I. Found Worthy Of This Calling V. 11a
There are two considerations regarding “worthiness”: Salvation & manner of living
A. A Christian Is Made Worthy For Salvation By Faith In Jesus
1. We cannot make ourselves worthy of Heaven by our good works or intentions.
a. Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law (being good, doing good works) no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
b. The law always points out where we fail. We cannot be justified by it.
2. Colossians 1:12 …giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
a. The Colossians had put their faith in Jesus.
b. They were now born again, forgiven of their sins, and “qualified” by faith.
3. Ephesians 1:5, 6 …having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
a. The Ephesians heard the word of truth (the Gospel) and trusted in Jesus. They put their faith in Jesus. (Ephesians 1:13, 15)
b. They were then made accepted in the Beloved.
4. The Christian has no inherent worthiness whereby God ought to accept him.
5. We become worthy of God’s Kingdom by putting our faith in Jesus.
a. We agree with God regarding our sins, and that we need forgiveness.
b. In faith, we receive forgiveness, and choose to make Jesus the Lord of our life.
c. That puts us in the position of being counted worthy for salvation & eternal life.
B. Paul Prays They Would Be Counted Worthy @ Jesus’ Return V. 10
1. Count- Wuest- The word “counted” in the Greek text refers to a conscious judgment resting on deliberate weighing of the facts. To judge worthy or deserving.
2. May the quality of life that Christ died to give us, be found being lived by us.
3. When Jesus returns for His church, may we be found living in a worthy manner.
4. Ephesians 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…
5. Philippians 1:27-29 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake…
6. I don’t believe that the NIV or ESV is accurate in this instance.
a. NIV- With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling…
b. In this passage, Paul is not talking about them being made worthy, but that they would be walking worthy of the calling they had received.
c. Remember, they were a suffering and persecuted church.
d. They were being exhorted to walk in a worthy manner, as opposed to being made worthy through this trial.
7. Christian: What is your standard or goal for life?
a. Stay out of trouble; be successful; be positive; have a good reputation?
b. Or is your goal to live a life worthy of what it means to be a Christian?
c. What is your definition of the Christian life? Biblical or something else?
II. Being Fill-able V. 11b
A. Paul’s Prayer For Them
1. That they would be found living lives worthy of what God had called them to.
2. That God would fulfill in them all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power. That God would find them fill-able, so that he could fulfill (fill full) them with His plans and purposes.
3. If the Thessalonians chose to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, then God would find in them a people through whom He could fulfill His plans.
4. Believer’s Bible Commentary- Now he prays that their lives in the meantime will be counted worthy of such a high calling, and that God’s mighty power will enable them to obey every impulse to do good, and to accomplish every task undertaken in faith.
5. God wants to work in people’s lives, but cannot effectively do so unless they choose to walk in a manner worthy of the calling that they have received.
B. The Good Pleasure Of God’s Goodness
1. Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
2. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
3. It is God’s pleasure to see His Kingdom brought to fullness in our lives.
a. The faith, love, and power of the kingdom.
b. Acts of kindness, mercy, benevolence, love.
c. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, both “natural” and “supernatural”.
C. The Work Of Faith And Power
1. The work that God wants to do in and through you will always be more than what you can accomplish on your own, by your own talents and intellect.
2. God wants to fill us beyond what we have already received, both in faith and in power.
3. Faith to go beyond what we might currently believe.
4. Power that influences others, and inspires other people’s lives when they observe it.
III. The Result Of Being Found Worthy V. 12
A. The Name Of Jesus Glorified In Them
1. Does your life earn only you admiration, or does it go beyond & glorify Jesus?
B. They Would Be Glorified In Jesus
1. Are you admired for what you do, or is it obviously something more than just you?
C. All Done According To God’s Grace
1. None of this happens by our power or comes from us as if we were the source.
2. Our ability to live in a worthy manner and bring Jesus glory comes by His grace.
3. Grace- divine enabling, divine friendship, undeserved merit.
4. 2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
4. We are able to go beyond what we are and what we can do when we walk in his grace.