FINALLY, BRETHREN

Sunday Morning:  November 5, 2000

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-4  "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

3. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

BRETHREN

2 Thessalonians 3:1  "Finally [the rest of the epistle], brethren (28 times in 1 & 2 Thes.), pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”

BRETHREN DEFINED

Matthew 12:50  "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Mark 3:35  "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

Luke 8:21  "And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it."

YOUR FAITH AND LOVE

2 Thessalonians 1:3  "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith [pleased God, Heb 11:6] groweth exceedingly, and the charity [love makes faith work Gal. 5:6] of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;"

MOVED BY THE SECOND COMING

2 Thessalonians 2:1  "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,"

 

 

BELOVED OF THE LORD

2 Thessalonians 2:13  "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:"

BY JESUS CHRIST AND THE FATHER

2 Thessalonians 2:16  "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting [agelasting] consolation [exhortation] and good hope through grace,"

BELOVED BRETHREN

1 Thessalonians 1:4  "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."

I WILL LOVE HIM

John 14:21  "He that hath [present active, esteemeth] my commandments, and keepeth [present active, guardeth] them, he it is that loveth [present active] me: and he that loveth [present active] me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

TEACHABLE BRETHREN

2 Thessalonians 2:15  "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."

STUDENTS OF THE WORD

1 Thessalonians 1:6  "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:"

THEY KNEW THE WORD

1 Thessalonians 1:8  "For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing."

BRETHREN, PRAY

2 Thessalonians 3:1,2  "Finally, brethren (28 times in 1 & 2 Thes.), pray [present middle imperative] for us, (request 1) that the word of the Lord may have free course [present active subjunctive, run, spread rapidly], and (request 2 the Word of the Lord) be glorified [honored], even as it is with you:  2. And (request 3) that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.”

PRAY AND DO NOT FAINT

Luke 18:1  "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"

PRAY FOR US

Colossians 4:2-4  "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3. Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4. That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak."

NOT ALL HAVE FAITH

2 Thessalonians 3:2-3  "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."

SHIPWRECK OF THE FAITH

1 Timothy 1:19-20  "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."

OVERTHROWING OTHERS

2 Timothy 2:15-19  "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18. Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

DID ME MUCH EVIL

2 Timothy 4:14  "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:"