Last Things First - Part 5
We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Praying That We Want To End Up With
Introduction
Two men were talking together. The first challenged the other, “If you are so religious, let’s hear you quote the Lord’s Prayer. I bet you $10.00 you can’t.” The second responded, “Now I lay my down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” The first pulled out his wallet and fished out a ten-dollar bill, muttering, “I didn't think you could do it!” (Source Unknown)
Today, we’re continuing our series of sermons that I’ve called “Last Things First.” And we’ve drawn upon some of the occurrences of the word “Finally” as it is used in the New Testament. This morning we’re talking about “Prayer” from 2 Thessalonians 3.
Our word “finally” is a word that really expresses the idea of “Just one more thing,” or “as for the rest” (Marvin Vincent’s Word Studies). So several times when, for example Paul, used this word “finally,” he is saying, “Let me just say one more thing (or one last thing) before I finish this letter.”
The goal of this series is to challenge us to cultivate in our lives today the qualities and characteristics that we want to end up with, instead of just expecting to somehow magically arrive at that level of desired spiritual maturity.
So we’re presenting the conclusions and the “finally’s” first. We’re basically trying to begin with the end in view. In this series, we have already considered the fact that…
1. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Principles That We Want To End Up With
(2 Corinthians 13:11) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Power That We Want To End Up With
(Ephesians 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
3. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Praise That We Want To End Up With
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
4. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Positive Things That We Want To End Up With
(Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This morning, our “Finally” teaches us that …
5. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Prayer That We Want To End Up With
(2 Thessalonians 3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
Paul did not feel himself to be so capable that he didn’t need the prayers of others. In fact, he expressed his desire for the prayers of other believers on several occasions in his writings…
(Romans 15:30) 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;
(2 Corinthians 1:11) Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
(Colossians 4:3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
(1 Thessalonians 5:25) Brethren, pray for us.
And in our text, he is asking the Thessalonian believers to pray for him in a very specific way. He said…
(2 Thessalonians 3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
I am certainly aware of my own responsibility to pray for you. As the prophet Samuel said…
(1 Samuel 12:23) Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
And I am consistently aware of my own responsibility to study and pray in preparation for the preaching of God’s Word every week. And I try to take that responsibility very seriously.
But Paul indicated that it’s not just the preacher that has a responsibility in preparing for the preaching of the Word. God’s people are commanded here to pray as the Word goes forth.
I think every God-called preacher would sense a need for people to pray for him as he labors in the Word. On Sunday Morning, October 4, 1857, even that great prince of preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon stood, and in the course of his sermon, he said…
I need something which shall cheer my heart — Why I can not tell, wherefore I do not know, but I have a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me; my soul is cast down within me, I feel as if I had rather die than live; all that God hath done by me seems to be forgotten, and my spirit flags and my courage breaks down with the thought of that which is to come. I need your prayers; I need God’s Holy Spirit.
When people asked the secret of his success, Spurgeon replied, “My people pray for me.”
As I have thought of Paul’s desire for these believers to pray for him, I’ve thought of a song written by a Nazarene music teacher nearly 50 years ago. James D. Vaughn wrote both the words and the music to this song…
I Need The Prayers Of Those I Love
Verse 1: I need the prayers of those I love while traveling o'er life’s rugged way
That I may true and faithful be, and live for Jesus every day
Verse 2: I need the prayers of those I love, to help me in each crying hour
To bare my tempted soul to Him that He may keep me by His pow’r
Chorus: I want my friends to pray for me, to bare my tempted soul above
And intercede with God for me. I need the prayers of those I love
I came across a couple of funny stories that sort of describes how I feel about wanting your prayers as I preach from week to week…
I read about one little boy who had been sent to his room because he had been bad. A short time later he came out and said to his mother, “I've been thinking about what I did and I said a prayer.” His mother said, “That’s fine. If you ask God to make you good, He will help you.” And then the little boy said, “Oh, I didn’t ask Him to help me be good. I asked Him to help you put up with me.”
This story was in the April 1980 issue of the Reader’s Digest…
Attending church in Kentucky, we watched an especially verbal and boisterous child being hurried out, slung under his irate father’s arm. No one in the congregation so much as raised an eyebrow – until the child captured everyone’s attention by crying out in a charming Southern accent, “Ya’ll pray for me now!” (Jean McMahon)
Why should Paul, or Charles Spurgeon, or I (for that matter), want people to pray as we labor in the Word. Because as Sidlow Baxter said, “... Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons — but they are helpless against our prayers.”
In our text…
The apostle now proceeds to the last and closing part of the epistle … and introduces it with a request to pray for him, and the rest of his fellow ministers, particularly Silvanus and Timothy, who joined with him in this epistle: he signifies that nothing more remained; this was the last he had to say, that they, “the brethren,” not the preachers of the word only, but the members of the church, would be (praying) for them at the throne of grace. (John Gill)
I. Let’s Notice The Object Of Prayer That Paul Mentions
(2 Thessalonians 3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
A. He Asked Them To Pray That The Word Of The Lord Would Be Circulated
(2 Thessalonians 3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
1. To “Have Free Course” Means That The Word Was Advancing In Its Progress
have … course – Greek 5143. trecho, trekh'-o; (trek – like making a journey) apparently this is a primary verb; it means to run or walk hastily; it is used to describe persons in haste or those who run in a race course. It is also used metaphorically to describe doctrine being rapidly propagated. It conveys the idea of runners in a race, exerting themselves, and striving hard, spending their strength in performing or attaining something.
If the Word is to run, then we must kneel.
Wiersbe says that Paul’s statement is a reference to…
(Psalms 147:15) He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
Paul desires a direct progression and not an obstacle course for the propagation of the Word.
2. To “Have Free Course” Means That The Word Was Accomplishing Its Purpose
have … course – Greek 5143. trecho, trekh'-o; (trek – like making a journey) apparently this is a primary verb; it means to run or walk hastily; it is used to describe persons in haste or those who run in a race course. It is also used metaphorically to describe doctrine being rapidly propagated. It conveys the idea of runners in a race, exerting themselves, and striving hard, spending their strength in performing or attaining something.
Paul does not just desire the movement of the Word, but the multiplication of the Word. As the Word moves from place to place and heart to heart, may it be like Johnny (Appleseed) Chapman, who sowed seed wherever he went.
B. He Asked Them To Pray That The Word Of The Lord Would Be Celebrated
(2 Thessalonians 3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
1. Let’s Think About The Indications Of The “Glorified” Word
glorified – Greek 1392. doxazo; to render (or esteem) glorious; to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate; to honour; to make glorious, adorn with lustre, clothe with splendour; to impart glory to something, render it excellent; to make renowned, render illustrious; to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged.
2. Let’s Think About The Involvement Of The “Glorified” Word
(2 Thessalonians 3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
Dyson Hague spoke of the glory of the Word at the Annual Meeting of the Parkdale Bible Society in Toronto on the evening of May 15, 1912. He said…
The wonder of the Book, my friends, grows on us as our experience is enlarged. For the more deeply we search it the more we feel that the Bible is not merely a book, but The Book. Sir Walter Scott in his dying hour was right when he asked his son-in-law to read to him out of the Book, and in answer to the question, “What Book?” replied “There is only one Book, the Bible. In the whole world it is called ‘ The Book.’ All other books are mere leaves, fragments.” Yes. It alone is the perfect Book. It is the eternal Book. It is the Voice; all others are merely echoes. Of course, you all know that The Bible literally means The Book. It is a translation of the Greek title of the Bible, He Biblos; in English, The Book. It is the Book that stands alone; unapproachable in grandeur; solitary in splendour; mysterious in ascendancy; as high above all other books as heaven above earth, as the Son of God above the sons of men.
Verse 2 is a continuation of Paul’s request for prayer, but in this part of the request…
II. Let’s Notice The Obstacles Of Prayer That Paul Mentions
(2 Thessalonians 3:2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
He wants them to pray that he would be “delivered” from these people that would hinder the Word.
delivered – Greek 4506. rhuomai; akin to G4482 (through the idea of a current or flowing water); means to rush or draw (for oneself), to rescue, to deliver.
A. Consider The Examples Of These Obstacles
(2 Thessalonians 3:2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
1. The Hindrances To The Word Include Those Who Are Definitely Harmful
unreasonable – Greek 824. atopos; from G1 (as a negative particle) and G5117 (on the spot or in a location); it means out of place, i.e. (figuratively) improper, injurious, wicked, harmful: --amiss, harm, unreasonable. It has the idea of being out of line.
2. The Hindrances To The Word Include Those Who Are Diabolically Hurtful
wicked – Greek 4190. poneros; hurtful, i.e. evil in effect or influence; calamitous; also ill, diseased; but especially (morally) guilty, i.e. derelict, vicious, extremely wicked; mischief, malicious.
B. Consider The Explanation Of These Obstacles
(2 Thessalonians 3:2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
1. They May Be Hindering The Word Because They Don’t Have A Saving Faith
Like…
(2 Timothy 3:6-9) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, {7} Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. {8} Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. {9} But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
(2 Timothy 4:14-15) Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: {15} Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2. They May Be Hindering The Word Because They Don’t Have A Steadfast Faith
For example…
(Matthew 16:21-23) From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. {22} Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. {23} But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
(Acts 5:1-3) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, {2} And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. {3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
III. Let’s Notice The Optimism Of Prayer That Paul Mentions
(2 Thessalonians 3:3-4) But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. {4} And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
A. There Is Optimism In Paul’s Comment In Verse 3
(2 Thessalonians 3:3) But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
1. Because Of The Faithful Lord, We Are Stablished
stablish – Greek 4741. sterizo; (sounds like “steroid”) means to set fast, literally to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or to confirm. It is also translated as “fix, stedfastly set, strengthen.”
2. Because Of The Faithful Lord, We Are Safe
keep – Greek 5442. phulasso; has the idea of isolation; to watch, be on guard; to preserve, observe, save. It means to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe (lest he suffer violence or be violated), to protect one from a person or thing; to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired.
B. There Is Optimism In Paul’s Confidence In Verse 4
(2 Thessalonians 3:4) And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
Confident (not in you) but in the Lord concerning you
confidence – Greek 3982. peitho; a verb meaning to convince. Paul said that he was convinced of their prayers.
1. He Is Convinced About Their Current Prayers that ye … do
2. He Is Convinced About Their Continuing Prayers and will do
Conclusion:
A pastor and preacher needs people to pray for him.
According to a 1991 survey of pastors cited by Darryl Dash of Toronto, Ontario…
75% of pastors report a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry
50% feel unable to meet the needs of the job
90% of pastors feel that they were inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands
70% say that they have a lower self-image than when they started in the ministry
40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month
33% confess having been involved in some inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church
and 70% of pastors do not have somebody they consider a close friend
Share the story of the men’s prayer retreat with a pastor who had already fallen.
There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as prayer for him.
(William Law)
You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.
(John Bunyan)