Thessilonians (4)
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
Staying strong in your faith.
Staying strong in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5 (NKJV)
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.
18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
Intro:
Lets look at last weeks verses.
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
1 Thessalonians 2:17 (NKJV)
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.
Paul, Silas, Timothy had done a great work in Thessalonians. So great that the Jews ran them out of town.
It wasn’t the first time, it wouldn’t be the last.
Paul wanted to stay with and help them grown in their faith.
Paul was very strong in his faith.
He had endured a lot.
He was a Christian father it them.
Think about being a parent and you have to leave your children behind, and move on some where else.
Even for us parents, whose kids are grown, we still think of them as still being kids.
having been taken away from you. (To be ripped away)
During the evil Hitlers time when he tried to eliminate the Jews. He had them hauled off the these camps. Kids would ripped away from the parents. This is how Paul felt.
Paul loved them. Remember he spoke of himself as nursing Mother and a exhorted, and comforted as a Father.
Paul preached the gospel to them. They became followers of Jesus, theirs lives were transformed.
Paul was only with them a few weeks when the persecution started. He had so much more he needed to help them with, so much more to teach them.
Then he had to leave, he was forced to leave.
Paul knew the persecution was getting hard. Elab
His concern was that they may give in. Or just quit.
Paul wanted to see them. He wanted to encourage them.
Just imagine if you could hear Paul’s voice. I believe you would hear passion in his voice.
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.
The New Testament: An Expanded Translation (Chapter 2)
we did our best all the more with much desire to see your face. On this account we set our heart on coming to you.
They may have been away from them physically. But their hearts were with them.
(We have to be careful of something when it comes to service in church. We can be there physically, but our hearts not be there.)
Paul loved them, and having to leave was bad, but having to leave them in danger had to be hard on him.
18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.
Paul had no trouble believing in Satan as a personal active enemy.
His name means “adversary.” The word occurs thirty-six times in the New Testament. He personally tempted Christ. He has about a dozen names.
He is called “the Devil,” that is, the accuser or slanderer.
He is called Beelzebub, that is, lord of the dunghill.
He is called the great dragon and the old serpent.
He is called the tempter, the Evil One, the Enemy.
He is called the ruler of this world, the prince of the power of the air, and the god of this world.
He is called Belial, the worthless one.
As great, powerful, and terrible as he is, however, he is still only a created being.
He was once “the anointed cherub.” He was known as Lucifer, son of the morning, and had his place in heaven with “the sons of God”
Pride was his downfall. He is not to be under estimated.
Still, he is no match for the Holy Spirit.
We are not told exactly how Satan hindered Paul’s repeated attempts to return to Thessalonica.
Satan was behind the ruling of the magistrates in Thessalonica that went to Jason’s house and drug him out into the streets. And forced Paul out of town.
Paul knew the devil was luring around,
Satan will attack us. We have to be ready.
Look at what Paul told the Ephesians
Ephesians 6:10–18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
There is a warfare that is real. VS 12
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Satan is a skimmer. He has a plan. He going to do all He can to disrupt Gods work.
This was Paul’s concern for the Thessalonians. Yes they were going through persecution, they were going through struggles. But how was all of this effecting their faith?
What you are going through, what ever struggles come your way. Death of a loved one, it could be health problems. It could be money problems. Satan will use it to attack you and get you to stop trusting God.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Be strong in the Lord.
Keep your faith in the Lord.
Don’t let the devil and his skims cause you to not trust God.
Paul will send Timothy as we will see.
In Paul’s ministry, through all that he did, he was always mindful of the return of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 (NKJV)
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
Paul was hindered, but Paul was not hopeless.
Hope:
Joy:
Crown of rejoicing: Giving to someone who won a race. You have to finish the race.
Paul wanted to encourage them that Jesus is going to return one day. All that you have done for Jesus, all the suffering you have gone through. You will be rewarded.
Now, make sure you are not depending on your works to get to heaven.
We as Christians will rewarded.
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We need to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk.
How do we conduct ourselves?
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Paul was concerned, he didn’t want them (his children in the faith) to give up or give in. He wanted to be with them, but he was hindered, so he sends Timothy.
1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
Paul, Silas, Timothy are in Athens. They things have gotten bad for the Thessalonians. Why Timothy? Maybe he wasn’t on the for front let Paul and Timothy.
So Timothy goes back.
1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
1 THEREFORE, WHEN [the suspense of separation and our yearning for some personal communication from you] became intolerable, we consented to being left behind alone at Athens.
Paul loved them. He knew that they needed spiritual help. Yes he prayed for them.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
He prayed for them, but he knew the best thing was to be there. So Timothy is sent.
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in [spreading] the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you in your faith,
They needed encouragement. They were being persecuted. But Paul had warned them.
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
Paul let them know, If you are going to follow Jesus, you will face affection.
Paul knew this from experience.
Acts 9:10–16 (NKJV)
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
PGBC Lets move forward. Lets reach the lost for Jesus. Lets help those in need. Let’s encourage one another. Lets helpone another grow in our faith.
But, be ready for the battle.
Even some who may call themselves Christians will attack.
Some teach that when you come to Jesus everything get better. Well in a way it does, but it may get a lot worse.
If you follow Jesus, Satan will follow after you and bring you affliction.
But there some good news. If you are a follower of Jesus, Jesus is with you.
Have you ever had someone tell, “I’ve got your back?”
Jesus has got your back.
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The devil tries to use affliction and presentation to try to get you to not trust God. When what we need to do is cause it to trust God even more.
Satan does not want the gospel shared.
Satan want you to live your life in a way that those that you are around will not want anything to do with Jesus.
Satan wants to divide followers of Jesus.
Paul what them to stay strong in their faith. He didn’t want His work to be in vain.
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
Satan want s to use affection to move you away from the faith.
Jesus wants you and is always with you to keep you strong in your faith.
Lets work together to help one another.
Lets help each other grow stronger.
Lets encourage one another.