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Today’s Key Passage:
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Theme:
Grace makes all the difference

2 Thessalonians was written to:
Encourage the Suffering - Chapter 1
Instruct the Confused - Chapter 2
Warn the Careless - Chapter 3


1 Thessalonians 1:1-2 – Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Grace lifts us beyond our own achievements and hard work.
Peace assures us of God’s presence, even in the storm.

Grace:
Undeserved blessing and God-given empowerment

5 Variations of Grace
1. Grace that saves


Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

5 Variations of Grace
1. Grace that saves
2. Grace that sustains


2 Corinthians 12:8 (NLT) – Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

5 Variations of Grace
1. Grace that saves
2. Grace that sustains
3. Grace that gives


2 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT) – But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

5 Variations of Grace
1. Grace that saves
2. Grace that sustains
3. Grace that gives
4. Grace that teaches

Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

5 Variations of Grace
1. Grace that saves
2. Grace that sustains
3. Grace that gives
4. Grace that teaches
5. Grace that enables us to serve


1 Peter 4:10 – Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms

Peace:
The tranquil state of a soul fearing nothing because of relationship with God


Peace with God.


Romans 5:1 – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace with God.
Peace of God.


Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.


His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

GRACE and PEACE


2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 (NLT) – Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.


(4) We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.


(5) And God will use this persecution to show His justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.


(6) In His justice He will pay back those who persecute you.


(7) And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels

8) in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.


(9) They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power.


(10) When He comes on that day, He will receive glory from His holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about Him.



2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NLT) – So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call…

You are called by God to:
A Person
A People
A Process
A Place



You are called by God to:
A Person - Know God
A People - Find Freedom
A Process - Discover Purpose
A Place - Make a Difference

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT) – So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.


Philippians 2:13 (NLT) – For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.


2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT) – …May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do


2 Thessalonians 1:12 (NLT) – Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with Him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

RESPONSE VERSES

Hebrews 4:16//
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

OR

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT//
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live…This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

GIVE US ONE YEAR OF YOUR LIFE.

1 PETER 1:17 // MSG

You call out to God for help and He helps - He’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, He’s also a responsible Father and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.