A GREAT CONCERN
Notes
Transcript
This morning we will continue in our study of 1 Thessalonians. Here we are learning the depth of love Paul had for the believers in Thessalonica and his desire for their growth in faith. Today we are looking at the love demonstrated by Paul and the importance of having our faith established in Christ.
I. LOVE MOVES US TO SACRIFICE
I. LOVE MOVES US TO SACRIFICE
A. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
B. The love Paul had for the church at Thessalonica was expressed in his desire to see them.
C. That desire was so strong that he speaks of not being able to bear not having some knowledge of what was going on with them any longer.
D. to bear (endure) v. — to endure something unpleasant or difficult whether on one’s own behalf or on behalf of someone else.
E. His was a deep and abiding love.
F. “That love was far more than a mere sentimental desire for social fellowship with the church. It was Paul’s desire to help the Thessalonians fulfill God’s calling to be loyal to the truth and to experience spiritual maturity in their lives.” [1]
G. The team’s desire to see the Thessalonian believers and evaluate their current spiritual well-being was so great that Paul sent Timothy to work with them, thereby leaving himself alone in Athens.
H. The strength of Paul’s love for the believers was such that he sacrificed the assistance and comfort he would receive from Timothy to have him find out the condition of the church in Thessalonica.
I. Love sacrifices for the good of the other.
II. A CONCERN ABOUT FAITH
II. A CONCERN ABOUT FAITH
A. 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
B. Paul was concerned about the content of their faith in Christ.
C. Did that have a solid foundation in place?
D. Paul’s desire was that they would established and exhorted in their faith.
E. What were they believing?
F. Paul was concerned that affliction would undermine their faith in the Lord.
G. “Jewish philosopher Abraham Heschel once said, “words create worlds.” Words do not change created reality, but they do reshape culture and therefore what people think is reality.” Breakpoint Daily April 30, 2021John Stonestreet
H. Knowing the truth is the only way to counteract lies.
I. Paul in verse 3-4 says, “3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
J. Christ prepared his followers for what was coming so that they could have peace in the midst of tribulation.
K. Paul let these new Christians know that affliction would come – to Paul his team, as well has to the Thessalonian church.
L. How would the tempter have tempted them?
M. He would call into question God’s presence and care using ‘if’ questions.
N. Matthew 4:3 (ESV) — 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
O. Temptation is centered on sin. He would tempt them to sin using their desire for safety and acceptance as the means into their hearts and minds.
P. Jesus’ words to the church at Pergamum in Revelation show us speak to our need to hold fast.
Q. Revelation 2:13 (ESV) — 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
R. The faithfulness of those in Pergamum is striking—they persevered even as Antipas sacrificed his life for Jesus’ sake. Antipas is described as a “faithful witness,” the same description given to Jesus Christ in the first chapter (1:5). The word “witness” (martys) didn’t yet have the technical meaning “martyr,” one who gives his or her life for the sake of the gospel. Still, in this case Antipas bore witness with his life, showing his devotion to Jesus presumably by refusing to compromise with the imperial cult.[2]
S. Jesus rebuked this church as well, but here is what Paul desires to be true of the church in Thessalonica, “ Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the Days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.”
T. Antipas’ death could have been used to undermine their confidence in Christ, but their faith was robust enough to hold fast to his name and not deny their confidence.
U. Are we feeding our faith? That means building ourselves up in the faith by asking the Lord to deepen our confidence in him through the testimony of his word.
V. Are the things you know about the Lord the central truths? Are you meditating on him?
W. It is knowing him that enables faith to remain in times of testing and temptation.
COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 10:14–17 (ESV) — 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
[1]MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2002). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (p. 76). Chicago: Moody Press.
[2]Schreiner, T. R. (2018). Revelation. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Hebrews–Revelation(Vol. XII, p. 577). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.