It is all about FAITH…  (5 things)

• 1^st – 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.”
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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!

• 2^nd – Challenges to their FAITH… vs. 3-5 (3 points)
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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!

• 3^rd – 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
  • 1^st – 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.”
  • 2^nd – 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…”

• 4^th – Comforted by their FAITH…. vs. 7-9 (4 points)
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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…”
  • 4^th – 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!

And to be set part – HOLY – for Jesus till they day He comes to bring us HOME!

5^th – The prayer for their FAITH… vs. 10-13 (4 points)

1^st – 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

2^nd – 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…”

3^rd – 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

4^th – 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…