The senior pastor of a church was doing the children’s sermon one day at the service. He had decided to talk to the kids about how to write a good sermon, in hopes of inspiring some to grow up and go into the ministry. So he asked the children, "What makes a good sermon?"
Of course all the little kids raised their hands high and proud. "Yes Johnny?" Johnny said, "Well, it has to have a good beginning." "That’s right, Johnny," replied the preacher. "We call that the introduction. What else, kids? Yes, Sue?" the preacher said. "Well, it has to have a great ending," said Sue. "You are so right the preacher responded, we call that the conclusion, and it is one of the most important parts. Anyone else?"
Little Billy had his hand up, so the preacher called on him. "Yes Billy?" "Well, I know you don’t do it this way, but the introduction and the conclusion should be as close together as possible!"
Well as a fairly new dad I have realized that Children grow not only in size, but in motor skills, mentally and humour and in so many other ways! If we all gained as much knowledge, as adult, as children do in their first 5 year we would be overwhelmed I think.
Parents have a role to guide them in this learning. I was trying to teach Josh how to sit these last couple weeks, but he is not sure sitting is for him. He does fine for a bit then flings himself flat on his back. I have to catch him…
Before a child can walk, he must learn to stand. Usually the father and mother teach the child to stand by holding on to a foot rest or a couch and then try to get them to take one step then another, then another. Eventually they may get the child to walk back and forth between two adults. And then there is the solo run and then… they never stop running…
Children are born with instinct, but the parent’s guidance is always needed so that they learn faster and safer. Well Paul was the “spiritual parent” to the believers in Thessalonica, but he had been forced to leave Thessalonica. How, then, could he help these young Christians learn to stand in the trials of life? Well let’s read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 to get a glimpse of this: (Let me read from the Message)
1-2 So when we couldn’t stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn’t be discouraged by these hard times. He’s a brother and companion in the faith, God’s man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.
3-5 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You’ve always known that we’re in for this kind of thing. It’s part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it’s happened, you know what it’s like. That’s why I couldn’t quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn’t want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.
6-8 But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It’s especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you! In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you’re doing keeps us going. Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.
9-10 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.
11-13 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.
Do you see Paul coming forth as a spiritual parent in the lives of the Thessalonians? Kind of protective! It may be like when you have lead someone to faith in Christ. You want them to get the right teaching…or if you have been a parent you want what is best for the little ones…right? Or if your Children went off to college you may have been like Paul waiting for a report on how your kids were doing… What are they into? Are they behaving?
I believe the key to this passage is found in verse 8. In the Message it says: just knowing how you’re doing keeps us going. Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive. In the NIV it says: 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
Ultimately, Paul’s concern as a Spiritual parent, turns into delight, when he knows those coming up in the faith are standing strong. If you have ever mentored someone if you ever had children growing up…you want them to make good choices…good decisions. Paul is no different…he is following up with his children in the faith.
I. He Sent Them a Helper (vv. 1-5)
The first thing Paul does as we said…he sends them a helper. We read that Paul knew they would have trials and he Sent Timothy to help them in their journey.
Many translations miss the “therefore” and the beginning of chapter 3, but it is there in the Greek…(dia)…When it says “therefore we have to ask what is that “therefore”…”therefore”
Well the last few verses of chapter 2 talks about Paul’s longing, love for these people and how these people faith in Christ is a real joy to him. So…Therefore… Paul is sending Timothy because of his great love for the people…Do you see how chapter 2 just runs into chapter 3..
Paul send’s Timothy a person proven in service to the Lord. Paul as a mentor would not trust this task to anyone, but verse 2 says that Timothy is a brother and God’s co-worker.
Paul, because of the Spiritual parent that he is, is sending the right guy…verses 3-5 Paul is acknowledging that the people knew that things would not be easy…Paul said when he was with the Thessalonians he kept telling them they would be persecuted for their faith…that they could suffer for their faith… Why, it happened to Paul.
They had not gone into this faith blindly…they knew it would be tough…and Paul also knew so he wanted to send them encouragement…
Paul does not deny this suffering, but he wants to encourage in light of this suffering… Trials and circumstances are going to arrive in our lives… We are not immune to suffering…Philippians 1:29 states we should even expect it as believers… For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. However, right now in our place in history we really do not experience persecution for our faith like these people have.
I have heard some Christians say when Government passes a new law that believers are being persecuted…however most of these believers would never take a verbal stand in public so persecution is affecting their ideals, not so much their physical sense…maybe we should push a little more as believers. When I was in Saskatchewan this past week I was surprised that school districts in some areas are still allowing the Lord’s prayer every morning to be played over the intercom… There was a lady that was fighting this in her area because she felt it was persecution for her family…People were taking a stand however…
In the previous chapter Paul noted the persecution of the Satan as well. So sending Timothy as a support was for more than one type of persecution. Timothy’s task was to establish these believers and encourage them in their faith. It is faith in God that keeps our feet on the ground when the enemy attacks. Without faith in God we are defeated, before the battle even begins.
II. Timothy reports to Paul (vv. 6-8)
Well in verses 6-8 we see Timothy returning to Paul with the news on how things are going with the people of Thessalonica and Paul is encouraged. Timothy reported that the new believers were standing firm in faith in spite of persecution.
And 1 Thessalonians is the letter Paul is writing in response to Timothy’s report. 1 Thessalonians is one letter written and the reason why is the report from Timothy. Cause and effect…
Now even though this was written by Paul, we believe that all Scripture is God Breathed…it did not just happen by chance…God had His hand on the writing of the Bible. Sure we see different writing styles throughout and that is because God also used others to write what He inspired and so we see the personalities of the different writers coming through… We believed God inspired…not dictated…
Well knowing that this is God’s inspired Word is so important here. This suggests that God’s Word is one of the best tools for establishing new Christians in the faith. When Jesus was tempted He used the Word of God from the Old Testament to defeat Satan.
The Bible is not simply a book of religious ideas or good moral advice; it is the very Word of God. And First Thessalonians is no exception…It is saturated with truth that is seen throughout Scripture…Many major doctrines of the faith are touched on. A knowledge of the Bible is essential for spiritual growth and stability.
God’s Word is food to nourish us, light to guide us, and a weapon to defend us. Well…Paul sent them a man, Timothy, and that man established them in the Word. With Paul’s letter, the Word of God they continued to been encouraged. When we encourage others there is no better way to do that then with the Word of God. Share a verse, spread the Word…
III. He Prayed for Them (vv. 9-10-13)
Well verses 9-10 shows us a very important transition…Paul prayed. The Word of God and prayer should go together. Paul said in verses 9-10 to recap: 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
In verses 9-13 we see 3 specific things that Paul prays for and I will read that at the end as our benediction….
1. In verse 10 Paul prays that their faith might mature…He prays that whatever is lacking will be filled…And for us as well…there is always need for and growth in our faith.
2. Secondly, in verse 12 Paul prays that their love might abound… The Bible sure mentions love a lot…maybe there is something to loving our brother…
a. I think Paul might be saying this because sometimes when we go through rough things we can tend to be closed in and maybe even selfish.
b. Sometimes people that are suffering can become self-centered.
c. Some people build walls in time to trial, and shut themselves off.
d. However, others build bridges and draw closer to the Lord and His people. This was Paul’s prayer for these believers, and God answered it.
e. Our growing faith in God ought to result in a growing love for others. And a true Christian love is shown not only to believers but also “toward all men”
f. We love one another, but we also love the lost and our enemies.
3. Thirdly in verse 13 we see the reason we need to grow in our faith and love one another…It is a big step towards Holy living…holiness. 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
As believers we know that Jesus will one day return to this earth to gather His saints and judge the wicked and this should be our motivation to live holy lives. If we truly believe the words of the song: Better is one day in your house than thousands elsewhere then we can grasp what Paul is calling us to here. A life of holiness…
Well, Paul prayed that the Thessalonian would grow in their faith, and that their love will abound, and that they will strive to live holy lives. What a great prayer! As believers we should feel the same call to pray for others in this way. For those we mentor, for those younger in the faith, for our children… Faith, Love and Holiness… Do you feel it…Will you do it? Who are you a spiritual parent too?
Conclusion
Text Illustration:
In conclusion I want to read something called "How’s Your Faith?" by Victor Knowles. Paul, as a spiritual parent, was concerned about the Thessalonian’s faith. Five times in our passage he mentions their faith. How is you’re faith this morning? Knowles says there are many degrees of faith…Notice the different degrees of faith.
Which is yours?
I. Dead Faith (James 2:17,20,26),
II. Little Faith (Matthew 6:30),
III. Weak Faith (Rom. 4:19),
IV. Increasing Faith (Luke 17:5),
V. Obedient Faith (Heb. 11:8),
VI. Working Faith (Gal. 5:6),
VII. Growing Faith (2 Thess. 1:3),
VIII. Strong Faith (Rom 4:20),
IX. Great Faith (Matthew 8:5-10),
X. Mustard Seed Faith (Matthew 17:20),
XI. Perfect (Complete or Accomplishing Its Destined Purpose;
James 2:22),
Luke 18:8 states: I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Two questions this morning:
1. If the Lord should come today, what degree of faith would He find in you?
2. And what are you doing to encourage others in their faith?
