1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Maturity

1 Thessalonians 3:6–13 NIV

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. 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. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts 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.

2 points of maturity I want to talk about in this scripture

Standing Firm

Standing firm has everything to do with the foundation in which I am standing

visual example: Two kids, one standing on something solid, one standing on something shaky

Am I standing on truth or a false truth

Paul is talking about standing firm on the Truth of the Gospel

The sacrifice of Jesus has made me right before God

Stand firm in my thoughts of who I am because of the sacrifice of Jesus

Truths:

I am worthy

I am a child of God

I am a new creation in Christ, the old is gone the new has come

I am forgiven

I am chosen

I am loved

I am set apart

What lies or false truths are knocking you down and keeping you from standing firm?

Examples

I am not worthy

I am not loved

I am alone

Life is all about me, selfishness

I am not needed

I don’t belong

Where are these lies coming from?

I am not telling you what you can and can’t do in life, but if you want to be able to stand firm, you are going to need to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He is asking of you. Ask God to reveal where false truths are being poured into you so you can replace them with a fountain of Truth.

What does my life look like when I am not standing firm?

behavior, thoughts, emotions do not imitate Jesus, but the world

Some examples

Language

Sexual Purity

Alcohol

Drugs

Gossip

Slander

The Key to standing firm in the Lord is to know the Truth and surround myself with the truth

If all I do is fill my time with worldly things, or false truths, my ability to stand firm decreases