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It is all about FAITH… (5 things)
- 1st – The concern regarding their FAITH… vs. 1-2 (3 points)
- A word about FAITH…
- The word FAITH is used 8x in the whole book – 5x just in JUST this chapter!
- It goes with saying that Paul is going to address the issue of FAITH…
- FAITH – pistis – 244x in NT – belief with the idea of TRUST or CONFIDENCE…
- We know the JUST shall live by faith – Habakkuk 2:4 / Romans 1:17 / Galatians 3:11
- Living by FAITH – means TRUSTING the Lord for today…
- So often it feels like we are walking through life blind – no idea where we are going…
- The reason is because we are trusting in what we can see – but we cannot see far…
- If only we could see tomorrow – we might make very different decisions…
- Making decisions by what we can see – is in truth walking around blind…
- But Jesus sees it all – and if are willing to trust Him – we will always know where to go…
- Trusting in the Lord who sees all – that is walking by true sight – waking by FAITH!
- II Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by FAITH, not by sight.”
- Living by FAITH – means trusting the Lord for our eternity…
- We cannot see God – have never been to heaven – have not seen Jesus…
- It is only through FAITH we believe the Gospel is true – has the power to save us…
- By FAITH we believe that life is not only about living here on earth…
- By FAITH we believe one day God will take us to be with Him forever in heaven!
- Hebrews 11:1 – “FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
- The word FAITH is used 8x in the whole book – 5x just in JUST this chapter!
- 1st – When Paul could endure it no longer… vs. 1
- Paul was concerned about the FAITH of the believers in Thessalonica…
- He had been taken away – aporphanizō – literally orphaned them – 1 Thessalonians 2:17
- He had been taken away because of the PERSECUTION of the Jews – Acts 17:8-10
- From the moment they moved onto Berea – Paul began to look for ways to go back!
- And as he prepared to depart for Athens – he could not ENDURE it any longer…
- He had to know how the FAITH of this young church (only there for three weeks) was doing!
- 2nd – The solution of Paul… vs. 2
- Paul sent Timothy to check on the FAITH of the church – Acts 17:14
- TIMOTHY – time Theos – one who honors God…
- Timothy is mentioned in 11 of the letters of Paul – more than any other person…
- Timothy joined Paul at the beginning of his 2nd missionary journey – Acts 16
- He was a young man – at least in the beginning of his ministry – I Timothy 4:12
- And he stayed with Paul all the way through the 3rd missionary journey!
- Paul calls him his Brother…
- Not that he was literally a brother – brother in the Lord – Paul would later call him a son!
- I Corinthians 4:17 – “I sent Timothy… my beloved and faithful son in the Lord.”
- Timothy had become like family to Paul – serving with him in the Gospel!
- Minister of the God…
- Timothy had been with Paul / watched Paul – and learned the ministry from Paul…
- And like Paul he also had become a MINISTER of the Gospel…
- I Corinthians 16:10 – “Timothy…does the work of the Lord, as I also do.”
- MINSTER – diakonos – we often use MINISTER as a title of superiority…
- But the word actually means a servant / a waiter / who runs errands for the KING!
- A MINISTER is a SERVANT of God who does the work of sharing the Gospel for God!
- Fellow Laborer in the Gospel…
- Synergos – 13x in NT – used 3x of Timothy (more than any other person) …
- Timothy had the same heart as Paul – and cared for the Thessalonians…
- His care for others was GENUINE – it flowed out from his love for Jesus!
- Philippians 2:20-22 – “I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare… you know how Timothy has proved himself.”
- Paul sent Timothy to check on the FAITH of the church – Acts 17:14
- 3rd – The reason for sending Timothy… vs. 2
- Establish you in your FAITH …
- ESTABLISH – sterizo – used 13x NT – where we get the word steroids…
- Timothy was stent to make sure their FAITH was strong…
- But the contrast might seem to suggest that it is possible to have weak FAITH …
- Matthew 8:10 Jesus talked about great FAITH – Matthew 8:26 little FAITH…
- That would lead us to believe FAITH is measurable – strong / great or little / weak…
- But Jesus would clarify in Luke 17:5-6 when the disciples asked to INCREASE our FAITH…
- Luke 17:6 – “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree…”
- FAITH is not about quantity or quality – it is about WHO we put our trust in…
- We have strong / great FAITH when Jesus is the one we are looking to!
- Encourage you in your FAITH…
- ENCOURAGE – parakaleō – to call alongside / to support and comfort…
- One of the names for the Holy Spirit is the HELPER – paraklētos (same root word) …
- John 15:26 – “When the Helper comes… He will testify of Me…”
- Like the Holy Spirit – he was to establish their FAITH – by encouraging them in Jesus!
- The best thing we can EVER do for anyone – is reminder them to look to Jesus!
- Establish you in your FAITH …
- A word about FAITH…
- 2nd – Challenges to their FAITH… vs. 3-5 (3 points)
- 1st – Shaken by afflictions… vs. 3
- The first challenge to faith comes from NOT knowing WHY we have AFFLICTIONS…
- Shaken – only here NT – the wagging of a dogs tail – to be unstable…
- Afflictions – thilipsis – the crushing of a grape till the juice flows out…
- Paul told them you KNOW (to see) that we are appointed (destined) to this!
- Timothy was coming to make sure their AFFLICTION had not shaken their FAITH…
- The Gospel is not a message of an easy life – it is about eternal life!
- And God uses our AFFLICTIONS to keep our focus on the Him in this life!
- II Corinthians 1:8-10 – God give us the sentence of death so we do NOT trust in ourselves!
- II Corinthians 12:9-10 – His GRACE is sufficient – when I am weak He is strong!
- Romans 5:3-5 – GLORY in Tribulation which produces perseverance / character / hope!
- BUT – if we do not KNOW why we have AFFLICTION…
- Matthew 13 parable of the seed and sower – Jesus described the STONY ground…
- Matthew 13:21 – “When tribulation [same word] or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles…”
- We may fall away – stop coming to church / stop reading the Bible / give up on Jesus…
- Because our focus in not on the eternal – we are SHAKEN and away from the FAITH!
- The first challenge to faith comes from NOT knowing WHY we have AFFLICTIONS…
- 2nd – Promise to Suffer tribulation… vs. 4
- The second challenge to FAITH – FORGETTING what was said about TRIBULATION…
- In fact – Paul had told them before (predicted) when he was still with them…
- They would (indicative) SUFFER TRIBULATION – thlibo – root word of AFFLICTION…
- They had been warned – and it had happened – as they KNOW (to see) …
- As mentioned previously the Jews caused a riot against the Christians – Acts 17:5
- Jesus gave the same promise – In this life we will have TRIBULATION – John 16:33
- It is actually the WILL of God that we SUFFER – I Peter 3:17 / I Peter 4:19
- We have to go through TRIBULATION – it is not an option – because it has a purpose!
- II Corinthians 4:7-10 – “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed [same word] on every side… always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
- If you take a clay pot and fill it up with rocks – it is still a cheap pot…
- But if you take that same pot and fill it up with diamonds – its priceless!
- We often get the impression there are SPECIAL people whom God chooses to use…
- There are only ordinary people – who believe in God – making them SPECIAL!
- We are all just clay pots – the question to be asked is what is inside of us…
- Are we full of ourselves – trusting in our abilities – not worth much…
- Or are we full of Jesus – believing in God – having FAITH (trust) in His Word!
- The second challenge to FAITH – FORGETTING what was said about TRIBULATION…
- 3rd – The tempter had tempted…vs. 5
- THE tempter – this is unquestionably a reference to our ENEMY…
- He has a number of names in the Bible – he is the devil – false accuser…
- He is called the satan – our adversary / but here is called the TEMPTER…
- Luke 4:1-13 – satan even tried three different times to TEMP Jesus!
- Because he would like nothing more than to TEMP us to questions the Word of God!
- Genesis 3 we have the first appearance of a question mark in the Bible…
- Up until that point in the Bible every sentence has ended with a period…
- Everything that has happened has been a statement of fact
- Everything that has taken place has been good – VERY good
- Until satan tempted Eve and asked – did God say – question mark!
- His tactics have not changed – he still tries to get us to doubt the Word…
- The Lord tells us that we ARE going to go through TRIBULATION – but it has a purpose…
- Satan subtly tires to get us to doubt the Word – maybe God just does not love us…
- He tries to keep us from listening to the Bible – from believing the Word!
- Paul HAD to KNOW their FAITH – lest our labor might be in vain…
- Paul wanted to KNOW if satan had tempted the believers in Thessalonica…
- Was their FAITH still strong – or had their labor in the Gospel been in VAIN!
- THE tempter – this is unquestionably a reference to our ENEMY…
- 1st – Shaken by afflictions… vs. 3
- 3rd – The good news about their FAITH… vs. 6 (2 points)
- About their FAITH and LOVE… vs. 6
- Timothy had already returned from his trip to Thessalonica…
- He came after Paul arrived in Corinth – Acts 18:5 – where he wrote this letter…
- And he brought GOOD NEWS – euangelizō – of their FAITH and LOVE!
- The church had NOT stumbled / had NOT forgotten / and NOT been tempted…
- There were two evidences of the GOOD NEWS about their FAITH and LOVE
- 1st – Always have good remembrance… vs. 6g
- The church ALWAYS had good remembrance of Paul and his companions…
- REMEMBRANCE – 7x in NT – more often translated as mention…
- In other words – they were always talking about Paul – and in a GOOD way…
- Since they were talking GOOD about Paul – it meant they were OK with Jesus who was in Paul!
- The number one result of sin is separation – first from God – Isaiah 59:2
- But it also separates us from believers – because we do not want to be reminded of our sin!
- We start to avoid our Bible / avoid the church / warry of anyone who might convict us…
- Because our FAITH has faltered – and we have gotten our eyes off of Jesus!
- I John 1:7 – “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”
- 2nd – Greatly desiring to see us… vs. 6
- The church also had a GREAT DESIRE – epipotheō – to see Paul…
- They were not HUYA about Paul coming – they were ecstatic to see him again!
- They joy at the return of the APOSTLE spoke volumes about their FAITH!
- Often we try to reason with God – how far away from the world do we need to be…
- Can we at least look at the world – how about touch – just a light touch…
- We do not want to be in the world – just really close – is that OK God…
- The truth is – if we are not drawing closer to the Lord – then we are drifting away…
- We can reassure ourselves that we attend Bible studies /attend church on Sunday…
- But where is our heart – are we excited / or just going through the motions…
- It is not worth the danger to play around with the love of this world…
- It is far too easy to fall in love with this world – and become HUYA towards Jesus!
- II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith…”
- About their FAITH and LOVE… vs. 6
- 4th – Comforted by their FAITH…. vs. 7-9 (4 points)
- 1st – He could call them brethren…
- BRETHREN – used 16x in the book – 5x in chapters 1 and 2 / 10x in chapters 4 and 5
- But this is the FIRST and ONLY time in THIS chapter…
- The subtle hint is that Paul was NOT sure if they were brethren – in the FAITH…
- And to say the least he was VERY encouraged when he was able to call them BRETHREN!
- 2nd – In affliction and distress… vs. 7
- Paul was comforted – parakaleō – in his tribulation – thilipsis!
- The same things that Paul had sent Timothy to do for the church in Thessalonica…
- The believers did to Paul – comfort him in his tribulation and distress – by their FAITH!
- The Christian walk is NEVER a one-way street – ministry goes both ways!
- When we reach out to minster to others – we often end up the ones who are blessed!
- Proverbs 11:25 – “He who waters will also be watered himself.”
- 3rd – But challenged them to continue in FAITH… vs. 8
- For now we live – IF (third class) – you standfast (subjunctive) in the Lord…
- Paul was encouraged by the GOOD NEWS he received from Timothy…
- But that did not mean the battle was over – the race was not won yet…
- And Paul could only rest (live) IF they stand fast (persevered) in the Lord to the end!
- Following Jesus is not a sprint – it is more like a marathon…
- As a result we often start off well in our race – but we do not finish well…
- Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us…”
- 4th – Thankful for the joy that comes from their FAITH… 9
- The apostle could hardly contain his joy over hearing about their continued FAITH…
- Every time he went to pray – he overflowed with joy and thank because of them!
- “How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence.” (NLT)
- One of the hardest things as a pastor – is when people make choices that take them from God…
- With brokenness a pastor comes before the Lord – heart breaking for a wayward sheep…
- But one of the greatest blessing for a pastor – is when people choose to walk in FAITH…
- The joy BEFORE the Lord is inexpressible as we give thanks for what God is doing!
- 1st – He could call them brethren…
And to be set part – HOLY – for Jesus till they day He comes to bring us HOME!
5th – The prayer for their FAITH… vs. 10-13 (4 points)
1st – Praying to prefect what was lacking in their FAITH… vs. 10
Night and day Paul prayed – can also be translated as implored / to want or desire…
Paul wanted exceedingly to see the FACE of the believers in Thessalonica again…
To PERFECT – that which was LACKING in their FAITH…
PERFECT – katartizō – to equip / complete / to finish…
What was lacking in their FAITH that Paul wanted to COMPLETE / FINISH – the WORD!
II Timothy 3:17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete [same root word], thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
That is why it is so important for us to be constantly in the WORD – II Timothy 2:15
Because it is THROUGH the WORD that we are PERFECTED in our FAITH – Romans 10:17
2nd – Praying for God to DIRECT … vs. 11
Paul PRAYED for our God and Father and our Lord Christ – DIRECT our way to you…
DIRECT – 3x in NT – a word that means to make straight – remove any distractions…
Life has a lot of distractions – things that keep us from following after Jesus…
And if we are not careful – we can slip and fall into any number of sins…
But as we look to the Lord – He keeps our feet safe on the right road!
Matthew 7:14 – “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life…”
3rd – Praying for abounding LOVE… vs. 12
Paul PRAYED for the Lord to make (optative) them increase and abound in LOVE…
Increase – used 9x NT – to SUPERABOUND – not just a little more / a LOT more…
Abound – 39x NT – to OVERFLOW – they would increase so much their LOVE would overflow!
One to another (believers) but also to ALL men (unbelievers) – just like Paul towards them!
If I told you I wanted you to fill a pitcher with water from the ocean – not problem…
What if I told you to put all the water in the ocean – in that one pitcher – WOW!
When we experience all the LOVE that God has for – it is IMPOSSIBLE for us to contain it…
It will overflow us onto others – Galatians 5:22 – it will mark us as Christians – John 13:35
4th – Praying to establish their hearts blameless in holiness… vs. 13
Timothy had been sent to ESTABLISH – sterizo – by pointing them to Jesus…
But ONLY Jesus could ESTABLISH – sterizo – their hearts BLAMLESS in HOLINESS …
BLAMLESS – without accusation – meaning all our sin has been FORGIVEN – Hebrews 10:17
HOLINESS – the noun form of the adjective HOLY – HOLINESS as a quality…
Who makes us HOLY – Hebrews 2:11 – we are sanctified (made HOLY) by Jesus Christ!
The PRAYER of Paul was they be FOGIVEN and made HOLY when Jesus returns!
Which should be the prayer of EVERY believer – to KNOW we have been forgiven by Jesus…
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