"November 2 Sunday Sermon Manuscript"

2 Thessalonians 1:1–4, 11–12

What We Must Hold On To

1. This is the first Sunday of November, the Sunday when Daylight Saving Time ends and everything starts one hour later. I don't know about you, but this time of year always makes me reflective. Yesterday we finished our charge conference, which for pastors usually marks the close of one year and the beginning of another. The charge conference becomes a reference point for ministry.

2. This means that as the remaining time of the year grows shorter, we need to prepare well for the coming year. Having many thoughts at this time means we need deep reflection as we prepare and fill the year that has not yet arrived.

3. For me, this season feels especially sensitive—a time when I crave sweets, a time when expectation and concern intersect as I organize ministry. So it is also a time of great tension.

4. Among the books I brought from Korea, there is one titled The Second Temple Period. In the history of Israel, the greatest event was the destruction of the Temple, and the next greatest was the rebuilding of that destroyed Temple. The period in which they began to rebuild it is called the Second Temple Period.

5. This event—the rebuilding of the Second Temple—stands between the Old and New Testaments, connecting them. It carries profound symbolic meaning and holds the great theological theme of restoration.

6. When the Temple was destroyed, countless questions arose. From "Where is God?" to the painful question "Did God lose to other gods?"—across this entire spectrum of confusion, anxiety, discouragement, and disappointment, the greatest meaning of the Second Temple period was restoration.

7. This period, the book explains, connects directly to the New Testament, even to the coming of Jesus Christ—the great theme of restoration.

8. Though the book is filled with long, detailed historical accounts, its simple summary is this: through the theme of restoration, it connects Jesus Christ and the New Testament.

9. Among the New Testament writings (apart from the Gospels), Paul's letters show us how the movement of God's kingdom—rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ—wrestled with questions, challenges, and hopes in the effort toward restoration.

10. Especially, 2 Thessalonians—today's passage—was written less than a year after 1 Thessalonians, which itself is the earliest of Paul's letters. Therefore, it is one of the earliest Christian writings, even preceding the Gospels in time.

11. Because of that, these two letters contain vivid records of the struggles of the early church and Paul's counsel for those struggles—making them deeply meaningful.

12. The struggles and questions of that church are still similar to those faced by churches today. Through them, Paul desired that the church would be firmly built up. Keeping that in mind, we should not read today's passage lightly.

13. To begin, let us look at the background of the Thessalonian church. It was one of the first churches Paul planted, and also one of the first to experience difficulty. Their hardship came when some of their strong, faithful members suddenly passed away—believers who had come from a Gentile background.

14. Faced with the death of those dear members, the church was bewildered. They had little theological understanding of death from a Christian perspective, so they wrote to Paul with questions born of discouragement.

15. To people who had understood life and death in strict dualistic terms, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ raised deeper questions: How should we understand and accept death in light of Christ?

16. Paul first explains what God desires. To believe in Jesus means to live faithfully in the life given to us in this world—always rejoicing, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances. It is a holy life transformed from a Gentile life into a believer's life.

17. Concerning the belief that Christ's return was imminent, Paul explains that no one knows the day or the hour—it will come like a thief in the night. So rather than living in anxious speculation, Paul urges believers to live faithfully now, always rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks in every circumstance.

18. Paul's teaching continues to influence the church today.

19. To live faithfully in the life given to us—it sounds simple, but it is actually very demanding. Some may even say it's impossible.

20. The house I live in has been inhabited by pastors for over forty years. It's a parsonage owned by an American church over 140 years old, which was rented to our church after that congregation closed.

21. Since it's the first time an Asian—and a Korean—has lived there, the neighbors are quite curious.

22. Even if I don't know them, they know me. As I walk by, people wave to me, and sometimes I greet them without knowing who they are—later realizing they live across the street or next door.

23. On trash day, I'm unusually careful. Some might ask, "Why do you care what others think?" But here, I feel like a representative—of Korea, of pastors, and perhaps of Christians in general.

24. So I must do everything with my best effort.

25. I used to do all the yard work myself, but these days I sometimes hire help. Yet the house, after years of neglect, requires endless attention. Honestly, it's exhausting.

26. I suspect many of you live with similar feelings—knowing that faithfully living as believers in the world is no simple thing.

27. In this same reality, Paul continually encouraged the Thessalonian believers to live faithfully as Christians after leaving their former Gentile lives—as today's passage shows.

28. The greeting in verse 1—"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy"—shows that the sender was not Paul alone but included his coworkers. This means that the message shared here reflects their shared conviction, not Paul's personal opinion.

29. In verse 3, Paul says simply, "We must always give thanks to God for you." He says it is right to do so because the faith of the Thessalonians is growing abundantly and their mutual love for one another is increasing.

30. Paul affirms that their faith has grown greatly, and he explains how we can see this growth: "because the love you have for one another is increasing."

31. Paul seems to believe that the measure of growing faith can be seen in how people within the community relate to one another. This points to a foundational redefinition of the meaning of church life and faith.

32. Today, churches often evaluate members by attendance, enthusiasm, financial giving, or volunteer service. When appointing leaders, we often look at devotion and participation. But Paul measures mature faith by one thing: that their love for one another is growing more and more.

33. To say "we love one another" sounds simple, but we must feel its full weight—it is not one-sided love but mutual love, love exchanged between people. This implies not only practicing love but also patience and endurance in relationships.

34. Every relationship requires sacrifice. It is true for spouses, siblings, and friends alike. Without someone's sacrifice, no relationship lasts.

35. Yet if only one person sacrifices continually, that relationship is not healthy. The phrase "your love for one another is increasing" means their mutual patience and endurance have deepened.

36. Paul and his coworkers describe this as "your steadfastness and faith" even amid persecution and affliction. They tell other churches proudly about the Thessalonians.

37. We too have many things we like to boast about.

38. Whenever something goes well, we want to share it. Sometimes I hear members subtly boasting about our church when talking to others. But if there is anything we should boast about, Paul says it should be this: "your endurance and growing faith," meaning the abundance of love shared among you.

39. We too must remember Paul's heart—that we may boast only in this: that we are a church striving to love one another with patience and endurance.

40. In the following verses, Paul says he continually prays for them. His prayer is that they may live lives worthy of God's calling, and that by God's power, He may fulfill every good purpose and every act prompted by faith.

41. Paul reminds the church that its greatest task is to live a life that reveals God's calling in the present. Only then will God's good purposes and works of faith be completed.

42. This is a challenging message for believers living today.

43. Each of us has a life given to us—all unique in form and direction. We have different tastes, choices, and pursuits.

44. Yet within these differences, one unifying goal must remain: to live a life worthy of God's calling.

45. Everyone gathered here may think differently, like different things, and pursue different dreams, but we share one common purpose—to live lives worthy of God's call.

46. And through that, to fulfill "every good purpose and act of faith."

47. Paul calls this kind of life power—the power through which God's good purpose and faithful works are fulfilled.

48. So what truly becomes better when we believe in Jesus? You came to worship today to give glory to God, didn't you? As those saved by faith, worship is not an option but the core confession and strength of our lives.

49. But then why do you believe in Jesus? Why do you worship? If someone asked you, what would you say? We often say, "Faith gives us power." But what kind of power is that? Does it mean sudden strength or extraordinary blessing?

50. Paul answers with one thing: through loving one another. Through this love, the faith we profess in Christ becomes visible. Nothing else matters more. Through mutual love, we live with the power worthy of God's calling, fulfilling His good purpose and faithful work.

51. Since we are already attending church—though I personally don't prefer that expression—if we claim to believe in Jesus, then I hope we live more truly as believers in our daily lives.

52. Even if we forget everything else, let us remember Paul's confession explaining why we are here today.

53. Faith must grow. And that faith grows as love among us abounds. This love cannot grow merely by saying, "I'll love others." It grows through patience, acceptance, and the effort to understand one another.

54. It is now November 2025—a meaningful time. Only two months remain in the year. During these remaining months, may we spend our time abounding in love, holding back harsh words, being patient with one another, and seeking ways to show love.

55. Then I will boast—not in numbers or achievements, but in how much we have matured in faith and love.

56. Starting next week, we will begin our two-week Stewardship Campaign. It's about how we can love the church and dedicate ourselves to it. With hearts committed to next year's ministry, I invite you to join these two weeks with expectation and participation.

57. We will talk about giving, service, dedication, and our hopes for new ministry. Each small group leader, please reach out to your members—instead of separate meetings for the next two weeks, let's gather together to build up the vision of Yeolin Church in unity and strength.