Lessons from a New Church: A Passion for People

Point # 1 Paul's prayer: a product of passion for people (2:17-3:8)

a) Paul's prayer arises out of his intense longing to be with the Thessalonians.

b) Paul's prayer arises out of a passionate affection that seeks the good of others – not their praise, gratitude, and acceptance, and still less some sense of professional fulfillment.

c) Paul's prayer springs from delight at reports of the Thessalonians'' faith, love, perseverance and strength.

Point #2 Paul's prayer: a continuing passion for people (3:9-13)

a) Paul prays with rich thankfulness for the people of God (3:9).

a1) Although the thanksgiving is not addressed to the Thessalonians, but rather to God for the Thessalonians, nevertheless it is cast in such a way as to encourage them. Paul encourages the Thessalonians by telling them his thanksgiving prayer.

a2) Paul's thanks to God for the Thessalonian Christians is in some measure Paul's thanks to God for his own greatest sources of joy.

b) Paul prays that he might be able to strengthen these believers (10-11)

c) Paul prays that there might be an overflow of love among these believers (12).

d) Paul prays that these believers will be strengthened in heart that they will be blameless and holy when the end comes. (13)