Admonitions For Healthy Churches Part 4 | 1 Thessalonians

Introduction:
If we were to make a list of all the proofs of true conversion, the subject matter we that come to today might be the greatest evidence of all.
WHERE THE NEW BIRTH HAS TRULY TAKEN PLACE - PRAYER HAS BEGUN.
Salvation makes praying people.
When I say that, it should be obvious that I’m talking about TRUE prayer.
True communion with the living God.
LOST HUMANITY ENGAGES IN WHAT IT CALLS PRAYER. BUT LOST HUMANITY HAS NO FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.
But only where Salvation has come is there true fellowship with God.
ESV 1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Joh 17:3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
God is now our Father.
Jesus is now our Lord and Shepherd.
The Holy Spirit is now our comforter and our intercessor.
Indeed, our entire relationship with God has a relationship to prayer.
We come to the Father in the name of the Son.
ESV John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
The Son hears us and answers us and intercedes for us.
ESV John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
ESV Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-- more than that, who was raised-- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
ESV Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
The Spirit of God intercedes for us and empowers us in prayer.
ESV Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
ESV Ephesians 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,
IT IS NO WONDER, THEN, THAT IN THESE CLOSING ADMONITIONS, PAUL EXHORTS THE THESSALONIANS TO PRAY.
Healthy believers are devoted to prayer.
Healthy churches are devoted to prayer.
ESV Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
ESV Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
So today, we think about this admonition regarding prayer.
I. THE BELIEVER IS COMMANDED TO PRAY
This is the first and most obvious thing to note.
This is an imperative addressed to the church at Thessalonica.
Prayer is a matter of obedience for the Christian.
Prayerless Christians are disobedient Christians. Prayerless believers - prayerless churches - are living in an unnecessary impoverishment.
THIS IS SUCH A CLEAR EXAMPLE THAT ALL OF GOD’S COMMANDS ARE FOR THE GOOD OF HIS PEOPLE.
What God commands is for His glory. But it is also true to say that what God commands is always for the good of His people.
THIS IS ALSO A REMINDER THAT WHAT GOD GRANTS THROUGH SALVATION THE BELIEVER STILL MUST ACCESS IN THE WAY OF PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION.
Prayer is now supernaturally natural to the believer, but it isn’t automatic.
By saving us our God brought us into fellowship with Himself. He has GRANTED to us, then, the CAPACITY for prayer.
But that does not make prayer automatic.
THE FACT THAT GOD COMMANDS PRAYER MEANS THAT THE BELIEVER MUST CHOOSE PRAYER.

[@LoveForBluebirds]

Thank you.