The Encouraging Effects of Fellowship
027 The Encouraging Effect of Fellowship
1 Thessalonians 3:8
October 26, 2025
We are still discussing “The Necessity of Sanctification”
We have most recently been talking about
THE DYNAMICS OF SANCTIFICATION.
We are looking at practicality.
We are discussing what to pursue and how to pursue it.
· We’ve seen that there are useless tools regarding sanctification, like legalism, mysticism, and asceticism.
· But we also are learning that there are valuable tools regarding sanctification, like Scripture, Prayer, Providence, Fellowship, and Obedience.
We are currently discussing FELLOWSHIP.
And although we looked at it last week, I want to devote at least one more week to it.
AND THIS MORNING, I WANT TO DO THIS IN A PERSONAL WAY.
· Someone started designating October as “Pastor Appreciation Month”.
· I don’t know who started that.
· I know that you guys have been so faithful to participate in that and so willing to
show me and my family your love and encouragement over the years.
It is really quite humbling.
My first church only let me stay for 18 months before they sent me packing
You guys have now graciously endured me for over 22 years.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOU.
But since today you have chosen even to have a fellowship meal
Under the heading of “Pastor Appreciation”
I thought it would be fitting to reveal an aspect of how fellowship matters.
And not just how fellowship matters,
But even how it sanctifies and encourages faithfulness.
So today, maybe we’ll get a little more personal in our discussion
AND HOPEFULLY I CAN HELP YOU SEE
How your faithfulness to fellowship is sanctifying and encouraging to me.
And to do that, we’re going to take a big look at
Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.
IT IS A LETTER ALL ABOUT ENCOURAGEMENT.
It is certainly Paul encouraging the Thessalonians,
But even more we learn how the Thessalonians encouraged Paul
And strengthened him to continue on in the ministry.
If you’re not familiar with the church at Thessalonica
Let me give you the background.
TURN TO: ACTS 17:1-15
That gives you a little insight into Thessalonica.
· Militant
· Irrational
· Not “noble-minded” like the Bereans
· Persistent (even to chase Paul)
· Violent
· Corrupt
It was an unlikely planting ground for the seeds of the gospel,
But God’s grace abounded and A CHURCH WAS PLANTED.
AND YET, PAUL HAD TO FLEE.
What would become of this young congregation?
What would become of these new believers in such an atmosphere?
It is clear that this concern was consuming Paul.
TURN TO: 1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-5
You see his heart there.
Twice he said, “when we could endure it no longer”
· He had to know about them.
· He had to know if their faith endured.
· He had to know if they stood strong.
Paul was so different than the modern-day evangelist
· Who swoops into a church
· Puts on a gimmicky manipulative presentation
· Then swoops out with only a desire to boast of how many converts they had.
· You never hear from them again.
BUT THAT WASN’T PAUL.
When Paul gave his list of sufferings he had endured, he closed it with:
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?”
That’s what Paul was dealing with here.
He was concerned.
He wanted to know.
You also see it at the end of chapter 2.
TURN TO: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:17-20
· Do you hear the apostles longing for them?
· Do you hear his desire for their fellowship?
· Do you hear his concern?
He was distraught over them.
And he reached a point where he could endure it no longer.
Well, the context of this letter is that
Timothy has arrived and brought news of their faith to Paul.
And we read:
(3:6-8) “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought 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, 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.”
This news was no small thing to Paul.
Here he was a persecuted man.
· He was on the run.
· He was alone.
· He had most recently been in Athens where he was laughed out of town as an idle babbler.
Now he was in Corinth and ministry was difficult.
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.”
He was still preaching, but only on the Sabbath.
· The rest of the time he was having to work as a tent-maker to make ends meet.
· His funds had dwindled.
· His ministry partners were gone.
· He was concerned about the Thessalonians.
This was a dark time in the ministry for Paul.
And then we read:
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.”
Timothy showed up.
· He had come from Macedonia (Thessalonica).
· He most likely had some financial assistance that freed Paul up to work.
· He told Paul that the Thessalonians were doing great.
· And we see an energized Paul ready to take on the work again.
The book of Acts doesn’t tell us much in the way of the encouragement Timothy brought, but Paul speaks about it here in 1 Thessalonians.
He says, (7) “for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith.”
Timothy’s report about their faithfulness
Gave him all the boost that he needed to get back to work.
WELL, WHAT WERE THEY DOING? WHAT WAS THE REPORT?
TURN BACK TO CHAPTER 1
You see this letter beginning with a grateful apostle.
· I’m not suggesting that he had grown ungrateful in Corinth.
· I don’t think Paul was bitter.
But once he received word from Timothy his gratitude abounded
And he had to write a letter.
Let’s see how Paul was encouraged:
(READ 1:2-5) “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”
What is Paul so grateful for?
What has so lifted his spirits?
He lists it in verse 3.
· “constantly bearing in mind your work of faith”
· “and labor of love”
· “and steadfastness of hope”
FAITH – HOPE – LOVE
In short, they are WORKERS FOR CHRIST.
They are engaged in the “work of faith”.
And we can only guess at what all that might have been.
· Evangelizing the lost…
· Teaching the gospel…
· Discipling those in the church…
· Teaching the children…
Their light was not hidden under a bushel.
They were sharing the gospel.
They were explaining the gospel.
They were sharing their faith.
They were engaged in “labor of love”
· Can you see them in benevolence there?
· Can you see them caring for widows?
· Can you see them feeding the hungry?
· Can you see them helping the weak?
They were involved in works of love.
They sacrificed themselves for the good of the brethren.
And then Paul credits them with the “steadfastness of hope”
· They didn’t quit even when persecution arose.
· Even when they were told to stop preaching…
· Even when they were warned to stop helping the poor…
· Even when their benevolence seemed unfruitful…
· They remained steadfast.
AND PAUL WAS ENCOURAGED.
They were WORKERS FOR CHRIST and it encouraged Paul.
Not only that, but Paul discussed their WITNESS OF CHRIST
Look at verses 6-9a
(6-9a) “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you…”
I LOVE THIS.
Here was Paul sitting in Corinth wondering if the church at Thessalonica survived
And he received word that it did more than survive, it was thriving!
HE LEARNED that the believers there
· Had “become imitators of us and of the Lord”
· They “became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia”
· That “the word of the Lord has sounded forth from [them]”
· That “in every place [their] faith toward God” was evident.
How could Paul be so sure of this?
(9) “For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you…”
LET ME HELP YOU FILL IN THE GAPS.
· Paul, and Silas, and Timothy had all been in Thessalonica.
· They all had to flee because the Thessalonian Jews were so militant.
· They went to Berea and ministered there.
But remember the Thessalonians showed up in Berea to oppose Paul.
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.”
· Paul went to Athens and eventually to Corinth.
· Silas and Timothy stayed behind.
· At some point Paul sent word for Timothy to go check on the Thessalonian believers.
But Timothy actually found out how they were doing
Before he ever even made it back to Thessalonica.
Everywhere he went he started hearing about these Christians there.
Everyone was talking about them.
Everyone was amazed.
When Timothy would say, “I was with Paul when that church was planted,”
Whoever he was talking to would say, “You guys did a great work there. Those believers are the real-deal!”
· They talk about Jesus all the time.
· They are busy serving God.
· We are all aware of their great faith even among persecution.
· That church is inspirational!
When Timothy returned to Paul, he was able to tell Paul
That everyone was talking about
The faithfulness of that church all over Macedonia.
Their witness for Christ was spreading.
Their witness for Christ was evident.
That church was becoming famous for all the right reasons.
Only it wasn’t just their work and it wasn’t just their witness.
People also took notice of THEIR WORSHIP OF CHRIST
Look at verses 9-10
(9-10) “For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”
This is the report that Timothy kept hearing…
Not only was it about their proclamation of the gospel,
But it was a report of the unbelievable change
That had occurred in their lives.
THESE PEOPLE WERE DIFFERENT.
They “turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God”
· They were no longer interested in the things of the world.
· They were no longer charmed by the world’s delights.
· They were no longer compromised by the world’s attractions.
They loved God.
They served God.
They talked about God.
They were devoted to God.
Nothing mattered more to them than worship.
And they had but one true desire.
“to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”
They had but one love and that was Jesus.
These people were different and everyone knew it.
· They didn’t look like the world.
· They didn’t talk like the world.
· They didn’t act like the world.
· Their lives were consumed with WORKING FOR CHRIST
· Their lives were consumed with WITNESSING ABOUT CHRIST
· Their lives were consumed with THE WORSHIP OF CHRIST
AND EVEN THEIR REPUTATION EVIDENCED THAT.
That is the word Paul received back from Timothy.
That’s why Paul would also say in chapter 2
TURN TO: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:13-14
Can you see how the Thessalonians caused Paul to be grateful?
· Can you see how encouraged he is that his ministry was fruitful?
· Can you see how encouraged he is that his preaching was not in vain?
He was delighted that they imitated the churches in Judea.
He was delighted that they endured suffering for Christ.
THIS CHURCH ENCOURAGED HIM!
And to that good news Paul said:
(3:7-8) “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.”
THIS WAS THE ENCOURAGEMENT PAUL NEEDED.
He needed to know that his ministry was effective.
He needed to know that his distress and affliction was producing fruit.
The fact is that a congregation can have a great effect
On the encouragement of their leaders.
REMEMBER
The frustration he had with the Galatians who were debating converting to Judaism?
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.”
Saying a few verses later:
Galatians 4:19-20 “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”
With the Galatians Paul was distressed
Because they were not living the gospel he preached.
Consider what he wrote to the Philippians:
Philippians 2:14-16 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”
Paul wanted to see the Philippians living without grumbling
So that he would know his gospel had taken root in their lives.
The point is that it was important to the apostle
To see the effect of his ministry in their lives.
And when he could see that it did, he was encouraged.
The apostle John said something similar:
3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”
That is the same point there from John.
It was encouraging to Paul when he is able to see
The effect of the gospel on the lives of the congregation.
Perhaps no congregation did this more for Paul than the Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 2:1 “For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain,”
They encouraged him.
· He knew his ministry there was not in vain.
· He knew the suffering was worth it.
· He knew the traveling was worth it.
· He knew the labor was worth it.
AND WHAT EFFECT DID THAT HAVE ON PAUL?
Certainly it produced gratitude in him.
But more than that.
Let me read it again:
Acts 18:1-5 “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. 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 think the report about their faith strengthened the apostle?
I’m NOT suggesting that Paul was about to quit or anything like that.
But can you not see how that news inspired him?
And you can keep reading.
Paul would face more hardship in Corinth.
Acts 18:6-11 “But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”
It didn’t matter that he faced more hard-hearted Jews…
It didn’t matter that he faced more opposition…
One thing he knew was that even if the Jews reject it,
God can still plant a church among Gentiles.
Where do you think he learned that?
Paul knew his ministry was not in vain.
People were being saved.
You can’t help but recognize what a shot of confidence it was
To have a church like the Thessalonians
Who demonstrated their transformed life.
THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS GOD USES FELLOWSHIP.
This is how fellowship encourages.
This is how fellowship sanctifies.
And on a day where we are scheduled to eat and celebrate
That God has seen fit to allow us to serve together for 22 years
This is a good reminder.
You may have a meal which says that you appreciate me,
BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU CHURCH THAT I NEED YOU.
And I can tell you what I need.
I can tell you what encourages me more than anything else.
I can tell you what drives me to study more and learn more and preach more.
IT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
When I see evidence of your love for the word.
When I see evidence of your love for the church.
When I see evidence of your desire to grow.
When I see evidence of your desire to learn.
These are the things that encourage me.
These are the things that make me want to
Pull up to the desk again and keep studying.
These are the things that make me want to write another sermon.
Your faithfulness helps drive me to faithfulness.
That’s what Paul told the Thessalonians.
He was encouraged by their faithfulness because he realized his ministry was not for nothing.
But let me show you one more thing about this letter.
TURN TO: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1
Did you catch that?
· “excel still more”
TURN TO: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:9-10
There it is again:
· “excel still more”
AND THAT IS ALSO MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU.
“excel still more”
Clearly when Paul said that to the Thessalonians
It was NOT said out of disappointment.
He WASN’T telling them to “excel still more”
Because he deemed them as failing.
He already spent 3 chapters praising them for how well they were doing.
But the call is never to grow content.
· The call is never to grow complacent.
· The call is to grow.
· The call is to pursue sanctification.
· The call is to be conformed into the image of Christ.
So even though Paul was elated with the news about the Thessalonians
The encouragement was still “excel still more.”
THAT IS MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU THIS MORNING.
“excel still more”
· I want to ask you to be more devoted to Christ.
· I want to ask you to be more devoted to His church.
· I want to ask you to be more devoted to the gospel.
· I want to ask you to be more devoted to the ministry.
I don’t want you to look around and say to yourself,
“I do more than most, but I sure hope everyone else is listening.”
I don’t want you to sit back and say,
“I think I’m doing enough, the preacher doesn’t even know what all I do.”
I don’t want you to sit back and say,
“I’ve done my time, it’s time for someone else to serve a while.”
I want you, just you, to look at your life and ask:
· How can I serve Christ more?
· How can I serve Christ better?
· How can I be more devoted to the church?
· How can I be more of an encouragement to the body?
You want some simple practical ways.
Take the next step.
When Carrie and I were involved in college ministry years ago
Someone showed up with a concentric circle chart.
· The middle circle said: CORE
· The next circle said: faithful attenders
· The next circle said: semi-faithful attenders
· The next circle said: sporadic attenders
· The next circle said: non-attenders
· The next circle said: lost
And the whole idea was to try to move people from one circle to the next.
I would encourage you to do that
In regard to any and all of these tools of sanctification.
Step up your Bible reading game a notch, move to the next level.
Step up your prayer life a notch, move to the next level.
AND THE SAME FOR FELLOWSHIP.
The same for church devotion.
· Are you sporadic, then get faithful.
· Are you faithful, then come on Sunday night
· Do you come on Sunday night, come to Sunday school
· Do you come to Sunday school, join a ministry
· Are you in a ministry, take a step deeper in your devotion to it
JUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP.
The church needs you.
I need you.
Fellowship is such an encouragement and a tool of sanctification.
To those who have been so faithful over the years
To attend and listen and apply the sermons, I am so grateful for you.
You have been an encouragement to me to keep going.
But even to you I encourage to “excel still more”
The fellowship can either be a source of encouragement or discouragement, make sure you are participating to encourage.
SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON.
Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
“for now we really live if you stand firm in the Lord.”