2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 / Pressing On

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 ESV

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 ESV

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

Paul just explained how the Lord will return

Which also effects him..

(But) Notice Paul’s tenacity to continue participating in the Kingdom

Some may say, “The world is coming to an end”

“Hunker down and just be ready.”

Paul says, “God is at work, if He is willing, then I am at work too!”

So how do we emulate that same tenacity to participate in the Kingdom work until the Lord comes?

Be a Prayer Warrior

Paul asked them to Prey

Helping Dad build the fence.

Ray was around 5 I built a fence around the back yard.

I would drive the nails in so far and let Raymond finish them.

It’s easy to feel like pray is similar.

Awe! He found something for him to do (how sweet)

Paul is on a mission!

Speed ahead of us & be honored

And he was asking for them to pray … HARD!!!

Believe in the Lord

2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

The Bible is full of people who never would have dreamed where their life would lead. But the Lord was faithful.

Consider Jeremiah, Esther, Paul ...

Regardless of where your life goes, there are three things you need to know about Lord ...

He is faithful

He will establish you

He will guard you against the evil one.

Believe in the Lord’s Plans for You.

2 Thessalonians 3:4 ESV

4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.

Notice he didn’t say, “We have confidence in you.”

We have confidence in THE LORD IN YOU.”

There is power in our HUMBLE ASSURANCE in the Lord.

We already know He will establish and guard us … (see v 3)

But that for a purpose...

The Lord who dwells in us is the reason we are doing and will do great things for the Kingdom.

Pursue God-honoring Spiritual Growth.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV

5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

All of this results (or should result) in spiritual growth.