<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Summary</b>:<br>Paul asks the believers to pray that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was among them, and that he and his companions will be rescued from troublesome and evil people, since not everyone has faith. He assures them that the Lord is faithful and will strengthen and protect them from the evil one. Confident in the Lord, Paul believes that they are obeying and will continue to obey what they have been instructed to do. He concludes by praying that the Lord will direct their hearts into the love of God and the perseverance of Christ.<br><br><b>Teaching</b>:<br>The Thessalonian church was marked by work produced by faith, labor motivated by love, and perseverance inspired by hope. Although Paul’s church-planting ministry among them lasted only three weeks, their faith grew to embrace an end-times hope. Such faith does not arise in everyone. It was the result of the Holy Spirit working within the Thessalonian church.<br><br>The Bible is filled with accounts of the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of God. God is completely trustworthy, so we can entrust everything to Him and follow Him. Even when we go wrong, we can rely on Him and receive help from His Word. When we trust such a God, He establishes and guides our lives.<br><br>When we resolve to obey the word given by the Lord, the Lord directs us. To believe is to receive His Word. God desires us to come into Him and enter into faith. Faith is receiving the God who invites us into a life of trust in Him.<br><br><br><i>Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Aug 6, 2026</i><i><br></i><i>2 Thessalonians 3:1-5</i><br><br> </p>
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