Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 28, 2022: SOAP #4743: Matthew 28; 1Thes 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

OBSERVATION:  It is good to note Paul’s prayers for the Thessalonians in this letter.  To this point his prayers have mostly been prayers of thanksgiving for their acceptance of God’s word and what God has done for them.  In the verses above, Paul prays for God to make a way for him to visit these dear friends.  He prays for their love for one another to increase.  

Then in verse 13, he prays with heaven in view.  What happens here on earth, in this life, is preparation for the time they will stand in the presence of God.  They cannot depend on their own works to make them “blameless and holy.”  Only the work of Jesus on the cross can cover their sins and make them holy and just as if they had never sinned!  May they stand in the presence of God with their sins forgiven to receive rewards for faithful service. 

APPLICATION:  When I pray for my family and friends, I too need to pray with heaven in view.  Paul did not pray for earthly blessings, like good jobs, abundance of finances, cars, houses, etc.  It is not wrong to pray for such things, but the focus of my prayers, like Paul, should be on eternal things. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, may my son rejoice in your presence on that day.  And may his presence before you bring you great rejoicing too.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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