Stand Firm, Hold Fast

Two Ways to Remain in Christ

Aaron Lee | December 6, 2024 | AWANA | 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Discussion

Can you tell me some of the different letters people might write? One example of a letter is a letter of recommendation. This type of letter speaks of a person’s performance, character, and work ethic.

Introduction

We’re learning about the different books of the Bible and the different genres of literature. Today we’re going to learn about the epistles. The epistles are letters. Epistles means letters that are sent – messages. These letters or messages were sent by leaders like Paul to the early churches to teach them how to live as Christians – how to remain in Christ.

We have 21 epistles in our Bible. Paul wrote Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Paul or Luke probably wrote Hebrews. James was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7). The apostle Peter wrote 1 and 2 Peter. The apostle John wrote 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. Jude was written by Jude, half-brother of Jesus (Jude 1:1).

Learning About Letters

1. Letters were written and delivered by a team (Romans 16:22)

2. Letters were to be read aloud in the churches (Colossians 4:16)

3. Letters were to be obeyed (2 Thessalonians 3:14)
   
   

The main message of the letters is the Gospel. We’re going to look at verse 15 most closely, and it will show us two ways how we are to remain in Christ:

15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

1. Stand firm

The first way to remain in Christ is to stand:

15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

This is not physically standing, but it is to stand firm, be constant, be steadfast, persevere.

In another letter, Paul says to “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Cor 16:13).

2. Hold fast

The second way to remain in Christ is to hold fast:

15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

You are to hold to what is taught in the Bible. It means to grab it, take it, hold onto it. 

In an earlier part of this letter, Paul says to “not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed” because of false claims, false teachings (2 Thess 2:2).

Big Idea

Christians remain in Christ by standing firm in faith and holding fast to God’s Word.

Application

1. Go to God’s Word when you need help

2. Hide God’s Word in your heart

3. Give God’s Word to others

Conclusion

When you stand firm, hold fast, and remain in Christ – your life becomes of a testimony and a letter of recommendation that the Word we preach is true:

2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)