Modelling the Christian Life Series - Sermon 5 - Striving to be Faithful, Thankful, Blameless and Holy

Striving to be Faithful, Thankful, Blameless and Holy.

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 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? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 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.”

On April 11, 1970, Apollo 13 blasted away from earth.

the men at Mission Control in Houston and the three astronauts on board knew that every space flight was full of risk and indeed on April 13, an explosion rocked the command module. The spacecraft was losing fuel and oxygen and the situation was critical.

Heading toward the moon, their fears changed from I wonder what this is going to do to the lunar landing, to I wonder if we are going to get back.

Anxiety was just as real in Houston where scientists were scrambling to solve all the problems which were occurring on Apollo 13. This was not empty fretting; the dangers were real.

The calm, problem-solving approach of the ground crew and the astronauts allowed them to think through solutions to their problems. It did not take all the anxiety away, nor was the worry unfounded. But choosing to respond creatively rather than simply fret about the problem saved their lives.

Paul too was worried about the Thessalonians, but In the same way he did not just sit around worrying - that would not solve anything and would be counterproductive. Paul, fearful and concerned as he was, took steps: He “sent Timothy” (v. 2), and he prayed “night and day” (v. 10).

Prayer is not an empty exercise; it is the power of God brought to bear upon a dilemma. Paul recommended it in the same place he advised: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).

Paul also did all he could to defuse the worrisome situation: he sent Timothy. It was a practical and useful action that accomplished two goals. Timothy was able to provide the encouragement and instruction which the new believers needed, thereby reducing the risk of spiritual ruin. Timothy was also able to bring back news of how the Thessalonians were doing, thereby giving an accurate picture of their spiritual condition.

Some anxiety or worry is natural if the perils are real. But it should never stop there. Prayer is always called for, and then we should take the responsibility to act upon the situation in whatever way is necessary or possible

Paul and Silas had attempted to return to Thessalonica on numerous occasions, but they were hindered by Satan from going to them (see 1 Thes 2:17-18.

They responded to this spiritual warfare by entering God’s presence through prayer (1 Thes 3:9). They prayed constantly, intensely, and earnestly that they would be able to see the Thessalonians so that they could comfort them in their trial; exhort them to persevere and equip them for the future.

Note their prayer was finally answered 6 years later (AD 56), when Paul returned to the region of Macedonia (Acts 20:1–3). reminding us that God sometimes keeps us waiting and learning patience is part of growing in the Christian life.

1. STRIVING TO BE FAITHFUL:

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

Paul reflects on an incredibly painful and stressful situation - Grk: anankē suggesting ‘the choking, pressing care’, and persecution (thlipsis) ‘the crushing trouble’ (Lightfoot) - which was relieved only when news came from Timothy that they, his “brothers”, to encourage him that their faith was strong. and they were “standing firm in the Lord.” c

This leads to the thought expressed in v8, that it is life to him to know that his converts are standing fast - For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. - This is more than physical life; it is all the fullness of the Christian life. Not merely like ‘now we can breathe again’ (JB; cf. NEB) but more, we are overflowing with life because you stand firm in the Lord!

Renewed hope, renewed vigour. This makes all that trouble and distress meaningful and worth enduring!

If we find that new believers are wavering in their faith and rejecting the truth, we must not give up on them. Instead, we must pray more fervently and work harder to remind them of the ‘glorious gospel of the blessed God’ (1 Tim. 1:11). In our battle for their souls we must remember we do not struggle ‘against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms’ (Eph. 6:12); and that the Captain of our salvation possesses ‘all authority in heaven and on earth’ (Matt. 28:18). We can therefore fight with confidence.

And not only so, Paul commended this Church as a model for other believers and so in commending the Thessalonians’ endurance, they were demonstrating that the people of God will stand firm in trial and this means that the Gospel Paul preached ensures that there will be a successful propagation of the gospel in other places depended on their standing firm as a living testimony to the power of God.

This is really important for Paul, he is stressing that for him a lot depended on them. He had been concerned that they might buckle under the weight of persecution but instead they stood firm, showing any fears he had were misplaced and his confidence in them was justified!

The apostle James once wrote that we should count it a joy when we “face trials of many kinds” (Jas. 1:2–4), because they produce long-lasting, persistent faith and maturity. While we should not go searching or praying for pain, neither should we feel that pain is outside our Lord’s sovereign plan for us any more than it was outside the Father’s will for the Son. He was complete or “made perfect” (Heb. 5:9) through suffering as we ourselves will be!

So it is great to read that these believers are “standing firm in the Lord.” They have a right relationship to Christ and are not standing in their own strength.

“How can we thank God enough for you? “ - He is proud of them! In “standing firm in the Lord” they are proving to be a tribute to the work Paul had done.

The church had been so well established that, though the believers were young in the faith and had been subjected to such stern tests, they had come through with flying colours and in expressing his gratitude Paul attributes praise to the right source - “thank God”! - it is due to the divine power in the believers, and thus he gives thanks to God for his goodness in this matter.

Whenever we are encouraged, our hearts should automatically turn to God in thanksgiving and praise. We must be like Paul who was flooded with gratitude. How easy it is to grumble when things go wrong or to point an accusing finger at others!

When our plans do not succeed, we should quietly trust in God who in all things ‘works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (Rom. 8:28).

2. STRIVING TO BE BLAMELESS:

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

.Paul’s longing to see the Thessalonians again finds expression in constant and fervent prayer.

Praying night and day is emphatic enough, but he adds an expressive and unusual adverb - hyperekperissou; only used here and in 1 Thes 5:13; Eph. 3:20), a double compound, adding to the word ‘abundantly’; one might render it “super-abundantly” - giving the impression that he was struggling to put into words his longing for them, it was almost too deep for words.

Of the verbs meaning ‘pray’ he chooses deomai, which expresses need or lack rather than proseuchomai, with its stress on devotion to God. Combined with the adverb it draws attention to Paul’s sense of loss in his separation from his friends and thus to his regard for them.

Paul prayed about this - he did not presume it was just ok to set out and go - Indeed though he had tried to get to them he realised that the decision is up to the all-knowing and all-powerful God, who sees the beginning and the end. But Paul was not passive about this. He asked for God to step in and make possible a return trip to this church.

Paul speaks of his desire to “supply what is lacking in your faith”

It is a mark of Paul’s tact that he speaks first of the things he can sincerely praise them for and then speak plainly about things that are still lacking in their faith. It’s as if he says, you’re really great and I love you and am proud of you but youre not perfect yet. There is till a way to go!

’What is lacking” translates the noun hysterēma, meaning a ‘deficiency’ or ‘shortcoming’. Paul wants to “supply” what is “lacking”. The word “supply” translates the Greek verb katartizō meaning ‘to make complete’, and it is used of such an activity as mending nets (Matt. 4:21), though in the New Testament it is more often metaphorical. It is translated ‘restore’ (Gal. 6:1), where the thought is that of correction, not punishment. Better to think of it as being equipped, prepared or formed or to be given supplies of something you have been missing! (Heb. 10:5, ‘prepared’; 11:3, ‘formed’).

How does Paul do this? Mainly through teaching - through instructing them in the Word of God but also modelling it in lifestyle as he and his companions fellowshipped with the beleivers in Thessalonica. John Calvin - ‘From this also it appears how necessary it is for us to give careful attention to doctrine, for teachers were not appointed merely with the view of leading men, in the course of a single day or month, to the faith of Christ, but for the purpose of perfecting the faith which has been begun.

3. STRIVING TO INCREASE IN LOVE:

Paul prays for them that ‘our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

The opening words, “Now may our God and Father himself,” is ‘an outburst of the earnest conviction which was uppermost in the Apostle’s mind of the utter worthlessness of all human efforts without the divine aid’.(Lightfoot)

Notice that our God and Father is linked with our Lord Jesus (see also 2 Thess. 2:16, where the order is reversed), and that the verb (kateuthynai) is in the singular. “God and Jesus count as one in this connection showing that from a very early time (this letter is dated about AD 50) Christians accepted the deity of our Lord without question...Prayer is offered to God alone...The prayer is that God and Christ may clear the way, i.e. remove the obstacles that Satan has put in the path.” (Leon Morris).

His prayer is for spiritual enlargement in love for his friends, a quality in which they were not lacking (1 Thes 1:3; 4:9–10). The two verbs, increase and overflow, are synonymous and together constitute a petition for the most abundant blessing possible. e.g. RSV ‘make you increase and abound in love’.

Love springs from the heart. It is not a matter of following rules, but of the inner life that makes Christianity vibrant. Paul’s prayer was that the believers’ hearts would be strengthened. He realized that unless the heart is firmly established, there will be no growth and development. Changing methods or habits sometimes lasts for a short time, but lasting change begins with the heart. This change can come only from the Lord.

As love is the greatest gift and the one that remains in the PERFECT(so 1 Cor 13) - It is characteristic most desirable for Christians to express:

Christians are to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strenght and love their neighbour as themselves.

We are called to love one another - love increase and overflow for each other - as a sign that we have been “born of God”

We are called to love all mankind - love increase and overflow for... everyone else” - especially in the expression of agapē as the gift of God.

We learn to love others in the fellowship so we can learn to love the outsiders to- ‘It is easier to love those who love us and loving within the Christian community may then be a school for learning to love those outside’(Best).; cf. Gal. 6:10; Rom. 12:17–18).

And they had learned what Christian love is from Paul and his companions - love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. - Paul appeals to the example set of their love for the Thessalonians was plain see 1 Thes 2:2-4 c/f Ps. 104:15; Ps 112:8. where the “heart” does not refer simply to the emotional side of human nature, but is the comprehensive term for the whole of our inner states, thoughts, feelings and will. It stands for the whole personality.

Paul is saying that our whole personality is established on a firm foundation only when there is a basis of abundant love. The self-centred person at best will have an element of weakness and instability. But where anyone has learned to love the Lord his God with all his heart, and his neighbour as himself, then he has firm foundation for life.

4. STRIVING TO BE BLAMELESS AND HOLY:

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 prays that God will ‘establish your hearts unblamable in holiness’

‘holiness’ is the state of sanctity rather than the process of becoming holy. This is because Paul speaks of them being ”holy in the presence of our God.”

A person may have high moral standards, even humanly speaking to the extent of being blameless, and yet not be holy. So Paul in his pre-Christian years (Phil. 3:6, where ‘faultless’ is the word he uses here. THis is not about what men consider holy and blameless this is what God considers it to be and holiness in the Bible has an essential God-ward reference; it denotes the quality of being set apart for God.

Paul wants then to be strenghtened by grace so that the fact that they belong to him becomes evident to all and he want them, and us to go on doing this UNTIL our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

Who are these holy ones? Again we are reminded that the word ‘holiness’ in the Bible means being set apart for God, so it might refer to beleivers who are called ‘saints’ in the Bible (NoteL These are not appointed by special approbation of the church because of their outstanding goodness; they are ordinary church members) but it might also refer to angels as in Mark 8:38, but it more likely speaks of both becasue in this lettter and elsewhere we are told that when Jesus returns he will be accompanied by both angels and the dead in Christ along with those who remain, who are “gaught up to meet him in the air” (see also the expression ‘the holy ones’ in the Old Testament - Ps. 89:5; Dan. 4:13; Dan 8:13; Zech. 14:5 see also NT support of this in Matt. 13:41; 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; 2 Thess. 1:7.

Conclusion:

Hudson Taylor told of young man who had been called to the foreign field. He was not a preacher but he was a man of prayer.

Going one day to a friend, he said, ‘I don’t see how God can use me on the field; I have no special talent.’

His friend replied, ‘My brother, God wants men on the field who can pray. There are too many preachers now and too few prayers.’ The young man became a missionary. In his room in the early dawn, a voice was heard weeping and pleading for souls. All through the day, the closed door and the hush that prevailed made you feel like walking softly, for a soul was wrestling with God. To his home hungry souls would flock, drawn by an irresistible power.

In the morning hours some would call and cry, ‘I have gone by your home and have longed to come in. Will you tell me how I can be saved?’ From some distant place another would call, saying, ‘I heard you would tell us here how we might find heart-rest.’

Prayer and thanksgiving are the two legs on which a Christian must walk in his relationship with God.

We can never pray enough. We can never give thanks enough.

There is always something or someone to pray about, and there is always something or someone to give thanks for.

‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 4:4–7).