Ways of the LORD

Thesis: To teach the hearer how the Lord accomplished His will in the 1^st century among His people, and how He does this today.

Text: 2 Thess 3:1-5

2Th 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may (run) speed ahead (spread rapidly) and be honored (glorified), as happened among you,

2Th 3:2 and that we may be delivered from (unreasonable) wicked and evil men. For not all have faith (or “the Faith” ANT, ISV, YLT).

2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against (from) the evil one.

2Th 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.

2Th 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness (endurance; patience) of Christ.

Introduction,

1. Today we will begin looking at this first part of the 3^rd chapter of 2 Thessalonians; (To set the context) after consoling the new Christians concerning their persecutions (in ch 1), and then setting them straight about some more misunderstandings concerning the Lord’s 2^nd coming (in ch 2), as the epistle begins to come to a close, the apostle Paul (and his group) requests the prayers of these saints in their newly found faith (3:1).

1. Prayer unto the heavenly Father is one of the great privileges afforded to the Christian, it enables one to make request to Him Who is limitless in power, and in wisdom, and in love; we speak to God in prayer, He speaks to us through His word.

1. We are taught in the scriptures that the major components of prayer are . . .

1) Exaltation of God (He surely is worthy of this),

2) Thanksgiving unto God (for everything we have and are comes from Him Who created and sustains all),

3) Supplication (requests for the supplying of that which we need), and

4) Intercession (interceding on behalf of others to Him)

1. It might seem strange that an apostle of Christ might request the prayers of these new converts, yet the scriptures do teach that there are no distinctions between those “in Christ” (Gal 3:28) when it comes to the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3), and prayer is one of these blessings.

1. Therefore when it comes to prayer, those that are made the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21) through the gospel of Christ (Rom 1:17) are no different in God’s eyes, from the newest of saints to the oldest of apostles, for all have available to them the Way, the Truth and the Life, that one Mediator to the Father, the Lord Jesus (1 Tim 2:5), and the supplication of a righteous person does avail much in its working (Ja 5:16).

1. In fact we see Paul oftentimes requested the prayers of others in the NT(Rom 15:30; 2 Cor 1:11; Eph 6:18-19; Col 4:3; Phile 1:22), but what is interesting about this prayer is the subject matter of the requests, we are plainly taught in scripture that our prayers are to mirror God’s revealed will (1 John 5:14), and that prayers of this type are those which God always answers in the affirmative (John 14:13-14; 16; 23-24, 26; 1 John 5:15), yet in His own timeframe, and according to the way He sees fit, while never overriding the wills of those involved.

1. In this prayer request we see that it concerns the Lord Jesus Christ and His working, therefore what we will do is go through this text and take a closer look at . . .

1) The Word of the Lord (2 Thess 3:1-2)

2) The Faithfulness of the Lord (2 Thess 3:3-4)

3) The Directing of the Lord (2 Thess 3:5)

I. THE WORD OF THE LORD (2 Thess 3:1-2)

A. (v 1)

2Th 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may (run) speed ahead (spread rapidly) and be honored (glorified), as happened among you,

The “us” in this verse is Paul, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy (1:1), who were Paul’s fellow workers during his 2^nd missionary journey, during which this epistle was written in the city of Corinth (in about AD 53).

1. Paul was well aware of the power of prayer (2 Pet 3:12a).

1Pe 3:12a For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication:

• 1. Actually the scriptures teach, when the miraculous power of God does not avail (as was manifested abundantly in the 1^st century) then only prayer will make some things come to pass, as seen in the case of the child with the unclean spirit in Mk 9, which the disciples were unable to cast out, Jesus said (Mk 9:29).

Mar 9:29 . . . "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."

• 1. Let us also note that those prayers which promote God’s will receive special attention from Him (look at 1 John 5:14-15).

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests (petitions) that we have asked of him.

• 1. We should look at the flipside of this, turn to Ja 4:3 . . .

Jas 4:3 You ask for something but do not get it because you ask for it for the wrong reason—for your own pleasure. (ISV)

• 1. Our pleasures ought to be God’s, and that is one of the major functions of the gospel, to transform us to think, act, talk, and therefore be like God (1 Cor 11:1; Eph 5:1) . . .

1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

• 1. And in our context (2 Thess 3) what these men were doing was what God does (1 Tim 2:4), seeking and saving that which was lost (Lk 19:10), preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, thus fulfilling Isa 62:2.

Isa 62:2 The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give.

• 1. And this is what that prayer was to be for, that the gospel may go forth, as the Lord taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come (advance), Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10), and it would come about through the gospel (Rom 1:16).

1. Notice that the scriptures describe the word of the Lord with an attribute of that which is “alive,” it is pictured as “running,” “speeding ahead, ” “spreading rapidly,” these translations come from the Gr. word “trecho,” which literally means “to run or walk hastily”, the bible is not a dead letter (Heb 4:12; John 6:63).

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

• 1. God’s word is also described in a similar manner as in our context in Ps 147:15 . . .

Psa 147:15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.

• 1. What is being brought forth here is the idea of the word being “unhindered” the KJV renders our passage “that the word of the Lord may have free course.”

• 1. For if God’s word goes into the world unhindered, and all the ears of the world hear, there is no telling how many might believe, obey from the heart, and be born again (1 Pet 1:23).

1Pe 1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

• 1. For the word of God cannot be bound (2 Tim 2:9),

2Ti 2:9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

• 1. Paul was chained to a Roman guard when he was imprisoned in Rome yet the word was still able to work as long as his mouth or pen was not chained.

• 1. Let us look at a few more results of hearing, believing and obeying God’s word (turn to Ps 19:7-11).

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

Psa 19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

Psa 19:9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psa 19:11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

• 1. And the greatest of those rewards is the hope of eternal life come to fruition (Mt 25:46; Tit 1:2).

Mat 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

1. (Back to our text; 2 Thess 3:1b).

2Th 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may (run) speed ahead (spread rapidly) and be honored (glorified), as happened among you,

And when God’s word goes forth and works in the hearts of individuals, it is then glorified/honored.

• 1. This does not refer to worship, we are not to worship the word, but rather God (Mt 4:10b).

Mat 4:10b For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

• 1. Thayer defines this word “glorified” (honored; ESV) here in v 1 “to make renowned, to render illustrious, i.e. to cause the dignity of some person of thing to become manifest and acknowledged,” the ESV renders it “honored.’

• 1. Yet today we see many bringing reproach upon God’s word, getting rid of it, attempting to discredit it, stating that is doesn’t apply to people today, that it’s dated, that it’s the work of man and not of God.

• 1. Yet those who make these types of statements for the most part have ulterior motives, they want to live their lives, their way, according to what’s popular in society, not God’s way, which is “the Way”; and those that claim to follow God but want to do it according to their will, not God’s, their clarion call is “my will be done”, this is nothing but selfishness instead of selflessness, this is very sad and anti-Christian.

• 1. But the word of God is not outdated, it is of a nature that it will never pass away or be made of non-effect as seen in 1 Pet 1:24-25 (turn there).

1Pe 1:24 for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,

1Pe 1:25 but the word of the Lord (abides) remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached (un)to you.

• 1. These individuals that are attempting to do away from God’s word in our society will die, their bodies will turn to dust and their spirits will be taken to a place of torments until the Last Day and the Final Judgment, but God’s word remains, it is here now and will be before all on the Last Day, it will be that non-subjective standard that will judge all on That Day (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12).

Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Rom 2:16 in the (that) day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books (this is a reference to the books of the bible) were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books (again the books of the bible), according to their works.

• 1. Thus the word of the Lord was being glorified among the Thessalonians; they heard it, they believed it, they obeyed it, they spread it, and they suffered on account of it (1 Thee 2:14-16; 2 Thess 1:4-5), and so will all that follow it as God directs (2 Tim 3:12), as did Jesus (1 Cor 11:1).

2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life (according to God’s will) in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

B. (v 2a)

2Th 3:2a and that we may be delivered from wicked (unreasonable; perverse) and evil men.

The Christians at Thessalonica were to pray that Paul and company may delivered from certain unreasonable and evil men, for when the gospel is preached in its purity, some may be indifferent to it, but for the most part, there is always a reaction that comes from its hearers, as God has stated (Isa 55:11) . . .

Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty (void), but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

1. They may act like the 3,000 on that 1^st Pentecost after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ (Acts 2:37, 41; KJV).

Act 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Act 2:41 So those who (gladly) received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

• 1. Or they may act like those that heard Stephen declare the truth to them (Acts 7:54, 57-58a).

Act 7:54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged (cut to the heart), and they ground their teeth at him.

Act 7:57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.

Act 7:58a Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.

• 1. It all depends on their hearts, will they humble themselves before God’s truth unto the life eternal, or will they oppose it until they find themselves in eternal torments among the weeping that wished they would have done things differently? This choice is before all, yet many don’t believe it, but one day, when their spirits leave their bodies, they will believe then.

1. Note that these men are described as “unreasonable” (ASV; NKJV) A person has to exercise “reason” when dealing with God’s word, the LORD states (Isa 1:18) . . .

Isa 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

• 1. God has given evidences in creation that He exists and that He is Who He claims to be (Rom 1:20) . . .

Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

• 1. And He has also given evidences in His word, that He is the Almighty, and there is none like Him.

• 1. It is sad when these evidences are brought forth to those that believe not, and are merely pushed aside.

• 1. They erase that which was presented to them from their memory, so they can continue in their life of unbelief or in the doctrines of men.

• 1. But that word will reappear again to them, and they will believe at that time, like the rich man in Luke 16 who knew his fate was sealed and desired that those in the land of the living would be like persuaded, he said (Luke 16:27-29) . . .

Luk 16:27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—

Luk 16:28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'

Luk 16:29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'

• 1. We need to hear Christ, the apostles, and NT prophets (Mt 17:5) who we have recorded in the NT, the word they spoken and has been recorded has the ability to keep us out of that terrible place (Acts 20:32; 2 Tim 3:16-17).

Act 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

2Ti 3:16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

C. (v 2b)

2Th 3:2b For not all have faith.

In the Greek there is the definite article (the word “the”), it modifies the word “faith” here, thus this is probably a reference to “the Faith” that one Faith (Eph 4:5; Acts 6:7; Gal 1:23; Jude 3), as it is rendered in ANT; ISV; YLT.

2Th 3:2b not^G3756 for^G1063 [of] all^G3956 [men] The^G3588 Faith^G4102 {is}

2Th 3:2b since not everyone holds to the faith. (ISV)

2Th 3:2b for the faith is not of all (YLT)

1. Most will not accept “the Faith” in all its purity and fulness for any number of reasons, this idea is confirmed in the teachings of our Lord, over and over again, in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-15) only 1 out of 4 categories given ended up believing the Faith and being faithful unto God through it.

Luk 8:15 As for that in the good (ground) soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

• 1. He states basically the same thing in Mt 7:13-14.

Mat 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Mat 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

• 1. And again in Mt 7:21-23.

Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does (keeps doing; ISV) the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'

Mat 7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you (who practice lawlessness) workers of lawlessness.'

• 1. And in Luke 13:23-24

Luk 13:23 And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are (being) saved? And he said unto them,

Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

• 1. And in Mt 22:14

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few chosen.

• 1. And why is that? He gives a clear and understandable answer in Luke 6:46.

Luk 6:46 And why call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

• 1. The word “Lord” in the NT (Kurios) literally means “Master”, Jesus is not your Lord, your Master if you do not obey Him, it’s as simple as that, and if this is the case then you don’t have a biblical faith, one that hears and does (Heb 11; Ja 1:22), but rather faith that is similar to the demon’s (Ja 2:19), who acknowledge God and Christ, but don’t believe Them enough to obey Them, this is a dead faith (Ja 2:17; 26), and it cannot save, but only increase one’s punishment in eternity (Luke 12:47).

Luk 12:47 And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;

• 1. Yet (Rom 10:17) . . .

Rom 10:17 . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

• 1. Therefore let us hear, believe and obey (be doers of) the Lord’s faith imparting word unto eternal life, for our Master Jesus says (John 6:63b) . . .

Joh 6:63b the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

II. THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD (2 Thess 3:3-4).

A. (v 3)

2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against (from) the evil one.

Many may reject the gospel, and not have the Faith operating in their lives, but the Lord is not likened unto them, He is faithful to His word, this is one of the few things which God cannot do, He cannot lie (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18; 10:23).

Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Heb 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

1. God will live up to His promises and hold men accountable to the requirements He has placed on them (look at Rom 3:3-4; KJV; 2 Pet 3:9).

Rom 3:3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?

Rom 3:4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged."

• 1. And that which He promises is always conditional (turn to 2 Tim 2:11-13).

2Ti 2:11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

2Ti 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

2Ti 2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

1. Because God is faithful, He will establish the Thessalonian saints and all who wills to be faithful, He would make it possible for them to be firm, strong and stable in the Faith (Rom 14:4)

Rom 14:4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able (has power) to make him stand.

• 1. He would provide the necessary guidance through the inspired gospel, Father, Son, and Spirit powered, which would provide them and us with the spiritual food, exercise and strength to remain faithful (1 Pet 1:2; 2 Pet 3:18).

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:

2Pe 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.

• 1. And He provides that which only could motivate under any and all circumstances, faith, hope and love (Rom 10:17; 1 Pet 1:3; John 3:16; 1 John 4:19)

Rom 10:17 So FAITH comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Joh 3:16 For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on (into) him should not perish, but have eternal life.

1Jo 4:19 We LOVE, because he first LOVED us.

1. And the one being motivated unto faithfulness is able to take on the evil one (Satan), yet not by himself, for this is surely a lost cause, Satan is a crafty and powerful being; but rather in the power of the Lord, in the strength of His might (turn to Eph 6:10-18; Phili 4:13).

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of HIS might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes (wiles)of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Eph 6:15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Eph 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Eph 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Eph 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Php 4:13 I can do all things through (in) HIM (Christ) who strengthens me.

• 1. We have been told what the status of the evil one is, and how to effectively deal with him (look at 1 Pet 5:8-9).

1Pe 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1Pe 5:9 Resist him, firm (steadfast) in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood (brethren) throughout the world.

• 1. And it even gets down to specifics (in Ja 4:7, turn there).

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• 1. This is that proverbial two-edged sword, as we submit to God we are in fact simultaneously resisting the devil, the flip-side is also true, when we are not resisting the devil we are not submitting to God.

• 1. And as we are more and more transformed into the likeness of God through the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10; Tit 3:5), we are more readily able to recognize the devices of Satan and thereby able to avoid them through our God powered resistance (2 Cor 2:11),

2Co 2:11 that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

• 1. The enemy needs to be identified in order to be engaged, sometimes he works within us, sometimes through others, and sometimes through circumstances, and we should be able to see it being among the born again ones (Jn 3:3) , but rest assured, God is in charge, these things are for our ultimate good (Rom 8:28; 38-39).

Rom 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• 1. But sometimes it’s hard to jump out of the way of a truck which is about to run us over, even though we can see it coming, none the less we must learn to act or perish, we must not become blinded and frozen by its headlights, therefore let us count is as joy when we have smaller tests that build our faith (Ja 1:2-4).

Jas 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Jas 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Jas 1:4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

B. (v 4)

2Th 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.

And here’s the how Christians are established and guarded from the evil one, “by doing and continuing to do that which God commands.”

1. Paul expressed his confidence in the Lord, He has provided the means, all they have to do is access those means (through the Faith; Rom 5:1-2; YLT) and keep on accessing them, by doing and continuing to do that which is according to the word of the living God, which are the words of Christ (John 12:49), Jesus states (Mt 7:24-25) . . .

Mat 7:24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does (practices) them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Mat 7:25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

• 1. Remember, the bible is not merely a love letter from God (even though God’s love is manifested abundantly through it), it has legislation, it contains law (Rom 8:2, 7; 1 Cor 9:21; Gal 6:2; Heb 8:10; 10:16; Ja 1:25; 2:12; Isa 2:3), that perfect law of liberty designed for imperfect mankind, it is referred to as a law of faith, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, the law of Christ, yet we are not under that law but grace (Rom 6:14-15), God’s law is not there to justify us, but rather to help us, it is a law that we freely subject ourselves to through God’s Spirit which dwells within us (Rom 8:5-14), it is a law that changes us (Rom 12:2), that frees us (Jn 8:31-32), in this the grace (favor) of God is manifested through the gospel, and as we embrace the gospel more and more as time goes by, God’s laws shape and mold us through the renewing of the Holy Spirit back into the image of God, for it is written in Eph 4:17-5:17 (turn there). . .

Eph 4:17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk (live) as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

Eph 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Eph 4:19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Eph 4:20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—

Eph 4:21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,

Eph 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Eph 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Eph 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Eph 4:27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Eph 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Eph 5:3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Eph 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Eph 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Eph 5:7 Therefore do not become partners with them;

Eph 5:8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk (live) as children of light

Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

Eph 5:10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Eph 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Eph 5:12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

Eph 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

Eph 5:14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Eph 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk (live), not as unwise but as wise,

Eph 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

• 1. Jesus says (Mk 3:35) . . .

Mar 3:35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."

• 1. What is the will of God? (1 Thess 4:3; 5:18; 1 Pet 2:15; 4:2)

1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification (holiness):

1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1Pe 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

1Pe 4:2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

• 1. We will end this section by reading 1 Jn 2:15-17 . . .

1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the (lust) desires of the flesh and the (lust) desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its (lusts) desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

III. THE DIRECTING OF THE LORD (2 Thess 3:5)

A. (v 5a)

2Th 3:5a May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God

God surely exhibited His love for the world (turn to John 3:16).

Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only (begotten) Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1. And in the giving of His Son, and us seeing that active love, God’s love is thereby implanted in our hearts (look at 1 John 4:9-10).

1Jn 4:9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

• 1. And then because of that love residing in us, we likewise reciprocate it back to Him (look at 1 John 4:19).

1Jo 4:19 We love, because he first loved us.

• 1. And that’s exactly what Jesus meant by His statement in John 12:32.

Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

• 1. Thus through the Holy Spirit delivered and confirmed word of God, which was brought forth by miraculously inspired individuals in the 1^st century, and then written down by the inspiration of God for future generations, the love of God manifested in the gospel is put into our very hearts through the Spirit’s sword (turn to Rom 5:5b-8).

Rom 5:5b because (the love of God) God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Again this goes on to explain how)

Rom 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—

Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

• 1. And the result of this love is to be our obedience from the heart, from that love (Rom 6:17-18), faith working through love (Gal 5:6).

Rom 6:17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Rom 6:18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

• 1. The Lord said (John 14:15) . . .

Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

• 1. When you find out someone loves you so much, with such a great love (Jn 15:13), your inward person is just fervent, excited about doing His will, and that is what this is speaking about.

• 1. Love defined is this (turn to 2 John 6) . . .

2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

• 1. And that includes loving God with all our being (Mt 22:37), and loving others, even our enemies as, above, ourselves (1 Cor 10:24, Mt 5:44-45), and trusting in God concerning ourselves (Mt 6:33), committing ourselves to Him when the going gets real tough (1 Pet 2:23), and it likely will, for we will all experience physical death if the Lord’s 2^nd coming doesn’t take place during our lifetimes (Heb 9:27).

Heb 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

B. (v 5b)

2Th 3:5b (May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God) and to the steadfastness (or “endurance” or “patience”) of Christ.

As the Lord directs our hearts and the hearts of the Thessalonians into His love, He also directs us into this trait of Jesus

• 1. This is one those Christian attributes that “we” are to supply (turn 2 Pet 1:5-6).

2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, (adding on your part all diligence) make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

2Pe 1:6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness (patience; perseverance), and steadfastness (patience; perseverance) with godliness,

• 1. Thayer defines “patience” as “steadfastness, constancy, endurance, in the NT this is the characteristic of a person who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to his faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.”

• 1. And surely Christ suffered, and He endured unto death (Heb 5:8-9), yet He was not swerved from His purpose (Luke 19:10).

Luk 19:10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

• 1. Because if He did not exercise the greatest of patience, steadfastness, endurance, we would be continuing to be without God, and without hope in the world, heading straight to a devil’s hell.

• 1. Now it might be very hard to measure up to Christ’s example, but it is ours to do, as it was Paul’s, by inspiration he wrote (1 Cor 11:1) . . .

1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

• 1. John wrote this in 1 Jn 2:5b-6 . . .

1Jn 2:5b By this we may know that we are in him:

1Jn 2:6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1Jn 2:6 The one who says that he abides in him must live the same way he himself lived. (ISV)

• 1. Yet we need to understand that this is going to be a process (developing the steadfastness of Christ within our hearts), the life of a Christian is not a sprint, but rather a marathon, and it is purposed through God’s divine directives to instill in us the patience, the endurance, the steadfastness, the endurance of Christ (turn to Heb 12:1-2a).

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (those good examples spoken of in Heb ch 11, i.e. the hall of faith), let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance (steadfastness, patience) the race that is set before us,

Heb 12:2a looking to Jesus, the (author) founder and perfecter of our faith,

i. Look at Jesus, He gave up heaven to come to this dark, sin-filled world according to the will of the Father, we also need to operate in this realm

ii. He taught the truth in love despite being in direct opposition to most of the religious leaders of His day, if we teach the bible, the same lot will be ours today

iii. And He taught what people needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear, He didn’t tickle their ears, but rather cut into their hearts, the bible was the Spirit’s sword then and today

iv. He put Himself to death according to the will of the Father, this we are also to do spiritually speaking (Gal 5:24) . . .

Gal 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified (put to death) the flesh with its passions and (lusts) desires.

v. He was raised from the dead by the power of the God, this will also happen to us both now spiritually through the gospel, and literally, bodily, on the Last Day

vi. And He ascended into heaven to be with His Father, and this also will take place for us IF we are imitators of Him, IF we are His (1 Cor 15:23; Gal 5:23)

1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.

vii. This is our living hope (1 Pet 1:3-4)

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us (made us to be born) again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1Pe 1:4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,

• 1. Let us therefore keep on looking to Jesus, Who enables us to grow through the . . .

i. WORD OF THE LORD

ii. THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD

iii. AND THE DIRECTING OF THE LORD

• 1. And the first step to that growth is the same as it has been for the last 2,000 years, and if the Lord’s 2^nd coming doesn’t occur, it will be the same way for the next 2,000 years, . . .

One is to . . .

Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)

Rom 10:17 . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Christ).

This is how the Father plants His word within the good ground, the good, honest and open heart

One is to . . .

Believe that Jesus is the crucified, resurrected and Divine Christ (John 8:24), Who is Lord (Master) over all (Mt 28:18), and we need to believe that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6),

Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection unto eternal life (Rev 1:18), we must believe that we will follow (1 Cor 15:23).

Belief (faith) is the crossover point, this is the point wherein we enter into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), our Lord put it this way in Jn 5:24 . . .

Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

One is to . . .

Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), repentance is a change of mind that brings about a changed life, Jesus stated . . .

Luk 13:3 . . . except you repent, you shall all in like manner perish.

And He meant exactly what He said

One is to . . .

Confess Jesus as the Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), the eunuch said . . .

“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So should you

And you also are to confess Him during your life as you shine as a light unto others according to the revealed

will of God.

One is to . . .

Be baptized (immersed), which doth also now save us (1 Pet 3:21), it washes away our sins (Acts 22:16) immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34), unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); baptism is also the point where one is to die to self and live unto God (Rom 6:3-14)

And finally one is to . . .

Live a holy life according to the gospel of Christ, not just part of your life, but in every aspect (1 Pet 1:15),

1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.

For the person who is not holy will not make it into the presence of the LORD, as it is written (Heb 12:14)

Heb 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Though our physical bodies are decaying, we are being renewed day by day, through study and application

of God’s ever abiding word (2 Cor 4:16)

Continually putting off, putting to death that old man and his ways, and putting on the new, who is being

transformed into that image of God, that we lost through being exposed to, loving, and following the sinful

ways of the world, we need to be exposed to Jesus and imitate Him to counter-react this condition

We need to continue to show forth God’s love and life as a Christian (only), as the Bible teaches . . .

Following the Holy Spirit delivered and confirmed word of God in order that we won’t have our names blotted

out of the Lamb’s Book of life (Rev 20:15)

In order that we may be granted entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:11).