May 8, 2016
Evening Service

Paul’s journey to Thessalonica was cut short by a riot that was started by some Jews who were jealous of the reception he and Silas received as they shared the gospel message.  The Jews claimed he and his ministry team had “turned the world upside down.”  They meant it as an insult, but it really was a great compliment.  Here in chapter 3, Paul reveals his heart about those he had left behind that night as they had to leave town for his own safety.  Notice his desire for them to grow and become not only believers in Christ, but also disciples of Christ.

Disciple-One who believes and helps disseminate (Spread, tell others) the teachings of their master.

·         For the church to grow and also to fulfill the “Great Commission” it is vital that we are not only believers, but also ambassadors and disciples of Christ.  The importance of us growing in our faith is not only for our own good but it is also so we can share our faith affectively with others and create more disciples who in turn create more…

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Therefore when we could no longer endure, we were pleased to be left at Athens alone.  (2)  And we sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and to encourage you concerning your faith,

·         Paul’s heart longed to know how the church was doing so he sent his now trusted companion Timothy (bother, minister, and fellow laborer) to not only check on them but to “establish and encourage” them in their faith.

·         Here we see the importance of following through with new converts to be sure they become anchored in their faith.  We need to encourage them to “own” their faith cultivating that personal relationship with Jesus.  Christianity is NOT a religion it is a RELATIONSHIP!  It is not what we do, but who we are.

·         We need to be faithful in establishing and encouraging new converts to create good habits right from the start that will help anchor their faith which include; praying studying, and attending church faithfully.

·         Paul was concerned that the persecution the Thessalonians faced had made them stronger or had derailed their young faith.

 

1 Thessalonians 3:3-5 so that no one should be drawn aside by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to them.  (4)  For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we were going to suffer affliction, as it also happened, even you know.  (5)  For this cause, when I could no longer endure, I also sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter may have tempted you and our labor may have been in vain.

 

·         Paul had told them the persecutions would come, but did not know how they had handled them.  The scriptures do not give us “Rose colored glasses” to wear that hide the fact that our journey as a Jesus follower will be easy but is quite clear that these persecutions and trials are a necessary part of our growth.  It is one thing to hear something, but another to live it out.

 

1 Peter 1:6-7  in which you greatly rejoice, yet a little while, if need be, grieving in manifold temptations;  (7)  so that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but being proven through fire) might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

·         Trials prove the reality of our faith to the glory of Christ.

 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,  (4)  He comforting us in all our trouble, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in every trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

·         Our trouble becomes a ministry for us to comfort others who are going through similar trials as God has comforted us.

 

Romans 5:3-5  And not only this, but we glory in afflictions also, knowing that afflictions work out patience,  (4)  and patience works out experience, and experience works out hope.  (5)  And hope does not make us ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.

·         Afflictions and trials are needed to help us develop traits in our lives that others can see Christ in us.  Our experiences then develop a testimony for us to share with other about how God has worked faithfully in our lives.  “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”  These trials and afflictions become a platform to God to show His faithfulness to us and us to Him.

·         Paul’s concerns soon became praises as Timothy returned with great news of the progress of the Thessalonians’ faith.

 

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 But now when Timothy came from you to us and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us (as we also you), (7) then, my brothers, we were comforted over you, through your faith, even in all our affliction and needs;  (8)  for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.  (9)  For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,  (10)  night and day praying exceedingly for me to see your face and to perfect the things lacking in your faith?

·         Oh how Paul’s heart rejoiced as Timothy brought news of the Thessalonian church “standing fast in the Lord.”  Not only was their faith still strong, but it also was being manifested in love.  This was an awesome answer to Paul’s many prayers and even a burst of wind for his sails as well.

·         This news now creates a new and different desire to see these brothers again.

 

 

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (11) And may God Himself and our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you.  (12)  And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all, even as we also toward you,  (13)  in order to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

·         Notice how he encourages them not to rest on this praise, but to dig in even deeper.  He prayed that “the Lord make you to increase and abound in love.”  There is no place to quit growing in the Lord; we can always find new and fresh ways to draw closer to Him.  That is how we are able to avoid complacency and even back sliding.   Paul told the Philippian church this:

 

Philippians 3:12-14  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.  (13)  My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

As we strive to share Christ with others and get them to commit their lives to Christ, we must instill within them that baptism is only the beginning of a long journey.  “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”  Though our salvation is sealed, there is so much more to be gained by finishing our journey well.  We can experience God in so many new and fantastic ways and also powerfully share those experiences with those searching for answers.

 

Our first step is to establish ourselves in these ways and then to establish and encourage others to do the same.

 

Lord may You create an endless hunger and thirst in us for You that will keep us pressing on.