2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 NKJV
The Lord is Faithful
September 25, 2022
Intro: This second letter, from the pen of Paul, is written to a church that is experiencing great spiritual growth, 1:3. They are a giving, loving church that is active, growing and reaching out, 1:5. However, this church is also a church in trouble. The Thessalonians were suffering under persecution from without and from pressure within, 1:5-6. The pagans around them wanted to see the church destroyed. The unruly members of the church, who had embraced false doctrines concerning the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, were trying to fundamentally alter the course of the church. Paul writes to encourage the church to persevere in the face of their trials. He writes to this church to address their concerns about the second coming of Jesus. False teachers had convinced many that the Day of the Lord had already come and that they had missed the Rapture of the church spoken of in Paul’s first letter to this church, 2:1-12. He writes to challenge this church to deal with those in their number who refuse to walk by the Lord’s commands, 3:6-12. This is a church in crisis, and the true believers in Thessalonica needed a solid word of encouragement. In the verses that form our text today, the very word they needed is given to them. In this passage, we are told that “The Lord is Faithful.”
The Prayer (just as it is with you) 1 John 5:14 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him."
He always remembered them in his prayers and would not have them forget them but bear them on their hearts at the throne of grace. This is one way by which the communion of saints is kept us, not only by their praying together, or with one another, but by their praying for one another when they are absent one from another. And thus, those who are at great distance may meet together at the throne of grace! How remarkable is the humility, and how engaging the example, of this great apostle, who was so mighty in prayer himself, and yet petitioned the prayers of every believer.
• That His Word run swiftly or “speed ahead”
• That His Word is glorified
Pray for the success of the gospel ministry: That the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified! If ministers have been successful in one place, they should desire to be successful in every place where they may preach the gospel.
The Perverse (for not all have faith) 1 Peter 3:12 says, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Pray for the safety of gospel ministers. He asks their prayers, nor for preferment, but for preservation: That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men! Those who are enemies to the preaching of the gospel, and persecutors of the faithful preachers of it, are unreasonable and wicked men.
• That we are Delivered from the unreasonable
• That we are Delivered from the wicked
Mathew Henry says, “There is no confidence that we can safely put in them, and we should pray to be delivered from those who have no conscience nor honour, who never regard what they say or do. We may sometimes be in as much or more danger from false and pretended friends as from open and avowed enemies.”
The Promise (But the Lord is faithful) 2 Timothy 2:11 says, “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
This text identifies God as the Faithful One. That is why He is called the “Amen,” Revelations 3:14. He is “firm and faithful.” He says, “let it be”, and it is! He is the God Who never changes, Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17. He is the God Who never fails. He has always been, and will ever be, the Great “I AM!” He is the God Who can be counted on. Just as He is always everything the Bible promises that He is, He is always faithful! That is Who He is!
• Faithful to establish you
• Faithful to guard you
Since “God is Faithful,” He can be counted on to stand by His Word. Paul reminds the people in Thessalonica that God “will stablish you and keep you from evil.” The word “stablish” has the idea of “making stable, placing firmly, setting fast.” It means that God will “strengthen them and cause them to become constant in their lives and confirmed in their mind.” The word “guard” means “to keep.” It carries the idea of “protection.” It is God’s promise that He will protect them from every enemy whether they are inside or outside the church. Because “God is Faithful,” He can be trusted to do what He says He will do. That is the biblical testimony to the faithfulness of God.“ And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform,” Romans 4:21.
“For all the promises of God in (Jesus) are yea, and in (Jesus) Amen, unto the glory of God by us,” 2 Corinthians 1:20.
• Friends will fail, but God is faithful
• Family will fail, but God is faithful
• Funds will fail, but God is faithful
• Feelings will fail, but God is faithful
• Faith will falter, but God is faithful
He is also faithful to forgive, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9. When we ourselves fail and falter as our friends, family, funds, feelings and faith does, He promises to forgive!
