2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 rely on god

You Can Rely on God

Faithfulness

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 (ESV)

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

(POSB: Introduction)

Picture yourself serving the Lord on a foreign mission field. You find yourself constantly in trouble with the rulers of the country. All around you are fanatics whose lifestyle is hypocritical, repulsive, and downright pagan. You need help and you need it soon!

You have been given the chance to make one phone call to some close friends. Your time on the phone is limited to sixty seconds. What would you request from your friends? An immediate rescue? A transfer to another location? Personal relief in the way of supplies or a substitute? These are not bad suggestions, but the Apostle Paul did not choose any of them. Writing from the carnal city of Corinth, his burden focused on two items: prayer for successful ministry in Corinth and a helpful reminder that the Lord was faithful and in control.

Do your circumstances and surroundings ever get you down? Of course, we all experience times of disappointment and worry. But when you pray, pray for the advancement of the kingdom. And always keep in mind that God is securely on His throne. You can rely on the Lord in every situation.

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 (POSB KJV 1Th-Phm): Prayer and the Lord’s Faithfulness, 3:1–5

(3:1–5) Introduction: the main section of the letter of Second Thessalonians has been completed. This passage begins the final words ever written to the church by Paul so far as we know. In the final words, two subjects jump to the forefront immediately: prayer and the Lord’s faithfulness.

1. The request for prayer (vv. 1–2).

2. The Lord’s faithfulness to the believer (vv. 3–5).

1 (3:1–2) Prayer: there was the request for prayer. The believers at Thessalonica were suffering severe persecution and all kinds of trouble. This was one of the reasons Paul was writing to the church: to comfort and encourage them to continue on for Christ. But remember: Paul was in Corinth and he too was suffering all kinds of trouble, including persecution. He needed the presence and power of the Lord as much as anyone. As John Walvoord says:

Paul, too, was having his difficulties. The task committed to Paul was a very lonely one: to go from place to place, frequently coming into a strange city where not one person would welcome him. He was not entertained in the best hotel, nor was there any honorarium for him in recognition of his services. He had to find his own way, arrange for his public meetings, and somehow try to bear a testimony for Christ. Apart from fellowship with the Lord, it was a very difficult and solitary task and one in which there were many discouragements.

The specific trouble at Corinth was persecution. The Jewish religionists attacked Paul and dragged him before the civil authorities. However, the case was dismissed because it was a religious matter. Paul was allowed to continue his preaching mission, but apparently the Jewish religionists continued their opposition, stirring up whatever trouble they could (see Ac. 18:1–18 for the full story).

The point is this: Paul needed prayer; he needed believers everywhere praying for him. But note what it was he requested. He did not ask prayer …

• for comfort

• for personal needs

• for God to take him away from Corinth and to open up a new ministry elsewhere

Paul’s focus was not selfish, not upon himself—not at all. His whole focus was upon the spread and success of the gospel. He wanted prayer for two things.

1. There was the need for the Word to have free course and to be glorified. The Word of God is often hindered, hampered, and stymied. Too often, it has no power or influence among a people. Why?

⇒ opposition

⇒ unprepared hearts

⇒ sleepy eyed listeners

⇒ daydreaming minds

⇒ unprepared and carnal preachers and teachers

The list could go on and on, but the great need of the hour is for the Word of God to have free course and be glorified in the pulpits and pews, classrooms and homes, streets and places of this nation and world.

Free course means to run. It is a picture of an Olympian athlete running in a race, the picture of the Word of God spreading all over because it is …

• focused

• active

• strong

• urgent

• unflinching

• vigorous

• powerful

If the Word of God had free course, it would be glorified; that is, souls would be saved and lives changed. People would be freed …

• from sin and its enslavement

• from guilty consciences

• from immoral and evil behavior

• from unjust treatment

• from ignorance

• from worldliness

People would no longer experience emptiness, loneliness, purposelessness, or lostness. They would be set free to know the Lord and to commit their lives to reaching and meeting the needs of a world full of desperate people. Note: this is exactly what had happened to the Thessalonian believers. The Word of God had freely run among the Thessalonians; therefore, many had been converted to the Lord (see 1 Th. 1:5; 2:1, 13).

“And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Ac. 13:48).

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake” (1 Th. 1:5).

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Th. 2:13).

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Ps. 19:7–11).

“He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly” (Ps. 147:15).

Thought 1. Believers should always be praying for the ministers and teachers of the gospel—that the Word of God might have a free course as it is preached and taught. And they should pray every day for every preacher and teacher they know. Think for a moment: What would happen if the believers of a single church prayed often every day for their minister and teachers? One thing is known: God could not sit still, for He would know that those believers were as sincere and genuine as they could be. He would know that they desperately wanted to reach their community for Christ.

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Heating the Church with Prayer

Prayer

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5

(POSB: Note 1, point 1)

Many churches have books about prayer in their library. Classes are taught and sermons are preached every week about why we should pray. But in the final analysis, do many take prayer seriously enough to pray?

Five ministerial students were visiting in London on a hot Sunday in July. While they were waiting for the doors [of the church] to open, a man approached and asked, “Gentlemen, would you like to see the heating apparatus of the church?” They thought, “How queer he is to want to show us the heating system on a hot day in July!”

Following him, they came to a door. He quietly opened it and whispered: “There, sirs, is our heating apparatus!” Some seven hundred intercessors were kneeling in prayer, seeking an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon the service which was soon to begin in the Tabernacle. That unknown guide was [Charles] Spurgeon [the great pastor of the pulpit] himself!

What is fueling the fire in your church’s furnace—a powerless program or a praying people?

2. There was the need for believers to be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. Again, remember the situation of Paul, how he was being attacked in Corinth. He knew what it was like to be opposed by wicked people who would not listen to reason.

Ministers, teachers, and believers alike are sometimes opposed and attacked by unreasonable and wicked people. Think how unreasonable the attacks are. Why would people want to oppose and attack a person who preaches and teaches …

• love

• joy

• peace

• morality

• discipline

• brotherhood

• salvation

• eternal life

Why would people want to attack a person who preaches and teaches that God loves the world—that He has provided the way for man to escape death and to live forever and that the fountain of youth has been revealed? A reasonable and honest person would never oppose or attack a person who was preaching and teaching this message. But note: not all people are reasonable and good. As Scripture says, all persons do not have faith (v. 2). In fact, the world is full of unreasonable and wicked persons, persons who want to live like they want without any interference from God. They deny and ignore God—deny and ignore the evidence within the world and within their hearts and thoughts that God exists and that His love and judgments are real. Therefore, they oppose anything that reminds them of eternity, of a coming day of judgment. They want nothing to do with a message that puts restrictions upon their behavior, especially a message that demands so much love—a love that demands that we give all we are and have to meet the needs of the dying and poor masses of the world.

Believers, ministers and laymen alike, need to be delivered from such unreasonable and wicked persons. When people lack reason and morality, goodness and honesty, conscience and decency, they are dangerous. They can hinder both the messenger and the message of the gospel. Therefore, believers need to be constantly praying for God to deliver His people from unreasonable and wicked persons.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints” (Ro. 15:30–31).

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ep. 6:18–20).

“Brethren, pray for us” (1 Th. 5:25).

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (2 Pe. 2:9).

2 (3:3–5) Jesus Christ, Faithfulness of: there is the faithfulness of the Lord to the believer. The Lord Jesus Christ is faithful. Believers may fail us: when we stand in the greatest need, when people oppose and persecute us, when the most terrible trials confront us—believers may fail …

• to pray

• to encourage

• to support

• to speak kindly

• to help

But not the Lord. The Lord God is faithful. He will do four things for the believer.

1. The Lord will establish the believer and keep him from evil.

⇒ The word stablish (sterixei) means to strengthen, secure, make stable or firm, and set fast.

⇒ The word keep (phulaxei) means to guard.

⇒ The word evil can refer both to evil behavior and to the evil one, that is, Satan.

The point is this: the Lord is faithful, even if we fail to help one another. God will strengthen and guard us against Satan and his evil followers. In fact, the Lord will strenghten and guard us against all evil no matter what it is. Even if the evil seems to be conquering us, it will not—not in the final analysis.

⇒ God will deliver us by working all things out for good.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Ro. 8:28).

⇒ God will deliver us by overcoming our failures and completing His work of salvation in us.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Ph. 1:6).

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Ti. 1:12).

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, by glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever” (Jude 24–25).

⇒ God will deliver us by delivering us from death.

“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever” (2 Ti. 4:18).

2. The Lord will motivate the believer to keep His commandments. The Lord actually works within and energizes the believer to will and do God’s pleasure, that is, to keep His commandments. When we sense a stirring, some energy being aroused within our hearts to do good, that is the Spirit of God working within us. The Lord will never leave the believer, not completely; so long as the believer is on earth, the Lord will continue to work within him, to stir and energize him to keep God’s commandments. This is the reason Paul had confidence in the Thessalonian believers, that they would keep the commandments of the Word that had been taught them.

Thought 1. This is a critical fact: a person can tell if he is a true believer or not by the working of the Lord within his heart. If a person keeps the commandments of God, then it is evidence that the Lord is working within his heart; however, if a person is not keeping the commandments of God, then it is evidence that the Lord does not live within his heart and is not working within him.

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 Jn. 2:3).

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him” (1 Jn. 3:18–19).

“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (1 Jn. 4:13).

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son” (1 Jn. 5:10).

3. The Lord directs the believer’s heart into the love of God. This means both God’s love for us and our love for God. The word direct (kateuthunai) means to make straight or to be straight. It means to remove obstacles out of the way or to open up. The Lord Jesus Christ takes the genuine believer and opens up his heart; He straightens, directs, and focuses the believer’s heart upon the love of God. The result is that the believer learns to love God more and more. His attention and focus becomes more and more set upon God’s love. Therefore, when trials, trouble, temptation, and evil attack the believer, he is able to stand in the love of God and overcome the attack.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 21).

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (De. 6:5).

“And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (De. 10:12).

“O love ye the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer” (Ps. 31:23).

4. The Lord directs the believer to patiently wait for Christ’s return. The Lord Jesus Christ stirs the genuine believer to keep his eyes upon His return. Therefore, when evil strikes, the believer endures and perseveres—stands in strength and patience—keeping his eyes and heart focused upon the glorious hope of Christ, the hope of conquering death and of living forever and ever in perfection with God, the hope of ruling and reigning throughout the whole universe for Christ.

“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel” (Col. 1:5).

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Th. 5:23).

“That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Ti. 6:14).

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:12–13).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pe. 1:3).

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 Jn. 2:28).

Evidence of God’s Faithfulness

Faithfulness

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5

(POSB: Note 2)

Most of us have lived long enough to be disappointed with people from time to time. But the Lord remains faithful. Even when you cannot clearly see Him, the Christian believer knows that God is ever so near and close by!

Picture a little girl flying a kite on the beach. She has her kite so high in the air that it looks like a speck in the white, cotton clouds.

Someone happens by and asks, “What are you doing?” “I’m flying a kite,” the little girl answers. “I don’t see anything. How do you know it’s still there?” “Because, silly,” the girl replies, “I can feel the kite tugging on my hand.”

Similarly, when we have faith in God, we feel the tug of His presence even though we cannot see Him.