Paul’s Prayer

Northwest Bible Church – June 11, 2023 – 1 Thess. – Alan Conner
1 Thess. 3:11-13
Paul’s Prayer

Intro

A. PRAYER FOR REUNION (1 Thess. 3:11).

1. Directed to God: God and Father and Jesus our Lord.

a. Trinitarian language.
b. Note the “our God and Father” and “Jesus our Lord.”

2. Request: direct our way to you (see 1 Thess. 3:10).

a. Paul believed God was sovereign.
b. Paul believed God was interested and concerned about this desire.
c. Paul was in complete submission to the sovereign will of God.

3. Did God answer this prayer? YES.

B. PRAYER FOR INCREASE IN LOVE (1 Thess. 3:12).

1. May the Lord cause you to abound in love.

2. for one another – John 13:34; 1John 4:11; 1John 4:20; 1John 5:1

3. for all people – Gal. 6:10; Mt. 5:44-48; Lk. 6:27

4. just as we also do for you – See 1 Thess. 2:7-8, 17, 19-20; 3:8.

C. PRAYER FOR HOLINESS (1 Thess. 3:13).

1. Purpose: so that the Lord may establish your hearts in holiness before God.

a. Process –
b. Consummation –

3. Timing: at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

a. Who are the “saints”.
b. Christ coming with all His saints.

Conclusion

Discussion questions: How can knowing that God is “our Father” and Christ is “our Lord” encourage your faith? Why is it important that we pray for our future plans? Since love is the greatest virtue in the Christian life, what are areas in which your love needs to grow in regard to God and others? How can we, with God’s help, bring the reality of Christ’s coming more into our thinking? What are some of the blessings that would come from doing this? (cf. 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 1 Jn. 3:2-3; Rom. 8:18; Mt. 5:11-12)