Praying for the Right Things

Pastor Phil Andrukaitis, August 20, 2023

The Apostle Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians

General Theme:  Living Righteously While Waiting Patiently for Jesus to Return

 Sermon Title:  Praying for the Right Things

 Sermon Text:  Second Thessalonians 1:11-12

 Subject:  prayer requests

 Complement:  When the church is experiencing persecution, knowing what to pray is vitally important.

 Dominating Idea:      God always hears the prayers of the persecuted church.

Introduction            

Persecution in AmericaAbout seven years ago, Caleb Suko, a missionary to the Ukrainian people, witnessed first-hand, along with his family, how persecution began in Eastern Ukraine. 

When asked, when will persecution come to the American churches? he responded by identifying five conditions that will eventually lead to persecution of the Christian churches throughout our country. 

    1. When the Church stops preaching the prosperity gospel.

“I’ve written here about the problems with the Word of Faith movement, which includes prosperity theology. As long as pastors are teaching their church members that real faith will lead to a comfortable and luxurious life there will be no persecution!

Suko added, “Or maybe I should put it this way, any persecution that does happen will quickly fizzle out because those who follow the prosperity gospel teaching will just as quickly compromise their faith to avoid the persecution. Prosperity gospel does not prepare believers for persecution but rather deceives them into thinking that if they have enough faith, they will never experience persecution!

    1. When the Church starts calling people to repent of their sins.

“Biblically and historically persecution tends to happen around those who are clearly calling people to repentance! John the Baptist who preached “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2) was imprisoned and eventually beheaded as a result of this type of preaching.

“People don’t like to be called sinners or have their lifestyle condemned. That’s why Jesus said that the world hated him and will hate his followers (John 15:18).  The problem in many churches today is that very little is said concerning sin and the need for repentance. On the other hand, a lot is said about how to have a great marriage, how to raise kids, how to deal with finances, etc.

“Honestly I think it’s OK to preach a “How to” messages from time to time but as long as our pulpits are filled with “How to…” and are devoid of “Repent and believe” there will be little persecution in America.

    1. When the Church takes uncompromising stands on righteousness.

“To some extent this is happening already in a few churches. Taking an uncompromising stance on moral social issues such as abortion, homosexuality, doctor assisted suicide, divorce, sex outside of marriage, etc… will eventually lead to persecution. The problem is that sin is a money-making business for many and those who profit from it see the Church as a threat.

“Paul caused a riot in Ephesus because of his strong teaching against idols! (Acts 19:23-27) When society loses its historical moral foundation, churches will find it necessary to take clear stands on moral issues that they never would have dreamed would become controversial.

    1. When there is a clear difference between the life of a believer and an unbeliever.

“As long as believers blend in, go with the flow and look, think, and act like the rest of the world there will be no persecution!  However, when believers start transforming their minds (Romans 12:2) the result will be transformed lives that look much different than the world.

“This difference will make us stand out and the more we stand out as followers of Christ the more likely it is that we will face persecution.

    1. When we least expect it.

“This is a lesson, Suko stated, that I’ve learned in the past few months.  How was it that Eastern Ukraine could go from complete freedom to preach and teach the Gospel to persecution in a matter of days?  [The story of a local being beat at the hands of city officials was a shocker for many Ukrainians.]

“It’s easy to be lulled to sleep by the false perception that you will never face persecution.  However, we are much closer to persecution that we think!  Whether it happens today or years from now the lesson we need to learn from our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ is that we need to be ready!

“Peter says it best!  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you (1st Peter 4:12-14)”.[1]

Transitional Sentences

What about you?  Do you have a sense that dark, troubling days are ahead for our nation and the church?  Many saints think so.  While I do not desire to paint a dark and gloomy future for us this morning, I believe our country is under divine judgment because as a nation, we have flaunted our rebellious spirit before the face of God, spurned  God’s Word, shed innocent blood, redefined the family, and disregarded justice.

Therefore, as Peter stated, if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.  For it is the time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1st Peter 4:16-17).

Moreover, don’t think of the Rapture as an escape plan from persecution or God’s judgment on our nation.  The Rapture is the church’s escape plan from the divine judgment that will come upon the whole world – the Great Tribulation.

While the church has her faults, Jesus will not disown His church, His Bride.  The Spirit of Jesus is still working on the hearts who truly seek after the Lord.  And one of the ways in which the Holy Spirit works is through the under-shepherds, (pastors and elders).  God is raising up pastors, young and old (even retirees) who are faithful to the Word and who love the flock, to lead and admonish the saints of God not to neglect their walk with God, their work of faith, and their witness before a watching world.

Consequently, one of the ways in which spiritual leaders accomplish this task of leading and admonishing the saints of God is through prayer.  What does prayer mean to you?

    • Prayer involves listening to God’s quiet voice inside you.
    • Prayer involves reading and meditating on God’s Word inside your heart and mind.
    • Prayer involves intimacy, the deeper our prayer, the more our lives line up with God’s will.

Paul prayed for the Thessalonian church.  His prayers were filled with encouragement and hope despite the persecution the saints were experiencing; despite the lazy and deceived church members; despite the efforts of false teachers to confuse (or worse) mislead the saints. 

What three areas did the apostle Paul pray before God’s throne of grace?  Paul’s prayer does not express aimless generalities; rather, Paul expresses three clear objectives for the persecuted church:

    1. That God would make the Christian’s walk worthy of God’s calling
    2. That God would fulfill the Christian’s work of faith by God’s power
    3. That God would grace the Christian’s witness to glorify the Son of God’s name, Jesus Christ

The first objective in Paul’s prayer is…

    1. That God would make the Christian’s walk worthy of God’s calling

To this end we always pray for you,
that our God may make you worthy of His calling…
(1st Thessalonians 1:11a)

To be “worthy” of something is to be made “fit,” “qualified.”  God has already made His saints worthy of heaven by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.  Christ’s righteousness has been credited to our spiritual account and thus, sinners are qualified for heaven, by faith, because of Jesus. 

Therefore, all our “works” (from teaching a Sunday school class to cleaning the church, to shoveling snow at the church, to hosting Bible studies, etc.) do not contribute to the righteous salvation God has given to sinners saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Rather, our works of righteousness and a changed life prove that salvation has come to the sinner’s life. 

James speaks to the issue of faith and works.  For example, in James 4…

    • Dead faith expresses itself with empty words and no righteous works (vs. 14-17)
    • Demonic faith expresses itself with belief, but not saving belief (vs. 18-19)
    • Divine (Dynamic) faith expresses itself by trusting Scripture, demonstrating a changed life, and by exhibiting works. As James stated, “faith without works is dead (vs. 20-26)

As for the “calling,” it is a summons from the Heavenly Judge, the Almighty God.  In other words, like a summons from the county court to which a person must respond, God’s calling is a summons to the sinner to respond to His call on your life.  You must not ignore God’s summons on your life.

Putting these two truths together, Paul prays that God will sovereignly work in your life in such a way that your life will shine praise and glory on Him. 

You might be asking; how does God make sinners worthy?  God makes sinners worthy of His salvation because of His nature.  God acts according to His nature. 

Let me illustrate:  If you are prone to angry outburst, lying, stealing, cheating, selfishness, laziness, worrying about tomorrow, etc, then your nature is clearly defined by your actions.  Everyone will see that you are a jerk.  God sees you as a sinner, worthy of judgment.

However, look at God’s actions:  His actions reveal His nature.  God is righteous in everything He does.  God is love.  God is patient with sinners.  God is just.  God is forgiving.  And the list goes on.  Therefore, when God summons you to Himself, respond to God by faith and obey His Word.  Listen to Paul’s words from his letter to the Ephesians:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
(Ephesians 4:1)

So, if you and I are going to walk in a manner worthy of God’s calling, what should our lives look like?  Read the following verses in Ephesians 4:2-7).

While the Thessalonian saints were experiencing persecution and while the church in American can expect persecution someday, note this truth:  Trials do not make a Christian worthy for heaven; rather, trials reveal what the person is made of.  As an under-shepherd to this beautiful flock, I’m here to encourage you and prepare you and admonish you to grow in the Lord so that you can stand strong in the Lord when persecution comes.

The second objective in Paul’s prayer is…

    1. That God would fulfill the Christian’s work of faith by God’s power (2nd Thessalonians 1:11b)

…and (God) may fulfill every resolve for good
and every work of faith by His power…

To “fulfill” something is to make full; to fill up; to render complete.  And so, when Paul prayed that God would fulfill every resolve for good, he is speaking of the desire for good that is within our hearts. 

Fulfilling every good resolve:  But you might be asking, how did “good desires” come into my heart?  The Holy Spirit instills “good and godly desires” in our hearts when we are born-again.  When God the Holy Spirit summons a sinner to respond to Christ, that sinner is given a new heart (figuratively speaking). 

Speaking to the nation of Israel, Ezekiel describes God’s miraculous work in the hearts of sinners, replacing their hearts of stone with a heart of flesh.  Therefore, any desire for uprightness of heart and life, goodness and kindness come from God’s work in us.  That is why Paul prays that God would fulfill those desires in our hearts.

Fulfilling every work of faith:  But not only does God change and grow our hearts, God also establishes a plan for our lives.  Paul describes the life and character of a sinner before He was saved (Ephesians 2:1-7).  But once God changes the heart of a sinner, everything changes:  Listen to Ephesians 2:8-10.

For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

In other words, God has established a plan that includes works/tasks that He has established for us before creation.   Like Jesus Who came to fulfill the work of God the Father Who sent Him, so must we also fulfill the work God as prepared for us to do. 

But you might be asking, how do I know what work, what task I must do?  Get alone with God; quiet, devotional times with Him and His Word.  Five minutes in Daily Bread is not enough to help you grow spiritually strong.  Get alone with God. 

While the Thessalonian saints were experiencing persecution and while the church in American can expect persecution someday, note this truth:  As God shapes our character through His Word and prayer, our character shapes our walk and ministry.  As one of your under-shepherds, I am here to admonish you to listen to God so that you will know what work He wants you to do now and when persecution comes.

The third and final objective in Paul’s prayer is…

    1. That God would grace the Christian’s witness to glorify the Son of God’s name, Jesus Christ

…so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,
and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(2nd Thessalonians 1:12)

 God’s eyes are always on us.  God’s eyes are always searching our hearts and examining our motives for what we do.  We cannot hide from His penetrating gaze upon us.  And so, as the Spirit of Jesus examines and conforms sinners into the image of Jesus, God’s goal is not only to see the saints mature in Christ but to also bring glory to the name of Jesus. 

God is so generous with us.  No, I’m not talking about financial blessings; rather God is gracious with us in terms of spiritual blessings.  We want our lives to adorn the name of Jesus with praise and honor. 

God wants us to understand Paul’s prayer and to cooperate with God’s program as God unfolds the kingdom of God in this world.

While the Thessalonian saints were experiencing persecution and while the church in American can expect persecution someday, note this truth:  “Uncertainty in our walk of faith does not build assurance in the faint-hearted saint” (Robert L. Thomas).  Therefore, as one of your under-shepherds, I am here to encourage you…

    • …to understand God’s worthy call upon your life
    • …to encourage you in your walk of faith because God is faithful to fulfill to His people whatever the circumstances in life. God says what He means and means what He says.
    • …to look at the end game – God is glorified! This sin-cursed world needs to see from our witness that Jesus Christ will save the repentant sinner.

Conclusion

Remember the introductory question?  When will persecution come to the American churches?  While Suko’s insights reveal the weaknesses of the church, persecution will come, yes, even to this country.  On the eve of His crucifixion, in the upper room as they celebrated the Passover Lamb, Jesus warned His disciples that persecution would come to His church.  Jesus said, “if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).

While the church in America is not experiencing the degree of persecution the church in closed countries is experiencing, we can see the forces of darkness are focusing their attention to the church in America:

    • Christian thought and beliefs are targeted by God-haters.
    • Since the early 1960’s, prayer and the Bible have been banned in public schools.
    • Traditional biblical values are falling by the wayside giving way to sexual immorality, same sex marriages, LGTBQ+ movement, gender dysphoria, anarchy across many major cities, etc.
    • Politicians with Christian convictions are scrutinized most severely.
    • Christian businesses are targeted as lawsuits are brought against them for discrimination.
    • The freedom of thought on social media, college campuses, and in the general public is happening as our nation is becoming a police state.
    • As the church feels the increasing stress of wickedness, sadly, there will be some folks and churches that will “fall away” – apostasy. Yes, apostasy is on the rise.

What can you do?

    • Do not put your hope in any political ideology or politician; rather, rest in the sovereignty of God.
    • Return to the basics: “Read your Bible and pray” (Deacon Earl Green).
    • Turn away from wickedness and wicked practices.
    • Forgive your brother and sister and love them. Prove your love with actions.
    • Come together to worship, to study the Word, and to build up one another.
    • And when all hell breaks loose on the church, remember to pray for its walk to be a worthy walk, for its work of faith to be empowered by God, and for its witness that glorifies Jesus.

[1] Caleb Suko, When Will Persecution Come to American Churches, [doc online]; from When Will Persecution Come to American Churches? – The Suko Family, accessed 2023, Aug. 14.