The Church in Noble - Cornerstone
September 13, 2026
      • Bible Trivia
        Loading...

      • 2 Thessalonians 1:2NASB95

  • Jesus, Your Mercy
  • We Will Glorify
  • Doxology
  • I Am Resolved
  • Run And Run (Christ Is All My Righteousness)
  • Amazing Grace

  • If the Going Gets Tough…

    ILLUST: Generator under load not working
    READ - 2 Thess. 1

    Genuine Faith

    Culturally, It’s NOT tough here, this Christianity
    It should be EASY to be a Christian in this culture
    Most people around us will have NO IDEA we love Jesus
    If we don’t tell them
    If we don’t show them
    If we assume they know
    This is NOT the Christian life Jesus commands
    Background:
    Written by Paul, to the church in Thess., likely within 6 months of the first letter
    (Summary printout)
    Paul affirms them, under pressure, growing instead of collapsing
    Let’s look at faith, when it costs something
    Let’s Look at Genuine Faith through the lens of 2 Thessalonians 1

    1) Genuine Faith Keeps Growing

    vv 1-4
    Thankfully, nobody persecutes our church - we are comfortable
    And that can bring spiritual dangers - we become relaxed, idle, bored, focused on self
    Focused on simply what is pleasurable, new, exciting
    In our comfort, are we remaining faithful?
    Paul continually thanked God for them
    He “ought” to give thanks - intentionally, when he remembered them, he prayed for them
    Their faith was growing (not stagnant or shrinking)
    Their love was increasing
    Growth occurred despite persecution
    Threats, arrests, loss of livelihood
    Q - Does it take persecution to grow?
    Their faith produced perseverance, demonstrated by reality of faith
    Paul’s boast ultimately was in Christ, not human achievement
    Pressure reveals genuineness of faith
    A church following cultural values - little pressure from that culture
    A church living what God says is good - will experience conflict
    Caution
    Suffering does not save us
    Do not seek unnecessary suffering
    But…faithful endurance reveals genuine faith
    Caving to culture - is not faithfulness
    Tempting then, and now - for comfort
    QUESTION - Do you feel any tension between your Biblical values and culture?
    Is it possible to claim strong convictions without acting on them?
    EXAMPLE
    Want prayer in school? Do you tell the school board? Do you pray at home?
    Are you pro-life? Do you tell your representatives, friends, relatives? How do you defend this?
    Marriage is sacred? How are you strengthening yours?
    Children need Biblical truth? How are you teaching them?
    Gospel is the only way. Who have you told?
    The church matters. Do you serve, give, attend, share the load?
    People around you do know what you believe…
    (Manual slide)
    Conviction with action demonstrates faith
    Conviction with no action is opinion
    We have a PRIVILEGE to speak truth/Gospel
    This brings humility and confidence, because it is GOD’s message
    And…the Thessalonians knew that present circumstances were not forever or final

    2) Genuine Faith Trusts God’s Justice

    vv 5-10 - He will set everything right
    God is just - in both salvation and judgment
    Paul describes their perseverance - evidence of God’s righteous judgment
    They would be “counted worthy,” though they did not earn salvation
    Their worth rested on accepting God’s grace - God would complete them
    Judgment - both pos and neg
    God gives relief to afflicted people
    God judges those who afflict His people
    Mercy - does not void His judgment - mercy can be rejected, the Gospel disobeyed
    Jesus will return as Savior, and Judge
    Look at verse 7 - Jesus revealed with mighty angels in flaming fire!
    Referring to Isaiah 66: 6-9
    Also, reference to giving birth - God will not bring you to the point of rescue and not complete it, just like the pain of childbirth
    Jesus’ return - two aspects
    Relief, vindication for His people
    Judgment for those rejecting Him
    Problem in Thess - they connected their hardship with Jesus’ return, worried it already occurred - it was pretty bad
    Paul assures them - God had not abandoned them - He’d set everything right
    God’s “repayment” will be perfect, just
    Paul says God will “repay” those who afflict His people - that is fair, appropriate
    GOD will do it - vengeance is His - Rom 12:19
    Romans 12:19 NASB95
    Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
    He will defeat the works of the devil - 1 John 3:8
    1 John 3:8 NASB95
    the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
    At the cross, Jesus made this payment, this “repayment”
    That payment must be received through repentance and faith
    Repentant believer - payment applied
    Unrepentant sinner - debt remains, pay it yourself
    This is serious - forever with the Lord or separated from Him
    Does this bother you about the lost?
    This genuine faith has eternal perspective
    Viewing present suffering is easier when viewed against eternity
    Injustice will not continue - God sees, God knows, God will deal with it
    ?? Caution - do not celebrate the punishment of the wicked - (Ezekiel) - God does not delight in the punishment of the wicked
    The believer’s reward is sufficient - it keeps us going
    So…what about living now - Paul addresses this

    3) Genuine Faith Lives for God’s Glory

    vv 11-12
    The transformed life glorifies Christ
    That has to count at some point for the believer - it DEFINES the believer
    Paul knew this, and prayed for their faithfulness - open and close of chapter
    He remained concerned for their growth, while being thankful for it
    Here
    I thank God for the faithful here - for what He is doing in you
    I pray He continues that work in you
    That will take your cooperation…
    Purpose - God’s purpose gives you purpose
    Progression:
    Belief produces determination, (steadfastness)
    Determination produces action
    Action demonstrates the reality of faith
    True internal faith must become visible obedience - FRUIT
    Matthew 7:16 NASB95
    “You will know them by their fruits….
    Mark of true disciples
    Say it on Sunday - Live it on Monday
    What good desire has God placed in you?
    What are you determined to do about it?
    What actions should show from that determination?
    Our great goal - Christ’s glory
    1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB95
    Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
    DEFINED - To glorify Christ
    Our lives cause others to recognize, praise, and honor Jesus, who we represent
    To BE Christlike - more important than receiving words of praise
    Our desire, not for people to say we are impressive
    But to see Christ in us
    The transformed life glorifies God, fulfills His will - Rom 12:2
    Romans 12:2 NASB95
    And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
    Also 2 Cor. 3:18, 5:17
    How to glorify God:
    Growing faith
    Increasing love
    Perseverance under pressure
    Convictions turn to actions
    Good intentions turn to faithful work
    Represent Christ well, in the world
    CLOSE
    If the going gets tough, the load increases, what will your faith do—retreat into comfort or increase in obedience?
    Do you want (our church) to grow?
    Careful with a quick answer…
    What if growth requires pressure?
    What if your maturity requires trials?
    What if becoming more like Christ means becoming less comfortable
    You in?
    Thessalonians - did not merely PROFESS faith - they LIVED it
    Faith grew under pressure
    Love increased with affliction
    Beliefs brought perseverance
    Perseverance brought GLORY to Christ
    God may not currently be asking us to face persecution
    God IS asking us to be faithful where we are:
    Is your faith growing?
    Is your love increasing?
    Do your convictions produce action?
    Does your life make Christ look glorious?
    And…
    If following Jesus becomes costly, will you continue to follow?
    Do you truly desire for Christ to be glorified?
    Then ask Him to transform your life, visibly, with evidence of what you say you believe
    If the going gets tough, what will your faith do?

      • Romans 12:19NASB95

      • 1 John 3:8NASB95

      • Matthew 7:16NASB95

      • 1 Corinthians 10:31NASB95

      • Romans 12:2NASB95

  • Victory In Jesus
  • O Praise The Name
  • Sanctuary

      • 2 Thessalonians 1:12NASB95

The Church in Noble - Cornerstone
cornerstone@wabash.net
618-723-2779
https://cccnoble.faithlifesites.com
7 members • 1 follower