An Encouraged Apostle
1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
To get started tonight, I simply want you to think back to a time in your life
When you received some much needed encouragement.
• Some time when you were tired, or down-trodden, or discouraged; and someone gave you a piece of encouragement.
• Or some time when you were not doing what you should have been, and someone gave you an encouragement to get on the right track.
• Or maybe a time a person encouraged you and didn’t even realize it.
(The girl who defrosted the freezer)
She doesn’t know it to this day,
But she is the main reason we had Toy Store that year.
It is timely encouragement.
And I ask you to think about a time in your life,
Because I want you to understand what was going on here in Paul’s life.
Paul was in need of some timely encouragement.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
• The trip started with division. (before they ever left Paul and Barnabas parted company)
• The trip then faced major plan changes. (Jesus wouldn’t allow Paul to enter the first two places he tried to go.)
• The trip got a break when Paul saw a vision to come to Macedonia, but even that wasn’t easy.
• In Paul’s first town (Philippi) he was beaten and arrested.
• In Paul’s second town (Thessalonica) he was called “the troubler of the world” and run out of town.
• In Paul’s third town (Berea) he was also forced to leave (this time alone)
• In Paul’s fourth town (Athens) he was called an “idle babbler “
• And finally when Paul gets to his fifth town (Corinth) he has the look of an exhausted and possibly even discouraged man.
• He is still preaching on the Sabbath, but the rest of the time he is just making tents.
Acts 18:1-4 “After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.”
There are times when I can sure identify with Paul on this one.
There are times when furniture building sure is inviting.
And that is what Paul is doing here.
He was beat up
He was tired
He was alone
And tent building just seemed like a nice change of pace.
And then something happened.
Acts 18:5 “But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.”
Do you know what Silas and Timothy brought with them?
The news of how the Thessalonian church was doing.
And while Paul never forsook his calling to tell others about Christ,
Even I can see that Paul was a rejuvenated man after they arrived.
Encouragement is powerful like that.
And tonight I want to show you exactly what was going on in Paul’s mind
Both before and after he received word from the Thessalonians.
And you and I see again why encouragement is so important.
Three things
#1 PAUL’S NAGGING CONCERN
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
When you read those first 5 verses it becomes evident that
Paul had something that was really bothering him.
Twice he makes the statement “when we could endure it no longer” (1, 5)
It is obvious that Paul had something that was nagging on him.
Paul had something wearing on his mind, pushing him to the limit.
Paul is specific.
For Paul it was a concern for the Thessalonian church.
In fact in verse 5 Paul uses a stronger word than concern,
He actually uses the word “fear”
“for fear that the tempter might have tempted you”
Paul was heavily concerned about the spiritual condition
Of the Thessalonian church.
You could say that Paul was afraid of what might have become of them.
You see all he knew was that the Jews in Thessalonica had two really bad character traits; wickedness & commitment.
Not only did they hate Paul’s message,
But they were even willing to follow him to Berea
And run him out of that town as well.
And the last thing Paul remembers about Thessalonica
Was that the man who offered him shelter
Had been arrested and had to pay bail to get out.
And there was no more word.
And the concern for those new believers in Thessalonica
Was more than Paul could bear.
You may remember when Paul listed his persecution resume
In 2 Corinthians 11, he concluded it by saying this:
2 Corinthians 11:28-29 “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?”
Paul was a pastor through and through,
And the thought of his flock being bullied away from the faith
Was too much for him to handle.
That is why according to 2:18
Paul tried to come to the Thessalonians more than once,
And the fact that he was hindered by Satan did not set his mind at ease.
Paul was heavily concerned about
What Satan was trying to do to this young flock.
And that is why he says what he does in verse 1,
“Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind in Athens alone,”
Apparently when Paul was forced out of Berea, we know he left alone.
Acts 17:14-15 “Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.”
And apparently Silas and Timothy did catch up with Paul in Athens
(although unmentioned in Acts),
And it is also apparent that no sooner did they find Paul in Acts
That Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to find out how they were doing. (Presumably he sent Silas to Philippi)
Being alone in Athens could not have been a fun mission,
But Paul was so concerned for the Thessalonians
That he would rather be left alone, if it meant encouraging them.
That is indeed a pastor’s heart.
(2) “and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,”
And by sending Timothy it is apparent,
That Paul didn’t just want to know how they were doing.
Paul was convinced that they needed help.
He could have sent any type of messenger to simply learn about them,
But he sent Timothy because he was a “brother and God’s fellow worker”
And Timothy would be able “to strengthen and encourage” their faith.
It almost sounds as though Paul expected the worst.
WHAT WAS HE CONCERNED ABOUT?
1) THE TOLL OF AFFLICTION (3-4)
Paul knew that affliction and persecution and hardship
Can take its toll on a person.
• We all remember John the Baptist in Prison
• We all remember John Mark.
Acts 13:13 “Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.”
• Furthermore we all remember the promise of Jesus in regard to those who are rocky soil.
Matthew 13:20-21 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.”
It was no secret that persecution could take its toll on a believer,
Especially a new believer.
And while Paul hoped for the best, he feared the worst.
And so he sent Timothy
(3) “so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.”
Some think Paul is talking about the afflictions of the Thessalonians.
Some think Paul is talking about his own personal afflictions.
I think we would be accurate in saying that both are included,
For no doubt both suffered affliction.
And the main thing he wanted Timothy to remind them of is that
“we have been destined for this.”
Affliction is hard, no matter how you slice it.
Yet, it is much easier to swallow when you realize
That it is no shocker to God.
1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
When you can look at your affliction through the sovereign
And eternal eyes of God, it makes endurance much easier.
And that is what Paul wanted to make sure the Thessalonians understood
This is not strange.
This is not uncommon.
This does not mean you are wrong.
THIS MEANS YOU ARE RIGHT
(4) “For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.”
Paul was concerned about the affliction they were facing
And so he sent Timothy to remind them that it was all part of the plan.
In fact years later Paul would write to Timothy:
2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Paul wanted them to know that
Because he was concerned about the toll of affliction.
2) THE TEMPTATION OF SATAN (5)
How the Thessalonians withstood affliction
Was not all Paul wanted to know.
He also wanted to know about their faith in God
And their ability to withstand the temptation of Satan.
You see Paul also knew that Satan was crafty,
And if he couldn’t force you away from God,
Then he would try to seduce you away from God.
Remember the weedy soil?
Matthew 13:22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
Remember what we learned recently about wealth?
1 Timothy 6:9-10 “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Temptation is a real threat, especially to a new believer.
And so Paul also sent Timothy
To check on how they were enduring temptation.
For Paul knew that if the Thessalonians fell away
Either because of affliction or temptation,
Then his labor would have been “in vain”
And this worried Paul.
(Even about other churches)
Galatians 4:8-11 “However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”
It is the same fear here.
And Paul was so concerned by it that he preferred to be left alone
And to send Timothy to them.
And so you see what sort of state Paul was in.
We see His Nagging Concern
#2 HIS NEEDED COMFORT
1 Thessalonians 3:6-8
There are few passages of Scripture
That supply a better sigh of relief than this one.
In verse 5 Paul is almost overcome with fear and concern.
(6) “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has bought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you…(7) we were comforted about you…”
Ever had a loved one out on the road late at night, and before long your mind starts trying to run away with you?
What relief when you get a phone call,
Or see their headlights in the driveway.
This was Paul’s relief.
He was concerned, not if they were safe (he knew they weren’t safe),
But if they were faithful.
And when Timothy brought word with him, it lit up his heart.
Timothy brought “good news”
WHAT ABOUT?
1) THEIR FAITH
2) THEIR LOVE
3) THEIR LOYALTY
“good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us”
• They stood strong.
• Their faith was real – as evidenced by their love.
• And they remained loyal.
And their loyalty was not necessarily to Paul,
But rather to Paul’s gospel.
Paul couldn’t say this about all the churches he ministered to.
Galatians 1:6-9 “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”
2 Corinthians 11:1-4 “I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.”
But not the Thessalonians; their faith and love and loyalty
Set Paul’s mind and heart at ease.
(7-8) “for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.”
Can you hear Paul’s relief?
You can almost feel it.
“We didn’t labor in vain!”
“God is using us!”
“This trip hasn’t been a disaster!”
The fact that the Thessalonians stood strong was indication
That Paul was being used of God.
“now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.”
His Nagging Concern His Needed Encouragement
#3 PAUL’S NEW FOUND COMMITMENT
1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
I don’t want in any way to imply that Paul had previously suffered
From some sort of lack of commitment.
He was still preaching faithfully in the synagogue every Sabbath.
What I am saying is that Paul had a new found
Sense of purpose and encouragement.
And that is evident in the verse we read earlier in the sermon after Timothy arrived with word.
Acts 18:2-5 “And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.”
It is quite likely that Paul also received some monetary assistance that made tent making no longer necessary.
But you also see a new found zeal.
And why wouldn’t there be?
And when you read these last two verses you see THREE AREAS
In which he displayed this new found commitment.
1) THANKSGIVING (9)
The first thing Paul did when he got word through Timothy
Was fall on his knees and thank God.
Now I know we are to be thankful in all things,
But I know that it is easier to be thankful for good news than bad news.
This was good news and Paul’s heart rang out in thanksgiving.
2) PRAYER
“as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face”
We know that Paul wanted to see them before.
Chapter 2 told us he tried more than once.
But that desire was built out of fear and concern.
This desire is built out of excitement and joy.
I mean are you more eager to visit the hospital room of a dying man, or the room of a couple who have just had a baby?
You want to go to both, but for two totally different reasons.
And while praying at the first was filled with heartache and concern.
These prayers are filled with excitement and anticipation,
And those prayers are much easier to pray.
Furthermore it is evident that God had answered Paul’s previous prayers
In regard to the faith of the Thessalonians, and once prayer is answered,
It is much easier to pray the next time as well.
Paul was a rejuvenated man.
Thanksgiving was easier and so was prayer.
3) DISCIPLESHIP
“and may complete what is lacking in your faith”
Now he really wants to come!
Sort of like what he wrote to the Romans.
Romans 1:9-10 “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.”
And again we know that Paul was an evangelist and discipler,
Whether it was easy or not,
But still it is much easier to visit the house of a man who is hungry for the word than it is the house of an atheist.
Both need it, but you can look forward to one much more than the other.
And now Paul was newly excited about his ministry of discipleship
The Thessalonians had made ministry easier for Paul.
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
Obedient faithful people are an encouragement and easy to serve.
And you see how Paul was encouraged,
And not because the Thessalonians sent him a good card.
Paul was encouraged simply because they remained faithful.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN AROUND ANOTHER BELIEVER WHO MADE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO SERVE GOD?
That is what they did, and I want to encourage you to do the same.
• Make it easy for people to be a Christian around you.
• Make it easy for people to love Jesus around you.
• Make it easy for people to teach you.
• Make it exciting for people to serve you.
• Make it rewarding for people to fellowship with you.
It all boils down to your receptiveness and attitude,
And it is encouraging to those you fellowship with.
It is encouragement that is contagious
And the Thessalonians gave it to Paul.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
