Tonight, I want to talk about a basis for our confidence. And that was why I asked Ron Wilkerson to lead that good song that we had before the lesson tonight, “Blessed Assurance.” We could also say, “Blessed Confidence.”
All of us have confidence in someone or something. And even though this is a word which we commonly use, and I think that we all commonly understand the meaning of the word, nonetheless, I’ll take just a moment to define the word since it is the subject of our lesson tonight. The dictionary definition of the word “confidence” means: “to have full trust, belief in the trustworthiness of, or reliability of, a person or thing.” The word “confident” means: “to have strong belief, or full assurance…” and there’s our word that we sang in the song tonight—assurance, “to be sure, to be bold.”
Understanding these definitions, let’s think for a few moments about things in which we place our confidence, things in which we have assurance. Well, I think about the government. Now, there’s something that we can believe in!! There’s something that we can be sure about!! The government is always reliable and dependable and can be trusted to do the right thing!! (I see Doug Brown over there choking on something—I don’t know what that is! Doug works for the government, of course. “Amen” would be appropriate, Doug.)
We can have assurance and confidence in our monetary system!! There’s nothing more sound, nothing more reliable than the good old U. S. dollar!! We’ve often heard the expression that someone, or something, is as sound as a dollar.
What about the Dallas Cowboys football team!! There is a real American institution! They are the proverbial symbol of “motherhood and apple pie.” Fans can always depend on the Cowboys to win every game!!
What about friends? Now, I can always depend on and have confidence in my friends to do the right thing at the right time in the right way!!
What about family? My family is always there for me, and I am confident that they will never fail me or disappoint me!!
Well, I can have confidence in myself! Hey, self confidence!! You bet!! I believe in myself, and I’m confident that I will succeed, that I will always do the right thing, that I will always meet every challenge!!
Well, perhaps I’m being a bit cynical. These examples, as well as others that I’m sure that you have thought of—perhaps some that you’ve experienced yourself—demonstrate the fallacy of placing our trust, our confidence in things. This also demonstrates the difficulty that we have in finding something that is lasting, something that is permanent, to PUT our confidence in.
Oh, we have a wonderful democratic system of government, no doubt—one which is the envy of much of the world, and one which we rightfully and properly should give thanks for! I appreciated again Brother Loyd Redman’s prayer this evening, thanking God for the country that we live in where we have the freedom that we do. I also appreciated Brother T. J. Archer’s prayer this morning, as he acknowledged and prayed for our government. But can we really place our full trust and confidence in the government? I don’t think we should.
Our monetary system is great. Our economy is strong. And much of the world relies on the good, old “greenback” for their own trade and their “fiscal soundness”. Like one fellow said, “I must have good credit! Everybody has some of it!” But we don’t want to place our confidence—our assurance—in the U. S. dollar.
Now, I know I’m treading on some dangerous ground here, but…how sound is it for us to be confident in the Dallas Cowboys? Think about this realistically! Even you “diehard” fans know that they don’t win every game, and that they don’t always go to the Super Bowl. You just think they do!
Well, you see where I’m going with these analogies. Friends, family, and, yes, even ourselves, should not be the basis for our confidence. We have all, at one time or another, been disappointed, or let down, when our confidence in an institution, an organization, a team, or a person, has been betrayed, or destroyed.
So in this world of changing institutions, changing traditions and standards, where DO we place our confidence? What is there that we can really believe in, that we can really trust in, that we can really have confidence in? Certainly, as Christians, we need a basis for assurance.
Is our belief, and therefore our hope, simply an accident of some historical flux? What sign do we have that our lives are really important? What assurance do we have that our salvation is of greater consequence than our mere personal ambition? Can we really be sure that our hope is grounded in more than our own strength and might?
The text for our lesson tonight is taken from 2 Thessalonians, the 2nd chapter. I would like to read that text, 2 Thessalonians 2, beginning with verse 8, and reading through verse 12: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the Truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the Truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
Here, Paul warns the Thessalonian Christians that many people would be misled by Satan, and that some would turn away from the Truth altogether, turning to strong delusions and lies. The implication which Paul makes here is that signs and wonders and counterfeit miracles are NOT, therefore, sufficient assurances of salvation. Nor are they sufficient for the basis of our confidence. For Satan offers these things to delude.
What is it, then, that makes us confident in our belief? Well, just after Paul’s warning NOT to place our confidence in signs and wonders, he affirms that there IS strong reason for confidence, and that we, as Christians, can find our eternal identity by understanding and appreciating that reason.
Let’s continue reading on in our text there in 2 Thessalonians, the 2nd chapter, picking up with verse 13 and reading through verse 17: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the Truth. He called you to this through our Gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
Simply stated, Paul says that our basis for confidence lies in the fact that we, as believers, as members of God’s family, are part of God’s eternal purpose. And because God is involved, our fate is not subject to every changing whim of human circumstance and activity. God, Who never changes, is the great “I AM,” “The Alpha and the Omega,”—The Beginning and the End, “The Same yesterday, today, and yea, forever.” We can have CONFIDENCE in that! [Read Exodus 3:13-14 for the reference to God as “I AM.” Read Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:13 for the references to God as “The Alpha and the Omega” and “The Beginning and the End.” Read Hebrews 13:8 for the reference to “The same yesterday, today and forever.” This reference is talking about Jesus Christ, but because Jesus is “God among us,” this is also a reference to all that is God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.]
Let’s take some time this evening to examine in detail this confidence that we can have in our hope. First, let’s go back to our text and notice that Paul presents a contrast—a contrast AND a choice. 2 Thessalonians 2:12: “…so that all will be condemned who have not believed the Truth but have delighted in wickedness.” And then verse 13: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the Truth…”
Verse 12 says that some will believe the lie, and be condemned. BUT, Paul says, this does not reference to the faithful. Right there, at the beginning of verse 13, Paul puts the conjunction, “BUT.” And the “But” there in verse 13 introduces sort of the other side of the coin—the flip side of this issue, so to speak. Paul is saying here, do not depend on powers and wonders. They mislead! BUT…you may depend on this. Some will perish through unrighteousness, BUT…you need not be in that number of people who perish. We, as believers, have reason for confidence and assurance, and that reason is far greater than our own confidence in ourselves, or confidence in our fellow man, because we are part of God’s eternal plan.
What IS God’s purpose—His eternal plan? Well, we can see that purpose in this text that we’re using tonight. First of all, let’s notice that as part of God’s eternal plan, He has made a selection. He has chosen you and I, verse 13. As a person saved in Christ, we have been a part of God’s plan for how long? Did you notice that? How long did Paul say that we have been a part of this plan? “From the beginning!” And for what PURPOSE are we “chosen” or “selected?” Paul says, “…for SALVATION!” This fact alone is reason for our confidence, and should also bring us great joy! We, as believers, have been set apart for God’s purpose, and separated from sin when we first responded to the Gospel and turned to God.
Let’s to back to the first epistle that Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, verses 9 and 10. Paul writes, “…for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, Who rescues us from the coming wrath.”
Further, we are sanctified. That word, “sanctified”, means “set apart to be made holy.” And this sanctification is evident throughout our Christian life. Once again, we are sanctified not by our own power or worthiness, but by the Spirit of God. Again, 1 Thessalonians, this time chapter 4, and verses 1 through 8, Paul writes: “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s Will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, Who gives you His Holy Spirit.”
Because we have believed the Truth preached concerning Christ, that we read about in verse 13 of this text, we have confidence for our own salvation when Christ returns again. 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1, and verse 10: “…on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”
So, we are chosen of God and we are sanctified. Also, as part of God’s purpose, we are called, verse 14. Having chosen us for salvation, God calls, or invites, us to the attaining of glory in Christ. In this manner, God has acted, if you will allow me to say it this way, on His plan. This CALL came through the Good News—the Gospel preached about Jesus Christ. We, as believers, know of God’s “election,” or “CHOOSING,” because of the CALL which we have received. And this call, this knowledge, gives us much assurance.
[NOTE: The “call” that we receive is NOT a “whisper in the ear” from God. He does not “tap you on the shoulder” and say that He has searched the world over, and He has decided to “call” you, but not some other people. NO, the call, or invitation, from God is FOR ALL PEOPLE. They can read it, study it, believe it and obey it simply by opening the Word of God, the Bible, and become a part of God’s “elect” or “chosen” people. Remember that God is no respecter of persons—He does NOT show favoritism. Acts 10:34-35: “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.’” God “calls” through the Gospel, and those who respond, or believe AND obey, are God’s “chosen ones”, the “elect.” Read 1 Peter 1:9-10. And Matthew 22:14, King James Version of the Bible, says that “many are called, but few are chosen.” The New International Version of the Bible says that “many are invited, but few are chosen.” So, God invites ALL OF MANKIND to be His children, but only a few choose to surrender their lives COMPLETELY to Christ by believing in AND obeying AND continuing to live by the Word of God.]
In this divine arrangement which God has set forth, we are called by the Gospel. Those who respond know that they are “chosen” of God. And this is evidenced by their response TO this call. The “election” of God is NOT declared as a “divine fatalism” that discourages the faint hearted. [“divine fatalism”: “fatalism” is the belief that all events, or happenings, in your life are decided by fate, that you have no choice, and that you cannot change “what will be.” “divine fatalism” is the belief that God has decided already who will be saved and who will not be saved, and that there is nothing you can do to change what God has decided. As John is showing here, this is a false belief.] God’s “election,” or “choosing” is always viewed in retrospect, simply giving assurance to the one who truly does believe in Christ that his belief and response to the Gospel are signs that he was chosen. Men still, and always will, be free moral agents—be of free will to choose whether or not they will answer the call God makes. [In other words, from the beginning, God chose those people who would belong to Him. How did He choose them? He chose them through their free-will belief in, AND obedience to, the Gospel of Christ. Those who believe AND obey are chosen of God. Those who do not believe cannot become the chosen ones of God and are condemned. See Mark 16:15-16.]
The third aspect of God’s purpose, God’s plan, is that God will glorify us. What is the outcome of accepting God’s call? We, as believers, will be glorified when Christ returns. As surely as we believe the Gospel call now, we WILL be glorified when He returns. This assumes, of course, that we CONTINUE in belief and in obedience. [NOTE: “Glorify” in this case means “to raise from the human level to the heavenly level; to be made pure and perfect in the eyes of God; to be made splendid or magnificent; to praise and honor.” We will receive all of this from God IF we accept God’s call! And that call is the Gospel of Christ.]
We see, then, that God’s purpose, God’s plan is threefold. First, He has chosen us from the beginning. Second, He has called us through His Gospel. And third, if we respond to this call and we remain obedient, He will glorify us.
Well, there are some consequences, or some results, which Paul sets forth next in our text concerning the acceptance of God’s calling. Let’s look first, once again, at verse 13 there in the 2nd chapter of 2 Thessalonians. Paul says, “But we ought always to thank God for you…” I think the first consequence, or result, of answering God’s call is that believers will give thanks. Paul was thankful for the Thessalonians because they were part of God’s purpose. We, likewise, should be thankful for each other, NOT just because of the human attraction that we have for one another, or because of some achievement, or something else that draws us to one another, but because of God’s purpose and working. You see, each one of us represent God’s plan and God’s purpose at work! And each of us demonstrates the success, if you will, of God’s plan and God’s purpose. I am thankful for you, and you should be thankful for me, because we were chosen of God, and we have been called of God, and we are, therefore, a part of God’s eternal purpose and plan.
In addition, we need to stand firm or stand steadfast. Let’s notice again verse 15 of this text: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” This “steadfastness” should not just be because of your stubbornness or close-mindedness. No. Rather, it should be holding fast to the apostolic traditions and teachings, which Paul talks about here. “Tradition” simply means “that which is passed on from one to another.” And it’s certainly true that traditions can sometimes be bad, and sometimes they can be good. But the apostolic tradition, what Paul is talking about here, what they passed on to the Thessalonians by mouth and by letter, is simply the manner of interpreting all Scripture in light of Jesus Christ. [In other words, “tradition” here (“the teachings we passed on to you”) is simply a passing of the Truth of Jesus Christ—the Gospel, from one to another without change. Jesus taught the apostles the Truth through His Own teaching (which were the teachings His Father gave to Him to pass on to us), and then through His teaching as revealed by the Holy Spirit as the apostles and others were inspired to write what would later become the Bible. The apostles then taught the Truth of Jesus Christ to the Thessalonians. The Thessalonians then taught, or passed on, this same Truth to others, who then passed it on to others, and so on. Now, the written Word of the Gospel of Christ—the Bible—is the tradition of Truth for ALL people to read, believe and obey—and to share and pass on to other people.]
A third result of our answering God’s call and being a part of God’s plan and purpose is that God will give strength and encouragement TO us. Notice verses 16 and 17: “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” He will encourage and strengthen because His purpose involves the present time, as well as the past and the future. What comfort! what strength! is found for us in this knowledge!! The same God Who chose and called us is present with us now to encourage and strengthen us until that day when He glorifies us together with His Son Jesus Christ! [See John 17:20-23.]
In conclusion, we as Christians, have stability and assurance because of our relationship to God through Jesus Christ, His Son. Because we’ve responded to—believed AND obeyed—the Gospel call, we know that we are chosen, therefore, we are invited. As we believe the Truth, and continue in faith, we are sanctified, that is, “set apart for holy use” by the Spirit. Because our faith joins us to God’s purpose—God’s, we look forward to being glorified. For the present, we are grateful for our fellow believers. We hold fast to the apostolic traditions, and lean wholeheartedly on God for constant encouragement and strength. GOD IS OUR BASIS FOR CONFIDENCE!
Where is your confidence, your assurance tonight? If you have a need that we can assist you with in either strengthening the confidence that you already have in God, or in discovering that confidence that we can have in God, we invite you to come as we stand together and sing.