1 Thess - Chapter 3

1 Thessalonians - Chapter 3

As a quick review, the believers in Thessalonica had been on their own until the Apostle Paul sent Timothy in his stead.  Paul had only been able to spend three weeks with them while he introduced them to the Lord and discipled them in their Christian growth.  As he continued on with his missionary journeys, Paul's heart grew concerned for their spiritual condition.  He had tried at different times to go back, but Satan kept preventing him to do so. These baby believers were like his spiritual children he had birthed, and his heart was getting more fonder and concerned for their spiritual condition so he sent Timothy to go in his stead.

1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, ² and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, ³ that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴ For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 

The Apostle Paul had left Silas and Timothy in Berea after being forced out of that town.  Fortunately, he had an escort team that took him to Athens.  Upon arriving in the big city, Paul sent word back with his escort team to have Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as they could.   While awaiting their arrival, Paul ministered into Athens.  Upon the arrival of Silas and Timothy, Paul sent Timothy back to check on the Church in Thessalonica.  Because of the persecution the Thessalonian believers were enduring, it concerned him as to their spiritual condition.  He was concerned that they might possibly lose their faith and return to their former life.  If that were the case, all the apostle and Silas' labor would have been in vain.  As such, their prayers intensified with their concern as to how they were doing as new believers (1 Thess 2:17-18).  How long he stayed there is unknown.  He would later meet the apostle and his team in Corinth.   The apostle had gathered a few disciples in Athens who joined him and Silas to head to Corinth to minister.  The team then walked across the land bridge into Corinth.   There the apostle stayed for 1 1/2 years ministering and setting up churches.   

The Apostle Sends Timothy to Thessalonica

Paul knew he was being hindered from going back there to find out for himself, so he sent the next best thing - his trusted apprentice Timothy to help them in their growth, encouraging them in whatever they were facing.  

Persecution is Part of Christianity

The Apostle Paul had taught and warned these new believers while he was in Thessalonica that there would be persecution.  He taught them to expect it because persecution was simply part of being a believer in Jesus Christ.   There would be family and friends who would not understand their new beliefs and come against them.  There may even be others around them who would oppose them, bringing on even greater persecution. 

• Paul taught them that in persevering through persecution, staying obedient to God and the apostle's teaching of God's Word, God would be with them every step of the way. 
• Believers were to comfort one another through these persecutions, which will help one to lean more on Jesus, which would bring on a deeper fellowship with Him.
• All that would bring them to overcome their persecution and grow stronger in their faith. 
• The apostle was so hoping his words of exhortation were being followed.  

Persecution and affliction should never surprise a Christian  - especially in the days we are living in at this present time.  We presently live in a world of many different beliefs, morals and values.  Many of those belief systems are diametrically opposed to the belief, values and morals of the Bible.  As we draw closer to the time of the Lord's coming, we will see more and more persecution as Christians are targeted.  All that means is the day of Christ's return is drawing very close.  In that we should rejoice.

This was the same message the Apostle Paul conveyed to the Thessalonian believers.
It applies even more so to today because we are in the last of those last days.

^{The Spiritual Condition of the Thessalonian Church}

⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Because the Apostle Paul wanted deeply to know the spiritual conditions of the Thessalonian believers, he sent Timothy to go to them.  Paul knew the ploys of Satan and how he could temp them into faltering in their faith, being deceived to give up on God.  If they did waiver in their faith, Paul would consider his work among them to have been in vain - a failure.  Thus, by sending Timothy, he could not only check on their spiritual condition, but he could be there to encourage them through Timothy to not lose heart - to stand firm in the midst of whatever they may be going through.

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— ⁷ therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

When Timothy returned from his visit to the Thessalonians, he brought good news. The church was doing well in faith and love in the midst of their daily challenges. This so encouraged the Apostle Paul.  As such, he felt confident to continue on in his missionary journeys.

As a pastor, knowing those you pastor over are growing in the faith is extremely encouraging.  When you pour your life into the lives of those you minister to, you want to see good fruit develop from it. 

If, on the other hand, you see fleshly living and waning in people's faith, that becomes so discouraging.  You begin to wonder if all the efforts you poured into their lives has been worth it.  But knowing the future of souls are at stake, it had the potential of meaning heaven or hell for them.  As such, you trudge forward, praying and believing they will turn their life around.

⁹ For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice your sake before our God, ¹⁰ night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Since Timothy came back with such good news, Paul had a renewed strength and excitement about him.  It made him feel so much better that the Thessalonian Church was doing well.  But yet, now that he is at peace over their spiritual condition, there was a part of him that yearned to see them to give more fresh manna into their lives as he still had much to say to this growing church.  How he wished he could be there in person for them.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.  ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints

As in a prayer spoken out, the Apostle Paul stated he was seeking that one day God would grant him the opportunity to come to visit these new believers in Thessalonica.  Along with that, he was praying that the Lord would increase their love even stronger and deeper for one another in the same way he had love for them. 

Love is the benchmark that the world sees in Christians

Holiness is the benchmark God looks for in Christians

Sanctified Unto God

God has set apart (sanctified) every believer unto Himself.  Sanctification means that God has set apart a believer for holiness.  It is progressive as we purpose to grow in our relationship with the Lord.  Being with other believers, reading God's Word and then being obedient to what we read, along with spending time in prayer getting to know God in a deeper way are the ways we grow in our faith. 

The Potter and the Clay

God is the potter of our lives and we are the clay as God molds us into the image of Jesus Christ.  Little by little our life begins to change.  Our thinking begins to change, which changes our behavior.   All the while, God is softening our heart while he molds us - little by little - into the image of Jesus.  This is the life of holiness in God - our sanctification.

As we allow God to mold us, He is separating us away from the domination of sin, self and the world.  As such, we are being separated unto God.   

Holiness at the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ

Paul was reminding the believers at Thessalonica in this last verse of this chapter of Jesus' return, because nothing can encourage a believer to holiness better than remembering that Jesus is coming VERY soon. 

As we today witness the devastating events around the world increase almost daily, our hearts keep telling us the days are drawing closer and closer to the time of Christ's return.  When He comes, He will gather His believers unto Himself in a moment in time.  In other words, the Rapture of the Church is coming soon - very, very soon.  We certainly do not want to have sin operating in our lives when Jesus returns to rapture us into heaven where we will first experience the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Instead, this should be an exciting time for us when Jesus gives out our rewards that we each will enjoy forever.  Then, for the next seven years we will be enjoying the benefits of heaven while the world below experiences the worst persecution and tribulation it has ever seen.

Holiness is the benchmark God looks for in believers