Sermon Summary | 03.03.24
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 (NASB20)
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind alone at Athens, 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, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it happened, as you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (NASB20)
In 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, the apostle Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica to encourage them in their faith amidst persecution and affliction. He expresses his deep love and concern for them, demonstrating the qualities of honest affection, deliberate sacrifice, emotional identification, and protective action.
Sincere Affection:
1 Thessalonians 3:1 “Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,”
Paul expresses his deep love and concern for the believers in Thessalonica. Paul’s honesty and transparency in sharing his feelings with the Thessalonians show his genuine affection for them. It is important to have a sincere love for those under your care and to express that affection openly and honestly.
Jesus demonstrated honest affection towards his disciples and all people he encountered during his ministry on earth. In John 13:1, it says, “Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” Jesus openly displayed His love for His disciples, showing genuine affection and care for them until the very end.
You will never know the power of love until you are vulnerable to the pain of love.
Deliberate Sacrifice:
1 Thessalonians 3:2 – 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,
Paul talks about sending Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians in their faith. Despite the risks and challenges involved in sending Timothy, Paul made a deliberate sacrifice for the well-being of the believers in Thessalonica. As leaders, we must be willing to make sacrifices for the good of those we lead, even if it means putting ourselves in uncomfortable or difficult situations.
Jesus made the ultimate deliberate sacrifice by giving His life on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for the salvation of humanity, demonstrating His sacrificial love and commitment to those He came to save.
Emotional Identification:
1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 – “so that no one would be unsettled by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 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 demonstrates emotional identification with the Thessalonians in verse 4. Paul shared in the sufferings and trials of the Thessalonians, showing empathy and understanding towards their struggles. As leaders, it is important to be emotionally connected to those we lead, sharing in their joys and sorrows and walking alongside them in their struggles.
Jesus showed emotional identification with people’s suffering and struggles throughout His ministry. In Matthew 9:36, it says, “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus had empathy and understanding towards the people He encountered, sharing in their pain and showing compassion towards their needs.
We will all suffer, and therefore we should all be able to identify with each other. God set the itinerary for your life, and he made suffering one of the destinations along the road. Preaching that doesn't prepare us to suffer is not interested in our survival. If Jesus and Paul preached suffering, if Peter and everyone else preached suffering, how can I edit it out of the Christian contract?
Protective Action:
1 Thessalonians 3:5: “For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.”
Paul expresses his concern for the spiritual well-being of the Thessalonians. Paul took protective action to ensure that the Thessalonians were standing firm in their faith and not being led astray by the tempter. As leaders, we must be vigilant in protecting those under our care from spiritual harm and temptations that may come their way.
Paul didn't say, "I had to make sure that the enemy didn't hurt your feelings or that the enemy didn't hurt your body." Instead Paul says, "I had to make sure the enemy didn't hurt your faith!"
Jesus took protective action to guard His followers from harm and lead them in the ways of righteousness. In John 17:12, Jesus prays to the Father, saying, “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” Jesus actively protected His disciples from the evil one and kept them safe under His care.
You can make it limping—just ask Jacob. Your limp is necessary to show you how to depend on God. --Romell Williams
Conclusion:
Only God can forecast your storm and be your anchor at the same time. The meteorologist is really no good to you past their warning. They can’t reinforce anything; they can only tell you what is on the way. But thank the Lord that he won’t just warn you: He will be with you when trouble comes.