Endurance and Faithfulness

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Endurance and Faithfulness

Season 19: The Power of Prayer

Oct 29, 2025

Transcript

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

SHOW NOTES:

The Apostle Paul traveled across Asia Minor and into Europe on three main missionary journeys. During his second trip (Acts 16:23-20:38), he visited Thessalonica and Corinth. The first epistles Paul ever wrote were those to the church he had established in Thessalonica, Macedonia. These were written from Corinth (Acts 18:1-18), shortly after Paul had left Thessalonica.

Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Paul had previously been concerned about their faith and love for each other. In this second letter, he praises them for their growing faith and the increasing love they share. Paul also told others about their faithful perseverance through hardship, suffering, and persecution.

When we examine early Church history, we gain a clearer understanding. What did believers in Jerusalem and Judea experience after Jesus Christ ascended to heaven? The Jewish religious leaders did not want “The Way” to spread and grow. A man named Saul persecuted them, having some arrested and thrown into prison. This man became Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus. He personally knew that the church grew during persecution, which makes it even more remarkable.

So, we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Paul and his companions prayed that the Thessalonians would continue to be purified through their trials rather than stray from the truth. Suffering and persecution can be a great blessing from God and can bring much glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, both now and in the future.

Song: My Prayer for You -