Bryan Blazosky - October 15, 2017
Holding Fast and Praying Hard
2 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5 | In 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, Paul first expresses his gratitude to God for choosing and calling the Thessalonian believers, before issuing his charge to the church to hold fast to the traditions they had received from him in person and in writing. As Paul often does in the Thessalonian Epistles, he then prays for God to do in the church the very things Paul calls the church to pursue. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5, Paul calls the church to pray for him and the advance of the gospel through him, before expressing his confidence in the Lord that the church would respond to his commands. This sermon challenges each of us 1) to express gratitude to God for his work in saving us; 2) to know and hold fast to the message of Jesus and the apostles; and 3) to pray hard for one another and for the advance of the gospel through gospel ministers.
Scripture References: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5