Illustrated Guide to Tough Questions About the End Times: https://a.co/d/89Y5yeQ

The Non-Prophet's Guide to the End Times: Bible Prophecy for Everyone: https://a.co/d/4mFAfBD

Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret
https://a.co/d/enqLyNz

Additional Resources:

"What does it mean that blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/blessed-are-those-who-are-persecuted.html

"Eternal Perspective"
https://www.gotquestions.org/heavenly-minded-earthly-good.html

"What is the Blessed Hope?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/blessed-hope.html

"What is the Day of the Lord?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/day-of-the-Lord.html

"Will there be a Great Apostasy During the End Times?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/great-apostasy.html