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1 Thes 2:17 to 3:13

The story behind a prayer.

Introduction.

1. How can someone who has their own worldly priorities becomes someone who has God’s priorities written through their life – so that it comes out in what they say to others, in how they pray – and in what they give thanks for. (Because that’s a dead give away…)

a. Don’t you want to know?

2. In Christian service; How does someone who is fundamentally self centred become someone who loves a church so much that that when he is forced away he says that it is like loosing his children

a. Don’t you want to know?

3. This morning I want us to:

a. Look at a prayer that Paul prays (10-13)

b. Look at the story behind the prayer (2:17-3:9)

c. Look at the story behind the story behind the prayer.

The prayer 10-13

Paul basically prays for three things. He prays that he would be with them (10-11) He prays that they would increase in love (12) He prays that they would be established in their faith. (13)

1. “With them” 10-11.

a. Paul is praying over his plans.

b. Praying for a straight road. “clear the way.”

i. Prov 3:5-6 God will provide a straight road as you trust in the Lord with all your heart.

ii. Prov 4:23-27 The wise son is urged to make level paths for your feet.

iii. Application: Praying that God would watch over his plans and that God would make you wise – not to wander off up some blind alley.

2. Love that increases and overflows (12)

a. How much? We can be so mealy mouthed can’t we! “grow in love”

b. This is a large increase that Paul is asking for, a “superabundance”

c. For whom? “Each other” – within the Christian community, and then “for everyone”

3. Strengthened / established in their holiness. (13)

a. Strong in being set apart – sanctified for God when the Lord Jesus comes.

b. Challenge to our praying – our prayers are focused on this world – a more comfortable, fulfilled journey through it – ready for when Jesus comes again.

So that’s the prayer – but there is more here – the prayer is in a setting – we are told why Paul prays like this.

The story behind the prayer. 2:17-3:9

1. The story behind Paul’s plans to visit the Thessalonians.

a. Torn away – Planted the church, – come to belief, and then he was torn away (comment on word – orphaned or parents loosing children)

b. Made every effort to visit – tried at least 2X – maybe more v18

c. But Satan prevented it. V18 Surprise? The great apostle – frustrated in his plans by the devil? – pinned down – “stopped us” what a retreating army might do to a road – Why he prays now for a straight road

i. Satan will seek to undermine the people of God – he is a powerful – but vanquished foe.

ii. Application. We can get hung up on the idea that if God is sovereign – why pray?

iii. It’s OK to believe Rom 8:28 and pray for things to change. The conviction of God’s sovereign rule should not prevent us from praying for changed situations.

iv. Interesting to notice how he prays – doesn’t address Satan – but the God who has defeated Satan. – acknowledges his involvement but does not give him too much credit.

d. As Paul has been unable to come, he doesn’t want the Thessalonians to think that he doesn’t care. – I do care – I want to present you to Christ – strong and faithful.

e. I was deeply concerned v1 – almost in desperation sent Timothy –– to strengthen and encourage you in your faith. Paul is concerned that under pressure – under persecution they might have apostatized – bailed on Christ.

f. Paul – himself under pressure “distress and persecution” v7 is so encouraged by the report he has now received from Timothy.

i. Application You should never underestimate how much of an encouragement to another believer your standing firm can be – and conversely – how discouraging your compromise can be. (Your compromise is not only about you)

g. How can I think God – for all the joy I have because of you – He asks – well how can he? Look at v 10 – Prayer can be a thank offering to God.

h. And so as he is aware of, and encouraged because of their love to one another, – he thanks God by praying for it to increase and overflow.

i. And as he is aware of and encouraged by their faith in spite of trials, so he thanks God by praying for them to be strong – with his eye on the finishing line.

i. Application – an eye on the finishing line.

Is that enough?

How did Paul become a man who loves the church like this?

Where did these firmly established – and frankly challenging Christian priorities come from?

Where does this – eye firmly fixed on the finishing line – as a means to continuing when trials come?

Where does this ability to be constantly in prayer come from.

The Story, behind the story behind the prayer

1. This man had not always loved the church – and had been driven by a very different set of priorities. – with his eyes set on a very different objective. Instead of praying night and day for the people of God he had breathed murderous threats against them.

2. Everything had changed when Paul had met Jesus on the Damascus road. And the man who hated the church so much that he tried to destroy it found out that the king of heaven identifies so deeply with his people that he asked “Why do you persecute me?”

3. What a shock it must have been for Paul to discover that he was not the faithful servant of God that he thought he was – but rather God’s enemy – and how precious it must have been to discover the grace and mercy of God.

4. When we read this prayer and the context – we need to remember that this is the prayer and the passions of a man in Christ.

5. Paul in the flesh had been a persecutor of the church, but in Christ he became a man with a deep, heartfelt and tender love for the church, because Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

When I ask myself – can I love this church in that way – tender love – I can’t – but Jesus has. – That is my hope – become more loving.

Paul in the flesh had been driven by the priorities of dividing and ending the church, but in Christ, he had become a man whose priorities were the mutual love and strength in faith of the church, because Jesus himself had prayed for his followers to be one, and to be truly sanctified.

Can I – can you – always have God honouring priorities as you live and serve the Lord – I can’t but Jesus has – he has done it – that my hope that my priorities will become more and more the priorities of Jesus.

Paul in the flesh denied Jesus – rather than looking for the day of his appearing. But in Christ he had become one with eyes fixed on the day of Christ’s appearance – and so willing to endure trials for the sake of Christ -because Jesus himself endured the cross for the joy that was set before him.

Can I long for the day of his appearing – I can’t – but I can in Christ

Paul in the flesh had breathed murderous threats against the people of God, but Paul in Christ prayed night and day , with divine priorities for the churches that he loved.

Can I pray great prayers for the church – constantly – with divine priorities – Can you? I cant – but Jesus does.

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

I pray, pitiful, distracted, confused and worldly prayers. You know what the father hears – my prayers made perfect by the son.

Conclusion

Lets hear the challenge of a prayer like Paul – Lets learn from the Story behind the prayer – most of all lets fix our eyes on the Jesus who is able to change us – because in all these things he has already done it.