1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3

Shawn Bumpers / General

1 Thessalonians / 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13

 

Introduction

If there is a key word in this chapter, it is “Establish.”

The Greek word is στηρίζω Sterizo (stay-reed-zoh) which means “strengthen” is seen in verse 2.

Galatians 5:1 NKJV
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Ephesians 6:13 NKJV
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Paul’s concern was their falling away from the faith, rather than “losing their salvation.”

Like the Thessalonians of 51 A.D., Christians today go through times of testing and affliction.

Paul was not satisfied just to have these people saved  and nurtured.

So then, what means did Paul use to establish these believers in the faith?

His means was discipleship.

Lexham Theological Wordbook Discipleship

Discipleship is the process of devoting oneself to a teacher to learn from and become more like them. For the Christian, this refers to the process of learning the teachings of Jesus and following after his example in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. Discipleship not only involves the process of becoming a disciple but of making other disciples through teaching and evangelism.

Luke 9:62 NKJV

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

You see, discipleship costs something.

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

In Luke 9, Jesus gives an illustration of the cost of discipleship.

Luke 9:62 NKJV

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

How do you plow a field with furrows that are straight?

In terms of discipleship, don’t look down, don’t look back – just keep your eyes on Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

One part is knowing what following Jesus looks like and where it leads … another part is knowing how … and these things are where discipleship come in.

Paul said to consider those who walk properly so that you might follow their example. 

Also recognize that discipleship is a two way street requiring the disciples to follow and the one doing the discipling to be an example worthy of following.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NKJV
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Paul had preached the gospel to the Thessalonians.

He had also shown the believers what a disciple looks like. 

1 Thessalonians 3:10 NKJV

night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

V1-5

The chapter division here is unfortunate.

Chapter and verse markings are not original to the text anymore than you divide your letters up into chapter and verse.

They were added later for convenience. 

The Greek word Dio means “Therefore” and it links what Paul now says to what he has said before.

Paul says in verse 1 that they could no longer endure their concern for the Thessalonians without taking action.

When Paul and his friends left Thessalonica, they went to Berea and ministered the Word.

But troublemakers from Thessalonica followed them and stirred up opposition against them.

Paul then left for Athens while Silas and Timothy remained at Berea as we see in Acts 17.

As we talked about last week, Paul may have been physically hindered by Satan from visiting the Thessalonians himself …

… but he had other means of reaching them and he chose to do that through (1) a letter and (2) his friend, Timothy. 

It’s a word that can be used of abandoning.

Matthew 19:5 NKJV

and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

Acts 25:14 NKJV
When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,

So, Paul wants it understood that it was with a very real sense of loss that Paul had said goodbye to Timothy.

Paul wants them to know just how important to him they were. 

Paul chose to be “abandoned” to allow for Timothy to go to the Thessalonians.

Timothy was important to Paul … he was a brother and a minister of God, a fellow laborer in the Gospel.

The first quality of discipleship is: Sacrifice

Paul was willing to sacrifice having his own needs met and so he sent Timothy to them. 

The word translated “minister” is the Greek word “diakonos” and means table waiter and servant.

It came to mean “deacon” as the church is familiar with the term … “one who meets the physical needs of the church.”

Not every believer is equipped to establish other Christians in the faith.

That being said, ideally every Christian should be mature enough to help other Christians grow in the Lord and learn to stand on their own 2 feet.

Timothy was first and foremost a believer.

Many Christians are afraid of hard work … heavy theological lifting … studying God’s Word and putting it to practice … exercising discernment.

Hebrews 5:11–14 NKJV
of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

And we see that key word “Establish” here … sterizo … strengthen.

The verb strengthen was an often used term in the early church. 

It occurs often in the New Testament and it speaks to the point that it is not sufficient to have had a spectacular conversion.

We must go on and be established and strengthened in the faith.

This was Timothy’s purpose for going to the Thessalonians.

He was to continue the work that Paul had begun … helping them to understand and to live out their faith without being shaken or stumbled.

The second characteristic of discipleship is: Support

Paul says, “We” … speaking of all Christians … “are appointed” (a Greek word meaning ‘placed’) to this.

In other words, while we await the return of our Lord Jesus, affliction (oppression) is our lot.

The trials and tests that come into our lives as Christians are not by accident.

Philippians 1:29 NKJV
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

These afflictions have the potential to “unsettle” or “shake up” new and immature believers to the point of causing them to abandon their faith.

It’s σαίνω sainō (say-NO) which pictures a dog wagging its tail, whence it comes to signify ‘to fawn upon’, ‘to flatter’.

Paul’s fear was that while the Gentiles were persecuting them, the Jewish counter missionaries were cajoling them to abandon grace for a works based religion.

Timothy’s task was to establish these believers and encourage them in their faith.

1 John 5:4 NKJV
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Timothy was to examine their faith and see if they were passing the test.

He was to bring a report back, so that Paul would be better informed of their situation. 

Paul wanted to know if false doctrine had crept in so he could correct it. 

So while Timothy was ministering amongst them he observed their faith in real life.

The “trials” that the Thessalonians experienced were not a matter of chance, fate, karma, or bad luck.

Nor were they unique to the Thessalonians. 

Rather, they are a consequence of God’s election, and part of the common experience of Christians everywhere.

2 Thessalonians 1:4–5 NKJV
so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

V6-8

According to Acts 18, Timothy met Paul at Corinth and that is where he gave him the great news that things were going well at Thessalonica.

Timothy’s report was that the Thessalonians were standing firm in the midst of the persecution.

• He had seen the suffering that they faithfully endured.

• He saw their faith proven through love and good works despite the intense persecution.

• They did not believe the lies the counter missionaries told about Paul.

• He learned that they had good memories of Paul and desired for him to return to them.

The Thessalonians had shown faith and love; they had not been wanting in the right attitude.

It is interesting that Paul sent Timothy to inquire about their faith and Timothy came back speaking of their faith and love.

Galatians 5:6 NKJV
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

The word πίστις Pistis (PEE-steez) meaning “faith” is used 5 times in this chapter.

Satan is the enemy of our faith.

As we will see in verse 10, Paul wanted them to have mature (perfected) faith. 

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV
remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

Here Paul points out how the endurance of the Thessalonian Christians through their affliction has been an encouragement to Paul and his team in their own afflictions.

2 Corinthians 7:4 NKJV
Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

And here in verse 8 Paul says, “For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.”

But we might ask ourselves what it was that sustained the Thessalonian believers through their afflictions?

I believe that it was quite simply this: They were established in truth. 

In this letter we find every major doctrine of the faith addressed … the Holy Trinity … God, in 3 distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

He also deals with sin and salvation, the church, the work of ministry, and the doctrine of the return of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In those verses, “all” means “all” and “inspiration of God” is θεόπνευστος theopneustos (thay-OPP-nest-oss) meaning “God Breathed.”

There is not a single piece of scripture that is inconsequential … it is all given to us by God and should not be ignored, avoided or replaced.

Spiritual growth and stability require a working knowledge of the Bible.

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Psalm 119:105 NKJV
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

Ephesians 6:17 NKJV

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

The fourth quality of discipleship: Stimulation (Quickening)

When he was with them, Paul faithfully taught them God’s Word.

And like he said to the elders of the Ephesian church:

Acts 20:27 NKJV

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

• And Paul prompted them with this letter, encouraging them in their standing and helping them with what is lacking in their faith.

Paul hadn’t been able to personally visit them at this time, but he was able to write to them and tell them how proud he was of them. 

V9-13

Verse 9 would be better put, “For what great thanks can we pay back to God concerning you.”

The church in Thessalonica had been so well established that, though the believers were young in the faith and subjected to such persecution, they had come through with flying colours.

Paul might feel proud of his work, but he realized that their endurance was due to the work of God, and thus he gives thanks to God for his goodness.

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 4:2 NKJV
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Similarly, Paul said he and those with him prayed for the Thessalonian believers night and day.

So then, prayer during the night, forsaking one’s own comfort of sleep was a mark of special devotion, as it would also be today.

1 Samuel 12:23 NKJV

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.

Acts 6:4 NKJV
but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Luke 22:31–32 NKJV
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Paul says in verse 10 that his prayer was (a) that they may be able to go to the Thessalonians so that (b) they may perfect what is lacking in their faith.

The verb καταρτίζω katartizō (ka-tar-TI-dzo) means ‘to make complete.’

It is used in scripture of activities like mending nets, though in the New Testament it is usually in a metaphorical sense.

‘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.’

Indeed it is good to lead others to Christ, but they also must be discipled so that they continue to mature to a strong faith that can stand under pressure.

The fifth quality of discipleship is: Supplication

In Acts 4, Peter and John were in danger.

The religious leaders in Jerusalem opposed the gospel and had warned them to cease their preaching of it. 

Peter and John returned and reported this to the other believers, and they immediately held a prayer meeting. 

James 5:16 NASB95

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Tradition says that Paul’s knees were like those of camels because he spent so much time on them in prayer … so it would be an understatement to say that Paul counted on the effectiveness of prayer.

And here Paul wrote down a prayer in which he prayed that “their love might abound to one another and to all.” 

But Paul is praying that their love might increase even more. 

There is always room for growth in the Christian life.

I believe there is an application for us in this that is good for this new year.

Of course there is the importance of prayer … committing to prayer … for those who are young in the faith, for those ministering the Word.

I believe that in this new year, these things are important prayers for us … That our love might abound to one another and to all, and that we grow in holiness, so as to be blameless at Christ’s coming.

Conclusion:

Paul showed his concern and care for those he led to Christ.