A Prayer from Paul: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

I. Be steadfast in Prayer (2:13-14)

A. thank God because you are loved by the Lord. Thanking God leads to prayer. These are a focus in light of the explanation about the Day of the Lord.

B. You are chosen from the beginning for salvation. Chosen has the idea of being selected for something. Chosen as firstfruits (some manuscripts read, “because you are a firstfruit”) and that there are still others from among their people who are to be included in this

through sanctification by the Spirit (through the finished work of the Son and set apart belonging to God as the Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to the believer-growing in your walk with God; becoming what you already are in Christ-justified and righteous because of your union with God in Christ.

through belief in the truth.

C. You are called-(to salvation and service)

i. through the gospel

ii. so that you might obtain the glory of the Lord (see Exodus 33:18).

II. Stand Firm (do not be alarmed at the persecution and unsettling statements about the second coming) and hold to the traditions you were taught. (15). The Thessalonians still had some growing to do. So they needed to “hold to the traditions”-this idea of speaks of taking a strong grasp on something (give the hand illustration for reading God’s Word). This is how you stand firm. Paul suspects some sort of prophetic utterance that is threatening to shake them in their faith.

A. by what was said.

B. by what was written.

III. Be encouraged (2:16-17)-this prayer concludes 2:1-17.

A. Paul followed up his teaching with a prayer of blessing. In that blessing, he asked that they would experience a power rooted in God’s supernatural love and Christ’s ongoing encouragement. With God’s love comes eternal encouragement. A gift of hope that only God truly gives.

B. Paul’s prayer had two primary requests:

He asked the Father to encourage their hearts-”This represented an internal stamina and peace that results from a secure relationship with Christ.

That God would strengthen them in every good work (Phil. 1:6). You are not here by accident. God is doing His work (John 5:17).This step in the progression of maturity suggests an external display of God’s internal work. Now, he prayed that their works and words also be filed by the strength they experienced in Christ. That they abound in every good deed (2 Corinthians 9:8) for one and all.

III. Be Prayerful (2 Thess. 3:1-2)-This is an ongoing action and discipline. Pray for the work and word to spread.