Sharper Iron — Christ is Surely Coming: Chosen in Christ to Stand Firm

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and Crown Christian School in St. Francis, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17.

St. Paul makes it clear in this text that his preceding teaching concerning the end times has been for the Thessalonians’ comfort. He assures them that their salvation rests not on their own work, but upon God’s alone. God is the One who has chosen them for salvation. Not only has He accomplished their justification, He also accomplishes their sanctification through His Spirit until the end. This too is for their comfort, as they undergo suffering right now even as they await the Lord’s glory. This comfort is the ground by which the Thessalonians stand firm in the traditions Paul has given them. These are not man-made traditions, but the Word of God that has been passed down faithfully and is now being preached and written faithfully by Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Paul concludes with a Trinitarian blessing, confident that the one true God will do for the Thessalonians, and for all Christians, what He has promised.

“Christ Is Surely Coming” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that journeys through the two epistles to the Thessalonians. Through these two letters, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy encouraged the young church in Thessalonica to stand firm in the midst of persecution as they eagerly waited for Christ’s second coming. This Word of God still strengthens the Church today to live now with faith, hope, and love, even as we long for the Day of Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Thessalonians 2:13-17

Stand Firm

¹³But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits^[a] to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. ¹⁴To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

¹⁶Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, ¹⁷comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Footnotes:

2 Thessalonians 2:13 Some manuscripts chose you from the beginning

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).