In fact, we're going to read two passages.
So first of all, in 1 Thessalonians, we'll read chapter 1.
And then we're going to turn over to the next letter and read from the end of that letter,
2 Thessalonians chapter 3, verses 1 to 5.
We begin with 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.
Let us hear God's word.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy, to the Church of the Thessalonians,
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, grace and peace to you.
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,
your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
For we know, brothers, loved by God, that he has chosen you,
because our gospel came to you not simply with words,
but also with power and the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.
You know how we lived among you for your sake.
You became imitators of us and of the Lord.
In spite of severe suffering,
you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
The Lord's message rang out from you,
not only in Macedonia and Achaia,
your faith in God has become known everywhere.
Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it,
for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us.
They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
And to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead,
Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Then if you'll turn with me to the next letter, 2 Thessalonians,
we're going to read in chapter 3, verses 1 to 5.
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly
and be honored just as it was with you.
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men,
for not everyone has faith.
But the Lord is faithful,
and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing
and will continue to do the things we command.
May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
If you want to follow with me this evening,
I want us to look at two verses from 2 Thessalonians chapter 3.
The first two verses where Paul writes,
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly
and be honored just as it was with you.
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men,
for not everyone has faith.
In this text then, we have simply an exhortation
for the church to gather to pray corporately
for the ministry of God's words.
Paul gives two reasons, two aspects to this prayer.
The first is that the word of the Lord would advance successfully.
would speed ahead and be honored.
And the second aspect to this
is that God's servants would know his protection
and his deliverance from those who are opposed to the gospel
in light of the fact that not all have faith.
So this text is teaching us
that the prayer for the gospel to advance
is not just the responsibility of the ordained ministry
of the pastors and the elders,
that it is the duty of every Christian
to pray that God's word would be successful
in penetrating the hearts of sinful human beings.
It is true that prayer is a special duty
of those who are set aside to preach.
The apostolic model in Acts 6-4
is we will give ourselves to prayer
and the ministry of the word.
And yet Paul, who would have lived on that principle,
frequently covets the prayers of the churches
in his letters.
Romans 15, 30-32.
Philippians 1, 18-20.
Let's just read a couple of examples.
Ephesians 6 and verse 19 and 20.
Pray also for me, Paul says,
that whenever I open my mouth,
words may be given me
so that I will fearlessly make known
the mystery of the gospel
for which I am an ambassador in chains.
Pray that I may declare it fearlessly
as I should.
It requests that the Colossians would pray
that he would have a door opened wide
for the ministry of the word.
So it was his special duty as a preacher
to give himself to prayer.
And yet he exhorted the churches
to join him in praying.
Paul then had a clear mission.
The Lord told him what he would suffer
on his behalf.
And he had a comprehensive message.
He preached the cross of Jesus Christ
as the power of God and to salvation.
He preached the whole counsel of God.
But he knew that he wouldn't have
a completed ministry
if he was left on his own.
He knew there was a sense
in which he could only fulfill
what the Lord had laid on his plate
through the prayers of God's people.
So he exhorts them,
finally, brothers, pray for us.
The formal preaching of the word then
is in the hands of a minority
within the church.
But that can only continue
and that can only have its maximum effect
as the whole church joins
in prayer behind the preacher.
Often we find it easier to recognize
the need to support ministers and missionaries
in practical, visible ways,
like finances and so on.
Prayer is by nature invisible
to the public eye.
Jesus said,
when you go to pray,
go into your room and shut the door
and pray to your Father who is in secret.
And perhaps because here we're engaging
with matters of spiritual importance,
things which we can only see
with the eye of faith,
not with the eye of the flesh.
For that reason,
we need to be reminded regularly
and exhorted,
like these Thessalonian Christians,
to take this responsibility seriously.
A carriage will pick up speed
as all the horses pull together.
An Olympic rowing boat requires
that everyone is pulling on the oar
in the same rhythm.
The gears of the gospel,
if you like,
the gears of gospel preaching
turn most smoothly
when they're oiled with the prayers
of the whole church.
Let's consider, first of all then,
an explanation of why we need prayer
in relation to the ministry of the words.
Paul makes this request for himself.
Pray for us.
Pray for me.
Pray for my team, he is saying.
But then he doesn't ask them
to pray for his personal success.
He doesn't say pray for me
so that I can be the best missionary,
the best preacher in town.
He doesn't say pray for me
that I would have a comfortable life,
plenty of money in my pocket
and not too many opponents.
His prayer for himself is this,
that God's word would advance,
that scripture may speed ahead.
Paul is dedicated
to the service of Jesus Christ.
He's so set aside
to advance his master's kingdom
that his agenda is
that Jesus would be known,
not that Paul would be known.
He says, doesn't he,
in the letter to Galatians,
I've been crucified with Christ.
It's no longer I who live,
but Christ who lives in me.
And so preaching for Paul
was not about making himself known.
It was about making the words
of God known.
He preached as he lived,
not to show off his intellect,
his knowledge, his achievements,
his abilities,
but to present the glories
of God's wisdom
and God's righteousness
and God's power.
The word of Christ
was dwelling richly in Paul's heart
and he couldn't help but overflow
in his prayers
that the word of the Lord
would progress
regardless of the cost
to him.
We often pray
that the preacher
would know God's help
and God's assistance
and that's important.
It's a fearful thing
to stand in a pulpit
on a platform
and speak from God's word
to God's people.
It's demanding spiritual work.
It can leave a strong man
feeling physically
and emotionally drained.
Preachers need your prayers.
But the goal
is not to get
the pastor
through this week
in a fit state
to preach again next week.
The goal
is to get God's word
into people's hearts.
To get God's words
into the hearts
of unbelievers
with power
to convict them
and to convert them.
To get God's word
into our own hearts
with power
to make us grow
in holiness
and in knowledge
of the Lord.
The goal
is not the success
of the preacher.
The goal
is the success
of the gospel.
Imagine a boxer.
He might have
the perfect physique.
He might have
great stamina
but he doesn't win
the bout
until he lands
that killer punch.
And you might have
the perfect preacher
with the perfect
sermon illustrations
and the perfect outline.
But it all comes
to nothing
unless the gospel
gets deep
into the hearts
of the people.
Do you value
God's word
like Paul
valued it?
A true Christian
sees the scripture
as spiritual light,
as spiritual food.
Our whole eternity
depends on this book.
So like the disciples
we would say
where else
should we go?
You have the words
of eternal life.
Our appetites
for spiritual things
can ebb and flow.
But if you've never
delighted
in God's word
like that,
if you've never
tasted this
and seen that it's
sweeter than honey,
if you've never
craved it
as a baby
craves milk,
you need to examine
your heart.
Do you have
that eternal life
which is received
by faith
when you hear
this word?
Those of us
who are Christians,
we may have
a degree of success
as preachers
with natural ability
and so on.
But the success
of the word
is something
that only God
can give.
We can't stir
that up,
we can't achieve
that.
God gives it
as you pray.
James stands
here regularly,
other men
stand here regularly
and preach
God's word
faithfully.
It will only
have its maximum
effect
as you join
behind them
in seeking
God's blessing.
But you might
raise an objection
at this point.
You might say
that God's word
cannot fail.
It must succeed
because it has
a life and a power
of its own.
It's living and active.
It's sharper
than a two-edged sword.
God himself
has said that
it will not return
to me empty
but will accomplish
what I desire
and achieve
the purpose
for which I sent it.
Why then
shall we pray?
All this objection
is both right
and wrong.
It's correct
so far as it goes.
The scripture
is God's word
objective fact.
Every time
this is read
God speaks
and we should
be listening.
It has divine
sanction
and authority.
That's why
Paul could rejoice
even when evil
men were preaching
for evil
motives.
But this is only
one side
of the truth.
Yes
God is sovereign
and powerfully
at work
in his word
but that doesn't
give us an excuse
to be fatalistic
to be passive
or to be indifferent.
It is the sovereign
Lord's word
and he gets
to choose
where and when
it is most effective.
He's given us
the responsibility
to listen
to his word
and to preach
his word
by his design.
For example
in the Westminster
larger catechism
question 155
says how is the word
made effectual
to salvation?
And the answer
is
the spirit
of God
makes the reading
but especially
the preaching
of the word
an effectual
means
to enlighten
convince
and humble
sinners
to drive them
out of themselves
and draw them
to Christ.
The spirit
then has chosen
to use
the preached
word
without question
160
says what is
required of those
that hear the preached
word?
And this is the answer.
It is required
of those that hear
the word preached
that they attend
upon it with
diligence
preparation
and prayer.
We can't
come to God's
words
in difference
with our
mind filled
with other
things
and expect
to be blessed
by it.
We come
dependent
on him
by prayer.
If you like
this is the
belt of truth
but it will
only protect
you
as a piece
of armor
if you put
it on
and pull
it tight.
The Lord
has chosen
to advance
his kingdom
through preaching
spirit filled
men
preaching
with love
and faith
in their
hearts
chosen by
Christ
and set
aside
by the
church
to that
task.
The Holy
Spirit
isn't a
bare
knuckle
fighter.
He takes
up a
sword.
He goes
into battle
but he
doesn't
leave the
sword
in the
sheath.
He takes
up a
preacher
like Paul
and puts
him on
like a
gauntlet
and then
wields
the sword
with almighty
power
and omniscient
precision
to make
every blow
count
whether to
strike a
sinner with
conviction
or to
heal a
grieving
saint.
It's his
choice to
do this
as the
whole church
prays
that God's
word would
speed ahead
and be
honored.
Preaching
doesn't happen
automatically.
It doesn't
happen
mechanically.
God has
designed it
to function
in the
relational
context
of the
church
or in
it
together
as a
body.
James
can put
the
arrow
in
the
bow
but he
needs
the
strength
of the
whole
church
to pull
the
string
back
and let
it
fly
with
God's
almighty
power.
God
has
ordained
that his
word
won't
come back
to him
empty
but has
he not
also
ordained
that true
prayer
won't
come back
to him
empty.
Jesus
said
if you
abide
in me
and my
words
abide
in you
ask
whatever
you
wish
and it
will be
done
for you.
Can you
join
Paul
in this
exhortation?
Is it
your wish
that God's
word would
speed ahead
and be
honored
because that
is a
prayer
that the
Lord
delights
to answer.
An
explanation
then of
the need
for prayer
in relation
to the
ministry
of the
word.
Secondly
consider the
experience
of answered
prayer in
relation
to the
ministry
of the
word.
Paul
asks them
to pray
that it
would speed
ahead
and be
honored
and he's
confident
that they'll
understand
what he
means
because he
goes on
to say
just as
it was
with you
just as
happened
in your
experience.
He's
confident
that they'll
know what
he's talking
about.
If we
combine the
story in
Acts 17
of how
the church
of Thessalonica
was formed
with the
passage in
1 Thessalonians
1 that we
read we
see that
the gospel
made rapid
progress
in
Thessalonica.
Acts 17
2 suggests
that Paul
may only
have been
there for
three weeks
reasoning
in the
tabernacles
and some
people were
persuaded in
that time
and then
because of
intense threat
of persecution
the Christians
sent Paul
away
and yet
look at that
description in
1 Thessalonians
1
a church
that had
formed in
just three
weeks
and yet
the gospel
came in
power
and in
the Holy
Spirit
and with
deep
conviction
and they
became
imitators
of the
apostles
experiencing
the gospel
receiving the
gospel with
joy
in spite of
much
suffering
the church
which formed
in this
pressure cooker
of a
short
intense
time
with much
persecution
became an
example to
all the
churches in
the surrounding
areas
verse 7
of 1
Thessalonians
1
tells us
so it
made rapid
progress
there
and it
was also
revered
and propagated
the progress
was rapid
because of
the way
they received
God's word
1 Thessalonians
2
13
says
they received
the word
of God
not as
though it
were the
word of
men
but as
it actually
is the
word of
God
they
recognized
what it
was
they
recognized
that this
is God
speaking
they
honored
the Bible
they
honored
the gospel
as they
ought to
as the
very
word
of God
receiving
God's
word
in that
way
they
turned
from
idols
to serve
the
living
and true
God
to wait
for his
son
returning
from
heaven
whom
he
raised
from
the
dead
Jesus
who
delivers
us
from
the
wrath
to
come
they
turned
from
pagan
lifestyles
in that
short
period
of
time
and
then
they
trumpeted
the
gospel
like a
loud brass
instrument
like a
herald
hear ye
hear you
blow the
trumpet
and it
sounded
and it
resounded
through
Macedonia
and
Achaia
isn't
it
encouraging
to
remember
in
days
like
ours
where
the
gospel
often
faces
rampant
secularism
and
indifference
isn't
it
encouraging
to
remember
that
it's
not
always
been
like
that
we
can
read
in
the
Bible
of
situations
where
in
just
a
few
weeks
in
just
a
few
days
God
saved
many
people
turned
lives
around
changed
communities
changed
families
in
New
Testament
times
and
subsequent
history
there have
been these
periods of
reformation
and of
revival
where
the
Lord
adds
his
blessing
to
the
word
in
a
special
way
and
turns
the
world
upside
down
it's
thrilling
to
realize
that
well
we
may
be
feeling
a
spiritual
depression
here
in
other
parts
of
the
world
God's
word
is
speeding
ahead
and
being
honored
in
parts
of
Asia
and
Africa
and
South
America
the
church
is
growing
times
are
hard
here
then
perhaps
but
God's
word
is
still
having
an
impact
even
in
the
ones
and
twos
but
who
knows
that
through
our
prayers
God
may
even
bring
another
time
where
Scotland
is
known
as
the
land
of
the
book
because
the
word
of
the
Lord
is
speeding
ahead
and
being
honored
a
third
thing
then
the
essential
need
for
prayer
in
relation
to
the
ministry
of
the
word
the
very
fact
that
Paul
is
asking
for
prayer
tells
us
that
no
human
energy
or
activity
can
cause
the
word
of
God
to
go
forward
like
that
he
directs
this
prayer
to
almighty
God
who
alone
can
provide
that
dynamic
power
that
divine
omnipotence
why
is such
power
necessary
why
won't
the
gospel
make
progress
just
because
it's
true
simply
put
it is
because
our
sinful
human
hearts
have
no
native
desire
for
God's
truth
back
to
2
Thessalonians
3
not
everyone
has
faith
verse
2
here
refers
to
wicked
and
evil
men
who
will
do
everything
they
can
to
oppose
the
gospel
going
forward
verse
3
of
1
Thessalonians
2
talks
about
the
need
for
strength
and
protection
against
the
evil
one
it
could
possibly
mean
evil
in a
general
sense
but
most
translations
render
it
this
way
the
personal
spiritual
being
the
fallen
angel
who
initiates
and
inflames
evil
in the
world
the
word
of the
Lord
doesn't
advance
by
natural
means
because
not
all
have
faith
there
are
powers
of
supernatural
evil
opposed
to
God
vehemently
opposed
to
the
things
of
God
there
are
faithless
men
and
women
who
are
happy
to
align
themselves
with
that
anti
Christian
agenda
this
is
the
judgment
John
3
19
says
the
light
has
come
into
the
world
and
people
love
the
darkness
rather
than
the
light
because
their
works
were
evil
it's
only
the
grace
of
the
Lord
which
keeps
his
servants
faithful
and
fearless
in
gospel
work
even
Paul
himself
asked
the
question
who's
sufficient
for
these
things
and
the
only
answer
he
could
give
is
when
Jesus
met
with
him
and
said
my
grace
is
sufficient
for
you
whilst
not
everyone
opposes
the
gospel
with
quite
so
much
animosity
we
could
expand
verse
2
not
everyone
has
faith
we
could
expand
that
and
say
by
nature
no
one
has
faith
Romans
3
tells
us
that
no
one
is
righteous
no
not
one
no
one
understands
no
one
seeks
for
God
all
have
turned
aside
and
together
they
have
become
worthless
no
one
does
good
not
even
one
before
a
person
is
regenerated
by
the
spirit
of
God
and
converted
to
Christ
they
are
dead
in
trespasses
and
sins
they
walk
following
the
course
of
this
world
under
the
tyranny
of the
prince
of
the
power
of
the
air
the
spirit
that's
at
work
in
the
sons
of
disobedience
Paul
says
we all
walked
that
way
once
upon
a
time
by
nature
we
were
all
children
of
wrath
we
all
had
minds
set
on
the
things
of
the
flesh
which
were
hostile
to
God
why
Lord won't speed ahead by natural means because we're gripped in supernatural darkness by nature
spiritually blind living in a black world where Satan fills our minds with with his lies and his
deceit in order to keep us in utter darkness the word of the Lord speeds ahead then and is honored
only as the spirit of God converts hearts opens blind eyes and stops deaf ears so that they may
turn from darkness to light and the power of Satan to God so that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ
perhaps you are a person who hates God and actively opposes the gospel
or perhaps you're a person who sits quietly in church year after year
mouthing Christian words but staying spiritually dead and blind politely hostile to God
you don't need to stay in that condition forever God's word tells his people to pray
so that the word would have a penetrating life-changing effect in people just like you
the Christians around you even in this very room have been praying for people just like you
look into almighty God that he would take this gospel message and drive it into your spiritually dark hearts
God is willing and able to save people just like you
add your cry then as the Christians plead with him to make his word effective add your cry for mercy
determine that with his help you're going to turn your back on sin
because he has never yet turned away a soul who responded to Christ's call with sincere faith
and repentance God has charged us with calling down his almighty power to make the gospel effective
in hearts like yours and those of us a Christian have sat where you sit
those of us who are already believers have sat in that darkness
and it's only by this divine miracle
that we have come to value God's word
in this way
it happened to us
like it happened to those Thessalonians
as Christians
it is right that we should seek opportunity to share God's word
outreach activities
regular meetings
conversations in daily life
but we have to remember that none of these things
achieve anything unless the Lord adds
his blessing
unless the Lord builds the house
they labor in vain
who build it
but let this be our encouragement
to pray hard
and to preach hard
there's power available here
for all the obstacles to unbelief that we see
in the world around us
Jesus has said
I will build my church
the gates of hell will not prevail against it
this work of gospel transformation
is ultimately in the hands of one who is seated far above
all rulers and authorities
all the spiritual powers of wickedness
all those spiritual evils in heavenly places
far beneath his feet
and he has all authority in heaven on earth
including the authority to give eternal life
to whoever he chose
remember then that Christ doesn't always do his work
doesn't always build his church
at the same rate
in every place
every time
this work that took a matter of weeks in Thessalonica
took 18 months
in Corinth
and two years
in Ephesus
in our own lives
we know there are times when God's word comes with dynamic power
and there are other times where we seem
to be going through a bog or a marsh
everything is slow
progress is slow
there are times of refreshing
that come from the presence of the Lord
but there are dry seasons
and wilderness experiences too
we have to preach the word out of season
as well as in season
we wish we were always reaping
but there are times of plowing
and sowing
and watering
and waiting
and yet is it not
the hope of an abundant harvest
that motivates the farmer
to keep on
in his work
when the progress is slow then
and the word is despised by the masses
let us remember that we have a weapon here in prayer
that can change
that situation
can turn it around
so that by calling on the Lord
he can turn the tide
and his word can once more
go forward
quickly
and powerfully
one day winter will give way to spring
one day the seasons of decline
will give way to seasons
of new growth
finally
reflecting on this
is there not some great wisdom
in the age old advice
people used to give the advice
when you become a Christian
prioritize the Sunday meetings
that's where the preaching is done
prioritize the midweek meeting
that's where we join together
to pray
to get behind the preacher
to call God's blessing down
I can't think of greater advice
it seems to me
that that rings true
that proves true
perhaps you've proved
that true
we cannot simply
be content
with listening to the preaching
we can't simply be content
with a group fellowship
midweek
we're about God's business
we're about the advance
of his kingdom
and that means we need
these two sides of the coin
the preaching and the praying
and we need to be in that
together
we want to make sure
that we're not going through
the motions of hearing
God's word
without seeking
his blessing
both
for
ourselves
and for others
God is willing
to answer our prayers
this is a prayer
that he's inspired
by his spirit
it's the spirit
who tells us
to pray like this
can we not go
confident
of God's willingness
faithfulness
to listen
to such a prayer
and in his way
and in his time
to answer
finally brothers
pray for us
that the word
of the Lord
may speed ahead
and be honoured
as happened
among you
and that we may be
delivered from evil men
for not all
have faith
and I'm sure
Paul could say
of this congregation
as he said
of the church
we have confidence
in the Lord
that you are doing
and will continue
to do
that which the Lord
commands
Amen