1. “I’m afraid Daddy”. Those were the words of my daughter not too long ago. Really it happens every now and then.
• A noise or a sound startles her so she walks across the house to our bedroom and then startles me. That’s just how it GOES EH?
• She’s there staring at me until my eyes open and then sweetly says… Daddy, I’m afraid! – Oh honey, tell your mom! NO!
• She was afraid and she responded to it.
2. Fears are common.
3. We all have them & we all respond differently
• Some responses are rational and healthy.
• Others are irrational & unhealthy.
• So many live in fear, Christians and non-Christians alike.
Many years ago Time Magazine had a cover article on “FEAR” • It talked about all the things people are afraid of in life. We all know people who have a fear of Heights, small spaces and Flying. • But this article says people have Phobias for just about everything imaginable!. This article said over 50 million people in the US have some kind of Fear or “Phobia”
There’s kathisophobia, fear of sitting. Ablutophobia: fear of bathing. Dentophobia: ... Dentists. Cyclophobia: ... Bicycles. They get even Wierder (I’m not making these up!) • Alektorophobia: ... Chickens • Arachibutyrophobia: ... Peanut butter sticking to roof of mouth Arithmophobia: ... Numbers Francophobia: ... France Automatonophobia: ... Ventriloquist dummies• Ecclesiophobia: ... Church • Hadephobia: ... HELL Ouranophobia: ... HEAVEN. And my personal favorite, Phobophobia: ... The fear of “Phobias”
• There are a lot of fears out there & a lot of fear in here.
• So it shouldn’t surprise us that we’re encouraged to “FEAR NOT”
• 8 Times in the Bible that phrase appears.
NOTE: the first time we read of the phrase “Fear Not” is from an angel of God to Hagar in Genesis 21:17.
• She’s involved in a mess with Abram & his wife and she runs away but an angel meets her with a message from God!
Genesis 21.17-18 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 "Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation."
• At least 7 More times that phrase is used… FEAR NOT.
• Notice with me Isaiah 41:10.
NOTE: So many fears: The PAST haunts us. PRESENT overwhelms us. FUTURE is unknown! And Jesus says to us…
John 14.1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
APP: If this morning there are things that trouble you. You’re fearful. You’re worried. You find yourself not able to sleep.
• Recognize anew & afresh that your life is bound up with His.
• Pray thru knowing that you’re His child whom He loves deeply.
• This situation has come along but it’s in His love.
• He’s allowed it. He’s working through it. He’s strengthening you.
NOW WHEN Paul arrived in Athens was being stirred up too.
• All he could see was their lostness & idolatry.
Acts 17.16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.
• Literally ‘stimulated, exasperated, irritated’
• He couldn’t stand what he was seeing. It broke his heart.
History tells us that Athens was filled with some 25,000-30,000 different statues & little deities.
• A common saying for the city was that it was easier to find a god than a man. They were wholly sold over to idolatry.
AND THIS idolatry also provoked a little fear in Paul as he thought back on the churches in Berea and Thessalonica… (3.1-5)
• OH I hope they are OK, that their still walking with the Lord.
I. (3:1-5) UNEASY FEELINGS
1. (1-2) I had to know.
a. He tells them that he just had to know how they were.
b. We just couldn’t stand it wondering how you were doing.
c. So we sent Timothy to you… our brother & minister of God & fellow laborer in the gospel.
NOTE: What a great description of this young man.
• He was a BROTHER, a SERVANT, a MINISTER.
• It’s a GOOD THING to have a Timothy around when your heart is stirred up, when you’re concerned, worried, fearful.
• It’s a GREAT THING to be a TIMOTHY to someone too.
APP: It’s the kind of man I want to be.
• A brother, who is reliable & trustworthy.
• A fellow laborer, who works diligently for the kingdom of God!
• A Minister, who simply takes the role of a servant & serves!
ORIGINALLY: The word meant SERVANT, not higher than anyone, but lower. SERVANT, the one who serves & gives.
• It’s all backward today. There are too many in the church today who expect to be served rather than serve.
• Titles, Positions, spiritual giftings all clouding the issue.
• It was wrong in Jesus day too.
• They would look at the MINISTERS and say, OH RABBI, here is the best seat and the best deal and the best place.
• Jesus said this is NOT RIGHT.
Matthew 20.25-26 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
NOTE: The spiritual man/woman, Jesus says does 2 things.
• He DENIES PRAISE OF MEN & DELIGHTS IN SERVING OTHERS
• But I’ve found that titles sometimes ruin a person!
I GET SOME INTERESTING MAIL… Reverend Taylor
• I chuckle at that title… <
• I certainly want to represent God as well as I can but as I survey the Bible there is only one REVEREND… God Himself!
Psalm 111.9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.
Psalm 111.9 (KJV)He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Instead… Jesus says we’re all brothers. I’m not greater than you, just your brother in the Lord serving with His spiritual gifts.
• I’m not THE authority… HE IS our authority through His Word.
OVER THE YEARS, I’ve come to observe that the strongest spiritual leaders in the church are those that wean people off themselves.
• Those that point you to Jesus Christ. That’s a strong leader!
• He’ll point you the Great Shepherd and then gets out of the way.
Acts 20.32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
2. (3-4) Appointment with sufferings.
a. Don’t feel bad by our situation, don’t let it stumble you.
b. We told you it would happen. It’s no surprise.
NOTE: For Paul personally, it was certainly no surprise.
• Let’s flip back to Acts 9.10ff
NOTE: This is not the NORMAL CALL into the ministry.
• This isn’t what we use to encourage the guys that want to go into ministry here. But it is a truth… afflictions await you.
• The only difference is that degree & the frequency.
John 16.31-33 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 "Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
APP: We all have appointments with afflictions.
• You can check when we’re done here. Pull out your Day Timer or your calendars and look.
• Paul just knew he was ordained for difficulties & problems.
• But Why? So often that’s the question. Why?
• I don’t know exactly, but we can see some fruit.
TO ENRICH HIS MINISTRY and EXPAND HIS REACH.
• He could write to the Corinthians.
2 Cor 1.3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
It’s been said that “when God wants to use a person greatly, He must first allow him to be hurt deeply.”
• It was our friend Peter who said…
1 Peter 4.12-13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
NOTE: Trials don’t make you or break you. They simply reveal.
• They reveal what’s already inside of you. My faith. My trust.
• I really don’t know how well I’m doing until I go through some hard times and face some serious trials.
• So Paul wants to know. He had to know how they were doing.
3. (5) I sent to know your faith.
a. Remember the parable of the sower?
Matthew 13.19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
I BELIEVE there should be that constant concern in our hearts for people even after they make a decision to grow in the Lord.
• The Enemy is brutal & relentless.
• Remember with Job? He wiped out his whole family!
John 10.10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
The UNEASY FEELING led to Paul’s…
II. (3:6-13) UNENDING PRAYER
1. (6-8) Timothy brings back a COMFORTING word.
a. What a refreshing word Timothy brought back.
b. The church was full of faith & love!
c. Good memories of Paul and they wanted to see him again.
d. Notice v8, it brought life to Paul… It was so refreshing!
e. The church didn’t believe the lies & accusations the enemy had told them about Paul, but loved Paul dearly!
GOOD WORDS will do that… Bring Great Encouragement!
Proverbs 15.23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
Proverbs 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
Proverbs 25.25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.
NOTE: These guys are just so encouraging to me!
• In the middle of all their affliction, they were encouraged!
• They weren’t just sitting around moping & complaining!
• But they were actively involved in seeking out ministry to others.
• They’re hearts were directed toward others and their lives were spent seeking to encourage & uplift! LIVING EXAMPLES OF:
Phil. 2.3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
2. (9-10) We pray exceedingly.
a. It’s just such a joy to hear of your walk in the Lord!
b. Let’s flip over the 3 John 1:4
John says nothing makes me happier than to hear my kids are walking in the truth, living out their Christian faith!
• It brings me great joy and great happiness and life!
• When our kids make the right decisions, man what a joy!
• But when they do dumb things or turn their backs on the Lord or choose a way of life that’s destructive? Sadness & sorrow!
AND SO NIGHT AND DAY we pray for a chance to see you again!
• I so miss the time, Paul says, we spent together in the Lord!
APP: If a person is struggling with being others centered, with serving others, & honoring others, I know where the problem is.
• It stems from a basic lack of prayer, praying for others.
• The praying life leads to a life of wanting to serve and build up and strengthen others.
• As you pray, you see the weakness of a person’s faith.
• Their flesh life is revealed before you.
• And you’re ready to do what Paul wanted… end of v10
1 Thess 3.10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
Since everyone has an area or 2 or 3 or 100 that is lacking in our faith and our walk with Jesus… God sends wonderful, godly men and women our way to help us grow!
• Not to gossip about it, but to pray. Not to expose, but to pray.
1 Samuel 12.23 "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.
AND SO WE SEE in the life of Jesus this same type of prayer…
• Like Paul, he prayed that the disciple’s faith would not fail.
Luke 22.31-32 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
NOTICE v11-13… Oh that you would just increase more & more!
• That your love would increase more and more.
• I know you’re doing good & showing love, but I want you to be better still, never ceasing & always growing.
APP: The Lord is really speaking to us a church here about our love.
• Don’t become comfortable guys.
• Don’t look forward to comfortable lives.
• The comes a point in my walk with the Lord that I say, I’m OK, things are alright, I’m going to pull back a little and coast!
• Then apathy creeps into my heart and there’s no more growth.
• Let’s close with Jeremiah 48.11ff
• Let’s be stirred & poured & used…
• Fears? Let them lead you to prayer and watch how the Lord reminds you of His presence, His purposes, & His promises!
