Studies in 1 Thessalonians #4- What are we Looking to Increase?

Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Again we would like to say how good it is to be together in praise of the Heavenly Father and remembering the Lord Jesus Christ.
Please turn in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and read with me…
This past week as I was preparing this lesson everytime I read over this passage I couldn't help but feel the need to pray to God about it, so would you join with me in a prayer….
I don't know why this is, but the preceding words of the apostle Paul's proves to be a real challenge for me with the weight they bring. I need God's help in recognizing one of (if not) the most recognizable traits of a healthy church - the love of Jesus overflowing from within!
Paul has just told the Thessalonian church that even though he hadn't been with them in person it didn't mean he didn't care for them and none of them should jump to such a conclusion!
As they were going through afflictions they would need to stay the course. Paul on the other hand was deeply concerned for them.
When you look at this first letter the one main concern of Paul's is simply this:
that they are safe and would remain faithful to Jesus!
Wouldn't it be great if that is the only cause of concern we would give an apostle of Jesus or the Lord himself?
"I simply want to know if you are alright and that you will continue to love Jesus!"

When we left it off last week, Paul proved to them how much care he had for them in the fact that Paul sent his good friend Timothy to be with them. This visit had a purpose to it:
to know their faith and that Satan hadn't got to them! Paul says, I know you are going through hard times, I am too, we all go through them as Christians and now I want Timothy to encourage you and to let me know where you stand!

Well, what would Timothy report to Paul?
Vs.6- Paul says now that Timothy has come.
This probably means that this letter was written pretty close to the exact time Timothy returned. Paul felt compelled to write immediately to them. Where were the Thessalonians?
Paul says what I heard about you was good news!

Your faith is still there!
It is so good to know that after all the hits you have taken in the faith, all the assaults of the Devil to try to discourage you in your Christian walk, your faith is strong!

Your love is still on fire!
This is so important- you have not become bitter people because of the events of your life!
Do you know you can become the type of Christian that still 'lives' out Christianity as far as following forms and routines go but lose Christian love, the foundation of the religion of Christ? (Look at Revelation 2:2-4- the church at Ephesus lost their first love).
Now, all of a sudden we are brought back to 1:3- work of faith and labor of love and these two cardinal tenets are still alive! Galatians 5:6- faith working through love!
There's an extra thing here that was good news to the heart of Paul:
they had not allowed the persecution and difficulty of life to make them feel less love for Paul! Don't you find it interesting that an apostle like Paul (sometimes we get the idea he never needed anybody) was encouraged by others not losing love for him?
Is there any greater gift to give someone then your love?
Is there any greater discouragement than to take it away?
Paul says this is a mutual love! We both want to see each other.
Why was this so important to Paul?
Why is it so important to us?

Vs.7,8- I, Paul says, have great comfort now that I know about you!
Notice, Paul says in all of my affliction and distress the news about you brings comfort! This is why it would have been unfair for the Thessalonians to just accuse Paul of forgetting about them and if inclined to wonder, should ask! Remember that Satan blocked us (2:18) but the news from Timothy comforts us!
It's like the person going through a terrible time but he knows his son is as well and then hears his son is going to make it through, he finds comfort though none in his own suffering!
Paul says, we enjoy life because of you. There is purpose to our suffering; there is a better end. There are earthly comforts from God that what we are going through is not to no avail!
If you stand fast in the Lord! Why? 2:19!

Vs.9, 10- so what do you do about these people Paul?
Well, have you ever been so thankful for people that there is just no way to properly express it or show it?
That's the way I feel about you! This joy by the way is not from human pride or human accomplishment, but is pure joy that is before the eyes of God!
Do we ever feel that for our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Or, is it just that there are too many mistakes in others?
I mean, I go to church with a good attitude and then the guy doesn't sing right, the other guy doesn't know how to pray and the people there are just not doing everything the way it should be done and don't get me started on the preacher!
Paul says, I sing for I cannot be silent! I pray so much all the time just to see your face again! I want to perfect what is lacking in your faith! What does this mean?
They were immoral?
Not necessarily but remember they were young and needed some more! (2 Peter 1:5-10)

Vs.11- what's Paul's goal or prayer?
That God Himself and Jesus guide us to you! Paul believes that it will be God's will not Paul's that brings them together. But, look, Satan is blocking us, I am praying that God overrides that! Well, did this prayer ever get answered? Yes- Acts 20:1,2!
What does Paul want them to concentrate on though?
I mean, what if it isn't God's will for him to come to them again?
Does that give them the right to not act the way Jesus would want them to?
Not at all!

Vs.12,13- first- increase and abound in love toward one another!
The Christian's first duty in the church is to love his brother or sister! John 13:35.
Paul says, you're good at it already, but keep allowing it to increase! Good question:
is our love growing towards one another or shrinking?
Well, things cause feelings to change at times! Well, you are talking about a different type of love there! We have got to get out of a selfish reason to love and move to a Christian reason to- Matthew 5:43f, Romans 15:2,3 and remember 1 Corinthians 13:1.
How do we know if we are a good church?
One of the signs is how do we treat each other?
Maybe, how do we treat each other when we're not acting or doing things exactly the way we want them to?
Paul says love all men! Galatians 6:10- don't just love people because they have earned it, but because they are there!
Well, what does this do for us?
It will establish our hearts blameless in holiness! The purpose that God called us for- Ephesians 1:4. Have you ever thought that if we don't have proper love for each other, maybe we can't be considered blameless or holy? Ephesians 4:22-32
Why is this important? Because Jesus is coming again!

May God help all of us to stay with the faith in times of discouragement and then look to the Lord to help us increase our love towards each other and all men and look up to heaven and wait with increasing excitement for the return of our Lord Jesus!

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