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May the Lord Direct your Hearts

May the Lord Direct your Hearts. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – 3:5 p. 1096. A Story. You bring the Good News about Jesus to UBC. Paul in Thessalonica – opponents arrive from Philippi Has to leave the city Writes to these new Christians. A sample of how Paul prays . . . 1 . Time to Pray.

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May the Lord Direct your Hearts

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  1. May the Lord Direct your Hearts 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – 3:5 p. 1096

  2. A Story • You bring the Good News about Jesus to UBC. • Paul in Thessalonica – opponents arrive from Philippi • Has to leave the city • Writes to these new Christians. • A sample of how Paul prays . . .

  3. 1. Time to Pray • We have lives to live. • How do we find time to pray? • Reading on in 2 Thessalonians . . . 3:6-10 • Leon Morris: “The Christian is to be busy” • Our faith is lived in the context of our busy-ness. • God is with us through our day.

  4. 1. Time to Pray . . . • Deconstructing a sense of entitlement: • Developing a heart of thankfulness • There is a blessing behind every chore • Being busy is a blessing • To be shaped by prayer . . . • Move beyond our own selfish indulgences • Honour the blessings God has given us. • Cultivate an attitude of thankfulness

  5. 2. Content of Prayer • Two prayers for the Thessalonians& 2 prayer requests PRAYER FOR THE THESSALONIANS – • Their encouragement and strengthening (2:16-17) • Encouragement based on God’s love and our eternal hope. • Nothing can happen to change any of that. • Strengthening – lives characterized by “every good deed and word” • This is their busy-ness.

  6. 2. Content of Prayer . . . • Hearts directed into “God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (3:5) • An amazing prayer. Both are essential: • Hearts caught up in the Love of God. • The Lord of the Universe loves you. • What a reality. What a blessing. • Have the same perseverance that Jesus had • Jesus remained true when everyone else was falling apart.

  7. 2. Content of Prayer PAUL’S PRAYER REQUESTS – • The spread of the Gospel (3:1) • He remains committed to God’s calling. • Prays – Good News will spread rapidly and be well received • This is where his heart is. • Delivered from wicked and evil people (3:2) • Not some general vague request • Wants to give full attention to spreading the Good News.

  8. 2. Content of Prayer . . . • Hearts directed into “God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (3:5) • An amazing prayer. Both are essential: • Hearts caught up in the Love of God. • The Lord of the Universe loves you. • What a reality. What a blessing. • Have the same perseverance that Jesus had • Jesus remained true when everyone else was falling apart.

  9. 3. Confidence in Prayer • He really believes God will act. • “We have confidence in the Lord . . .” (3:4) • His commands are the same as what God commands. • He is staying on track with what God is doing. • He knows God is faithful (3:3) • God will never abandon His Ppeople. • He will always strengthen and protect us.

  10. Living it . . . • God’s normal expectation is that we live our spirituality in the context of our busy-ness. • God is with us in our daily tasks and he blesses us • It is part of being human to be productive and active. • Paul prays for encouragement and strengthening. • Confidence is based in the character of God and in praying according to his will (1 Jn 5:14-15)

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