(016) A Great Sacrifice for a Great Treasure (Part 1)
1 Thessalonians | The Anatomy of a Healthy Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 35:47
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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.
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.
1. Paul’s treasure.
1. Paul’s treasure.
“Therefore” - because of something he already said.
Because of the great treasure Paul had in people.
19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1. Paul’s treasure.
1. Paul’s treasure.
These people were the great treasure he would one day present to Christ.
They were the proof he’d served well.
They were Christ’s inheritance.
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Let’s think about this well known verse a little differently.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1. Paul’s treasure.
1. Paul’s treasure.
This truth teaches eternal vs temporary treasure.
But let’s not generalize it.
If my treasure is in my career, that’s where my heart will be.
If my treasure is in money that’s where my heart will be.
If my treasure is in family time, that’s where my heart will be.
If my treasure is in education, that’s where my heart will be.
If my treasure is in a church program I’m involved in, that’s where my heart will be.
If my treasure is in Bible study, that’s where my heart will be.
If my treasure is in people, that’s where my heart will be.
Paul’s treasure was in people so that’s where his heart was.
The easiest way to figure out where our treasure is, is to identify where our heart is.
What consumes your thoughts?
What takes your time and your schedule?
What do you prioritize in your life?
That’s where your treasure is.
Are you chasing trinkets or treasures?
My kids love to buy things at The Dollar Tree.
For the moment it is the coolest thing they own.
Until it breaks.
Because its a trinket.
Are we chasing trinkets or treasures?
Some of our trinkets aren’t bad things, they just won’t last.
Paul was done chasing trinkets.
He had willingly given them up.
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
1. Paul’s treasure.
1. Paul’s treasure.
We don’t have much time.
We need to make sure we are not simply chasing good things but we are chasing the best things.
We need to understand that people are what matter to God.
Is that what our treasure is?
2. Paul’s burden for his treasure.
2. Paul’s burden for his treasure.
The idea of a burden is a pressure.
A pressure that guides us.
It could be your job.
I have a determining pressure to be prepared to preach on Sunday.
We have burdens or pressures in our lives.
Where are my treasure is, my heart is. Where my heart is, my burden is.
Where are my treasure is, my heart is. Where my heart is, my burden is.
This is where his treasure was.
This is where is burden was.
This where his pressure came from.
This burden drove his decisions and the way he ordered his life.
Look at the layout of this passage.
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
This is the first verse. Then we go to the last verse.
Repetition is important to pay attention to.
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. Paul’s burden for his treasure.
2. Paul’s burden for his treasure.
Everything Paul did was because the pressure was too much.
His burden for them was too much.
He had to do something.
The pressure moved the church in Thessalonica up the priority list.
Paul was afraid they wouldn’t make it through the struggle.
It literally means that Paul feared for them or had anxiety for them.
What kind of things give us fear or anxiety?
This too is an indication of our treasures.
If it isn’t a treasure, we don’t worry much about it.
Is there someone outside of your family that you have this amount of concern for their spiritual success.
Paul had already invested time, money, and emotions into them.
This is why disciple-making is so hard.
This is why the idea of making good genuine friends is hard.
3. Paul’s sacrifice for his treasure.
3. Paul’s sacrifice for his treasure.
A. Paul’s sacrifice was to be abandoned.
A. Paul’s sacrifice was to be abandoned.
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
A. Paul’s sacrifice was to be abandoned.
A. Paul’s sacrifice was to be abandoned.
The idea is abandoned or orphaned.
He was willing to serve without Timothy for the sake of his people.
Paul gave up a trusted companion in a difficult situation in Athens.
Travel during Paul’s time was dangerous.
It was less dangerous in a group.
Now Paul only has Silas and Timothy is alone.
God might not be asking us to be be abandoned for someone else, but…
What amount of sacrifice are we willing to make to develop someone in the will of God?
What sacrifice are we willing to make to lead someone to Christ?
What sacrifice are we willing to make to make sure someone else finishes well?
B. Paul’s sacrifice was to send.
B. Paul’s sacrifice was to send.
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
B. Paul’s sacrifice was to send.
B. Paul’s sacrifice was to send.
Timothy sacrificed as well.
He left his mentor and friend.
He willingly traveled into known persecution.
This cost both time and money.
Athens to Thessalonica is just over 300 miles.
5 hours by car.
3 weeks on foot.
Paul didn’t just pray.
Paul did something.
Paul gave something.
This was a costly investment.
It was driven by Paul’s burden.
This cost time.
This cost money.
This cost Paul and Timothy emotionally.
But it was worth it for the treasure.
What are you and I willing to sacrifice for others?
What are we already sacrificing for our treasure?
Conclusion:
There was no doubt that Paul’s treasure was people.
Why? Because of his actions.
He demonstrated it.
He proved it.
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Questions for the week:
Is my treasure the right thing or is it a trinket?
How do I know my answer it right?
If my treasure is not in the right place, what are some specific action steps to reorder my life, so it is?
