Others Focused Technology
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Others Focused Technology
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
ICC’s Sunday PM service (6/12/22)
I. Introduction
1. Prayer
i. Lord, allow us to understand the truth
2. Catch- Technology can be good
i. On March 23, 2020, Tim Challies posted a blog entitled
How the World Worshipped on One of the Most Unusual Sundays in Church History
ii. Where on a typical Sunday Christians rise in their homes and soon gather for corporate worship, on this Sunday Christians rose in their homes and then stayed there—many to worship virtually through recorded or live-streamed services”
iii. We all know if a lockdown had happened like this even 10-15 years ago, how much more personally devastating it would have been for people’s lives
1. Technology was used to keep discipleship, fellowship, and just sanity going for so many of us.
2. But that same technology that allows livestreaming is used for sexual immorality
iv. Paul wans us to use technology to point each other to Christ, not sin
3. Review on the book
i. Last time we look at Paul’s opposition to Satan by seeking to be with the Thessalonians in person
1. His love compelled him to want to be face to face with them
2. But Satan kept him away somehow
3. Yet Paul still desperately wanted to see them so that he could have the rewards from Jesus for His service in their lives
ii. We talked about how on screen or long distance technology will never be good enough for church
iii. But I promised that we would not just bash technology but today get back to how Paul used it well
3 ways to battle Satan when we use technology to communicate from afar
3 ways to battle Satan when we use technology to communicate from afar
1. Distant communication should be purposefully personal (1-2a)
1. Distant communication should be purposefully personal (1-2a)
i. Explanation
1. He ended verse 20 saying you are our glory and joy and thus started chapter 3 with “therefore,” pointing that his loved would compel him forward.
2. His love for them made him concerned to know what was happening
a. As we previously saw Paul had founded the church in Thessalonica
b. But riots had started and he was sent off, so he didn’t get to finish their theological education
c. Thus praised God over and over again that he heard that they were doing well
3. That worry lead him to a great sacrifice, being alone in Athens
a. We must turn to Acts 17 to understand
i. Acts 17 has Paul feeling Thessalonica then going to Berea in v10
Acts 17:14- Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.
ii. Paul went on to Athens alone, leaving Timothy and Silas at Berea. From Athens he sent for them (17:15)
iii. Verse 16 then tells Paul was greatly burdened by this city and it’s idolatry
Acts 17:16- Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
iv. Acts doesn’t say that Paul sent them from Athens, but don’t’ see them arriving until Acts 18:5
1. Some believe Luke has omitted the journey of Timothy to Athens and back to Thessalonica
2. Or perhaps he Paul is simply saying he was in Athens alone because they never joined him to help instead
b. Either way, Paul was willing to sacrifice Timothy’s help to hear about them
i. Remember, this is not easy.
the people of Athens were cultured people who would regard Paul's message as unacceptable in polite society
Paul knew he was walking into a hard place
ii. But he would do it anways
4. So Paul sent Timothy, reminding them of how valuable he’s
a. He is a brother, a trusted family member who stuck by Paul’s side even when many abandoned him.
i. As proverbs wisely said Paul found a gift
Proverbs 18:24- A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
b. He is a coworker, reminding us of Paul’s team mindset
c. This is Timothy who Paul said was his great representative
1 Corinthians 4:17- That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
d. Paul did not do what was easy, but was necessary to help them
ii. Illustration
1. Too often when it comes to technology we do not like something new because it is different and we’re afraid of what the change will cost
a. When ATM machines were first introduced the tellers who handled money were Speculating about who among them would lose their job to the tireless machines that never made mistakes
b. . What they didn't know was that the opposite would happen. Over the next thirty years, the number of tellers in America increased
c. It turns out that fewer tellers per branch meant banks could create new branches more cheaply--so they did.
d. The technology wasn’t just about making this easier, but it created more business opportunities
2. Sometimes we shouldn’t be so afraid of what could go wrong that we don’t start to ask why we should
iii. Application
1. Why is this technology, chris?
a. Because he was using one of the most important pieces of technology at the time
b. The roman roads were amazing combinations of sand, then pieces of stone and rock in concrete, then crushed stone in concrete, and finally a paved surface. Drainage was provided,
c. where the roads went into the cities, there were raised walkways for pedestrian
d. A courier could cover 75 miles
e. Travelers seem to have accomplished sixteen to twenty miles a day on an average Roman road
f. And Paul took advantage of this technology to send his brother to help the church
2. Too often, we jump over the simple commands of the bible in trying to figure out 10 rules for how to use my cellphone or have a good conversation
3. Instead the bible gives us a priority
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
a. Do you get that, we should be thinking about what is eternally important… what will matter in heaven.
b. Paul, that meant using Timothy and writing a letter, the most advance communication technology at the time
4. Notice how different that is from us
a. Too often we use text messages instead of a phone call because it is quicker… there is no, Hi, how are you doing, but instead we can just skip to the information.
b. So, we need to ask the question when it comes to technology… how can I use this to point others to heaven where Christ is at?
c. Perhaps a text message is the best way to communicate with someone with young kids at home who cannot answer a phone
or maybe you should make time for an hour phoen call with your grandma.. it’s about others
5. WE should be purposeful in our use, often allowing it to take work and hurt a little
Trans: Paul purposefully sent a person, Timothy to help them, and Timothy had a purpose.
2. Distant communication should be encouraging and edifying (2b-3)
2. Distant communication should be encouraging and edifying (2b-3)
i. Explanation
1. In the second part of verse 2 he tells them what Timothy was sent to do
establish and exhort their faith
a. Establish means to strengthe or build up
b. Exhort is means come alongside
c. These are the same words used in 2:12 about the father like ministry that called them to live a worthy life
d. He wants them strengethed in their trust of Jesus Christ… that he is better
e. He wants them to remind themselves of the gospel
i. That they were those who went against God’s ways
ii. That because they spat in God’s face by trying to be good enough or rejecting his ways
iii. And so everyone is rightly under his just punishment
iv. You and I deserve hell, forever for breaking the eternal God’s eternally good laws
v. But God doesn’t leave us that way…
1. God gave us his son
2. he sent his son to live the way we should
3. He died the death we deserve
4. And because of Him we to not just be forgiven, but be adopted into God’s family
5. As Paul wrote to the Romans
Romans 8:32- He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
f. They needed to be built up in thie faith
2. But verse 3 explains… so that no one be moved by these afflictions
a. I don’t know about you, but when I think be moved by afflictions, I picture a boat is a storm be tossed so that the anchor is dragged along
b. But that is the wrong idea because be moved doesn’t be forced, it means allured… .” The Greek is literally said of dogs wagging the tail in fawning on one
i. The thought is that while the Thessalonians were in the middle of their troubles, some of their enemies might sweet talk them
ii. Perhaps while the Gentiles were persecuting them some of the Jews spoke kindly to them (or Paul feared that they would) with a view to persuading them to accept Judaism and reject Jesus
iii. The power of comfort is often much greater than continued torture
iv. Thomas Cranmer experienced this
i. He is taken out of a dungeon and placed in a nice church
ii. He could walk the gardens, play golf, have great theological conversations, and had every delicacy he could want.
iii. The queen was smart, she didn’t get enough out of him by threat of death, so she would get it out my comfort
2. At threat of this all being removed, he truly falls
a. The great scholars tell him, see the queen has given you so much, if you condemn this Luther heresy you will be restored
b. So he signs another recantations where he cursed Luther and the reformers
3. The reminder Timothy needed to give to them was that it should not be a surprise for a christian to suffer
a. These were not epic persecutions, but peculiar difficulties which they face as Christians in the midst of a secular society which acknowledges a different set of values
b. To be a christian means to follow Jesus, to become like him, and he was crucified
Romans 8:17- and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
c. “Can we wish, if it were possible, to walk in a path strewed with flowers when His was strewed with thorns?”- John Newton
4. The destiny of all who follow Christ is the cross
ii. Illustration
1. Technology can be good or bad as all of it is merely a tool
a. I know we look = two people out on the date and they’re looking at their phones, scrolling mindlessly through something while ignoring each other
b. A, yes When technology has distracted us to the point that we no longer examine it, it gains the greatest opportunity to enslave us
c. But did you know people have always worried about that
d. But Socrates was so worried about the damage that writing could cause that he never wrote any of his own ideas down
2. We could say the same thing about using phones instead of writing letters, or using a car instead of walking… for all technology, we must ask what are we using it for
iii. Application
1. A theology of technology
a. In the beginning God told Adam and Eve that they were not to leave the world as they found it, but control it
Genesis 1:28- And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
i. That command implied technological advances that would make all of this work possible through stone tools, then copper tools, and then iron tools.
Today, chefs and cooks reorder the raw materials of foods into delicious meals. Framing carpenters reorder raw materials of lumber and nails to form homes. Pharmaceutical chemists reorder organic and synthetic elements into healing drugs.
ii. Technology is a biblical command
b. Technology pushes back the results of the fall
i. Remember the curses? Eve would have pain in childbirth and the ground would fight Adam
ii. Do you know what helps us with that? Technology.
1. Farming is easier now and women do not die in pregnancy as much
iii. Technology exists to make lives better
1. n the 16th century, Christians saw the opportunity afforded by the printing press and soon used it to print and spread God’s Word
2. In the 20th century, Christians saw the opportunity afforded by radio and soon used it to broadcast the good news all over the globe with countless thousands being saved. In the 21st century, we have seen the creation of many apps and devices that include the Bible, theological study tools, and other prayer and devotional guides
c. But technology can be abused
i. Its not just the internet, but the tower of babel itself was man attempting to say we can do better than God
ii. But God shut it down.. he’s in control
2. So, technology should follow the summary of God’s law
a. Love God with all our heart soul and mind
b. Love our neighbor as ourselves
c. Technology should be about building something
d. Technology should be used to remind us that this world is not our home… maybe especially when it doesn’t work properly
e. It should be about helping others, not just getting our comfort
Paul used this long distance communication to purposefully encourage them, but 3rd
3. Distant communication should point to the in person (4-5)
3. Distant communication should point to the in person (4-5)
i. Explanation
1. From the very beginning of Paul preaching the gospel to them he said, to follow Christ is to suffer afflction
and they knew this
a. Chapters 1-2 were all about Paul’s personal face to face ministry that existed with them
b. And ministry that had to come to and end
2. So, in verse 5 Paul explains again his worry and deep desire to get and update
3. He’s worried the tempter had tempted them
a. Thus we finally get to the part where this technology is opposing Satan the same one who hindered him in v18
b. And remember what kind of temptation he refered to previously… something good
c. This is the angel of light disguise that he offers something they would like
d. Like he did in the garden, he would say what the sin offered, but lie about what it would cost…
i. And he does this still today
4. If they succeded, then Paul would feel like all their work was wasted…
a. So, he sends Timothy who had already known them to reinforce what they had previously said
b. The truth is reinforced in person
ii. Illustration
1. So much of communication is lost when we’re not fully there, right?
a. Our personality will come through to some extent in an email message or a tweet. But we are holistic beings: we have feel- ings, thoughts, imaginations, and bodies.” When we remove part of our embodied personhood, misunderstandings become easier. When we trade our physical arms that cross, eyes that linger, ears that detect sarcasm, and vocal tones that imply patience for the two- dimensional avatar, we invite misunderstanding and tension.
2. Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink [modern technology for John]. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete” (2 John 12). face-to-face fellowship had to follow.
iii. Application
1. On the internet today you can find all kinds of preacher, bible teachers, and spiritual gurus
a. There are some bad ones and the danger is if you google enough, you can find someone who will tell you want you want to hear
b. Notice that Paul is using technology to tell them what they’ve always heard
c. But encouragement to you, if you hear something from someone via internet, TV, or in some conference and it’s different from what you’ve heard taught before you should be very careful
2. Good technology should drive people to serve in their local places all the better
a. I just texted some friends this week, asking how things are going in their churches because I want that… I want to them to serve well there
III. Therefore
1. If these things are true (Cohesion)-
i. Using technology cannot just be go with the flow, but must be purposefully personal as we look for eternity
ii. The goal must be encouraging and edifying, the same as the great command
iii. And it must reinforce the desire to be in the local place
2. We know we must (Resolution)-
i. We do not need to fear technology
ii. The story of people coming to help the tittles who they met through online homeschooling groups
There New York Times article discussing how preteen children interact online and via text messaging.
The author begins by describing how teens chat on Facebook late into the night, and her tone suggests that she disapproves of this new way of interacting through technology.
She then laments, “Children used to actually talk to their friends. Those hours spent on the family princess phone or hanging out with pals in the neighborhood after school vanished long ago.”
. But did you notice how she paired “hanging out with pals in the neighborhood after school” with “hours spent on the phone” as if both were equally nontechnological?
. She goes on to wonder if texting is healthy and questions whether her children will be able to relate properly as they grow older. Yet, at the same time, spending “hours on the phone” seems like a perfectly normal—even good—way for kids to relate and communicate with one another.
iii. Just because something is new doesn’t mean it can be used
IV. Closing prayer