Worthy of the Kingdom of God

Summary: Paul gives thanks to God because the Thessalonians’ faith is growing abundantly and their love for one another is continually increasing. He speaks proudly of them among God’s churches because they remain steadfast in faith while enduring persecutions and afflictions. Their perseverance amid suffering serves as evidence of God’s righteous judgment and points to their being considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which they are suffering. Teaching: Faith grows within love and increasingly reflects the character of Jesus. A person whose faith is growing is someone who abides in God’s love. As that faith matures, the person grows in love for God and for God’s holy people. Therefore, the growth of a person’s faith is revealed through the way that person loves. God’s holy people must grow in faith, and such growth becomes visible through an increasing abundance of love. The Thessalonian church possessed a persevering faith amid end-times persecution. For God’s holy people living in light of the end times, the response to persecution and affliction is patient endurance—not fighting back. Spiritual warfare is not about defeating others and taking what belongs to them. The reason these letters were given to us, and the reason we participate in the life of the church, is so that we may become worthy of the kingdom of God. A person worthy of God’s kingdom is one who remains faithful through persecution and affliction with faith and perseverance. In this way, faith grows abundantly and God’s righteousness is revealed. To live this way, we must follow God’s Word and be willing to endure inconvenience and personal loss. God’s kingdom stands in opposition to the kingdoms of this world. Because their values are opposed, conflict with the world and its people is unavoidable. Persecution and affliction will therefore come, but amid these hardships, faith grows and love for one another increases. A healthy church, then, is one in which all of God’s holy people grow together in faith and, through that growth, deepen in their love for one another. Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Jul 28, 2026 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5