Sermon Tone Analysis

Opening illustration about a moment when you were “holding your breath” for an intense situation/moment.

The outcome was not guaranteed, and you were anxiously waiting to know what would happen.

I enjoy watching sports, and this Christmas we watched the World Juniors.

Canada made it to the final, and were winning 2-0, until the Czech’s tied the game late in the 3rd period.

The game went to OT, and we were sitting on the edge of our seats, holding our breath, until Canada finally scored the game-winning goal!

Have you ever experienced a moment where you were on the edge of your seat, or “holding your breath”?

The closing seconds of a sporting event.

Hearing about a loved one in an accident or other health complication.

A tense situation.

This is what Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were facing as they wondered how the Thessalonians were doing.

They had readily accepted the gospel when they were there, but were they going to be able to handle their first test of pressure from the Jews who were going to try and squash the movement?

This caused Paul and his companions a lot of worry, and they were greatly concerned for them as they prayed for God to strengthen them and hold them fast.

They finally decided to send Timothy to find out how they were doing.

It meant Paul would be without his help, and that Timothy would need to risk his life, but they were willing to take their chances in order to find out how the Thessalonians were doing and help them.

Now, Timothy has come back with the report of how the Thessalonians were doing, and we get the opportunity to see Paul’s response.

The first thing we are going to learn from our passage this evening is that…

We Should Delight in One Another

1 Thessalonians 3:6-8 “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.”

EXPLAIN

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had been worried about the Thessalonians, and finally sent Timothy to find out how they were doing.

They were comforted to know that they had remained committed in their faithfulness to God!

In verse 6, we see FOUR reasons Paul is comforted by hearing about the Thessalonians.

First…

Paul is comforted by their faith.

He is happy to hear of their faith in God.

In difficult circumstances it is easy to feel like God has abandoned you.

As the pressure mounts, and it feels like God is absent, we lose hope and think, “What’s the point?”

This causes many to abandon faith.

But not the Thessalonians!

They have maintained their faith in God, which brings Paul comfort.

Second…

Paul is comforted by their love.

He is happy to hear of their love for one another.

With all of the persecution and suffering that was taking place, we can imagine that there were many opportunities to meet needs of others.

Whether it was providing food or clothing, or a place to stay, they were committed to showing love through their actions.

This is a mark of genuine salvation.

Jesus said they will know you by your love for one another.

1 John 3:18 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

Third…

Paul is comforted that they remember him kindly.

He is happy to hear that they remember all the things he hoped they would remember.

In chapter 2, we talked about the fact that Paul was calling on them to remember:

How hard they worked among them,

How they loved them like a nursing mother,

How they patiently instructed them like a father,

How they were holy, righteous, and blameless while with them.

How they acted with integrity, care, and sacrifice while they were with them.

Now Paul is encouraged and comforted to know that they DID remember!

Fourth…

Paul is comforted that they long to see him.

They desire to see him again, as he longs to see them again.

Not only do they remember their time together fondly, but they are looking forward to the next time they get to spend time together.

This is the mark of a good relationship… when both sides enjoyed the time together so much that they are eagerly anticipating the next visit.

The Thessalonians were so appreciative to Paul for:

Bringing them the gospel,

Patiently teaching and correcting them,

Meeting both their spiritual and physical needs.

Their gratefulness to Paul is seen in their desire to see him again.

For all these reasons, Paul has been comforted, even though, as he says in verse 7, they continue to face ongoing distress and affliction.

1 Thessalonians 3:7 “for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.”

He even goes on to say…

1 Thessalonians 3:8 “For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.”

I think the NLT captures the essence of what Paul means here with this statement…

NLT — “It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.”

For now they have the strength to continue and press on, because the Thessalonians have not departed from the faith, but remain rooted, and are thriving in the Lord.

APPLY

We should delight in one another, which is to have great comfort and joy when others are thriving spiritually.

We’ve seen Paul emphasize FOUR things that we should take delight in, in one another:

faith,

love,

remembering one another, and

longing to see one another.

Is there anything else in this passage that stands out to you?

Or do you have any questions about anything we’ve gone through?

Can you think of some other good reasons to delight in one another that we might add to Paul’s list?

Often times we do not delight in the right things for one another.

Can you think of some wrong things that Christians rejoice in, in one another?

“I’m happy for them, or I am excited because…”

That they have come to my side of the argument.

They see things the way I do.

(Matter of personal preference)

They like the song I sent them.

(This can sometimes offend me… when someone doesn’t like my style music.)

They like the speakers I like.

We ought to make sure that we are focused on the right things.

The things that are most important.

The second thing we are going to learn from our passage this evening is that…

We Should Praise God for One Another

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 “For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?”

EXPLAIN

Paul is over-joyed to learn that the Thessalonians are rooted and established in Christ.

Timothy went there to affirm that they were on the right track and needed to continue persistently, and they were doing so.

This made Paul ecstatic!

He’s saying, “words cannot express my joy.”

Have you ever had a time when you were so excited about something, or so relieved to get good news, that there were no words to adequately express your joy or relief?

Relief at a misdiagnosis

Relieved to hear family member okay after accident

Joy at birth of child

Paul’s thanksgiving resulted in praise to God.