1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith

I. The context

A. Relationship

1) “We sent Timothy…to

and

Reveal Answer

you.”

1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith

2) “We were

you.”

1 Thessalonians 3:4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you
that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

3) “We

to see you.”

1 Thessalonians 3:6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

4) “We are

about you.”

1 Thessalonians 3:7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

B. Paul

relationships.

1) Everyone in the body of Christ has

to add.

Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

2) Paul recognized that we

each other.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

II. Four ways to strengthen relationships:

A. A committed

1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

1) Paul was committed to

for them.

1 Thessalonians 3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.

2) Paul was willing to endure

for them.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

B. A continual

1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

1) Paul wanted to

value to their life.

1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith

2) Encouragement keeps us

.

1 Thessalonians 3:3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

3) Encouragement is a

.

1 Thessalonians 3:7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

C. A challenging

1 Thessalonians 3:8-11 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 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? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

1) When you live for God, your life takes on

. When others live for God because of us, our lives take on

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.

2) Expectation must be turned into

.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

a. Your faith will

.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

b. Your love will

.

1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

c. Your life will be

.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 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.