Paul’s Prayer For God’s Work of Grace and a Godly Response

2Thessalonians 1:11-12

Presented by Bob DeWaay

September 17, 2006

Paul Prays That God Does a Mighty Work That is Evident in Them

2Thessalonians 1:11

To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power;

“To This End We Pray”

Context: God’s faithfulness to preserve them in the midst of persecution as they await His future vindication through judgment of their enemies

Paul’s prayers as recorded in the Bible are often that God would do what Paul was certain He would do.

“That God would count you worthy of your calling”

“Calling” includes the effectual call to salvation and the call to eternal glory (1Thessalonians 2:12).

“Count Worthy” is either God’s action or their response “make worthy.”

We are never “worthy” to be called, but God’s gracious and powerful work causes growth in godliness. (Ephesians 4:1)

“Fulfill every desire for goodness” “Fulfill” means “to bring to fullest

expression” “desire” means “good pleasure”

(Philippians 2:13 uses the same word) This is a prayer that God will bring maturity

to their faith and a resolve in them to live a life pleasing to God.

There is ambiguity in “count worthy” and “good pleasure”: God’s action or their response; or both?

“The work of faith with power”

This is parallel to the phrase “desire for goodness.”

God’s power is at work where ever there is genuine faith.

“Faith Works”: Genuine faith produces works in the lives of believers.

Paul Prays That God Does a Work of Grace and That They Respond

2Thessalonians 1:11

To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power;

The Intended Result of Paul’s Prayer in Verse 11

2Thessalonians 1:12

in order 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.

“that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified”

“The name” signifies the character and nature of the person.

To “glorify” Jesus’ name is to exhibit the reality of a powerful work of God.

soli Deo gloria; an important “sola” of the Reformation

See verse 10; “on that day” (already/not yet tension)

“glorified in you and you in Him”

Such virtues would be evident in the believers that glory would come to Christ who is working in them.

God’s great work of grace will glorify Christ and change us into his glorious image.

This work of grace is already begun, but will not be perfected until the parousia.

“according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ”

The deity of Christ is affirmed. Salvation, sanctification, and glorification

are all by grace. sola gratia; “grace alone” is another key

doctrine of the Reformation.

Paul’s Prayer

2Thessalonians 1:11, 12

To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order 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.

Applications

We should pray according to the will of God; even though the outcome is certain.

Though everything is by God’s grace, we are still responsible to take obedient action.

The Lord’s Prayer Concerns What is Certain

Luke 11:2

And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come.’”

It is Certain That We Will Be Tempted

Luke 22:40

And when He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Prayer For the Salvation of the Lost Matthew 9:38

“Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Ephesians 6:19

and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

Every Work of God in Our Lives is By Grace; AND We Must Work

1Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Every Work of God in Our Lives is By Grace; AND We Must Work

Romans 6:1, 2

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

Every Work of God in Our Lives is By Grace; AND We Must Work

1Peter 4:10

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Paul’s Benediction, Grace and Work

2Thessalonians 2:16, 17

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.