Sermons From Second Thessalonians - Paul's Closing Benediction (3:16-18)

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               "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                  Paul's Closing Benediction (3:16-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonians was designed to encourage,
   enlighten, and exhort...
   a. He offered encouragement in the midst of persecutions - 2Th 1:
      1-12
   b. He offered enlightenment about the coming of the Lord - 2Th 2:
      1-17
   c. He offered exhortations to Christian living - 2Th 3:1-15

2. As was Paul's custom, he concludes with a benediction and prayer in
   their behalf...
   a. Compare his conclusion to the first epistle - 1Th 5:23-28
   b. While shorter, he ends the second epistle in similar fashion
      - 2Th 3:16-18

[There are two main thoughts expressed in "Paul's Closing Benediction",
the first in vs. 16...]

I. MAY THE LORD GIVE YOU PEACE

   A. THE PEACE THE LORD PROVIDES...
      1. It was prophesied that Jesus would guide us into peace - Lk 1:
         78-79; 2:14
      2. He came preaching peace - Ac 10:36
      3. Jesus offers a peace that the world cannot give - Jn 14:27
      4. A peace that prevails despite tribulation - Jn 16:33
      5. It involves peace with God - Ro 5:1
      6. It involves a kingdom in which peace is reign - Ro 14:17
      7. In which Jew and Gentile can now be one new man in peace - Ep
         2:14-18

   B. HOW THE LORD PROVIDES THIS PEACE...
      1. Through His death on the cross
         a. Reconciling Jew and Gentile - Ep 2:15-16
         b. Reconciling man with God - Col 1:20-22
      2. Through our faith, and the justification it brings - Ro 15:13;
         5:1
      3. Through harmony with brethren - 2Co 13:11
      4. Through the Spirit bearing fruit in our lives - Ga 5:22
      5. Through fervent prayer
         a. Producing peace in the inner man - Php 4:6-7
         b. Producing peace in our communities - 1Ti 2:1-2
      6. Through emulating the example of Paul - Php 4:9
      7. Through the pursuit of peace
         a. As Paul exhorted the Romans - Ro 14:19
         b. As Paul exhorted Timothy - 2Ti 2:22
         c. As the Hebrew Christians were commanded - He 12:14
         d. As Peter commanded the Christians in Asia Minor - 1Pe 3:
            10-11
      -- The Lord certainly desires to give us peace:  He died to make
         it possible, He offers it to all who will follow Him.  Our task
         is to be diligent to be found by Him in peace (cf. 2Pe 3:14)
         by allowing this peace to rule in our hearts (cf. Col 3:15)!

[As we return to our text (2Th 3:16-18), we find that Paul makes a
brief reference to writing in his own hand (17).  He then closes in
verse 18 with a final benediction...]

II. MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU

   A. THE GRACE THE LORD PROVIDES...
      1. Again, it was prophesied that Jesus would bring grace - 1Pe 1:
         10-11
      2. Jesus came full of grace - Jn 1:14,16-17
      3. His apostles proclaimed the gospel of grace - Ac 20:24
         a. How God justifies us in Christ Jesus - Ro 3:24; Ep 1:7; 2:
            4-9
         b. Describing how we might stand in God's grace - Ro 5:2; 1 Pe
            5:12
      4. He gives us everlasting consolation and good hope through this
         grace - 2Th 2:16-17
      5. His apostles commended souls to the Word of God's grace - Ac
         20:32

   B. HOW THE LORD PROVIDES THIS GRACE...
      1. By obeying the gospel of grace - He 5:9
         a. Obeying the doctrine delivered to us, which sets us free
            from sin - Ro 6:17
         b. Through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy
            Spirit - Tit 3:4-7; cf. Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:36; 22:16
      2. Through growing in grace - 2Pe 3:18
         a. Grace is multiplied as we grow in the knowledge of Jesus
            - 2Pe 1:2,5-8
         b. Grace is received through prayer - He 4:14-16
         c. Grace is given to the humble in heart - Jm 4:6; 1Pe 5:5
      3. Making sure we do not receive the grace of God in vain
         a. His grace will not be available forever - 2Co 6:1-2
         b. Looking carefully lest we fall short of God's grace - He
            12:15
         c. Aware of the possibility of falling away - Ga 5:4
      -- How sad to receive God's grace, but then to have received in
         vain!  Peter describes the sorry condition of those who turn
         away from God's grace after having known it (2Pe 2:20-22).
         Like Timothy, we need to heed the admonition to be strong in
         the grace of God (2Ti 2:1)!

CONCLUSION

1. Paul's love for his brethren in Thessalonica was evident...
   a. He wanted the Lord Himself to give them peace always in every way
   b. He wanted the grace of the Lord to be with them all
   -- Thus He began and closed this epistle with a prayer for grace and
      peace - 2Th 1:2; 3:16-18

2. As we have considered how Paul encouraged, enlightened, and exhorted
   his brethren...
   a. I hope that I have done the same through this series of lessons
   b. I leave with you with another prayer expressed in our text:

                      "The Lord be with you all."
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