2 Thessalonians 3:16-18

Paul’s benediction has the familiar prayer for God’s grace that “graces” all his letters.  But it also has some things specially designed for the Thessalonians.  It is, in essence, a prayer.  Thus again, we see how the Apostle is the great intercessor.  This is to be the mark of all those who serve Christ in His Body.  We are all stewards of God’s grace, with something to share with the Body.  But we are never called to carry out our stewardship in our strength.  Prayer is fundamental to every ministry.

·        Peace.  What a great prayer for the church that has known nothing but the turmoil of persecution.  As the Lord of peace our God is God like no other when it comes to providing peace for those in the storm.  The lives of God’s people is always one of testing and turbulence.  When King Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord, we don’t know what to do but our eyes are on You, the Lord brought peace quickly through the word of the prophet Isaiah.  When Jacob ran in fear from Esau God’s peace came in the form of an immediate promise, given in a dream at Bethel.  It took Jacob years to come to grips with the faithfulness of God and to experience that peace in his heart; but God knew how to meet the need.  We could go on and on because every saint needed peace with God and the peace of God at some point.  God in every way knows how to grant that peace because  He is the Lord of peace. 

·        Presence.  One of the most frequent means at God’s disposal to bring peace into any situation is through the promise of His presence (Gen. 26:3, Isaac; 28:15, Jacob; Ex. 3:12, Moses; Josh. 1:5, Joshua) are just a few of these promises: I will be with you.  Now the Apostle Paul repeats this promise to the Thessalonians.  And he does not do this out of his own authority.  He speaks as the ambassador of Christ, for it is Christ who gave us this promise in Matt. 28:18-20.  Jesus gave His Church this promise in the context of what He gave us to do: to make disciples of all nations.  Then He said, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  Paul could tell these faithful saints The Lord with you all.  It is as much a statement of fact as it is the offer of hope.  The Lord was already with them.  And whatever would come He would always be with them.  What assurance!

·        Proof. Paul regarded himself as a steward of God.  As such he knew he must be faithful in the care of those who were entrusted to him.  Of course, these believers were among those people.  Paul’s personal salutation was his way of telling them that even though someone else might have written the letter as he dictated it, The words were his.  Again we see the heart of the shepherd.  Paul loves these people.  He is using this means to care for them.  He has not passed them off to anyone else.  They really are in his heart, on his mind, and in his prayers.

·        Grace!  Again, the “be” is supplied.  It sounds like a prayer, which is appropriate.  Paul is praying that they would experience God’s grace in ministry and in life, as he did (1 Cor. 15:10).  But it can just as easily read, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is with you.  s with you.  s with you.  The Lord’s presence does not come without His grace.  His call to make disciples is never without His grace to do the job.  Meditate on this.  It is so important.  The grace of God that saved us once and for all through the sacrifice of Christ is the grace of God that saves you from day to day.  His grace is sufficient in every trial (2 Cor. 12:9).  He gives more grace as we humble ourselves so as to receive it (James 4:6).  This is why Paul ends all his letters with this assurance.  It is not just a traditional ending.  It is the promise of God for all who will receive it by faith.

THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL.  AMEN!