Knowing the Purpose of Suffering - 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

• “Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,...” (C. S. Lewis)

1. In order to increase the capacity

• “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” (v.4)

2. In order to shape us to be worthy

• “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.” (v.5)

• “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried m, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10)

3. In order to give true rest

• “Since indeed God considered it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as wellas to us.” (v.6-7a)

•  “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.” (v.11)