CHAPTER 3

In Chapter 1, Paul wrote about the situation presently in
Thessalonica.
In Chapter 2, he reminded them of how the church was founded.
Now, here in Chapter 3, Paul establishes the time and place of
this letter; and relates a special prayer for them.

Vss 1-3

1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good
to be left at Athens alone.
2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our
fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to
comfort you concerning your faith:
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves
know that we are appointed thereunto.

The words "no longer forebear" means Paul could no longer
stand the strain of not knowing whether the church and members at
Thessalonica were living active in faith.

Obviously, Paul had been concerned for them, since the church
had its beginning in such turmoil.
So, Paul sent Timothy.
Note that Paul no longer refers to Timothy as his "son in faith." (see 1Tim. 1:2)
Now, he refers to Timothy as a "a brother, and minister of
God."

We should ALL mature in the faith and become capaple ministers
to others!
((Once a professor founded a college in his home town. Soon it
had developed into a major college and later a budding university.
The professor retired, but was later asked to come and speak to
the students.
Taking the stage, he hooked his thumbs in his vest pockets and
patted his bulbous tummy. Then he said, "Young ladies and
gentlemen, I have watched THIS institution (again patting his
tummy) GROW for 40 years. It is near and dear to my heart!))

Timothy, and his growth in the Lord was NEAR to Paul's heart!
The church at Thessalonica was ALSO NEAR to Paul's heart!

Timothy was sent to "establish" and "comfort"
the church in Thessalonica.
He was also sent to help them GROW, even in the "afflictions"
they were suffering!

And, Paul REMINDS the church that we are "appointed"
to afflictions for the sake of the Gospel of Christ Jesus.

Vs 4
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should
suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

Paul had warned them about the difficulties they would face;
and it happened while he was there.
Also, it had happened even to the present time.

If a person is serious about Jesus, he/she may suffer
disagreements with others.
Maybe some friends will turn away; even family.
Perhaps one may even lose a job.

But those difficulties should make us BETTER, not BITTER!

Vs 5
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know
your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you,
and our labour be in vain.

Let me point out here, that the Bible equates an active
faithful ministry with the FACT of salvation!

When saved, a person is indwelled and enlivened by God's Holy
Spirit!
It was by that same Holy Spirit that Jesus was raised from the dead.
It was by that same Holy Spirit that one is "quickened"
and made alive to do God's WILL. (See Eph. 2:1-6)

AND, "If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead
DWELL IN YOU, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall
also QUICKEN your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth
IN you!" (Rom. 8:11)

God not only takes the saved person from generation to
REgeneration, but also enlivens that saved person to LIVE
a life of faith in Christ!

The truly saved person will NOT live in LAXNESS!!!

And, THAT is the reason Paul wanted to know of their "LABOUR"!

Vs 6-8
6 But now when Tomotheus came from you unto us, and brought
us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have
good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us,
as we also to see you:
7 therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our
affliction and distress by your faith:
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Timothy brought back GOOD NEWS!
The church there WAS LABORING for Christ in the faith!!
((Once my wife Ann and I were getting ready to leave for work.
The children had gotten on the bus for school, and we were
cleaning up a little before we left.
I was getting the garabage and a piece of glass in the bag cut
through my pant leg and scratched my knee.
Ann was so concerned about me, she knelt down to look and see
if I needed stitches.
In the process, she bumped her knee into the SAME glass!
She had a dress on, so her knee was not protected like mine.
We spent the morning in the doctor's office getting her knee
sewed up with stitches.))

The Bible tells us, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love; in honour preferring on another." (Rom. 12:10)

Our love for our Christian brothers and sisters should be SHOWN
in our CONCERN for their well-being!

Now, I'll tell you, it's REALLY difficult to quibble and fight, when you
actually DO that!

Notice that Paul says the team was "comforted" when
they heard the news Timothy brought.

Paul and the team were RELIEVED and had JOY!

Vss 9-10
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for your, for all the
joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before God;
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face,
and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.

((Charlie Brown (in the comic strip) was building a birdhouse.
He paused and said, "Well, I'm a lousy carpenter. I can't nail
straight, I can't saw straight, and I always split the wood.
I'm nervous, I lack confidence, I'm stupid, I have poor taste,
and absolutely no sense of design."
Lucy just looked on incredulously and didn't say anything.
Charlie Brown concluded with, "So! All things considered,
it's coming along okay?"))

Do you pray giving THANKS for your fellow Christians who are
actively living in faith?
Do you PRAY for them "exceedingly?"
Are you LOOKING for opportunities to minister to them and
"perfect that which is lacking?"

Vss 11-13
11 Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
direct our way to you.
12 And the Lord make yo to increase and abound in love one
toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in
holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Paul also prayed that they "increase and abound" in love
for one another and for others. ((If we plant a tree, it begins to grow.
If we set a post, it begins to decay.
With that in mind, an old farmer once said in prayer meeting,
"I'm not making much progress, but I'm established!"
Later that week the same farmer got his wagon stuck in deep mud.
He was sitting there thinking how he might get out of the mud with
his team of mules.
Along came a neighbor and said, "Well, I see you're not making
much progress; but you ARE ESTABLISHED!"))

My friend, when God's love is GROWING in you; when you are
LIVING in ACTIVE faith; then your heart is ESTABLISHED in
HOLINESS.
It will NOT DECAY, it WILL PROGRESS!

If you receive nothing else from this chapter, I pray you
received THAT!
THAT takes the focus off what man can do, and puts the focus
on what God can do through YOU!

Creation was founded upon God's WORD!
Salvation is founded upon God's WORD!
Eternity is founded upon God's WORD!
And, REAL LIFE is found in the confidence of what God CAN DO!

Let us learn and apply God's Word to our every day decision
making!