The Gospel is Our Treasure
Tuesday’s Verse:
From 2 Thessalonians 3:1 ESV
“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you.”
Paul’s plea is simple enough. “Pray for us.” Even the apostle who preached to throngs of people, suffered beatings and imprisonments, and planted churches, knew he relied wholly upon God’s grace.
Consider what Paul prays for us to receive from God in our prayers. He does not ask for comfort. Or success. Or safety. Rather, he asks that “the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored.” The Gospel is our treasure. By that Word, the Spirit brings faith, forgives sins, and grants eternal life to dead hearts.
That is profoundly Lutheran. God works by means. He never leaves the reins of salvation up to us but comes to His people through His Word and Sacraments. The church does not grow because we Christians are so impressive; it grows because Christ’s Word is mighty.
Look also that Paul says, the word may be “honored among you.” The Gospel came to the Thessalonians, and they were sinful tax collectors, immoral men and women, and young men who needed mercy. And by that preached Word, the Spirit created faith in them. Paul prays that it would happen again and again.
Christ’s Gospel still runs today. Christ crucified for you and me is preached. Sins are still forgiven. Baptism still unites us to Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper still gives His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.
May we join Paul in praying, Lord, let Your Word run. Send it into our homes, churches, schools, hospitals, and countries. And give us to glorify You by hearing that Word with joy, believing it with faith, and proclaiming it with boldness.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, fill my heart with the Gospel and the courage to tell others and live in it. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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