1 Thessalonians 3

Our Appointment with Affliction does not License us to Isolation from the Church, but proves our need for connection with God and community

My heart aches for those of you with that last song- felt like the the Lord reminded me that sometimes during those songs where we’re singing of the Lord’s faithfulness that it feels like we’re singing someone else’s song- that we can’t think of how the Lord has been faithful in our own lives. if you’re in that place of suffering and heartache and you just can’t see through the fog right now, remember Jesus. Remember Him going to the cross and paying your debt because He loves you, and will never stop loving you.

Read Verses 1-4

Paul was deeply concerned about how the church was doing. So concerned about how they were doing since they had not been with the church as long as paul had wanted.

I love the commendation Paul gives Timothy as he sends Timothy to the church- calling him a brother and minister and fellow laborer in the gospel. When someone new shows up in your life, i think it’s easy to just put our guard up and not let people in- right?

We’re such an on guard sort’ve a culture right now. It takes one of two things to get people to trust you and open up- real time and consistency in relationship, or someone you trust already giving you their “sign-off” that they’re authentic and trustworthy.

I’m gonna ask you guys a question and i want responses, raise your hand and give me your thoughts. Here’s the question: How do you guys know or judge if someone is authentic and genuine?

I think the way we can tell someone is authentic or genuine, is by how they treat those they are already in relationship with.

How do they speak of the people close to them?

Do they give in to the gossip if they’re in different group? Or do they shut it down immediately?

If you guys want to know if I’m authentic or genuine- you probably wouldn’t just be evaluating the things i say or do (which is good), but also how i am with my wife, my daughter, my closest friends.

But then that begs the question- how do you guys see that? How do you know how i am with those closest to me?

The answer is- if you want to know, you need to

I think we often stay in the evaluating stage of other people with a closed door- and we’re sort’ve peering out of the window with the lights off and curtain tucked over our head lookin crazy. Because we’re trying to protect ourselves from anyone and anything.

And i think that’s the reason why this culture is so lonely right now. In fact, “A study done by newport institute in 2024 In young adults, showed loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts, with one study reporting a 16 times higher risk of death by suicide among lonely young adults” PAUSE.

Guys i understand the fear or uncomfortability associated with meeting new people, opening up to people you haven’t known that long. It’s true, we are to guard our heart, we are to be discerning and wise with our relationships. But the people of God- other Christians- are here to receive you, and love you, and build you up in your fatih in Jesus.

That’s verse 2 of our text- Paul knew the church was going through hard times and struggling- so he sent not only a letter of encouragement, but his “son in the faith” to establish and encourage them. Open up to the people in this room, pursue relationship, and let the Lord use others to establish and encourage you.

In verse 3 Paul was telling the church not to be discouraged by how much suffering he has endured- because as a believer, he knew he was appointed to that. He even prophesied it to the church that he was going to suffer. We see this in acts chapter 9, that at Paul’s conversion- the Lord told him all of the things he was going to suffer for the sake of the gospel. That was Paul’s call into the ministry.

Suffering and affliction is not just a part of ministry, it’s a part of the life of those who follow Christ.

1 Peter 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,”

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”

2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”

Hebrews 5:8 “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” (referring to Jesus)

Most importantly the words of Jesus in John 16:33 “… In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

Paul reminds the church that even though his suffering is real, and painful and difficult- that we as in Christians are appointed to this. Not by the natural law of being a Christian, but appointed to it by God. That it was and is in God’s control.

God teaches us perseverance, obedience, how to comfort others, and deeper fellowship with Jesus in suffering.

He is in control of your suffering. He has not turned a blind eye to it, He is even with you through it. That’s His promise to us, and God always makes good on His promises to us.

Verse 5

Paul couldn’t endure the anxiety of waiting to hear how the church was doing any longer. He sends Timothy to check on them and encourage them- because he knows the reality of the Christian life and that the tempter is always working to discourage us and cause us to doubt the Lord’s love and faithfulness in our lives.

Story of infertility for 6 years, felt i heard from the Lord a promise that He would bless us with a child, and then we had miscarriage in NY

Thoughts from the enemy that caused me to question God’s love for me. That He would allow so much pain into my life- after suffering for 6 years and finally having a positive pregnancy test.

And you know what the hardest part was? Not my own suffering, not how i felt about our baby dying, no- it was watching my wife weep and grieve. Watching her not eat, not sleep. Knowing how desperately she wanted to be a mom, and to see God allow that to be ripped from her.

The tempter is closer than you think, planting thoughts and playing with your heart as you grieve and weep and panic.

Later that day i came across this song by Andrew Peterson called Always Good. Highly recommend if you’re going through tragedy or suffering to give it a listen. But one of the lyrics said “This heartache is moving me closer than joy ever could, and You’re always good.”

And in that moment i got it, the pain didn’t leave, but i knew that He was opening a door for me in this to go closer with Him, to give it all to Him, and to watch Him restore my heart and comfort me.

I didn’t stay isolated, we went to church that sunday and didn’t miss even though we didn’t want to bring our mess. And the pastor saw us and came over, and as we told him he wept with us and prayed, and turned and looked at Rae and said that her womb was not a graveyard. And because we had chosen months prior to open up to him about our struggles even though we didn’t know him, God used him in a powerful way to comfort both of us and remind us that God has not abandoned us in our suffering.

And now i see God’s faithfullness as i look back, that even though we had to wait years after the miscarriage to see God’s promise to us fulfilled, it was in His perfect way and timing.

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Me and rae have experienced and lived that verse. In the story of our infertility, and so many others in our life- Because He is faithful to keep His word.

Beware of the tempter, especially in suffering. But he is not more powerful than the True and the Living God. And know this, God always gets the last word.

Verses 6-10

Timothy now returns back to Paul giving him the news of the church’s pressing into the Lord, despite their afflictions- that they’ve grown in faith in Jesus and love for Him and His people.

Paul says that the thing that comforted him was the church’s desire for love and faith. PAUSE.

That the people that were coming in against the church persecuting them, probably slandering paul and spreading rumors, even the people’s own suffering- did not sway them to misremember the love Paul and his team had for the church.

Two things- if you’re pursuing pastoral ministry or thinking about it, or if you want to evaluate pastors that you come across to know if they’re trustworthy, here’s what a godly leader’s heart looks like-

That what comforts you even in the midst of your own suffering, is the Love and faith in Jesus that other believers are pursuing. That they are not leaving the truth for some false teaching. That other believers around you are growing in their walk with Jesus, they’re hungry for the word, they love assembling together and sharing their lives.

John puts it great

3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Verses 11-13

You guys i’m assuming have seen star wars the last jedi right? Well my yellow flag is i like to hyperfixate on old dance moves and old gifs, and the gif of kylo ren saying “MORE” as he’s shooting luke’s ghost body is hilarious, and i’m not gonna lie it came to my mind when i ready verse 12

But seriously, Paul see’s their great love for one another that’s deeply encouraging to him, and he prays that they would abound in more love!

There’s a couple things i want to say about this and then we can close and the worship team can come back up.

There’s been students in the past that God has put in my path, and just given me a heart for. Just real heartache to see them grow in love for Jesus, His word, His people. And i’ll have these intense moments of prayer for them, and then sometimes i’ll see the work God has been doing in the hearts start to reflect outwardly, and i get so excited and blessed- but then i don’t pray for them anymore.

That’s bad on me, like i’m wrong for that. Paul doesn’t stop, he sees the love, the faith, the fruit of the Spirit and he doesn’t stop praying for more of that for them.

It’s weird that sometimes for some people seeing others grow in the Lord would discourage us for praying for them right? But it’s true sometimes.

Don’t stop praying for those people. Even when you see God doing a work, Paul knew the importance of prayer, especially in revealing to the people what he was praying for: that they would grow in love.

The worship team can come back up, and i’ll close with this last thought.

In verse 12 and 13- it’s easy to miss, but we have a really important statement made by Paul about God.

It is the Lord that makes you increase and abound in love.

It is the Lord that establish’s your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father.

You do not do the work, you do not conjure up enough anti apathy juices to change your heart. That’s legalism.

Here’s the equation- You believe and follow Jesus, He does the work in His timing and in His ways.

His timing is usually much slower than ours when it comes to Him changing your heart.

His ways are usually much harder than we want. He oftentimes uses suffering and trials to soften us and teach us how to love.

But it’s never because you did enough, or felt enough emotions, or anything else other than your faith in Him.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

If you’re tired of feeling like you have to work for love and affection, and you want to either commit your life to Jesus for the first time, or recommit your life to Him- raise your hand and i’ll pray with you.

Prayer