Paul's Letters 1 Thessalonians

Encouraging And Praying For The Church

Discover Jesus as: Coming Lord 1 Thessalonians 3 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 554 of 730
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INTRO

One of Paul’s practices was to pour into the cities to make sure the people were shepherded and grounded in the Word of God. To make sure the people in Thessalonica were taken care of, Paul sent Timothy to help them. In the first two chapters of this book, Paul explained how the church was born and how they were nurtured. In this chapter, Paul talks about their level of maturity. Our word for this book is Coming Lord, which comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Paul wanted to make sure this group of believers would be ready for Christ’s return.

TEACHING

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2: Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage the believers in Thessalonica (vv. 1-2). There is nothing better than discipleship done in person, face to face, where you can see each other. Though Paul couldn’t return, he sent Timothy, a fellow worker, believer, minister, and deacon, who was not afraid to work. If we’re going to get ready for the Coming Lord, we have to strengthen and encourage the people we have poured into. Paul sent Timothy to help them grow in their faith—which he mentions five times in the first ten verses of this chapter. What is so important about growing in faith?

1 Thessalonians 3:3-5: Paul wanted them to grow in their faith so they wouldn’t be “shaken by these persecutions” (v. 3). By stating, “we are appointed to this,” Paul implies God knows His followers will suffer. When we go through times of persecution and tribulation, it is to refine and strengthen us. According to MacArthur, “Paul reminded the Thessalonians of this divine appointment so that they would not think that: (1) God’s plan was not working out as evidenced by Paul’s troubles, or (2) Paul’s afflictions demonstrated God’s displeasure with him.”1 If Jesus went through it and Paul went through it, why would the Thessalonians be any different? In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus said, “Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed. . .You are blessed when they insult and persecute you. . .because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because. . .that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Paul sent Timothy to put his arm around them as they suffered through hard times so they would be strengthened through this process. While he was there, Paul warned them persecution was coming (v. 4). Now he sent Timothy to check on them, because he feared “the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing” (v. 5).

1 Thessalonians 3:6-8: Paul sent a helper because he was afraid and concerned about persecution, and he was afraid they might be turning away.2 Timothy returned to Paul with good news: their faith and love was strong, they had good memories of Paul, and they wanted to see him again (v. 6). Paul was encouraged that they were standing firm in the Lord (vv. 7-8). MacArthur said, “Pictured here is an army that refuses to retreat even though it is being assaulted by the enemy.”3 Paul sent them this letter to let them know he was excited for them. Wiersbe said this letter shows, “God’s Word is food to nourish us (Matthew 4:4), a light to guide us (Psalm 119:105), and a weapon to defend us (Ephesians 6:17).4

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13: Not only did Paul send them a helper and write them a letter, but Paul also prayed for them.5 Paul was excited by the change he saw in them (v. 9), and he prayed night and day to see them again to teach them more (v. 10). Paul wasn’t criticizing them; he wanted them to experience the fullness of God in their lives. Paul loved them so much he went before almighty God and prayed their love would spill over, not only to Paul, but also to everyone in order to radically impact Thessalonica and spread to other cities in the area (vv. 11-12). Paul also prayed God would make their hearts “blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints” (v. 13). In his prayer, Paul basically said, “Hey, Jesus is coming, and I need your hearts to be ready. I need you to walk in holiness, so you reflect Him. And sometimes I believe the only way that can happen is if I pray for that in your lives.”

CLOSING

Jesus is coming back, and Paul wanted them to be ready!

  1. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 1754.

  2. Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 1989), pp. 714-715.

  3. MacArthur, p. 1754.

  4. Wiersbe, p. 715.

  5. Wiersbe, p. 715.

Questions

  1. In 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul talked about the afflictions he and his fellow travelers had suffered for their beliefs. Do you think you would be willing to suffer like Paul did for the sake of the gospel? Meditate on how much Paul went through. (Acts 14:19; 2 Corinthians 11:24–27)
  2. How would you compare your love for the church to Paul’s love for the Thessalonian church? Is it a genuine, selfless, sacrificing love? If not, how could you change that?
  3. First Thessalonians 3:13 says, “May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” How do you establish your heart without blame?
  4. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in 1 Thessalonians 3 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin 1 Thessalonians 3:6–7

“But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith.”

Paul and Silas intentionally sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church to help strengthen and encourage the believers there out of care and concern for them and their faith. Timothy returned with great reports of their strong faith, even amidst expected persecution. Paul continued to pray for them and encouraged them to stand firm in the Lord.

As believers, speaking words of encouragement is critical. How often do you take time to encourage a missionary or a pastor, a spouse, child, friend, or coworker? Encouragement brings life to a person’s soul. As a believer, stand firm and speak life, hope, and encouragement to others. Today, take a few minutes to encourage and pray for someone the Lord puts on your heart. Call them or write them a note. As a guide, follow Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian church: “May the Lord cause [insert person’s name here] to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as you also do for [insert person’s name here]. May He make [insert person’s name here]’s heart blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.”

“But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith.”

— 1 Thessalonians 3:6–7

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 — “And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you. May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
  • Hebrews 3:13 — “But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.”
  • Hebrews 10:24–25 — “And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”