Gospel Joy

Introduction:

It sure is nice when we find out that the feeling is mutual. For instance when someone you think the world of thinks the same of you. On the other hand it can be quite painful to find out that the feeling is not mutual. For instance when you get turned down on a date.

Mutual Feeling (v. 6-8)

Good News - 3 Parts

Faith - Part 1

This was Paul’s main concern. Were they relying on God in the midst of affliction or had they fallen away to self reliance?

Their faith was the foundational principle that connected them. They shared the same faith in Jesus.

This is the same foundational principle that connects us. Many of us in here would have very little in common if it wasn’t for our shared faith.

But the thing that is most important about us is the very thing that we hold in common, our faith in Jesus.

So it makes sense that Paul would be rejoicing to hear that the Thessalonians have stood firm in their faith.

Love - Part 2

Born out of their faith in Jesus is their love for Paul, Silas and Timothy.

But not just for them, as we will see in just a verse or two Paul’s prayer for them is that their love would abound for one another and for all.

There is no such thing as loving God and not loving His people.

When you love God you are constantly learning to love what He loves.

Or more accurately, who He loves.

We love God by loving others which is why love is a natural outworking of faith.

Desire - Part 3

I am sure that Paul’s feelings toward the Thessalonians felt validated when he heard from Timothy that they too longed to see him face to face.

They though very fondly of Paul and genuinely wanted him to come back.

Comforted Through Faith

Does it bring you comfort when you hear that someone you care about is doing well spiritually?

Or would you be tempted to say, “yes, but how are their finances?” or “how is their health?”

Is their faith your first concern or a passing thought?

The source of Paul’s comfort was not that their affliction had ended, but that they stood firm in their faith in the midst of it.

Standing Fast

Speaking of standing fast lets consider v. 8.

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

It is what we would call an “if/then” statement. “If you are standing fast in the Lord, then we are living.”

It is fairly easy to identify what Paul means by “standing fast in the Lord”.

We are reminded of 1 Thessalonians 3:3 “that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.”

The concepts of standing firm and being unmoved are descriptions of faith. When your faith is strong you are unmoved.

But what in the world does Paul mean when he says “For now we live...”?

I don’t think that their faith was some how a condition of Paul being physically alive.

Actually, I believe that this is also a relatively simple concept.

I believe that Paul is saying that when he is really living, that is, when he feels most alive, is when he sees people that he cares about standing firm in the faith.

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

Rhetorical Question (v. 9,10)

Genuine Thanksgiving - What can I say to genuinely express my thanksgiving to God for you?

Our friend Paul who is typically so verbose finds himself at a loss for words as he attempts to express his thanksgiving to God for the believers in Thessalonica.

The main contributing factor to this speechlessness is the joy that he feels for their sake before God.

This teaches us something about the correct way to show gratitude.

To God

For Others

I am not saying that we never show gratitude toward others, but it does mean that the primary direction of our thanksgiving is Godward.

In fact as a believer you should be more touched when someone says that they thank God for you.

Earnest Prayers

What is the best thing you can do for someone who you are thankful for? Obviously the answer is pray.

How we pray matters. Paul prayed:

Earnestly

Seriously Sincere

Genuine

It is the most truthful expression of your hearts desire.

Consistently

Night and Day - a description of frequency

We all remember that we have been taught to “pray without ceasing”.

Specifically

Two part focus

That he would get to see them again.

That he would be able to minister to them and their faith would grow.

Pray specific prayers. It is far too easy just to say, “God be with them.” While this is a legitimate request as long as what you mean is that God would make Himself known to them through the provision of strength, peach or relief; when we have the ability to pray specifically we should.

Paul does something amazing in v. 11-13 after saying that he consistently prays for the Thessalonians; he actually prays for them! How many times have you said that you will pray for someone only to completely forget about it?

Intercessory Prayer (v. 11-13)

Direct

The first specific point of this prayer is that God would enable them to be together again. Which is a repeated theme in 1 Thessalonians.

God directed fellowship.

Believers should crave fellowship. By the time you finish reading 1 Thessalonians you should have some level of appreciation for the necessity of fellowship.

Increase

The second specific point of this prayer is that the Lord would cause them to increase and abound in love for one another and for all.

A God sourced love.

A critical request for all believers. Love for the saints is not drummed up by an act of the will. It is produced by God in the hearts of the saints. Christ-like love is not a naturally occuring substance in the unregenerated human heart.

Establish

The third specific request is that their hearts would be established in blamelessness and holiness before God.

Blamelessness is a subset of holiness. So, Paul is using synonymous words for emphasis. Blamelessness is holiness observed.

It is again a critical point to see that God is the one doing the establishing.

And God is the one evaluating the result. God makes us holy and then declares us holy. We add nothing to the process.

Finally, this request has a due date, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith in God produces love for His saints. Love among the saints produces fellowship with the saints and prayers for the saints. Faith, love, fellowship and prayer all bring glory to God.