Strengthening the Church

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Now we’ve been in 1 Thessalonians, and we will be in chapter 3 today. Last week we really spent some time looking at how Christians will suffer. I said that some of you are suffering right now. Some of you are suffering because you are standing for Christ…some of you are suffering because others are specificaly rejecting and fighting Christ in their own lives. Either way, the suffering is real…and it’s hard.

Well, that’s one of the key points that Paul is addressing in this letter to the Christians in Thessalonica. He wants them to be encouraged because God is good and they are meant to help each other and lift each other up. The idea is to keep your hope in Christ…not in each other, or in yourself.

Here’s the key that I want you to remember today:

When Christians persistently hope in Christ, their faith strengthens the church, encourages the suffering, and gives the gospel credibility in everyday life.

That’s what we’re going to be talking about today as we move through chapter 3. You see…what Paul is writing in this section is the importance of hope in strengthening the church, especially when times are hard. He writes about how the faith that these Christians have not only keeps them going, but it’s also an example to others who are watching the transformative power of the gospel in people’s lives.

I want to give you a picture of hope in the midst of something unknown real quick…So, imagine with me.

Imagine you’re on a sail boat that’s caught in a crazy storm in the middle of the night.

The waves are huge…more than you’ve seen before. You can’t really see anything…especially not dry land anywhere. You can’t even see where you’re going, and you have no idea how far from safety you are.

Then…through the darkness and the storm, you see something…

A lighthouse!

Now, that lighthouse doesn’t calm the storm…it doesn’t stop the wind…the waves are still crashing and beating your small sail boat.

This lighthouse doesn’t promise you the rest of the night won’t still be hard.

It just keeps shining…and because it keeps shining…you know:

We’re not lost. There is something solid ahead of us.

That right there is a helpful picture of Christian hope.

Christian hope isn’t blind optimism…it isn’t pretending that suffering doesn’t hurt. It isn’t saying, “Everything’s gonna work out the way I want it to.”

Here’s what Christian hope actually says,

“Christ is still Lord…God is still faithful…The gospel is stull true…The resurrection is still coming…Therefore I can keep going.”

Paul is concerned about this young church in Thessalonica. He can’t be there physically…so what does he do? He sends Timothy.

Paul wants this church to keep growing in their knowledge and understanding of the gospel. He want’s them to be the shining lighthouse in the middle of the storms.

That’s the heart of our passage today. “How does a church remain strong when the storm hasn’t gone away?”

So you will remember that this is a church that was born when Paul was there after leaving Philippi and being thrown out of that place.

Then he goes to Thessalonica and he is led to preach the gospel there. Some believed…some didn’t…some even opposed, and charged them basically with conspiracy.

That’s when Paul left…then of course the question Paul has…and the question these new Christians have is,

Will they remain faithful even if Paul isn’t there?

That’s why chapter three is so encouraging. You see…Paul isn’t just checking in on some old friends…he’s checking in on their faith because he is deeply concerned with all they are experiencing.

See, as Paul is traveling and preaching the gospel, his goal isn’t get get people to pray a certain prayer…his goal is to see people persevere in Christ.

Just like us today in Leaf River…we don’t tell others the gospel just to get them to pray a prayer and then abandon them…

We desire to actually strengthen each other as we walk through life and walk through various struggles.

Since that’s one of our goals…we’re going to look at chapter three together and see three ways a church, rooted in the gospel can strengthen itself.

The first thing we see is

Paul's Persistent Pursuit (v.1-5)

As we read these first few verses, pay attention to Paul’s concern. Notice how his attention is directed towards their faith. Pul in’t concerned with their comfort…he’s concerned about their relationship with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 3:1–5 ESV

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.

Now, Paul can’t be with them in person here. But you’ll remember last week how Paul affirmed to them that he wanted to be there in person, but that Satan was in some way stopping that from happening.

So…Paul can’t be there with them personally…but he refuses to ignore and forget about them. His physical absence ddoesn’t create a lack of care and concern.

This is exactly what is important. You see, a church is strengthened when Christians take responsibiilty to lift each other up.

But…and this is important.

Christian concern requires action.

Paul realizes that he can’t get there himself…so he sent Timothy so these new Christians are not left alone.

Paul didn’t just feel bad for them momenatary…he acted on his concern

Now you all know there’s a difference between saying,

“I hope they’re doing okay.”

and

“What can I do to help them.”

Christian love…Christian concern…moves you to action.

Paul sacrified Timothy, his own helper. He was willing to take on more work…more responsibility in order to strengthen someone else.

Listen, church…there are people that are sitting around you who are struggling.

Some are obvious…you may know exactly what’s going on with them. Other’s aren’t so obvious.

Some are struggling financially…they’re battling temptation…they’re struggling with doubt…they’re discouraged because they aren’t growing as fast as they’d like to…

Maybe they’re just plan exhausted…ad wondering if anyone else notices them.

Now…as a church we can either say,

“Wow…I really hope someone helps them.”

or, we can say,

“Maybe God has put them in my path…in my life so I can help them.”

Let me be clear about this…

The goal isn’t comfort…the goal is faithfulness.

Why did Paul send Timothy?

Paul sent Timothy to help them establish and to exhort them in their faith.

In other words…Paul doens’t sent Timothy to make them feel better…Paul sends Timothy to make them stronger in their faith.

Biblical encouragement isn’t just telling someone that “everything will be ok”

Biblical encouragement is reminding someone that Christ is faithful…and Christ already working in their situation.

Sometimes that looks like comforting them…or warning them…but it always includes pointing to Christ through Scripture for their strength.

Biblical encouragement also is firm…sometimes it means telling someone:

Brother, you’re drifting from the Lord…Sister, don’t give up…and sometimes that looks like calling someone to repentance and telling them they need to repent.

Biblical encouragement has a backbone because it’s rooted in the gospel truth…not is secular self-help.

But this is one of the most important parts of Biblical encouragement. Sometimes you need to remind someone that

Suffering does not mean God has abandoned you.

Listen, it would be really easy to forget about God when things get really hard wouldn’t it.

That’s exactly something Jesus himself warned us about when we taught the parable of the soils.

That’s something Paul has taught them, and now he’s reminding them that they are built for this.

Paul doesn’t tell them that if they just have enough faith everything will be ok and their suffering will just disappear…

No…Paul tells them that in this world they will have trouble…they will suffer…they will be tempted.

Paul explains that Christian hope is not in the lack of trouble…it is that,

“My suffering cannot seperate me from Christ, and my suffering cannot cancel God’s promises to me.

Of course…something amazing happens next.

Paul sends Timothy to encourage the Thessalonians…then Timothy get sent back and that strengthen and encourages Paul.

When Christians persistently hope in Christ, their faith strengthens the church…

You see…Biblical encouragement flows both directions…

That leads us to the second point here.

Timothy’s Transformative Testimony (v.6-10)

Now, Paul tells us what happened when Timothy returned. Listen carefully, becuase Pauls response shows us how powerful it is when Christians hear about God’s grace working in each other.

1 Thessalonians 3:6–10 ESV

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

You see…Paul sent Timothy becuase he was worried about their faith as a young church. Timothy returned and told Paul about their faith and how loving they were.

Paul’s response is remarkable! You see…

Faithfulness is others fuels our faith

The Thessalonians didn’t know all that Paul was going through. But their faithfulness became a source of encouragement to him.

This is exactly why your testimony matters to others. It is encouraging when others get to hear about what God is doing in your life.

I’m not talking about only dramatic, radical conversions…or deliverance from various addictions, or even marriages being restored.

Sometimes…the most encouraging testimony is,

Yeah…I’ve been suffering…but Christ is faithful.

You know…I’ve been tempted…but Christ is carrying me through.

I’ve walked through grief…but Christ has sustained me.

Or even…

Listen, I don’t understand what God is doing right now…but I’m still trusting him.

Folks…those are powerful things to hear from a fellow believer.

The reality is that

God uses ordinary faithfulness to encourage his people.

Paul acknowledged that he has been under stress and suffering, yet hearing about their faith has comforted him.

Think about that…

Paul is suffering…the Thessalonians are suffering…

Yet God uses the faithfulness of one suffering Christian to encourage another suffering Christian.

Not because, “Hey, at least I don’t have it that bad”…No, because seeing others faith gives you renewed strength of your own faith.

That is part of the beauty of a church family…That’s part of the beauty of the larger body of believers.

You may think you have nothing to offer becuase you aren’t a pastor or a ministry leader.

Church…your seemingly ordinary daily faithfulness is the thing that God uses to keep another believer moving forward.

Your faith…even being watched and not talked about…strengthens your brother and sister in Christ.

So what does ordinary faith look like?

Well…how about attending church regularly — how about praying publically — how about your hospitality, or generosity —even your willingness to serve within the church is an encouragement to others.

Of course then we can look at your marriage — your heart of repentance — your words of encouragement — your dropping ping pong balls in the cross in the lobby.

More than anything else though…your refusal to forget about Christ when life become harder than “normal”.

Listen…the reality is that others are watching you. We’ve talked about how others outside the church are watching you…but folks…other believers are watching you inside the church.

They’re watching you so they can see Christ’s faithfulness to ordinary believers who have suffered through life.

They’re watching you so they can see how to grow, becuase

Christian joy is tied to spiritual growth.

The joy you experience in Christ is tied to both your spiritual growth…but also the spiritual growth of others.

Paul describes how his joy is tied to the Thessalonians perseverance.

Verse 8 says, “For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.”

There’s another way that can be said. “For now we are alive again”

Paul is acknowledging how his own faith was encouraged by hearing about them.

He is saying, he has a renewed faith…”Now we live” “Now we are alive again!”

He is experiencing a renewed life because he has heard about their faithfulness.

Listen…if you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, and mature believer, what would make you rejoice?

Would you rejoice because people think you’re great? No, that’s not what gives you life.

You rejoice when you see those you care about standing firm in Christ on their own.

When Christians persistently hope in Christ, that encourages those suffering.

Now…here’s where something interesting happens.

Paul has recieved a report of faithfulness…he’s been encouraged…he’s thankful…but that’s not the end of this encounter.

Next Paul prays for the Christians in Thessalonica.

Do you know why that happens?

Because Christian growth is never finished.

You don’t get to say, “I’m done…I don’t need to grow anymore”

That brings us to our final wy to be strengthened as a church.

We should look at pray and…

Prayer’s Powerful Promise (v.11-13)

Paul turns his attention to praying for these new Christians. Through hsi prayer we see where his heart really is.

1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 ESV

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Did you notice Paul’s prayer here. Paul isn’t simply praying that God will keep them safe.

No, Paul prays that God would cause them to increase in love, establish their hearts, and prepare them for the return of Christ.

We see that we should…

Pray for opportunities to increase in love.

The church isn’t strengthened by simply becoming more knowledgeble

Biblical knowledge should produce Biblical love. Sometimes you have to point that out though. Otherwise you risk being so knowledgeable that you are not applying that knowledge.

So…as Paul prays here, he prays that love will increase, “for one another and for all.”

In other words…the love that we should grow in as believers isn’t meant to stop at those doors in the lobby.

We love one another…and we love all…including those who don’t know Christ yet.

You see…a healthy church is a church where people experience genuine Christian love — that loves becomes a part of the testimony of the gospel to those around us.

Jesus even said as much when he said, “By this all people will know you are my disciples.”

That’s not all we learn fromPaul about prayer though…

Pray for hearts to be established.

Paul doesn’t just want them to “feel hopeful”

He want’s their hearts to be established in the truth.

As a Christian…you need more than inspiration. You need more than Tik Tok Christianity that makes you feel good for 5 minutes.

You need roots to your faith. You need truth — Scripture — prayer — fellowship with other believers — and many other things. Far more than a simple graphic to share on social media.

You need Biblical preaching — repentance — you need Christ.

Your hope in Christ, your strength as a believer should produce personal holiness.

Listen church…if you believe the truth of Scripture…then you believe that Christ is actually returning one day.

If you truly believe that…then it shoudl affect what you do.

It should affect how you speak — how you spend money — how you work — how you treat your spouse, and your kids — how you interact with the lost — and how you even use your time.

You see, Eschatological hope produces present holiness.

Eschatology means the study of the end times…the study of the eternal future

So the question is…where is your hope for the future?

This is something that Paul seems to actually care about and he prays that they will

Live today in light of Christ return.

This is where Christian, Biblical hope ultimately points.

Not simply “Things will get better” but “Jesus Christ is coming again”

Listen, we live in a world that says, God will make you feel better here and now…we live in a culture that has created their own god and is not truly interested in the one true God of the Bible.

Our hope isn’t in our current circumstances — or political stability — or gas prices — or health — or finances — Our hope is in Christ and Christ alone

If I believe that, then suffering isn’t the end…failure isn’t the end…persecution isn’t the end...death isn’t the end.

The Christian looks ahead and says, “Christ is coming!”

Listen — When Christians persistently hope in Christ, they give the gospel credibility in everyday life.

That’s what Christian growth looks like. That’s what a strengthened church looks like.

A healthy church is a church were faithfulness strengthen each other, and together we grow toward Christ.

Pause

There’s a deeper question that we have to ask this morning though.

How can sinful people like us possibly have hearts that are established in holiness before God?

Paul doesn’t just tell us to “try harder”

Paul points us toward the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have each sinned, and we deserve the consequences of those actions.

We have failed and not loved God as we should have. We have not loved out neighbor as we should.

So if our hope is in our own faithfulness…we have no hope.

But the gospel says our hope rests in Christs faithfulness.

Jesus lived perfectly…died the death we deserved…three days later rose again…He ascended and he is coming back for his people.

Now, there’s many that are here or joining us online and you’ve heard me talk about standing firm in faith, loving others, and living for Christ.

Maybe your thinking that you’re not sure if you’re ready for Jesus’ return.

Let me tell you something pretty important folks.

You don’t need to clean yourself up before coming to Christ.

You don’t need to be a better person before you can cry out to the Lord.

You don’t need to prove your worthy…you cant do any of those things….Neither can I .

We are both sinners who have rebelled against a holy God. We broke his law, and lived for ourselves.

We have each sinned in what we have done, and in what we’ve failed to do.

If God were to judge us based on our own righteousness…none of us could stand.

But there’s good news here.

The good news is that Jesus came into the world as a perfect savior. He obeyed God’s law perfectly.

He willingly went to the cross and bore the wrath that sinners deserve.

He died so that we wouldn’t have to.

So as a Christian your hope isn’t “I’m good enough”…the Christian hope is, “Christ is enough”

Pause

Listen, don’t put off until tomorrow what you need to get settled today.

There is forgiveness for the worst of sinners in Christ.

There is hope and a promise of an eternal hope in Christ.

So…if you’ve never trusted Christ, don’t leave today thinking about how you can be a “better christian”…actually turn to Christ for the first time.

Come to Christ this morning!

Your greatest need isn’t to try harder…your greatest need is a Savior…and Jesus Christ is that savior!

I don’t typically do this type of thing, but it’s really this easy to take your first step

Pray a prayer something like this…

“God, I need you. Ive sinned and fallen short of your glory and I can’t fix that. I need you to take over today and I trust that you you. Jesus I believe you died for me, and I am excited about your forgiveness. Amen.

Pause

Now, everyone else…if you are in Christ, this passage doesn’t allow for you to keep the gospel to yourself.

You have been encouraged…now go encourage others.

You’ve received the gospel…now go share the gospel.

You’ve recieved God’s grace…now go show grace.

You’ve been strengthed…now go strengthen others.

You’ve been prayed for…now go pray for someone else.

Pause

When Christians persistently hope in Christ, their faith strengthens the church, encourages the suffering, and gives the gospel credibility in everyday life.

Now…because Christ is our hope, we strengthen others, receive encouragement from others, and pursue holiness together until Christ returns.

Let’s pray

Christ is your hope—so this week stand firm, strengthen someone, and speak the gospel.