I. Paul’s Request For Prayer- Things Spiritual Vs. 1, 2
A. The God’s Word Would Go Forth Freely V. 1
1. Pray for us- Paul was an apostle that was greatly used by God in the spreading of the Christian faith throughout much of the ancient world.
a. He was used by God to record much of the New Testament
b. He was used by God in doing miracles & casting out demons
c. Yet, he was only a man, & he asked for prayer.
d. There is no Christian that does not need prayer.
e. There are no super saints that don’t need the prayers of other saints
2. Word of the Lord run swiftly and be glorified- Paul asked for prayer that he might be able to freely preach about Jesus, w/o opposition.
3. Just as it is with you- The Thessalonians had been able to freely receive the word
4. NOTE- The emphasis of Paul’s request for prayer had to do w/things spiritual.
a. The emphasis of Paul’s life was on things eternal, not things temporal.
b. Philippians 1:21 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
c. Paul did not pray for the niceties of life, but for the things of eternal life.
B. Deliverance From Ungodly Men V. 2
1. Delivered from, not insulated from. Not separation from, but victory with.
a. Unreasonable & wicked men need Christians to tell them about Jesus
i. Before he was a Christian, Paul was unreasonable & wicked, persecuting Christians, imprisoning them, & consenting to their executions.
1 Timothy 1:12-14
ii. Some of us were unreasonable & wicked before we accepted Christ
b. We should not make it our goal to live isolated/insulated lives.
c. Delivered from- Paul’s desire to be delivered from unreasonable & wicked men was so that the Gospel message about eternal life in Christ would be unhindered and free to be heard by many
i. Many had persecuted him and injured him, preventing him from continuing in certain regions.
ii. His request for prayer wasn’t for a trouble-free life, but for an unhindered life that he may preach freely.
2. Not all have faith- Humanity is not the universal “sons and daughters of God”.
a. The idea of us all being “children of God” is not a Biblical idea
b. All humans are a part of the “brotherhood of man”, but that is distinct from being “sons and daughters of God”.
c. John 1:10-13 10He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
II. Paul’s Concern For The Thessalonians Vs. 3-5
A. Paul’s Confidence In God’s Oversight Of The Thessalonians V. 3
1. Remember that the Thessalonians were going through persecution/opposition
2. The Lord is faithful- God can be relied upon and he is trustworthy. Rest in Him
3. He establishes – to make stable, to strengthen the mind
4. He guards- to protect, to keep safe
5. From the evil one- Satan. (read lyrics to “A Mighty Fortress is Our God)
B. Paul’s Confidence That The Thessalonians Would Do Right V. 4
1. Verse 4 almost sounds tyrannical, but it isn’t. It is fatherly & pastoral.
2. Paul did not claim control over their lives, but he did recognize accountability for their lives. Pastors are one of God’s gifts to the church to benefit the church.
3. 2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
4. Paul had instructed them in the affairs of the Christian life. They would benefit by obeying God’s instructions through Paul. Paul believed that they would obey.
5. Hebrews 13:7, 17 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 17Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
C. Paul’s Prayer For Their Spiritual Trajectory V. 5
1. “May the Lord direct your hearts”- Literally- clear away the obstacles
a. By nature, the human heart is wicked and deceitful
b. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?
c. The non-Christian, by common grace and conscience, can direct his heart towards good things, but is limited by the sinful human nature.
d. The Christian, because they have the Spirit of God within, can be directed even further in life. They can receive wisdom greater than human wisdom. They can receive insight greater than human insight. They can receive direction from God who knows all and sees all.
e. Even though God can direct the heart of a Christian, He does not control the heart of a Christian. The Christian must receive God’s direction, and then willingly surrender to that direction.
f. Remember that the Thessalonian church was under persecution. They may have been tempted to use human wisdom to alleviate their sufferings. Instead, how does Paul direct them?
2. into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
a. When we suffer, the natural inclination is to avoid it and escape it.
b. We seek to avoid pain by escaping pain.
c. Instead, Paul prays that they will be directed into the love of God and the patience of Christ, not out of the trials and persecutions.
3. The love of God- Their hearts needed to be directed to and settled in God’s love
4. The patience of Christ- See Hebrews 12: 1, 2
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever.