His Peace and Grace
The journey through 2 Thessalonians finishes today. Over the last few months, we’ve learnt of the plight of the Thessalonians; Paul was ripped from their midst and they were suffering persecution. Imposters told them that Jesus had already come and they were left behind. They were in a panic and so, Paul has been teaching and encouraging them in the ways of Christ. Now that he has explained everything to them, Paul is wishing them God’s peace and grace. It is God’s peace we crave above all other things as human beings and that is what we focus on in today’s message.
Scripture
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 ESV Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. (17) I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. (18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Bible Study Questions
The Lord of Peace
In verse 16, Paul is asking the Lord of peace Himself to give the Thessalonians peace. What makes the Lord of peace different from other forms of peace we see in the world?
2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Deuteronomy 32:17 ESV They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded.
Trouble has no response
What do we learn about peace from our Lord Jesus?
Romans 15:13 ESV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
John 14:27 ESV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Ephesians 2:17 ESV He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
The peace and the giver
Paul says that the Lord of peace gives us peace in every way. In the same verse, Paul explains to us how we are to receive this peace. How do you understand this, and how can you apply it to your daily life?
2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Philippians 4:7 ESV And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Spotting the forgery
In verse 17, Paul tells the Thessalonians that he is writing the letter with his own hand. We don’t read this in the Bible, but we have discussed a forged letter. Do you remember why this is significant in the context of the Thessalonians?
2 Thessalonians 3:17 ESV I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
The mark of a saint
Paul signs off 2 Thessalonians with his own handwriting, his signature, so to speak. This portrays a great deal of authenticity to the Thessalonians. What are the marks of Paul’s that made him such an influential saint?
2 Thessalonians 3:17 ESV I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
Acts 9:29 ESV And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death
Acts 13:50 ESV But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.
Acts 16:22 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods.
Making our mark
What can we learn from the apostle Paul, how can we make our own mark?
2 Thessalonians 3:17 ESV I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
Philippians 2:12 ESV Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Mat 7:13-14 ESV “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. (14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
The greatest gift
Paul concludes his letter by asking for grace for the Thessalonians. What do you understand about this gift? How can you respond?
2 Thessalonians 3:18 ESV The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Matthew 16:24 ESV Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.