The Present Priority of Our Future Reality

2 Thes 1:11-12
are your priorities and resolutions right?
- should we abandon our resolutions? (No)

When our faith is fuelled by future priority…

Resolved to display His power through faithfulness (v11)
- Paul encouraging church to live and pursue Christ despite persecution and struggle
- v7; look at the future reality, in which you will be given relief!
- future hope, future glory
- prayer makes our priority public
- does God need to make us worthy?
  - we’re already worthy in Jesus
    1. justification
    2. sanctification
  - however, there is a gap between who we are and who we need to be in Christ
- Eph 4:1; your knowledge of current situations fuels your future desires and goals
- Col 2:6
- faithfulness: staying true to your position in Christ (v3-4)
- when we get caught up in current, we often throw away our future priorities
  - set your hope on the future and promise of Christ
- when your faithfulness is placed in the reality of Christ, you will be most fulfilled
- think about the future reality and glory
- faithfulness carried out through your acts/servitude
  1. God’s work
    - God will carry out to completion
  2. our effort in pursuing faithfulness
    - make resolutions to good works
    - our effort fails without His power
- Ask yourself:
  1. Did I fail to tap into God’s power?
    - He wants to work through you!
  2. Did I trust in God’s power? Did I put forth effort?
    - Combination of God’s work and our effort
- Kevin DeYoung, “…spirit-powered, gospel-driven, faith-fuelled effort”
We become resolved to display His preeminence through my godliness (v12)
- such that He may be glorified through your life
- how glory affects our present priorities
- commit to godliness in:
  1. Commit to His glory
    - do you believe what you do will/won’t glorify God?
    - everything you do has potential to bring glory to Him (1 Cor 10:31)
    - Mt 5:16
    - How will you bring glory to God this year?
      1. Worship; how will you grow?
      2. Walk; how will you plug in to those around you and your community?
      3. Work; how to bring more glory through work? How will you serve your family more?
  2. Commit to own growth
    - you’re glorified in Him as you glorify Him
      1. There’s a coming a day when God will return and you are in His glory
        
        Do you really want to be caught doing sinful acts if He returned at this very hour?
      2. God is working in bringing Him glory (2 Cor 3:18)
    - looking at His glory, we can grow in faithfulness and obedience
    - choose a fruit of the Spirit and pursue it, but also be specific in how you will commit to your growth
  3. Commit to His Grace
    - is your faith in Christ?
    - is your future reality with God?
    - we can live in the light of grace now
      - do you love what God has done for you on the cross and rejoice in Him?
    - do you doubt the suffering of His grace?
    - are you hungry for His grace?
    - will you take action today and now?