Psalm 90: 1, 8								Rev S. de Marie
Psalm 31:12, 15
Psalm 27: 1-4
Psalm 27: 5, 6						Reading:	2 Tess. 2:1 – 3:5
Psalm 103: 2, 5, 7, 8				Text:		2 Tess. 2: 13-17

Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
In our times the significance of being church and having worship services cannot be valued enough. In a godless world we may meet our God, our heavenly Father and His Son our Lord Jesus Christ! What a privilege! 
We may have fellowship with God in Christ through His Spirit. He Himself is in our midst. We may sing to Him, to praise Him. We may speak to Him in our prayers. And what is the value of a sermon? That the Word of God is proclaimed to you. God Himself speaks to you in it. And being more specific: Christ Himself is proclaimed to you as the Gospel, as good tidings. With the call, to all of you, to react in faith and repentance. 
Let us be very anxious to listen to the sermons, because it is for the feeding of our faith, the strengthening of our hope, the growing of our love to God and to each other and for the instruction of our daily life. May the Lord grant that you may be comforted, encouraged and taught.
I may proclaim God's Word to you this afternoon from 2 Thessalonians. 2: 13-17    with the theme:

Paul's call and blessing to stand fast on the way to glory
1. How God led His congregation in His way. (vs. 13,14)
2. What He asks of her now. (v. 15)
3. How He will help her in this. (vv 16:17)

1. Brothers and sisters, if you let the verses preceding our text sink in, you may become restless, perhaps even anxious. If this becomes the future for us as a church, what will become of us? Who will uphold it then?
We read that before the Lord's return there will be much apostasy and lawlessness. In the end, all this will increase at a rapid pace. For then the lawless man will no longer be restrained. Then Satan is released by Christ. Powerful signs and deceptive wonders will then cause many people to love sin and reject the truth of God's Word. More and more people become entangled in lies, especially because God Himself then sends them a powerful delusion. Also in several chapters of Revelation we read of this. What a threatening prospect! 
But congregation, remember that all this takes place under the kingship of Christ. It is not only foretold by Him, but also set in motion by Him. This must happen. Paul knows that in his day the Thessalonians are already exposed to the beginnings of that lawlessness; it is then already in effect, chapter2:7. For them, it is already dangerous. But the last phase will be the more dangerous. And is that last step not very close for us? Because after Paul's letter, the gospel went around the world. And we now see that Christians massively reject the truth, and that lawlessness is increasing rapidly?
Our current society inverts the order of creation and contradicts God's commandments. Christians are deceived and join in. Has not this become the new religion, that the lawless man is worshipped? How long will all this last? Isn't that oppressive for us? How can the church survive this? Who can stand? The Lord Jesus Himself already said, regarding the end time, full of temptation, that God will shorten that time so that not all believers are lost. That has been said for our comfort.
Paul also says more about the church that has to contend with a lawless society. The church is not Satan's plaything. The church belongs to the Lord! Paul begins verse 13 after his words about the lawless man with “But”. Pay close attention to what Paul is saying now. He does not say: but in such a world there is also a faithful church which does go through oppression and temptation. He does not say, but I give thanks that there is a church that can distinguish the lie from the truth and is steadfast in the faith. No, Paul does start with words of thanks, but: he brings his thanks to God!
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord.
Paul sees the stark contrast between the lawless world and the faithful church, but he does not praise the church; nor does he boast in his own preaching. No, Paul sees it as a great miracle of grace, that there may and can be a church in this godless world.
Paul always thanks God when he sees a faithful church. He thanks God that God has also chosen this church, from the beginning, for salvation, that is, for redemption. So in his thanksgiving he goes back to the electing good pleasure of God. For God took reasons of Himself to look after sinful men.
People, who themselves are not better than others. God chose them “in the beginning”, that is before the creation of the world, to salvation, to complete redemption.
Congregation, always see that your redemption proceeds from God's good pleasure, from His gracious election. It is definitely not an achievement on our part. It is no credit to your office-bearers either.
It is truly an undeserved blessing that today there is still a church that has not fallen away, but may be preserved. Paul also points especially to the loved of the Lord, which is the beloved of Christ.
Brothers and sisters, you too, as believers, may be beloved ones of the Lord Jesus, what a great privilege that is, for how glorious is our Lord Jesus Christ! The Thessalonians may know in faith that God the Father took them from the human race and gave them to Christ.    Thus they are beloved of the Lord Christ. In his love for them, He surrendered Himself unto death.
But how does the Lord make sure that they remain faithful to Him in this deceptive world? Paul says of that, that it comes about
...through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Sanctification and belief belong together. The congregation is set apart by the Spirit and born again to believe. Sanctification and belief are inseparable if you are allowed to belong to God. If you believe you will want to be conformed to Him. As He is holy, we as believers will also want to be holy ourselves. And if we do commit sins, we will ask forgiveness by the blood of Christ. But our sanctification, like our belief, is not our own work. It is God's work through His Spirit.
Congregation, your redemption is exclusively in the way of sanctification and belief. It is the way of obedience to the truth, in love to God and to your neighbour. It is the Spirit who works this in you, but at the same time a life task for you. Sanctification and belief in the truth of God's Word results in a living faith.    A faith that works through love. That is completely the work of God's Spirit, but also a life task for you. Be very careful with these gifts from God. It is about your salvation, your eternal salvation.
The Lord always lets us know that His Spirit works in us both to will and do according to His good pleasure. But with the instruction that we work for our own salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2:12.13. In that way of faith and repentance the Lord wants to save you.
Congregation, see the great contrast: The apostates live lawlessly and believe the lie. But for the believer there is sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth!
The apostates await the judgment of God if they do not repent. But for the beloved of the Lord Jesus Christ, they will be saved from God's judgment!
But Congregation, do not boast of it in yourself, do not consider yourself better than others. Nor boast in ministers or elders who have taught you. But thank God alone for His undeserved grace, and the Lord Jesus Christ for His great love.
In verse 14 Paul says even more about how God places His congregation on the path of His way in this apostate world. He works out His election by calling them through the Gospel. That gospel has been preached to them by Paul and his co-workers. God has called the congregation through that preaching. Not once, but again and again, through the persistent preaching of God's messengers. There was always a call to faith and repentance. With the aim of putting them on the path to their salvation. A way that, according to verse 14, even ends in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ
Brothers and sisters, God has chosen His congregation in the beginning. He has called her by His Word. He has sanctified it by His Spirit. He also wants to glorify her. That is not our work, nor the work of apostles or ministers, but entirely God's work! God does use people for that, servants of the Word. Proclaimers of the Gospel.
Paul knows himself to be an ambassador of Christ, and as such he can say here you are called by “our gospel”. He means to say: we were allowed to bring it. But the content is Christ. The object of our good tidings is your redemption in and through Christ. By His atoning suffering, by His resurrection, by His intercession.
Congregation, you too may, in the way of faith and sanctification, reach the goal of redemption: your salvation. With the ultimate goal: even, the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. You may as it says: “obtain”, literally make it your own possession. This glory is for you, the absolute and eternal pinnacle.
Well, the Lord wants to bring you to that end through His Word and Spirit. Then everything in and on you will shine with the glory of Christ.  That will be when you meet your Savior Jesus Christ in His full glory on the last day. Then you are perfectly conformed to Him. Then you may also share in His glory through fellowship with Him. You may even reign with Him as kings and praise God forever.
Brothers and sisters, this may become a reality for you as you heartily accept the glorious gospel of your Savior. This work of the Lord on His church is cause for Paul, for all preachers of the Word, and for all believers, for great gratitude to the Lord God.

2. Paul's Call and Blessing to Stand Fast on the Way to Glory
	We now see: What He asks of her now. (15)
Paul gives thanks to God, 2 Thessalonians 1: 3, for an exceptionally strong growing faith in Thessalonica. He also observes increasing love for each other. Very happy developments in this young Christian congregation. God has given this to this church, He has done this.
But in verse 15 of our text, Paul still comes with a penetrating exhortation. Why is that – after thanksgiving to God – still necessary?
Well Congregation, in the first place because God's glorious spiritual gifts are also tasks. God chooses, He calls you, He gives you means, He Himself works with the means. But then we must not be sluggish, not hesitant, not careless or indifferent.
We will yet work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Precisely because the Lord works that willingness and working in us? God wants us to work with His gifts after His glorious work in us. Paul elaborates on that in verse 15. With strong emphasis.
Therefore brethren stand fast
Therefore, here, means: if you oversee all this now, if you take in everything I have written; if you now see what it comes down to and realize what is at stake.
Paul has thanked God extensively for the gospel of undeserved grace, of divine salvation with an unimaginably glorious end. But that grace comes to the church in a world full of temptation, apostasy and deceitful lies. A world headed for the greatest disaster imaginable, the judgment of God.
Paul wants to bring the congregation of Thessalonica to a …conclusion from those thoughts. And, congregation, try to make such a conclusion for yourself. What must happen now, in order not to lose the spiritual gifts promised and arranged by God?
Paul's answer is then:
 Therefore brethren stand fast
Paul comes to this exhortation because of the precious and promising work of God towards and in His church. That work of God demands to be worked out, so that God may gain His glory. But in addition there is also the treacherous and deceitful work of Satan.    As a result, you run the risk of slipping, stumbling, or succumbing on the way God will allow you to go. Under the pressure of opposition, oppression or even persecution. There is also the danger of going astray or being dragged away by deception and temptation. Satan comes with all kinds of miracles and allurements!
Therefore brethren stand fast
Stand fast even sounds like an order here, like a military command. It's not a cold order. Intrusive, but also loving:
Therefore brethren stand fast
Paul addresses the Lord's loved ones as brothers, with whom he is associated. Stand fast, stay with what has been given you, persevere in the faith. Stay on God's way that takes you to the promised glory.
But how can you stand fast on the road to salvation? How are you able not to succumb or get bumped off the road? With so much opposition and with such sophisticated temptation?    That is also what Paul points out.
keep the traditions in which you have been taught
Paul is not pointing to something new or something they have to come up with to be sure. He points out what they have already received: The traditions in which they are taught. What then are those traditions?    Are those habits, rules? No, they are the sermons of Paul and his associates and also their first letter. God's Word delivered to them therein.
The Lord Jesus says the same to two of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. To Thyatira he says as only command:
Hold on to what you have until I come.
And to Philadelphia, that little faithful congregation:
Hold fast what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
Paul says the same to the congregation at Corinth. In 1 Corinthians. 15 he starts with:
I declare to you the gospel which I have preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you have believed in vain.
And Paul ends that chapter with:
Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable.
In    verse 15 of our text Paul explains how the church can stand fast:
keep the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle
Now congregation, that same Word has also been delivered to you. In your Bible, as the Word that is for all time. Also precisely for the future. In the sermons. So also this day this word of Paul comes to you as the Word of God. With a divine command to you as God's beloved children:
therefore stand fast, beloved brothers and sisters, and keep the word proclaimed.
Do not let go of what you have received. Do not let go of God's Word in which He gives you His promises and shows you His way.
Congregation, you too have been taught this. Most of you pretty much all your life. Before the liberation and after. The Lord has continued what He had begun in you, so that you have heard His Word twice every Sunday to this day. Thus He continues to call, encourage, teach, and exhort you.
From Him you have also received His Word, also to read it as a letter. Just like the Thessalonians, but even richer and more complete. You have a complete Bible. Not to stash that Bible away, but to use it, to absorb it and to hold it fast, to keep it.
God wants you to work with His rich gifts by reading, pondering, and living His Word. That is not without obligation. God Himself asks this with great urgency. 
therefore stand fast, brethren, keep the traditions which you were taught.
Then you can continue on the road to the glory where God will lead you in His Son and by His Spirit.

3. Paul's call and blessing to stand fast on the way to glory.
We saw how God led His church on His way and what He now asks of her. Finally we see how He will help her in this. (vv 16:17).
Paul ends our verses with a blessing. A prayer for the Lord's blessing on the congregation. The congregation is called to persevere in the faith. To hold on to God's Word in order to firmly withstand    temptations and oppression.
But Paul also knows that the congregation cannot do that itself. May the Lord God help her in this too.    Without His help, the church cannot hold onto the grace God has given either. Without His power, she cannot keep and use God's Word purely.
And congregation, it is the same with every yes word that sounds in the church. Any pledge of allegiance and faithfulness. If God does not help us, we will not remain faithful. Not to our promise in making our profession of faith, not our promise at our marriage, our promise at baptism, our promise when installed in office. We are unable to do this ourselves. We always need God's blessing, strength and help.
That is why we, as a church, always plead God to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. We pray that He will give us His grace that we remain true to our given promise and that He gives His blessing to fulfil that promise. And to carry out our duties.
Congregation, Paul's blessing is also for your example. May you yourself also seek the strength you need to hold fast to the Word of God and stand fast in faith in God and Christ alone. Paul helps you in verses 16 and 17 to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. To set your expectation upon Christ and God the Father. So that you may be enabled by Christ and God to persevere in the faith. Brothers and sisters, faith is not just a matter of following words, of holding on to traditions. It is not even just noticing spiritual gifts. Faith is, above all, a bond of love, a communion of life with your Lord Jesus Christ and in Him with God the Father. In that communion, all grace comes to you. In that communion you thank God for His gifts; and you plead to Him for comfort and strength.
The Lord Jesus Christ is foremost in the blessing of verse 16, because He brings us to God. And because He Himself in person is the proof of God's love for us. In Him God has loved us. Paul says in Rom. 8:32:
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Congregation, never forget this when you think about your faith. What is lacking and how it needs reinforcement. Everything you ask of God rests on the sacrifice of His Son. All of it rests on the love with which God has loved you in His Son
God's Son is here called by all three names: Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, even our Lord Jesus Christ. He has been given to us for our eternal salvation. Those names thereby define for us from Whom we may expect our encouragement and strength.
From our Lord, our Curios the head of the church; from our Owner, who bought us! From Jesus, Who has redeemed us, as His church, from sin and death by His sacrifice on the cross! Of Christ, the anointed of God, our High Priest, Who now pleads for us every day!
Congregation, He, our Lord Jesus Christ, has already given you all gifts and power on behalf of His Father to stand fast. What are those gifts? Paul mentions two things: namely, eternal comfort and good hope:
Eternal comfort: that is comfort that extends into life and death, beyond death unto the last judgment, yea, unto eternal glory. Comfort of the Gospel, a holding fast that keeps you steady no matter what happens!
With that comfort comes good hope. Good hope is sure hope. Hope that rests on God's unrepentant promises and on Christ's finished sacrifice of the cross. The good sure hope that we will reach the final goal!
Now congregation, by the eternal comfort and good hope of Christ and God, there is never any reason in faith to despair. Not for now and not for the future. However much the deception increases and however much hostility the church encounters, the love and faithfulness of Christ and God the Father will see you through it, as church.
Paul then says that you can therefore expect everything from Christ for the future. That He will comfort your hearts. And that He will even strengthen you as a church in every good word and work. So that you may have a living faith, which is evident in every good work and word. You can expect all this from Him for the future.
If you do, you may grow in faith upon your prayer. Then you too will see more and more fruits of faith. Then God will also come to His glory in your work and word, in your doing and speaking.
Therefore, Congregation, live close to your Lord and always appeal to Him for His nearness and strength,  that you may serve and honour Him in a way that pleases Him.
Let us close with Paul's words of praise from Rom. 16:25:
Now to Him who is able to establish you, according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,... to    God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.

 Amen