“THE JOY OF SEEING YOU GROW” 1 Thess. 3:6-13
FBCF – 3/1/26
Jon Daniels
INTRO – How many of you have something like this in your home, or, if your kids are grown now, had this in your home? (show pics of doorframes).
As parents, we want to see the progress of our children’s physical growth. And our kids want to see it – competing w/ other siblings & even parents (show Reece Sandifer’s pic). It’s one indicator that they are healthy, progressing the way they’re supposed to. Celebrate when the mark is a little higher than it was a couple of months ago. Brings joy to us & to them.
That’s what our children’s growth does. It brings joy to us – happiness to them – a bit of bittersweetness, too, as we see our little ones growing into young men & women. They go from being totally dependent on us for everything to thinking they can do anything they want w/out our assistance (usually happens around their 12th-13th bday!).
Parents want to see their kids grow. Sometimes a child’s growth stops or slows down for any number of reasons. Maybe you’ve dealt with this at some point w/ your child:
- Maybe there was a hormone deficiency or some type of genetic disorder
- Certain diseases can slow a child’s growth
- The term “failure to thrive” is also used to describe a growth disorder due to inadequate nutrition
- Sadly, a child’s growth can be stunted due to severe emotional stress or an environment in the home that lacks the strong, loving nurture that a child needs.
- All of these need to be addressed by a medical professional who can diagnose & treat the condition
If your child stops growing physically, you’re going to do something about it ASAP. If you’ve stopped growing spiritually, you need to do something about it ASAP – TODAY!
Continue 1 Thess, “Handbook for the Christ-follower.” Today, let’s talk about spiritual growth.
EXPLANATION – 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Spiritual growth is when Christ-followers are maturing & becoming more like Jesus. They’re moving from being self-centered to being Christ-centered & Spirit-led. The fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control – becomes increasingly evident in their lives. They desire to serve God more than they desire to serve themselves. They grow deeper in wisdom & are more consistently applying biblical truths to their daily lives. They live w/ a heart of gratitude, a heart of forgiveness, & a heart of compassion for those in need. Generosity w/ their financial resources becomes a hallmark of their lives, & they love to serve the Lord & serve others. And they have a thriving heart for evangelism & discipleship. They grieve over their sin, grieve over the lostness of our world, & grieve that they can’t do more to serve the Lord.
Do you see Paul’s joy as he watched the Thessalonians believers growing in their walk w/ Jesus?
- 1:2 – He constantly thanked God for them
- 2:13 – He thanked God again b/c they had received the W of G from him & accepted it as the W of G.
- 2:19-20 – He told them that they were his hope & joy & crown of boasting, his glory & joy. He rejoiced over them in this life & he looked forward to the day when he would rejoice over them in the very presence of Jesus.
Spiritual growth should excite every Christ-follower – our own spiritual growth & the spiritual growth of others. And not only should it excite us, it is also expected of us. One of the biblical descriptions of the moment of salvation is being “born again” (John 3:3). The moment that we give our lives to Christ, we are born again & become a babe in Christ, a newborn Christ-follower. And just as we a newborn baby to grow physically, we should also expect that a newborn baby Christ-follower to grow spiritually.
- 1 Peter 2:2 – “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment…” (NLT)
APPLICATION – Spiritual growth brings great joy.
Here are 3 areas where we can find joy in growth:
GROWING IN FAITH & LOVE – v. 6-7 – Timothy reported 2 things to Paul about the Thessalonians:
Their faith was growing – They were standing fast in their faith. The Gk word for “faith” here is used over 230 times in the NT & describes a steadfast commitment to Christ. Describes a faith that isn’t just talked about – it is lived out. And that’s what they were doing – living it out – not buckling under the persecution that was growing – not keeping their mouths shut about the Gospel of Jesus – not missing out on opportunities to worship Jesus. They were staying in the Word, staying in the presence of God, & staying steadfast in their love for Him & for others – which leads to the 2nd thing Tim reported:
Their love was growing – Their agape’ was growing – their selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. They were ministering to other, meeting the needs of others, & making sure that they were doing everything they could to embrace & embody the incredible love of God. They were doing what the Apostle John wrote about in 1 John 3:18 – “Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, & show it by our actions.”
How about you? Is your faith growing? Is your love growing? Story of a man who sees a book titled "How to Hug" in a used bookstore window. Goes in to buy it, only to discover it is Volume 7 of a set of encyclopedias, & this volume covered the topics from "How" to "Hug." Book is full of information but lacks the actual affection.
Unfortunately, that can describe our faith & love. We can be full of words but lacking in action. Is the faith & love you profess loud on Sunday morning, but extremely quiet the rest of the week? Our faith & love grow as we hear the Word, believe the Word, & live out the Word.
GROWING IN STANDING FIRM – v. 8 – Evidence of the Thessalonians growing faith & love was seen in the way that they were “standing fast” in the face of opposition. What an encouragement to Paul! He had been beaten up & beaten down physically, emotionally, & spiritually. He had been “shamefully treated” (2:2), humiliated, & hindered by human enemies & by our archenemy, Satan. Paul, the pastor & apostle, needed some encouragement – YES! Pastors need that sometimes, too! And when he found out from Timothy that these young believers @ Thess were getting it & growing & standing firm in their persecution, it brought life back to his soul – “For now we live…” “we REALLY live” (NASB).
The picture of standing firm is that of an army that refuses to retreat even though it is being constantly assaulted & attacked by the enemy forces. They were not backing down or backing away no matter how fierce the bombardment was.
- Told Corinthians to stand firm – 1 Cor. 16:13 – “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” (NLT)
- Galatians 5:1 – “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm…” (NASB)
- Eph. 6:11 – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (NASB)
- Phil 1:27 – “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” (NIV)
When you are growing in your faith & love by getting into the Word & living it out, you’ll grow stronger in places where you used to be weak, stouter in places where you used to wobble, & solid in places where you used to be broken. And in the process, you’ll encourage & bring joy to others around you. No, you’re not living for Jesus to receive the praise of man. But you ARE living for Jesus to help others to live for Him, too! The place where you are standing firm may be just the place where they are struggling. The way you are standing firm may be the very thing that they are praying about in their own life. The temptation you are resisting may be the very place they are falling short & they need to see someone else walking in victory over that sin. Keep growing in standing firm!
GROWING IN HOLINESS – v. 11-13 – P concludes this passage by praying that the Lord would work in their lives in a mighty way & get them ready to meet Jesus. Knowing that Jesus is coming again soon is a powerful incentive to live a life of holiness.
- 1 Peter 1:15 – “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
To be holy means to be set apart, separated to the Lord to live for Him & for His glory. As we grow in our walk w/ the Lord, we will grow in living a life of holiness. When we’ve been changed on the inside, it will show on the outside more & more. Christians aren’t sinless, but they should sin less. We are all going to stumble in sin, but our lives should not be characterized by habitual, unrepentant sin. May not be saved if that’s your life.
- A first-grade student was asked, "What is a saint?" Recalling the sanctuary windows, he replied, "A saint is someone the light shines through".
- Is the light of Jesus shining through you?
CONCLUSION – Friday “PrayDay” – ask the Lord what He would have me pray for you as I pray through the church roll. Write that word at top of first page. This past Friday – “strength.” No matter what you are going through, prayed that the Lord would give you the strength you need.
- Strength over worry & anxiety
- Strength over temptation & sin
- Strength in the storm you’re walking through right now – health struggles, family struggles, work struggles, financial struggles
- Strength in your daily walk w/ Jesus
But the way that you will be strong is to keep seeking the Lord w/ all your heart – to keep growing in faith & love – keep growing in standing firm – keep growing in holiness.
