1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5. Afflicted But Encouraged.

Afflicted but encouraged 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 HCC January 31, 2021 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 (NASB) But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were 17 all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. 18 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of 19 our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. 20 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 1 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to 2 strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been 3 destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to 4 suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear 5 that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. • Expect Affliction • Aid for Affliction • Source of our Hope 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. Expect affliction Afflict: To cause pain, suffering, acute annoyance, embarrassment or distress • Affliction • Troubles • Trials • Difficulties • Tribulations • Persecutions Why affliction? • Fallen people in a fallen world Why affliction? • Fallen people in a fallen world • Turning the World upside down Wikimedia: solomon203 Why affliction? • Fallen people in a fallen world • Turning the World upside down • The Tempter 1 Thess 3:5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain In the world you have tribulation Jesus as quoted in John 16:33 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you Peter writing in 1 Peter 4:12 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. Strengthen • “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” Acts 14:22 Photo by Aaron Escobar, Wikimedia Strengthen “ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. (NLT) 19 Photo by Aaron Escobar, Wikimedia Strengthen Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of 5 salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 3 (NLT) Strengthen 2 Cor 4:17-18 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NASB) http://photocity.ru/about.php ENCOURAGE ‘Yes…She was a righteous woman… she used to come…seldom…it was difficult for her. She and I used to read… and talk. She will see God.’ -Sonya Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Evangelise, when necessary 1 Thess3:5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. God’s Fellow Workers • Strengthen • Encourage • Evangelise Financial worries A problem in your marriage A problem with your parents A problem with a colleague or friend Illness Being bullied Loneliness … Source of our hope and confidence 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:2 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit —were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you —I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow 2 worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:19 The return of Christ Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the b tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Expect affliction, but look for the reward 12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. Peter writing in 1 Peter 4:12-13 Paul’s love for people For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:20 Christ’s love for us Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless Christ's love for us Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Expect affliction, but be confident in Christ In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. Jesus as quoted in John 16:33 Fellow workers 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:2 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. ….. ….. Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, Our comforter “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. Jesus in John 16:7 Financial worries A problem in your marriage A problem with your parents A problem with your colleague or friend Illness Being bullied Loneliness … “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Summary • Expect Affliction • Expect Assistance • Expect Christ’s return Application: if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ • Admit to God that you are a sinner • Believe that Jesus is the son of God and that He died on the Cross for your sins • Confess your faith in Christ and commit your life to Him Application: if you have a relationship with Christ • Be in fellowship with other Christians • Be fellow workers with Christ • Be strong and courageous—Christ is in you