We Pray to God for You

Tuesday, January 21, 2015
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 KJV 

5 [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day. 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Apostle Paul commended the believers at Thessalonica for their faith, love and patient endurance during persecutions. How would their sufferings benefit them? (v.5-7)
2) What will the Lord Jesus do to avenge those who have been persecuted and what will become of their persecutors? (v.8-10)
3) What else would the brethren pray for concerning those who had been troubled? Why? (v.11-12)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever suffered trouble or difficulty because of your faith in Jesus? 
5) If so, how do you typically respond in these troubling situations?

LIFE LESSONS
6) Every believer can expect to be troubled by non-believers because of their faith in the Lord Jesus.
7) As followers of Christ, we are never to avenge ourselves of the wrongs done to us because God is glorified when we endure hardship for His sake.
8) The Lord Himself will vindicate us on the day when He is glorified in us and the wicked are eternally punished.