Introduction: Do you want your faith to grow? How does our Lord grow our faith in Him? By allowing us to go thru troubles and trials, our Lord grows our dependency upon Him. Writing to the believers in Thessalonica, Paul describes this God-ordained process. What should our response be when our loved ones are facing hardships – troubles and trials?

1. Give THANKS!

“3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.” (2Thess 1:3)

The thought conveyed here has to do with the believer’s faith in Jesus growing continually. In addition, love grows toward one another at the same time. Can you say you love the brethren? Is your faith growing consistently?

2. Focus on strengthening your FAITH in Jesus!

“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.” (2Thess 1:4)

The word for “patience” here means to bear under. It is in the context of suffering persecution. The word “endure” means to stay the course. Are you patiently enduring or persistently complaining?

3. Expect PERSECUTION!

“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.” (2Thess 1:5)

There is a ministry of suffering. Often our spiritual life goes to the next level when patiently enduring persecution and suffering.

4. REST by TRUSTING Jesus will come again and avenge!

“7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2Thess 1:7-9)

This is a reference to Jesus’ second coming not the rapture. Judgment is on His agenda. He will repay with vengeance on those who do not know God and are opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. GLORIFY the Lord Jesus!

“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. 11Wherefore 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: 12That 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.” (2Thess 1:10-12)

Ultimately, Jesus is to be glorified. He is faithful who has called us. He suffered for us…paying our sin debt in full! A price He did not owe. A debt we could not pay.