2 Thessalonians #02: an exposition of 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, November 25, 2012.
Intro:
It is a frightening and disturbing word. A word that strikes terror in the heart if it is believed. “…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Perhaps what makes it most disturbing is who said it. This is not the raving of a delusional zealot. This is not some wild-eyed street preacher. This is the testimony of the Son of God. This just does not seem to line up with the popular impression of Jesus. Jesus is meek and mild. He is loving, gracious, merciful and kind. This sounds like something spewed out by a red-faced evangelist along the sawdust trail not the loving Savior of the world. But we mustn’t forget that while Jesus is loving, merciful and kind He is also just, righteous and holy. Any honest reading the Scripture reveals the Bible clearly speaks of two ways to live and two ultimate destinations. It was a common theme in Jesus’ teaching. In Matthew 13 He speaks of the wheat and the tares. They grow together in the same field. One is gathered into the barn the other delivered to the fire. Also in Matthew 13 there is a net cast into the sea. It draws in both good and bad fish. The good fish are kept and taken to market while the bad are cast out. In Matthew 25 our Lord speaks of both wise and foolish virgins. There are those who are wise and are prepared when the bridegroom comes and they are welcomed in. The foolish are unprepared and they are cast out. The same chapter speaks of the sheep and the goats that will be separated at the return of the King. Friends the Word of God is clear there is a wide road that leads to everlasting destruction and there is a narrow path that leads to life.
Why did Jesus come? “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Every Sunday School child knows that Jesus came to provide salvation. But look carefully. There is more to the story. John 3:16 makes it very clear that there is the danger of not believing and therefore perishing. In fact consider John 3:18 – “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” The one who does not believe stands condemned already. The wrath of God abides on them. That person will perish in their sin. This world is not our final destination. There is life beyond this world. God is preparing a beautiful place, full of life, joy and peace for those who believe but there is another destination for those who do not. A place of eternal punishment and banishment from the presence of God. There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.
Two destinies. Heaven and hell. Both are eternal. Your destiny is directly connected to Jesus. Our text this morning is found in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12.
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12
Today we gather around the Lord’s Table. It is a time of remembrance. A time to look back and consider what Christ has done for us. The truth is you can never fully appreciate the good news until you understand the depth of our problem. Until you know how bad off you are outside of Christ you will never understand the wonder of the Gospel.
As we work our way through this text I want to point out 3 sobering realities and 1 blessed thought.
- There is coming a day of reckoning. (1:6-7, 10)
- Those who will be condemned may surprise you. (1:6, 8)
- The coming judgment is devastating and eternal. (1:7-10)
- There is one blessed thought in this passage. (1:7, 10, 11-12)
Conclusion:
There are two destinations.
Heaven – life eternal and abundant; joy and peace.
Hell – everlasting death, destruction, banishment.
You are heading for one or the other.
Your destiny is tied directly to the Lord Jesus.