Sermon Tone Analysis

Others Focused Technology

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

ICC’s Sunday PM service (6/12/22)

I. Introduction

1. Prayer

i. Lord, allow us to understand the truth

2. Catch- Technology can be good

i.

On March 23, 2020, Tim Challies posted a blog entitled

How the World Worshipped on One of the Most Unusual Sundays in Church History

ii.

Where on a typical Sunday Christians rise in their homes and soon gather for corporate worship, on this Sunday Christians rose in their homes and then stayed there—many to worship virtually through recorded or live-streamed services”

iii.

We all know if a lockdown had happened like this even 10-15 years ago, how much more personally devastating it would have been for people’s lives

1. Technology was used to keep discipleship, fellowship, and just sanity going for so many of us.

2. But that same technology that allows livestreaming is used for sexual immorality

iv.

Paul wans us to use technology to point each other to Christ, not sin

3. Review on the book

i.

Last time we look at Paul’s opposition to Satan by seeking to be with the Thessalonians in person

1.

His love compelled him to want to be face to face with them

2. But Satan kept him away somehow

3. Yet Paul still desperately wanted to see them so that he could have the rewards from Jesus for His service in their lives

ii.

We talked about how on screen or long distance technology will never be good enough for church

iii.

But I promised that we would not just bash technology but today get back to how Paul used it well

3 ways to battle Satan when we use technology to communicate from afar

1. Distant communication should be purposefully personal (1-2a)

i. Explanation

1.

He ended verse 20 saying you are our glory and joy and thus started chapter 3 with “therefore,” pointing that his loved would compel him forward.

2. His love for them made him concerned to know what was happening

a.

As we previously saw Paul had founded the church in Thessalonica

b.

But riots had started and he was sent off, so he didn’t get to finish their theological education

c.

Thus praised God over and over again that he heard that they were doing well

3.

That worry lead him to a great sacrifice, being alone in Athens

a.

We must turn to Acts 17 to understand

i. Acts 17 has Paul feeling Thessalonica then going to Berea in v10

Acts 17:14- Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.

ii.

Paul went on to Athens alone, leaving Timothy and Silas at Berea.

From Athens he sent for them (17:15)

iii.

Verse 16 then tells Paul was greatly burdened by this city and it’s idolatry

Acts 17:16- Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.

iv.

Acts doesn’t say that Paul sent them from Athens, but don’t’ see them arriving until Acts 18:5

1.

Some believe Luke has omitted the journey of Timothy to Athens and back to Thessalonica

2. Or perhaps he Paul is simply saying he was in Athens alone because they never joined him to help instead

b.

Either way, Paul was willing to sacrifice Timothy’s help to hear about them

i.

Remember, this is not easy.

the people of Athens were cultured people who would regard Paul's message as unacceptable in polite society

Paul knew he was walking into a hard place

ii.

But he would do it anways

4. So Paul sent Timothy, reminding them of how valuable he’s

a.

He is a brother, a trusted family member who stuck by Paul’s side even when many abandoned him.

i.

As proverbs wisely said Paul found a gift

Proverbs 18:24- A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

b.

He is a coworker, reminding us of Paul’s team mindset

c.

This is Timothy who Paul said was his great representative

1 Corinthians 4:17- That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

d.

Paul did not do what was easy, but was necessary to help them

ii.

Illustration

1.

Too often when it comes to technology we do not like something new because it is different and we’re afraid of what the change will cost

a.

When ATM machines were first introduced the tellers who handled money were Speculating about who among them would lose their job to the tireless machines that never made mistakes

b. .

What they didn't know was that the opposite would happen.

Over the next thirty years, the number of tellers in America increased

c.

It turns out that fewer tellers per branch meant banks could create new branches more cheaply--so they did.

d.

The technology wasn’t just about making this easier, but it created more business opportunities

2. Sometimes we shouldn’t be so afraid of what could go wrong that we don’t start to ask why we should

iii.

Application

1.

Why is this technology, chris?

a.

Because he was using one of the most important pieces of technology at the time

b.

The roman roads were amazing combinations of sand, then pieces of stone and rock in concrete, then crushed stone in concrete, and finally a paved surface.

Drainage was provided,

c.

where the roads went into the cities, there were raised walkways for pedestrian

d.

A courier could cover 75 miles