“Be Ready”
1 Thes. 2:17-3:13
How are you doing?
Intro.
Illus. Beer commercial.
“How are you doing?” “Fine, thanks. I just flew in from Texas to see my brother. Had a great flight. Just checked in the hotel…
Several men came in and asked the same questions. They asked, but didn’t care to know.
The phrase has become a standard greeting, not a question. “How are you doing?” “Fine, thanks.” “Good, how are you doing?”
Paul asks the Thessalonians the same question, but with a very different purpose. He had a great concern for them. He really wanted to know how they were doing. He had probably spent countless days and nights worrying about them. Paul asks them and hears from them and it makes his day! Our passage today is perhaps the most personal of Paul’s whole letter to the Thessalonians (turn to 2:17). Paul opens his heart and shares his great concern for this church. Remember, Paul writes this Letter to a church that was suffering for their faith and wondering if it was worth it. Paul writes to them to encourage and strengthen them in their faith by reminding them that Jesus is coming soon to take them all away from this. He wants them to “be ready” when Jesus returns.
By the way, the chapters and verses in our Bibles are not original/inspired. They were added later to help us in our study. All of the chapter breaks in 1 Thes. end with a reference to Jesus’ Second Coming, but the idea that Paul presents in 2:17 continues until 3:13, so we’re going to look at the whole passage to better understand the context.
Prayer
In this passage, we’re going to see 3 ways in which Paul relates to the Thessalonians. More importantly, this passage is going to force us to take yet another look in the mirror and ask ourselves, “How are we doing”?
I. PAUL IS CONCERNED FOR THEM. 2:17-3:5
A. Because he loves them. (Ch. 2)
17BUT, BROTHERS, WHEN WE WERE TORN AWAY FROM YOU (“made an orphan”, bereaved, separated) FOR A SHORT TIME (IN PERSON, NOT IN THOUGHT),
Note parental language again – made an orphan.
Paul felt like his children had been kidnapped.
B. Because he misses them.
OUT OF OUR INTENSE LONGING WE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO SEE YOU. 18FOR WE WANTED TO COME TO YOU—CERTAINLY I, PAUL, DID, AGAIN AND AGAIN—BUT SATAN STOPPED (hindered) US.
cf. Acts 17:5-9 – Jason posted bail to prevent Paul from returning.
Satan is doing everything in his power to stop the spread of the Gospel. We’re going to look again at Satan’s role in this later on.
C. Because his reward comes from them.
They are his hope and glory.
19FOR WHAT IS OUR HOPE, OUR JOY, OR THE CROWN IN WHICH WE WILL GLORY (lit. “crown of boasting”) IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD JESUS WHEN HE COMES? IS IT NOT YOU?
Crown was symbolic of victory (used in athletic games – cf. Gold Medal). Paul’s reward, his crown of boasting was the people he led to Christ. He’s not bragging here of his own exploits or boasting of the notches in his belt.
Rom. 15:17-18 THEREFORE I GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS IN MY SERVICE TO GOD. 18I WILL NOT VENTURE TO SPEAK OF ANYTHING EXCEPT WHAT CHRIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH ME IN LEADING THE GENTILES TO OBEY GOD…
1 Cor. 1:31 THEREFORE, AS IT IS WRITTEN: “LET HIM WHO BOASTS BOAST IN THE LORD.”
Paul is looking for a reward for his efforts, but that reward is found in the people he leads to Christ.
H.A. Ironside – “Every soul we lead to Christ goes to make up our crown of rejoicing” (1 and 2 Thess., p. 30)
How many of us here have led someone to Christ? How big is our crown?
Can you imagine how exciting it will be to stand before God next to all the people you’ve led to Christ?!
Cinder Barry - "Thanks ever so much for all you’ve done for me. Being there when I needed someone to talk to, listen to, laugh with, and cry with. But most of all, thanks for sharing with me your best friend, Jesus.”
20INDEED, YOU ARE OUR GLORY AND JOY.
Paul’s great passion was to bring people to a passionate relationship with Jesus.
Anyone here who has led someone to Christ can relate to Paul here.
In Ch. 3, we see specifically what Paul is concerned about.
II. HE’S CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FAITH.
3:1SO WHEN WE COULD STAND IT NO LONGER, WE THOUGHT IT BEST TO BE LEFT BY OURSELVES IN ATHENS. 2WE SENT TIMOTHY, WHO IS OUR BROTHER AND GOD’S FELLOW WORKER IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, TO STRENGTHEN AND ENCOURAGE YOU IN YOUR FAITH,
He couldn’t stand not knowing about them. Notice the one key thing Paul is concerned about: His purpose in sending Timothy was to check on their faith. He repeats this idea in v. 5. FOR THIS REASON, WHEN I COULD STAND IT NO LONGER, I SENT TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR FAITH.
In fact, Paul mentions their faith 5 times in this passage:
6BUT TIMOTHY HAS JUST NOW COME TO US FROM YOU AND HAS BROUGHT GOOD NEWS ABOUT YOUR FAITH AND LOVE.
7THEREFORE, BROTHERS, IN ALL OUR DISTRESS AND PERSECUTION WE WERE ENCOURAGED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH.
10NIGHT AND DAY WE PRAY MOST EARNESTLY THAT WE MAY SEE YOU AGAIN AND SUPPLY WHAT IS LACKING IN YOUR FAITH.
Illus. When people ask how our church is doing, what do they want to know? What do we tell them? Numbers, new ministries, growing. Paul started this church and was run out of town. He has a great concern for this church. What is Paul’s greatest concern for them? He wants to know about their faith!
The greatest measurement of our success/growth is not numbers, it’s faith! I would rather see 50 people sold out for Jesus, growing in their faith, than 5,000 people coming to this church and warming a pew!
A. Their faith with regard to suffering.
2WE SENT TIMOTHY… TO STRENGTHEN AND ENCOURAGE YOU IN YOUR FAITH, 3SO THAT NO ONE WOULD BE UNSETTLED BY THESE TRIALS (afflictions).
Paul wrote this letter to encourage them and strengthen them in their faith, esp. in the midst of suffering! He reminds them that his suffering was pre-destined. It wasn’t a surprise.
YOU KNOW QUITE WELL THAT WE WERE DESTINED FOR THEM. 4IN FACT, WHEN WE WERE WITH YOU, WE KEPT TELLING YOU THAT WE WOULD BE PERSECUTED (afflicted). AND IT TURNED OUT THAT WAY, AS YOU WELL KNOW.
1 Thes. is all about enduring through suffering. One great result of suffering is the increasing of our faith.
1 Pet. 1:6-7 IN THIS YOU GREATLY REJOICE, THOUGH NOW FOR A LITTLE WHILE YOU MAY HAVE HAD TO SUFFER GRIEF IN ALL KINDS OF TRIALS. 7THESE HAVE COME SO THAT YOUR FAITH—OF GREATER WORTH THAN GOLD, WHICH PERISHES EVEN THOUGH REFINED BY FIRE—MAY BE PROVED GENUINE AND MAY RESULT IN PRAISE, GLORY AND HONOR WHEN JESUS CHRIST IS REVEALED.
It’s all about faith! (faith with regard to suffering…)
B. Their faith with regard to temptation.
5FOR THIS REASON, WHEN I COULD STAND IT NO LONGER, I SENT TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR FAITH (“to know your faith”). I WAS AFRAID THAT IN SOME WAY THE TEMPTER MIGHT HAVE TEMPTED YOU AND OUR EFFORTS (labor) MIGHT HAVE BEEN USELESS (in vain).
Satan is a powerful foe. He is doing everything in his great power to prevent the spread of the Gospel. He influences people to prevent believers from sharing their faith (cf. last week). He kept Paul from returning to the Thessalonians to encourage them. He tempts believers to fall away and lose their faith.
Michael Holmes “Christians in the United States are in greater danger of being seduced by non-Christian cultural values than of being persecuted by them” (103).
Why is that? Jim Cymbala (Fresh Faith) says it best. “Satan is a thief”. Jn. 10:10 – THE THIEF COMES ONLY TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY.
What is Satan stealing and trying to destroy? Our faith. Why is he bent on robbing us of our faith? Heb. 11:6 WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD.
If we don’t have faith, we don’t have anything. Satan is a powerful foe. He knows what he’s doing. But remember, he’s still on a leash. He can only steal what we let him.
Fresh Faith, p. 20
It’s time we take back what Satan has stolen from us – our faith!
How are we doing? How is our faith? That’s the big question Paul wanted to know.
III. PAUL IS COMFORTED BY THEM. 3:6-9
A. Because their faith is strong.
6BUT TIMOTHY HAS JUST NOW COME TO US FROM YOU AND HAS BROUGHT GOOD NEWS ABOUT YOUR FAITH AND LOVE.
Think of the relief on Paul’s heart to hear that their faith and love are still strong!
B. Because their memories of Paul are strong.
HE HAS TOLD US THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE PLEASANT MEMORIES OF US AND THAT YOU LONG TO SEE US, JUST AS WE ALSO LONG TO SEE YOU.
It’s nice to be missed!
C. Because their faith strengthens Paul.
7THEREFORE, BROTHERS, IN ALL OUR DISTRESS AND PERSECUTION WE WERE ENCOURAGED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH.
Paul sends Timothy to encourage them and he is encouraged in the process. Paul’s one great concern was for their faith. Now that he hears about it, he rejoices even in the midst of continued persecution. It was probably the greatest encouragement he could have received.
8FOR NOW WE REALLY LIVE, SINCE YOU ARE STANDING FIRM IN THE LORD. 9HOW CAN WE THANK GOD ENOUGH FOR YOU IN RETURN FOR ALL THE JOY WE HAVE IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR GOD BECAUSE OF YOU?
cf. 3 Jn. 3-4 IT GAVE ME GREAT JOY TO HAVE SOME BROTHERS COME AND TELL ABOUT YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO THE TRUTH AND HOW YOU CONTINUE TO WALK IN THE TRUTH. 4I HAVE NO GREATER JOY THAN TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN ARE WALKING IN THE TRUTH.
I echo that joy. There is nothing more exciting and fulfilling than leading someone to Christ and helping them to grow and walk in His truth.
How are we doing? Are we an encouragement to those who led us to Christ? Is our faith strong, in the midst of suffering and temptation?
IV. PAUL COMFORTS THEM. 3:10-13
His whole letter is a source of comfort for them, but here he specifically comforts them by praying for them.
A. By praying for their faith.
10NIGHT AND DAY WE PRAY MOST EARNESTLY THAT WE MAY SEE YOU AGAIN AND SUPPLY WHAT IS LACKING IN YOUR FAITH.
Paul can’t wait to see them again. Even though their faith is strong and growing, he realizes they’re not there yet. He knows how crafty the enemy is. We’re not there yet, either. That’s why we must never stop growing in our faith. The best way we grow is by tests and trials.
B. By praying for their reunion.
11NOW MAY OUR GOD AND FATHER HIMSELF AND OUR LORD JESUS CLEAR THE WAY FOR US TO COME TO YOU.
As excited as he is to hear the good report, he still can’t wait to see them again.
C. By praying that their love would increase.
12MAY THE LORD MAKE YOUR LOVE INCREASE AND OVERFLOW FOR EACH OTHER AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE, JUST AS OURS DOES FOR YOU.
“You’re doing great, but keep it up. Don’t stop growing in your faith and love”.
We must never become satisfied with our spiritual growth. The moment we become satisfied we become stagnant and stop growing. When we stop growing, we start dying.
D. By praying that their strength would increase.
13MAY HE STRENGTHEN YOUR HEARTS
Their faith was beginning to waver because of all the trials/persecution they were facing. Paul prays that God would strengthen them so they could run the race and finish the course and claim the prize.
E. By praying that their holiness would increase.
This is actually Paul’s goal for them.
SO THAT YOU WILL BE BLAMELESS AND HOLY IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR GOD AND FATHER WHEN OUR LORD JESUS COMES WITH ALL HIS HOLY ONES.
cf. 2:10 Paul lived as an example to them and encourages them to follow his example.
Once again, at the end of this chapter, he refers to Jesus’ coming. Paul’s greatest concern for this church was that their faith would continue to grow and be strengthened so that they would be blameless and holy when Christ returns. How are we doing? Is our faith and love growing? Are our hearts being strengthened? Are we becoming blameless and holy?
Conclusion
The one thing that concerns Paul most is this church’s faith! I believe it’s the main thing that concerns God most, too.
Did you know there were only two things that amazed Jesus during His earthly ministry?
Lk. 7:9 – amazed at a Roman centurion’s faith (Gentile).
Mk. 6:5-6 – amazed at the Jews’ lack of faith (couldn’t do many miracles there).
Without faith it is impossible to please God!
How’s your first love? Is your faith as strong or stronger today than when you first believed? Can you see any spiritual growth in your life in the past 6 months? Year? How often do you trust God to lead/direct your life, rather than making your own decisions? How often do we go to God first for our decisions? How often do we get stressed out or overwhelmed at life?
If Paul were to write a letter to us, could he say the same things? Is our faith strong in the midst of trials and temptations? Is our faith growing in spite of circumstances? Are we seeking to be blameless and holy when we meet Jesus? Satan has been busy here, hasn’t he? He’s been sowing seeds of discord in our families. He’s been increasing our stress. He has been robbing many of us of our faith. It’s time we took it back.
I believe when we stand before God someday, He isn’t going to ask us how many programs and ministries we had here. He isn’t going to ask us how many people came to church here. He’s not going to look at our attendance or giving records. He’s going to ask us how many people came to Christ here and how many people grew in their faith here.
Recently, we looked closely at Heb. 11, the Hall of Faith. Many of us have had our faith tested recently. Are we passing the test? Has our faith grown or do we have to retest until we get it right?
It’s all about faith, real faith, every day faith. It’s all about being absolutely dependent upon God, trusting His plan in our lives.
Fresh Faith, 44.
How are we really doing?
THE BOTTOM LINE: HOW IS OUR FAITH?
If we’re honest with ourselves, we will admit that it’s not what it should be.
It’s time we took back what Satan has stolen from us. It’s time once again to renew our commitment to Christ, to trust in Him unconditionally, absolutely, without reservation. It’s time once again to be a people of faith.
Prayer
Reflection/Commitment
