A CHURCH COMFORTING THE SERVANT

I Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

Several years ago the Mercedes Benz automobile company ran some ads describing a brand-new brake technology they had developed and patented. Although they owned the rights to the technology, they freely shared it with other car companies in the interest of promoting safety. Their reason was that some things in life are too important not to share.

As Christians, we have been given the best news in the entire world. It’s too important not to share with others. May God help us to invest our lives in the things that will last for eternity. The Apostle Paul certainly did.

The Apostle Paul stayed in Thessalonica for a period of 3-6 weeks and in that short time because of his commitment to share the good news, he was able to found the church at Thessalonica: however, due to intense Jewish opposition, he was forced to leave.

If it had been only Paul that was at stake, he probably would have stayed, but circumstances had the matter out of his hands, and he was concerned for others as well. The Jews were

primarily just against him, but others were put in grave danger if he had stayed.

He intended to return to finish what he had started. However, he had been delayed in his return, and his opponents saw this as an opportunity to slander his character.

Some of the new believers had become confused and some doubted his motives: “If he loved us why did he leave us?” “And why doesn’t he come back to see us again?”

So Paul writes them and tells them how he felt about them, and he sends Timothy as his substitute. Timothy later gives Paul a report of those Paul loved that thrills his heart.

I. PAUL’S ANXIETY OVER THE CHURCH

II. PAUL’S AMBASSADOR TO THE CHURCHII. PAUL’S ASPIRATION FOR THE CHURCH

Paul opens his heart in verses 17 and 18 as he tells them the believers at Thessalonica how he longed after them.

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I. PAUL’S ANXIETY OVER THE CHURCH (2:17-20)

Paul missed them greatly, and his separation from them causes him much emotional pain.

A. PAUL’S AFFECTION EXPRESSED (17)

“But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great

desire.”

1. EXPRESSED THROUGH HIS DIFFICULT PAIN

The words “taken from you” mean to make an orphan of someone. Paul felt like he had been orphaned from them. This separation from them grieved Paul. So deeply had he been attached to the Thessalonians that to him it felt like part of his own flesh and blood had been taken from him.

“in presence, not in heart”- though they were out of sight they were not out of his mind.

2. EXPRESSED THROUGH HIS DETERMINED PLANS

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“endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire” - The word “endeavoured” means to make haste. Paul made great effort to return to Thessalonica.

“with great desire” – Paul had great determination to return to Thessalonica because he loved them.

In fact, he says in verse 18 “once and again” Paul tried to come to them, but he was hindered.

B. PAUL’S ADVERSARY EXPOSED (18)

“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”

1. THE PERSON OF THE ADVERSARY –“Satan”

Satan is a personal, malicious, and active enemy.

1Most battles are lost because the enemy is either unknown or underrated.

1President Roosevelt had a dog that he thought was a good fighter. One day as he and his dog were out on a walk, and old mangy dog jumped on the President's dog and almost killed him. Later one of the FBI who rescued the

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President's dog remarked, "I thought your dog was a good fighter."

"He is a good fighter, but he is a poor judge of dogs."

2. THE PLAN OF THE ADVERSARY – “hindered”

He is a hinderer. If the devil can't hinder you by making you think you're somebody, he'll hinder you by making you think you're nobody. If he can't get you to strut, he'll get you to stumble.

When Paul says “Satan hindered us,” he uses a military metaphor for an army that sets up a roadblock in order to impede the enemy. That’s exactly how Paul because every time he tried to return to Thessalonica he ran headlong into a roadblock.

The word “hindered” comes from two words: to cut and in. Satan cut into the plans of Paul. He tried to impede him by breaking up his plans and placing obstacles in his path. It is always the strategy of Satan to thwart any

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program to win people to Christ or to build them up in the faith.

The devil will prey, press, and pull on us.

It is clear from Scripture that Satan can and often uses men as his emissaries to accomplish his ends. Though, we do not see Satan physically, we can see people doing his work.

He worked through the words of Peter and the Lord recognized who was behind the words that Peter spoke to him in Matthew 16:23. 1How searching is the thought that a believer can be the voice of God the Father in one moment (16:17) and the voice of Satan in the next. Do we not see the same thing in the book of Job? Satan wanted Job to curse God, and he used his wife to suggest it to him!

Satan will do all he can to obstruct the work of the Lord, and he can and will use the unbeliever and the believer to do it.

Satan had broken up the road before Paul, and Paul could not get through to them, even though he longed to see them and to be a further help to them.

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a. HE WILL HINDER BY SUGGESTING DOUBTS.

The terrible catastrophe of the fall of man was accomplished by doubt.

b. HE WILL HINDER BY STRESSING DIFFICULTIES.

c. HE WILL HINDER BY SEDUCING DISTRACTIONS.

I have seen many times the good and the better become the enemy of the best.

There is a story told of man who was a watch repairman before he was inducted into the army. During his military time, therefore, he operated a business, repairing other soldier’s watches in his spare time. When his company was called to go to battle, he was heard complaining, “I can’t go fight right now. I have several watches to repair before Saturday.” The devil is good at getting us distracted from that which is important.

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I fear success in that which is not important than that I do failure in that which is important. Far too many have been hindered through the distractions of the Devil.

3. THE PEOPLE FOR THE ADVERSARY – “us”

The hinderer often assails the most eminent workers in the church. Satan attacked Christ and here is assails Paul.

Just because you are a believer does not mean that you will not be assaulted by the Devil.

C. PAUL’S ANTICIPATION EXPLAINED (19, 20)

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our

glory and joy”

In the midst of the separation and the frustration there was hope, and it revolves around the coming of the Lord and the joy that will be ours when Christ comes back.

In these words we get a delightful glimpse into Paul’s heart. How did he feel about

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his followers? They were his hope. They were his joy—both now and in heaven. They were his crown. The word refers to a wreath of leaves given to the winner of a race.

1. NOTE THE REWARD FOR HIS LABORS HE ANTICIPATED

Paul asks a rhetorical question in this verse and then answers it.

Paul puts his work in perspective. He views himself standing at the Judgment Seat of Christ and receiving rewards from the Lord Jesus Christ for his labour in Thessalonica. Paul’s “hope” rests on living a certain kind of life in time, a life of evangelism. Paul has confidence that he would see the believers in Thessalonica in heaven one day. This was his anticipation.

They are also his “joy.” There is no greater joy than seeing someone come to Christ. Paul’s joy revolved around leading someone to Christ, and then knowing that they will spend eternity in heaven.

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The renowned 19th-century English preacher C. H. Spurgeon told this story about King Cyrus, the man who conquered Babylon and freed the Jews from captivity. He said a visitor was admiring Cyrus' gardens and said it gave him much pleasure. "Ah," said Cyrus, "but you have not so much pleasure in this garden as I have, for I have planted every tree in it myself."

Spurgeon then commented, "One reason some saints will have a greater fullness of heaven than others will be that they did more for heaven than others.”

How many people will be in heaven because of you and I?

The apostle Paul anticipated the joy in heaven of seeing people who were there as a result of his ministry.

Heaven's joys will be all the more fuller for those who have helped lead others to Christ.

The Thessalonian converts’ presence at the coming of Christ was the hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing for the Apostle Paul.

Having lead people to Christ would be Paul’s “crown of rejoicing” at the

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Judgment Seat of Christ. His crown was his converts. Those who never introduce anyone to Christ will not receive this crown.

2. NOTE THE RETURN OF HIS LORD HE ANTICIPATED

In I Thessalonians all five chapters conclude with a reference to the second coming of Jesus (1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 4:13-17, 5:23).

Here was a church made up of brand new believers, and the truth that was more basic than any other truth in this book Paul wrote to them, was the truth of the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Virtually every doctrine in the Bible related to the Christian life is involved in the truth of the second coming of Jesus. When we get hold of this truth of the return of our Lord, it becomes a tremendous motivating factor in pressing on and serving the Lord Jesus.

Paul lived to get men ready to stand in the presence of Jesus. He lived in expectation of the appearance of the Saviour.

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Are you living with the anticipation of the Saviour’s soon return?

When Paul recognized that he could not return to the Thessalonian believers, he made alternate plans. If he could not go, he would send someone in his place. He would send Timothy.

‘Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And

sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ”

You cannot help but notice Paul’s SELFLESS

ATTITUDE and SELFLESS ACTION.

When Paul could no longer bear to leave the Thessalonians alone, he decides to send Timothy. Timothy was to do what Paul longed to do himself but could not.

Paul chose to give up his need for others.

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II. PAUL’S AMBASSADOR FOR THE CHURCH (3:1-10)

A. NOTICE THE REASONS FOR SENDING TIMOTHY – PAUL WAS CONCERNED (1-5)

Paul could not stand the thought of a new believer being deprived of spiritual food.

1. THE PLAN OF PAUL (2)

Paul’s plan was three-fold but in verse 2 only two of the reasons for sending Timothy are mentioned.

Paul wanted Timothy to establish and encourage the believers. They needed confirmation and comfort in their Christian life. He was to bolster and booster them in the Christian life. He was to strengthen and support them.

a. ESTABLISH THEM

The word “establish” means fix firmly, set fast or make fast.

Timothy was to help them set their faith fast. Every Christian needs spiritual stability. Timothy was to help them get grounded

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in the faith so they could withstand the persecution that was coming.

b. ENCOURAGE THEM

The word “comfort” means cause someone to be encouraged. This can be done either by verbal or non-verbal means.

Paul had left Thessalonica about a year before he wrote this epistle. During the course of that year, the Thessalonians martyred some believers for their faith. Others endured persecution for their faith. He wanted Timothy to go there and encourage them.

Booster shots—think of the benefits! They are part of a complete program of vaccinations that protect us against threatening diseases.

Booster words—ever heard of them? They are words we say to help others in the fight against discouragement and despair.

In the book Secrets From The Mountain, Pat Williams tells of an experiment with a group of students. They were told that scientists had proven that brown-eyed

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children were smarter than blue-eyed ones. Immediately, the brown-eyed students began doing better in school. A few days later, however, the students were told that they had been misinformed and made a mistake. It was the blue-eyed youngsters who were actually smarter. Quickly, the scores of the blue-eyed children rose above those of their brown-eyed classmates.

Though lying to children is never right, the study did demonstrate that words have the power to influence behavior. Paul recognized this, so he sent Timothy to the church at Thessalonica to encourage the believers in their faith.

2. THE PREPARATION OF PAUL (3, 4)

“That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are

appointed thereunto. 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 says he kept on telling them when he was with them about the

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persecution to come. He taught them repeatedly that trials would come. Paul warned them of trouble to come. Paul assured them trials would come to them.

a. PAUL FOREWARNED (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.”

To be forewarned should have caused them to be forearmed. Paul tried earnestly to prepare believers for what lay ahead.

b. GOD FOREORDAINED (3)

“That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are

appointed thereunto.”

The Thessalonians knew they would face tribulation because Paul told them when he was in Thessalonica that they would face it. Paul never painted a rosy picture of a bed of ease once you became a Christian.

“we were appointed thereunto”- God ordains us to affliction. God places affliction strategically in our lives for our

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personal growth. This is God’s destiny for us. It comes by His divine design.

Affliction is God’s appointment for us. Affliction is in the plan and will of God for the believer.

When affliction comes, don’t cry, "What a disappointment!" Take away the letter "d," and in the place of it put the letter "h." Then you'll have not "disappointment," but "His appointment."

It should not come as a great shock to us when trials come their way. AFFLICTIONS ARE NOT ACCIDENTAL, NOR INCIDENTAL THEY ARE FUNDAMENTAL. They are appointed by God! They are designed by God.

Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33 “… In the world ye shall have tribulation.”

A mature Christian can glory in tribulation because they know that it is God’s design for their lives. Don’t be set back by “these afflictions.” Paul did not want them “moved” by affliction. “Moved” carries the idea to

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wag the tail. The Greeks had apparently observed that dogs wag their tails fast when they are aroused. The word was used to speak of an aroused condition. Paul did not want the believers at Thessalonica to become shaken or unsettled by afflictions.

3. THE PLOT OF PAUL (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.”

“For this CAUSE” - Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica BECAUSE of the subtlety of the Devil in discouraging new believers. Since Paul was absolute certain that persecutions were inevitable, he was deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of the believers in Thessalonica.

“I sent to know your faith” - Paul wanted to know the spiritual condition of the Thessalonian Christians, because he knew the devil would be after them during a time of affliction. Paul knew the Devil would use their affliction to discourage them. Paul was fully aware that in the 1 afflictions, God DESIRES OUR DEVELOPMENT, and Satan DESIRES OUR DEFEAT. In the conflicts of life, remember, God is

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aiming at your development, and Satan is aiming at your defeat.

I love to read about Uncle Bud Robinson, the great Nazarene evangelist of years ago. Someone said to him one time, "I don't believe there’s a devil; I've never met the devil."

Uncle Bud Robinson said, "Well, you don't meet somebody when you’re going the same direction they are. Turn around and walk the Jesus walk and you'll meet him soon enough."

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you,” (1 Peter 4:12).

Has something bad happened to you and you said, “Oh me. What did I do? I must have done something terrible. Otherwise, this wouldn’t have happened?” And before you knew it, you fell headlong into a pity party of morbid introspection — taking yourself apart piece by piece to see where you went wrong? If you’re like most people, you have. But have you ever thought that maybe you’ve done absolutely nothing wrong, but God is simply testing your

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faith? This is an important truth for you to understand, because if you don’t, you may get discouraged. The seeds of doubt, discouragement, and defeat often sprout in the soil of affliction which the devil is a master at using.

Paul sent Timothy to ESTABLISH them, ENCOURAGE them, and EXAMINE them! He did this because he loved them so very much and did not want his labor to be in vain.

Let me just mention here two things that the devil wants to do regarding the believer’s relationship to the truth. First, he wants to check (limit) our exposure to it (2:18). Second, he wants to crush (destroy) our faith in it (3:5).

B. NOTICE THE RESULTS FROM SENDING TIMOTHY – PAUL WAS COMFORTED (6-8)

“But now when Timotheus 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: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and

distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”

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Timothy had gone to Thessalonica and had brought encouragement to them, continuing to teach them the Word of God. Timothy returns to Paul with the message that the Thessalonians were standing fast in the faith. Paul’s own heart overflowed as he contemplated the goodness of God in blessing his testimony there and working so abundantly in the lives of these Thessalonians.

1. THE COMMUNICATION THAT PAUL ESTEEMED (6)

“But now when Timotheus 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”

Timothy has now made it back from Thessalonica. He comes to Paul and gives his report on the state of the faith of the church in Thessalonica. Paul knew of their saving faith, but he did not know the level of their sustaining faith.

However, Timothy brought him word of good news. The Thessalonians were doing well. Satan had not been able to shake their faith.

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They were sound in their faith and steadfast in their charity. They were very sincere in longing to see Paul again.

2. THE COMFORT THAT PAUL EXPRESSED (7)

“Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith”

As a result of the news Paul heard, he was encouraged. “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country,” Proverbs 25:25. Timothy’s report brought comfort to Paul when he heard of the power of their faith. He received renewed spiritual strength when he heard of their healthy spiritual state.

The joy of hearing of the spiritual success of those we lead to Christ always encourages us to bear up under the distress and affliction we may be encountering in the ministry. This renews our commitment to serve in the face of difficulty.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,” 3 John 4.

Steadfastness in the pews is a source of true satisfaction in the pulpit. The salvation of

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sinners and steadfastness of saints encourages the preacher!

3. THE CELEBRATION THAT PAUL EXPOUNDED (8)

Paul rejoices!

“For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you,

for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying

exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”

a. PAUL’S LIFE WAS CONNECTED WITH THEM

“For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”

Paul is deeply involved with the believers in the church at Thessalonica.

“We live, if ye”

The relation of the preacher to his people should be so close that

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they have in their power to make his life happy or miserable.

Since hearing of their vitality of their faith, Paul finds new vigor in his own life. Paul’s converts were not just statistics to brag about; they were his life.

b. PAUL’S LIFE WAS CONSUMED WITH THEM

See Hebrews 13:17.

John Faucett was a pastor in England many, many years ago. He served a very small congregation for seven years. His salary was meager. He could barely get the necessities for his family. The people were poor.

But they made up for it with their warm fellowship and their faithfulness in their love.

After having served the church for seven years, a larger church called John Faucett to be their pastor, and he accepted their call. So he loaded up the family's furniture on an old wagon and was getting ready to leave the community and the members of his little church came. They began to cry and tell him what a blessing he was to them and how much he

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meant to them and how their lives had been changed by him.

They urged to stay on. John Faucett's heart was so moved and so touched that he turned down the call, unloaded his wagon, stayed on with them, and then he wrote the hymn, Bless Be The Tie That Binds.

“For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect that what is lacking in your faith?”

Let us look notice Paul’s ambition for the church at Thessalonica as expressed in his prayer for them.

A. PAUL PRAYED THAT THEY MIGHT BE EQUIPPED BY THE LABORER’S COMING (9-11)

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III. PAUL’S AMBITION FOR THE

What Paul had heard from Timothy about their faith was good, but he knew that faith must grow.

Paul believed that by praying God might bring him to them to accomplish that goal. There is always more ground to possess spiritually.

1. OBSERVE HOW THANKFUL PAUL’S WAS (9)

“For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your

sakes before our God”

Paul asks a rhetorical question. What adequate thanks can Paul offer to God for the blessing he had received from Timothy’s report? He recognizes that all credit goes to the Lord. He feels totally incapable of giving thanks to God in a manner that would do justice to the way God worked in the lives of the Thessalonians.

Paul was a man of gratitude to God.

Paul knows that he played a role in the lives of the Thessalonians, but he also knows that it was God who did the essential work.

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None of us can adequately thank God for how He uses us.

2. OBSERVE HOW PRAYERFUL PAUL WAS (10,11)

“night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect that what is lacking in

your faith?”

a. HIS PRAYING WAS FREQUENT – “night and day”

Paul prayed for the Thessalonians night and day. Paul offered consistent prayer for these people, believing that God would answer his prayers. The Thessalonians were hardly ever out of his prayers.

“Prayer is not everything but everything is by prayer.”

b. HIS PRAYING WAS FERVENT

“Exceedingly” is a double compound word emphasizing the intensity of the

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prayers Paul. The word “exceedingly” also expresses strong praying. Paul prayed with extensive earnestness.

c. HIS PRAYING WAS FOCUSED

Paul prayed for two things that revolved around him as it related to them. He wanted to

TO SEE THEIR FACE

TO STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH

Paul’s first request in his intense praying was that he might see the Thessalonians in person. He said he was praying “that we might see your face.” Do you pray about your everyday affairs? Nothing is too small to bring to His attention. If it matters to you, it matters to him.

Secondly, Paul request in prayer was that he might have the opportunity to “perfect” the faith of the church in Thessalonica. The word “perfect” means to make fit, to equip, prepare, to render complete, to furnish completely, put in order, restore.

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It was C.H. Spurgeon who said, "A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a great faith will bring heaven to your soul." Paul wanted their faith to grow.

He wanted his coming to be directed of the Lord (11). All our praying must always be in submission to His will.

We need God’s guidance, and this is what Paul prayed for.

B. PAUL PRAYED THAT THEY MIGHT BE ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE SAVIOUR’S COMING (12, 13)

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 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.”

He knew that if their hearts were going to be established TWO THINGS WOULD BE SEEN.

1. PASSION (LOVE) WOULD BE ENLARGED (12)

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“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men,

even as we do toward you:”

Paul wanted their love to grow. Love is the badge of Christianity and the fulfilling of the law.

a. TOWARD SAINTS

b. TOWARD SINNERS

Christians should not restrict their love simply to one another. It should reach out to those who do not know Christ.

2. PURITY (HOLINESS) WOULD BE EXERCISED (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.”

Love and holiness go together so that you can hardly have one without the other. Love leads us away from ourselves and on toward holiness. Holiness is the child of love.

“An unloving man cannot be a holy man.” An abounding love is soil in which a holy conduct will be found.

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Paul wants love to be so abounding in their hearts so that it results in an unblamable holy life, knowing that someday soon the Lord Jesus is coming.

When Jesus Christ comes will He find anything in your life displeasing to Him! If Christ should come today, Christian are you ready? Would you welcome Him or would you be a little bit ashamed? "Little children abide in Him (stay close to Him) that when He shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming," (1 John 2:28).

Conclusion

As we conclude this chapter, we cannot help but notice how important it is to care for the new Christian. Leading them to Christ is not enough. We must help them get established because the enemy of their soul is after them.

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