Becoming Strong In The Faith

II Thessalonians 2.13-17

Today is the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). It is the birthday of the church. In Leviticus 23.15-22 Moses wrote down the instructions concerning this feast. 50 days after the Sabbath of Passover this was to be celebrated. It was a festival of joy which gave thanks to the LORD for the blessing of the harvest, particularly the first fruits of the wheat harvest.

The Day of Pentecost after Jesus died , rose again and ascended into heaven, was God's appointed time to pour out the gift the Father promised.

The Spirit was poured out. Peter preaches a message to the Jews there in Jerusalem for the feast- Jews from every nation under heaven- from Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Italy, Africa- they all heard the apostles declaring the wonders of God in the languages of the countries where they were from. Within a few chapters persecution (c.4-8) broke out against the church. The church also experienced some internal problems. They sought to solve these problems with the help of God's Spirit.

One who led the persecution was a head strong Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus. After surrendering to Christ himself and spending some alone time with the LORD he went out and started churches all over the world. In Acts 17.1-9 we read of the beginnings this church we have been studying recently. The church at Thessalonica like the church at Jerusalem had its challenges but through Paul's letters it was giving instructions on becoming strong in the faith, even in the midst of false teachers and rumors circulating about Christ's Return.

To become strong in the faith you must

1. Stand Firm
Building your life upon the Rock, the Solid Rock Christ Jesus.
Standing firm has to do with where your feet are, what we basing our lives on.
Standing firm is to persevere, persist and to be steady
Ephesians 6.13-15 The Full Armor of God
Stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand
v.14 stand firm then
v.15 with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
If you read this passage carefully this soldier is not moving- He is standing.
I Corinthians 15.58a Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm,- Let nothing move you. First thing (and it is continuous) to becoming strong in the faith is to stand firm.
Right along side this is...

2. Hold Fast
We stand with our legs and feet and we hold with our arms and hands.
What does the man of God hold in his hand? Ephesians 6.17 the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Be powerful in the Word, master the Word (try to it is a life long work), lay your hands on it and hide it ion your hearts and you will become strong in the faith.
Keep God's Word carefully and faithfully.
Jude 3 Contend for the faith
Titus 1.9 Hold firmly to the trustworthy message
I Timothy 1.19 Holding on to the faith
3.9 They must keep hold to the deep truths of the faith

3. Take Encouragement From the Holy Spirit
call near, stirring address, comfort- listen to those promptings- Respond to those stirrings
Strengthen= make stable, place firmly

Becoming strong in the faith is not difficult to understand. God is there to help us in the living out of this truth. Let's keep our eyes fixed upon Him.