ESTABLISHING THE SAINTS
1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-13
1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
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:
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
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.
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.
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:
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Intro:
- In the first two chapters, Paul explained how the church was born and nurtured. In this chapter he deals with another step in helping these new believers to grow in spiritual maturity: establishing the saints.
- The key word in this chapter is establish. The key thought is expressed in verse 8: “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”
- Paul here explains three ministries that he performed to help these believers become more firmly established in their new found faith.
1. Paul Sent Them A Helper (vv. 1-5)
1) Paul’s
- The “wherefore” that opens this chapter refers to vv. 17-20 of chapter 2, where Paul expressed his great love for the believers.
- The word translated “left” in verse 1 means “to leave loved ones at death.” To leave these new believers was like an experience of bereavement. Paul loved them so much. He simply could not abandon them and hope things worked out well for them. He knew they needed spiritual help.
- So concerned was Paul that he did something about it, he sent Timothy to check on them.
2) Timothy’s character (v. 2)
- Timothy’s mission was twofold: to strengthen and to encourage.
- The word establish is used in other contexts with the idea of buttressing or supporting a structure. Timothy’s ministry and mission on his visit were to attach himself to the believers in order to keep them from shifting and buckling under the pressures of persecution.
The word comfort means to encourage, assist, cheer up, or comfort. This is the same word that is connected to the Holy Spirit, i.e. the Comforter. Timothy was to come alongside these new believers and offer encouragement that can come only through personal presence.
Timothy was ideal for being sent to the Thessalonian believers. He was the kind of person who could help younger believers grow in the Lord.
What are the characteristics of a person who can help a young believer grow?
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- We cannot lead another where we have not been ourselves, nor can we share that which we do not possess.
2] Minister
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- Nothing great happens in the context of church or service if we always work solo.
3) The church’s
- Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica because he was concerned that they would allow their afflictions to move them away from their faith in Jesus, i.e. they would back off, walk away, etc.
- Paul urges them to not let their afflictions move them, i.e. don’t be shaken, unsettled, disturbed.
The trials and testings that come to our lives as Christians are not accidents – they are appointments.
Behind persecution stands the Tempter. He seeks to ruin our faith.
- In times of persecution, it is good to know that you are not alone. It is also good to have someone more experienced in their walk with Christ to be with you. That is why Paul sent Timothy to be with these young believers.
2. Paul Wrote Them A Letter (vv. 6-8)
- Timothy returned from Thessalonica and met Paul in Corinth with the good news that things were going well there.
- The phrase “brought us good tidings” is the exact equivalent of “preaching the Good News of the Gospel.” The report from Timothy was, to Paul, like hearing the Gospel. It was good news!
- Based on Timothy’s report, Paul is like, “I know things are going to be alright. You guys are going to make it.”
Paul decides to write a letter to the Thessalonians. This suggests that God’s Word is one of the best tools for
The Bible is able to establish us because it is the inspired Word of God. (2 Tim. 3:16)
The Bible is not a book of fairy tales and stories with morals. It is the very Word of God. It is good for doctrine (telling what is right), for reproof (telling what is not right), for correction (telling how to get right), and instruction in righteousness (telling how to stay right).
A working knowledge of the Bible is essential for spiritual growth and stability.
- God’s Word is food to nourish us, light to guide us, and a weapon to defend us.
3. Paul Prayed For Them (vv. 9-13)
Paul prays and give thanks to God for what he has heard. But he doesn’t just give thanks for what he has heard. He prays that God will grant even more. Paul made three requests for the Thessalonians:
1) Maturing
- The word translated perfect has the meaning of adjust, equip, furnish.
- Paul wanted to actually return and see them so that he could “complete” what was lacking. He isn’t saying that their faith was waning. He is simply saying there are more things he wanted to teach them. He wanted to fill in some of the gaps of their faith, i.e. their beliefs.
- In the meantime, he is praying that their faith (i.e. their trust) would grow stronger.
2) Abounding
- Persecuted people (or people in pain) often become very self-centered and demanding.
- What life does to us depends on what life finds in us; and nothing reveals the true inner man like the furnace of affliction.
- Our growing faith in God ought to result in a growing love for others. (cf. 1 Thess. 4:9)
- True love deepens in times of difficulty; shallow love disappears when difficulties appear.
- True Christian love is shown not only to believers, but also “toward all men.” (v. 12)
3) Holy
- Paul prayed that these new believers might stand blameless and holy before God at Christ’s return.
- This request is in reference to their lives lived here on earth as they will be reviewed at the Judgment.
We will never face our sins in heaven, for they were judged on the cross. But our works will be tested, and you cannot separate conduct from character.
The return of Jesus Christ should motivate the believer to live a holy life. Christ’s return is a source of stability in the Christian life. Where there is stability, there can be sanctity.
Note how Paul prays for his friends: “night and day,” “exceedingly.”
- Paul teaches us how we should pray for all believers (not just new). We should pray that their faith will mature, their love will grow, and their character and conduct will be blameless before God.