1 Thess 03 01-08 Why Problems Should Encourage Us Lesson 05
INTRODUCTION
- Did you have any problems last week?
- I am sure you did
- Yet, we often think that we are the only ones to ever have problems
- One thing we quickly learn about life is that it is really just a series of problems
- Talk about a discouraging thought
- Why problems?
- It is part of God’s plan to make us the kind of people He wants us to be
- Jesus tells us about problems
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
- Problems are not bad
- Let us see what Paul has to say
FIRST: PROBLEMS PRODUCE SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1. The problem for the Thessalonians was persecution
a. Remember, problems were part of God’s plan for their spiritual growth
b. There were some who did not respond to problems in a way that produced that spiritual growth
c. Paul knew they had the wrong attitude toward problems
d. Paul writes
1 Thes. 3:1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
e. Paul’s was so concerned that he writes
1 Thes. 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
f. Paul had to know if the Thessalonians’ problems were helping them grow spiritually Or were they pulling them down?
1 Thes. 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
2. Paul’s love for the Thessalonians caused him to send Timothy back to Thessalonica
a. Paul stayed in Athens with Silas
b. Paul had to know how they were handling their problems
3. Problems are part of God’s will for us
a. They help us in at least 2 ways
4. First: Problems help us to grow up
a. Problems are a fundamental tool God uses to cause us to mature
i. To grow spiritually
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
b. Temptations = adversity, trials
i. Notice how this verse does not read; ‘If you have temptations’
ii. Rather reads ‘When’
iii. Problems are inevitable
iv. They are going to happen
v. Not ‘If’ but ‘When’
c. Divers = many colored, various in character
i. Means our problems come in all shapes and sizes
ii. They come in form of finances
1. Work
2. Relationships
3. Health problems
iii. They vary in - type, intensity, duration
iv. James writes:
James 1:3-4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
d. God has a long range plan for all our problems
i. That they might mature us
ii. That they might enable our spiritual growth
5. Second: Problems make us sensitive to the hurts of others
a. God allows us to have problems in order that we might learn to be compassionate towards others
i. To be there for them
2 Cor. 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
b. Remember God has a purpose for every one of our problems and pains
c. One purpose is that we learn to be sensitive to the hurts of others
6. Problems are part of God’s will for us
a. That is how God matures us and develops our character
b. If we don’t understand why God allows our problems
i. We will quickly become discouraged
1 Thes. 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
c. Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to establish and comfort them in their faith
d. Establish = to strengthen, to shore up
i. Timothy was sent to help the Thessalonians stand
1. To stand against the mounting persecution
ii. They were to be established – i.e. grounded in the Word of God
e. We need that same foundation to stand against the storms of life
i. To have that right foundation
ii. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus speaks of having that right foundation;
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
iii. Jesus describes of the storms of life and it’s impact on the unprepared
Matthew 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
iv. When the storms of life come
1. Only those who build on the right foundation will stand
2. The foundation of God’s Word
v. Only the Bible puts our problems in perspective
1. The Bible allows us to see problems from God’s perspective
7. Not only was Timothy to establish the Thessalonians but he was also to comfort them
a. Comfort = to encourage, counsel, help
i. Also translated Comforter
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
ii. Jesus tells us more about the Holy Spirit
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
8. Jesus does not want us to be comfortless
a. To be like orphans in an unfriendly world
b. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in us
i. To encourage us
ii. To comfort us
c. When those problems of life come
i. And they will
ii. They will not discourage us
d. Rather we know that our problems - when placed in God’s hand - will produce spiritual growth
SECOND: PROBLEMS ARE NOT ACCIDENTS
1. Some people after making a profession of faith assume there will be no more problems
a. Nowhere in the Bible does it promise a life free of problems
b. Quite the contrary
1 Thes. 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
c. God tells us in advance that His will for our lives involves trials
i. So when they come we will not be moved
1. We will not be shaken
d. At the Last Supper, Jesus warned Peter of the trials that he would face
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
e. Jesus also give Peter assurance
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
f. Jesus did not pray for the removal of the trial
i. Rather Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail
2. When we pray about our problems
a. We should not pray that God take them away
i. But for wisdom to respond to them Biblically
ii. Pray that we don’t waste an opportunity to grow and mature
b. We should pray for faith to endure the trial because Satan wants to use our problems to sift us as wheat
i. As sifting separate the meat from the chaft
ii. Satan wants to separate us from our faith in Christ and in God’s Word
c. But remember, God tells us in His Word,
i. In advance
ii. We will have trials
1 Thes. 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
d. We have seen
i. Problems produce spiritual growth
ii. Problems are not accidents
THIRD: PROBLEMS DRAW US CLOSER TO GOD
3. Problems either draw us to God or they drive us away
a. But how do we know if we are being drawn to God or driven away?
4. First: You will think positive of what God has sent your way
1 Thes. 3:6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
a. People who are not shaken by their problems have ‘good remembrance’ and ‘pleasant thoughts’ about their church family
b. Seen in positive remarks
c. Seen in a positive attitude
i. Being positive while you are in the midst of problems
ii. Being positive and Not complaining, gripping
5. Second: We know we are being drawn to God because we long to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ
1 Thes. 3:6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
a. When we respond to our problems properly we will enjoy being around our church family
b. Remember Thomas did not respond correctly to the trial of Jesus’ crucifixion
John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
i. Notice that Jesus did not appear to Thomas privately
ii. It wasn’t till a week after the resurrection when the disciples were gathered together and Thomas was with them that Thomas saw Jesus
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
iii. To find peace in the midst of our problems we need to be with other believers
c. When our problems are developing us as God intends
i. They will make us long to be with our church family
1. There to be encouraged
2. There to be lifted up
3. There to experience the presence of Jesus in a way you never can privately
6. Third: We know that our problems are drawing us to God because we will want to encourage other believers
1 Thes. 3:7-8 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
a. Our greatest opportunity to encourage other believers is when they see us stand fast in the Lord in the midst of our own trials
b. Paul was encouraged by their faithfulness
i. The Thessalonians encouraged Paul by the way they stood fast
CONCLUSION
7. Problems:
a. Produce spiritual growth,
b. Are not accidents and
c. Draw us closer to God
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.