Stand Firm in Christ

1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13 NIV

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. 17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy. 1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. 6 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. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 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? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 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.

Intro:

What does it meant to ‘stand firm in Christ’?

1. Faithful in Adversity

A. Models of Perseverance

1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 NIV

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

Being saved through the message of the gospel requires that one first receive it as the Word of God. Believers in Christ know the gospel was not invented by the apostles, or by other disciples of Jesus. Preachers such as Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy did not speak their own opinions or ideas about God.

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Their experience resembled that of the believers in Judea, who were persecuted by their own people as well. Jesus, too, had been persecuted by His own, which included conspiracy by some to put Him to death

Being saved through the message of the gospel requires that one first receive it as the Word of God. Believers in Christ know the gospel was not invented by the apostles, or by other disciples of Jesus. Preachers such as Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy did not speak their own opinions or ideas about God.

the persecutors did not realize that they would face judgment (verse 16).

Questions for Application

Their experience resembled that of the believers in Judea, who were persecuted by their own people as well. Jesus, too, had been persecuted by His own, which included conspiracy by some to put Him to death

Why do you think it was important for the Thessalonian Christians, amid their persecution, to recognize the gospel as the Word of God?

What does it mean to “model” perseverance in all circumstances as a Christian?

Resource Item 1:

Distribute the work sheet “Persecuted by Their Own People.” Complete the sheet as a class, inviting students to share their personal experiences in response to the final question. Note that some may hesitate to respond publicly.

B. Rejoicing Over Faithfulness

What does it mean to “model” perseverance in all circumstances as a Christian?

1 Thessalonians 2:17–20 NIV

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Note that Paul specifically placed blame on Satan, working through persecutors, to limit his travel (verse 18). This was a spiritual battle.

Paul had confidence that the Thessalonian Christians would persevere in faithfulness to Christ until His return

Questions for Application

Why might Paul’s expressions of affection be a blessing to the believers in Thessalonica?

Describe a time when you experienced triumph and joy over the spiritual growth and endurance of a fellow Christian. Why did you experience such emotions?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Perseverance means remaining faithful to Christ regardless of circumstances. Whether one is a new believer or a long-time Christian, believers should be models of faithfulness to Christ. Perseverance means continuing to be faithful to Christ through the ordinary and routine aspects of life as well as in times of extraordinary trials. Perseverance is demonstrating our faithfulness to Christ by maintaining our spiritual vitality in daily fellowship with Him by the Holy Spirit. In all of our living, we are to live out our faithfulness to Christ.

2. Encouragement Amid Persecution

A. Strengthened and Helped

1 Thessalonians 3:1–2 NIV

1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

Resource Item 2:

Distribute the information sheet “Walking Distance.” Use it to help students better grasp what Paul endured in his ministry to the Thessalonians, and indeed in ministry throughout the Early Church world.

First Thessalonians, then, was written after Timothy joined Paul at Corinth with good news about the church in Thessalonica.

The use of the pronoun “we” throughout this letter is a reference to Paul, Silas and Timothy,

Paul had an important purpose in having Timothy return to Thessalonica from Athens: He wanted to “strengthen and encourage” them in their faith (). This was a powerful model of mentoring and discipleship.

Questions for Application

What can you learn about discipling others from the actions of Paul, Silas, and Timothy toward the Christians in Thessalonica?

Why is it important that new Christians be strengthened and helped by more mature Christians as they grow stronger in Christ?

B. Dealing With Adversity

1 Thessalonians 3:3–5 NIV

3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

Paul makes reference to the persecution he had faced in Thessalonica—as well as the persecution of the Christians there

Jesus had taught His disciples to expect opposition and persecution from unbelievers

This was the teaching Paul had given the Thessalonian believers when he was with them (), and it reflects a truth that remains in place today.

Questions for Application

Why is it important to acknowledge the reality of Christian persecution?

What are some ways you have experienced opposition for your faith, and how did you deal with it?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Paul wanted the Thessalonian believers to become established in Christ and made strong to endure suffering for the sake of Christ. They needed a Christlike attitude to deal with and overcome adversity, and to remain strong in faith. Those who are newly converted to faith in Christ ought not be left alone to grow strong in faith. They need the fellowship, instruction, and encouragement of established Christians so they will become established in Christ and be able to stand against temptation, tests of their faith, and opposition to their faith.

3. Paul’s Intense Intercession

A. Comfort in Suffering

1 Thessalonians 3:6–9 NIV

6 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. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 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?

The Christian faith, by nature, should prompt proper compassion toward fellow believers, illustrated well by Paul in this passage.

Paul then asked an intriguing rhetorical question in verse 9: “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?” (verse 9, NIV). Paul’s gratitude was so strong that he could find no words adequate to give thanks to God for the persevering faith of the Thessalonians. Therefore, his thanksgiving to God on their behalf was full of rejoicing.

Questions for Application

Questions for Application

Describe a time when you found great comfort in knowing that someone you care about was growing stronger in the Lord.

What value is there in cultivating a sense of joy over the spiritual progress of others, and how can you express that joy in tangible ways?

What value is there in cultivating a sense of joy over the spiritual progress of others, and how can you express that joy in tangible ways?

B. Continual Prayer

1 Thessalonians 3:10–13 NIV

10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 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.

Paul prayed that God would help the Thessalonian Christians increase in love toward one another, and toward all people, just as his love for them continued to increase.

The Thessalonian Christians had a strong interest in the doctrine that Jesus Christ would come again. Paul’s prayer for their holiness reflects this. Such a prayer is appropriate for every believer: May we all remain steadfast in the Lord so that we may stand without blame before God the Father at the coming again of Christ for all those who belong to Him.

Questions for Application

What subjects and needs occupy your prayer time, and what needs receive the most focus? What does this indicate about your prayer life?

How do you think the blessings Paul prayed over the Thessalonians would have impacted their faith?

How do you think the blessings Paul prayed over the Thessalonians would have impacted their faith?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

It is good that we give thanks to God for, and rejoice over, our fellow believers in Christ. It is also good that our intercession for others should be an ongoing part of our daily prayers. Take a moment to write out a prayer you might pray for fellow believers, whether they are those around you or those in distant, even difficult, lands. Use this as a model in your prayer for others.

CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

This lesson accentuates the importance of standing firm in Christ—that we remain faithful to Christ regardless of any opposition. Jesus said he will welcome good and faithful servants into life everlasting (,). At the end of his earthly life, Paul declared, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (, KJV). We can be faithful to Christ because He is faithful to us. Indeed, His faithfulness is a powerful source of encouragement to us.

Resource Item 3:

Distribute the work sheet “Earnest Prayer.” Invite students to complete the sheet during the week, using it as a way to evaluate their prayer lives.

Ministry in Action

One of the main purposes for which Christians assemble in public worship is to encourage one another to stand firm for Christ. End the class session in prayer, asking God to help students offer support to fellow believers who may be enduring persecution ().