Sermon Title: Yeah, But... God is Love?

Series: Yeah, But... Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10 Preacher: Ed Rangel

Introduction

The Hook

We live in a culture that has reimagined God. They have taken the Almighty Creator of the universe and turned Him into a celestial grandfather figure—a senile teddy bear in the sky who just wants everyone to have a good time. You open the Book, point to a commandment, point to a standard of holiness, or point to the consequences of sin, and you hear the most common objection in modern religion:

"Yeah, but... God is love."

The implication is clear: Because God is love, He cannot—He will not—judge. They argue that a loving God wouldn't send anyone to hell. They argue that "love" means unconditional acceptance of behavior that Scripture calls an abomination.

The Springboard

But we aren't interested in what the culture thinks God should be. We are interested in who God said He is. When we turn to the Apostle Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, we find a picture of Jesus that doesn't fit the modern narrative. We find that God's love does not negate His justice. In fact, His justice is proof of His holiness.

The Thesis

God’s holiness demands justice just as much as His nature defines love; to deny His judgment is to deny His very nature.

I. The Righteousness of Retribution (v. 6)

"Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you..."

A. Justice is a Divine Attribute

Notice the word Paul uses here. He does not say it is a "harsh" thing. He does not say it is a "mean" thing. He says it is a righteous thing.

• The world says, "If God punishes people, He isn't good."
• Paul says, "If God didn't punish evil, He wouldn't be righteous."

B. The Moral Balancing of the Scales

God is not blind to suffering. The Thessalonians were being persecuted, hammered by the world for their faith. If God simply looked at their tormentors and said, "It's okay, I'm love, so it doesn't matter," He would be an unjust Judge.

• Psalm 89:14: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne."
• You cannot have the throne of God without judgment. To wish away God's judgment is to wish away God's righteousness.

II. The Revelation of Vengeance (v. 7–8)

"...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

A. No Longer the Lamb

The world likes Baby Jesus in the manger. They like Teacher Jesus with the children. They are terrified of King Jesus in the fire.

• The text says He is coming "in flaming fire."
• He is coming to take "vengeance."
• This is not an emotional outburst; this is divine, calculated, holy justice.

B. The Two Targets of Judgment

Paul clearly identifies who is in danger here. It cuts through all the denominational confusion. Who is the object of this vengeance?

1. Those who do not know God: The willful rejecters. The atheists. The pagans.
2. Those who do not obey the gospel: This is the kicker. It is not enough to just "accept" Jesus in your heart. It is not enough to "feel" saved. The text demands obedience.

• 1 Peter 4:17: "What will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
• If salvation were by "faith alone," Paul would have said vengeance is for those who "do not believe." He didn't. He said it is for those who do not obey.

III. The Reality of Ruin (v. 9–10)

"These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power..."

A. The Duration: "Everlasting"

We don't like to talk about hell anymore. It's not "seeker-sensitive." But Paul didn't care about being sensitive; he cared about being true. The destruction is not temporary. It is not annihilation where you just cease to exist. It is everlasting.

B. The Definition: Separation

The ultimate punishment is not just the fire; it is the total absence of God.

• "From the presence of the Lord."
• God is the source of all light, all good, all hope, and all love. To be separated from Him is to be separated from everything good.
• The "Yeah, but... God is love" crowd forgets that if you reject God's authority in this life, He will grant your wish to be without Him in the next. And that is hell.

Conclusion

The "Yeah, but..." objection fails because it tries to pit God's love against God's justice. You cannot have one without the other. God provided a way of escape—that is His love. But if you reject that way, you face the consequences—that is His justice.

Jesus took the vengeance of God upon Himself on the cross so that you wouldn't have to face it in eternity. But that sacrifice is only effective if you submit to His terms.

Paul said vengeance awaits those who do not obey the gospel. So, the most important question you will answer today is: Have you obeyed it?

The Plan of Salvation

Don't guess at it. Do what the Bible says.

1. Hear the Word
   • Faith comes by hearing the word of God, not feelings (Romans 10:17).
2. Believe that Jesus is the Christ
   • Unless you believe that He is who He said He is, you will die in your sins (John 8:24).
3. Repent of your sins
   • God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Turn your back on the world.
4. Confess Jesus as Lord
   • With the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10).
5. Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins
   • This is where the "Yeah, but..." crowd usually stops. But Scripture is clear.
   • "Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16).
   • "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).

The flaming fire is coming. The water is ready now. Which will you choose?