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Worthy of His Calling

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Worthy of His Calling

“Our ‘calling’ from God, as Christians, is to become like Christ (Romans 8:29). This is a gradual, lifelong process that will be completed when we see Christ face-to-face (1 John 3:2). To be ‘worthy’ of this calling means to want to do what is right and good (as Christ would). We aren’t perfect yet, but we’re moving in that direction as God works in us.” (Life Application Study Bible 2024)

Work Cited

Life Application Study Bible. Zondervan, 2011. p. 2024.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Thessalonica

2 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Thessalonica

“Thessalonica was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. The most important Roman highway—extending from Rome to the Orient—went through Thessalonica. This highway, along with the city’s thriving seaport, made Thessalonica one of the wealthiest and most flourishing trade centers in the Roman empire. Recognized as a free city, Thessalonica was allowed self-rule and was exempted from most of the restrictions placed by Rome on other cities. Because of this open climate, however, the city had many pagan religions and cultural influences that challenged the Christians’ faith.” (Life Application Study Bible 2023)

Work Cited

Life Application Study Bible. Zondervan, 2011. p. 2023.

Checklist for Encouragers

1 Thessalonians 5:11-23

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Checklist for Encouragers

The command to “encourage” others is found throughout the Bible. In 5:11-23, Paul gives many specific examples of how we can encourage others.

Reference
Example
Suggested Application

5:11
Build each other up.
Point out to someone a quality you appreciate in him or her.

5:12
Respect leaders.
Look for ways to cooperate.

5:13
Hold leaders in highest regard.
Hold back your next critical comments about those in positions of responsibility. Say “thank you” to your leaders for their efforts.

5:13
Live in peace.
Search for ways to get along with others.

5:14
Warn the idle.
Challenge someone to join you in a project.

5:14
Encourage the disheartened.
Encourage those who are disheartened by reminding them of God’s promises.

5:14
Help the weak.
Support those who are weak by loving them and praying for them.

5:14
Be patient.
Think of a situation that tries your patience, and plan ahead of time how you can stay calm.

5:15
Resist revenge.
Instead of planning to get even with those who mistreat you, do good to them.

5:16
Be joyful.
Remember that even in the midst of turmoil, God is in control.

5:17
Pray continually.
God is always with you—talk to him.

5:18
Give thanks.
Make a list of all the gifts God has given you, giving thanks to God for each one.

5:19
Do not quench the Spirit.
Cooperate with the Spirit the next time he prompts you to participate in a Christian meeting.

5:20
Do not treat prophecies with contempt.
Receive God’s word from those who speak for him.

5:22
Reject every kind of evil.
Avoid situations where you will be drawn into temptation.

5:23
Count on God’s constant help.
Realize that the Christian life is to be lived not in our own strength but through God’s power.

Fig 1. Life Application Study Bible. Zondervan, 2011. p. 2019.

Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Encouragement

“As you near the end of a long race, your legs ache, your throat burns, and your whole body cries out for you to stop. This is when friends and fans are most valuable. Their encouragement helps you push through the pain to the finish line. In the same way, Christians are to encourage one another. A word of encouragement offered at the right moment can be the difference between finishing well and collapsing along the way. Look around you. Be sensitive to others’ need for encouragement, and offer supportive words or actions.” (Life Application Study Bible 2020)

Work Cited

Life Application Study Bible. Zondervan, 2011. p. 2020.