16-03-25 -WHEN DARKNESS CLOSES IN - 2 Thessalonians 1

MESSAGE BY PASTOR ROB INRIG

   FROM BETHANY BAPTIST IN RICHMOND, BC.

I invite you to pray with me: O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servants for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon them with the eyes of thy mercy (Gaby P, Vicky O, Nancy R, Tere G, Liz N, Stevie A, Socrates D, Sara's mom H, Margarita G, Fega G,  Rosy Ch, Patricia L. Lina J. Manuel D. C, Yuya N. Mercedes L. )   Comfort them with a sense of thy goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the residue of their life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally they may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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You can also add names from family and friends who are in need of pray

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God the Father, we thank you for your answer to our prayers with 

The good news is that with the recovery of health for some

Strengthen them so that they may regain their faith in you

And that they may be witnesses that you love them and 

that you respond when we trust and believe in you

Thank you Father God in the name

of Jesus our Lord of Lords and King of Kings

Praise be to your name

always and forever, AMEN.

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This morning I want to look at Scripture written to people whose lives have been turned upside down. Only a short time before they were no different than those around: engaging the same lifestyles; pursuing the same pleasures; serving the same gods.  And then, everything changed.  

You would think those living within Thessalonica would accommodate the changes these people made.  After all, they were known for being tolerant, open to a wide diversity of belief.  For some, Dionysius was their god of choice.  For others Zeus, or Apollo.  It was - choose the god that fits the lifestyle you wanted to live.  You wanted power, bow to Zeus.  You wanted good harvest, follow Demeter.  You wanted debauchery, go with Dionysius.    

Within this Greco – Roman world, there was also accommodation for other gods.  Egyptian deities like Isis were prominent and Jewish faith was also accepted.  So freedom and ‘tolerance’ for all made sense. Thessalonica was the major port city, and extending from that port was the major highway to the rest of Greece.  So people came from all across the known world.  But tolerance only went so far because there was one belief that wasn’t about to be tolerated.