1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 3

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

Theme: The Coming of Christ is a Purifying Hope

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Please consider reading the entire third Chapter of 1 Thessalonians sometime during each day of the week. This will help you absorb the content of the chapter as well as gain spiritual truths from this marvelous book of the Bible. You will be amazed at the insights that will come from such consistent readings, as well as the growth of your spiritual knowledge. You will also notice how God’s Word will impact your life in the way you relate to your Heavenly Father as well as think, act and treat others around you.

 

In order for this devotional to help you learn and apply what is beneficial to your spiritual growth, I would encourage you to approach this devotional study with a commitment to observe these five steps each day.

 

First, pray before you read the scripture, that you will seek to both understand and apply what you learn.

(Psalms 119)

 

Second, read the scripture passage with a passion and a desire to be convicted by what you read.

(Psalms 37:29-31)

 

Thirdly, seek to meditate and absorb what you read and respond to how the Holy Spirit will convict you to act.

(John 16:13-15)

 

Fourthly, challenge yourself how you might apply the convictions that come from the scripture and the Spirit.

(Psalms 1:1-3)

 

Fifthly, pray once again, that you will consistently act upon what the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do.

(James 1:22-25)

 

Below each portion of scripture I may at times present additional information helpful to understanding the passage. I will always give you questions for your consideration and to stimulate action on your part. You may not wish to explore each question, but I would challenge you to seek to address most if not all of the points I lay before you to gain the most from the devotional.

 

DAY ONE

 

“1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 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 felt convicted by the Lord to remain in Athens alone and sent Timothy to minister to the church there. Athens was a large city and the sense of isolation must have been difficult for Paul. He missed his fellow Christians, but felt he was called to remain in Athens alone.

 

* Have you ever been left alone in a big city? How would you describe the feelings of isolation? How did God minister to you at this time?

* Sometimes we can feel alone even though we are surrounded by people. How can this sense of isolation be felt when there are many individuals around us? Often this is because we feel isolated by circumstances or overwhelming emotions.

* How can a follower of Christ who finds themselves in this situation overcome the loneliness and feelings of isolation?

* How is prayer, the presence of the Holy Spirit and other Christian friends so important to combat this feeling of isolation and loneliness?

 

Paul demonstrates his deep love for his fellow followers of Christ by sharing his commitment to their spiritual well-being. Paul felt it necessary to send Timothy to strengthen and encourage them in their faith. The word “strengthen” here means “to support, to establish” such as putting braces against a wall to make it more stable and strong. The Greek word for “encourage” here is “parakaleo” which means “to cheer, encourage, comfort.” Paul also desired to know how they were doing in their relationship with Christ and that is one more reason Paul sent Timothy to minister to them.

 

* Have you ever been concerned over the spiritual well-being of someone close to you? Were you able to share this concern with them? How did they respond?

 

Paul sent Timothy to minister in two ways. First, Timothy was to strengthen believers in Thessalonica. The Greek word Paul uses for “strengthen” is “sterizo” and means “to set fast or to make fast, to fix firmly, to turn resolutely in a certain direction.”

 

* Why is it so necessary that we have someone to strengthen us in our faith?

* Who strengthens you in your faith? Have you thanked them for their ministry to you? If you do not have someone who personally strengthens you in the faith, seek to find someone to minister to in this fashion.

 

Secondly, Paul sent Timothy to encourage the Thessalonian believers. Paul uses the Greek word “parakaleo” for encourage. This word means to call near, invite, console or comfort.

 

* How is comfort from another follower of Christ so essential to our spiritual well-being and growth? Can you think of examples of when you have been comforted by another Christian and how it helped you?

* Can you think of a time when you were a comfort to someone else? How did this ministry to someone else, also minister to you as a Christian?

* The Holy Spirit is considered our “paraclete” or comforter. In what ways has the Holy Spirit been a comforter to you?

* Paul mentions in verse 2 that Timothy as well as Paul and Silas are workmen for God. How are you also a workman for the Lord? Does this alter your perception some as to how you are to live your life as a follower of Christ?

 

DAY TWO

 

“3 so that no one would be disturbed 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.”

 

Here Paul continues with his reasons for the necessity of sending Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonian Christians in their struggles as well as their concern for His and Silas’ as well. The word Paul uses for “disturbed” in the Greek is “saino” and means “to wag the tail,” like a dog does. Paul is making a play on words here. Sometimes the wagging tail of a dog may make you think it is friendly, right before it bites you. Trials and hardships might seem harmless when they are in someone else’s life or far off in the future, but when they are in your face they can overwhelm you. Paul wants the Thessalonian Believers to not be caught off guard by afflictions that might come into their life.

 

He shared his own afflictions with them and wanted to communicate that such difficulties in life are both inevitable and essential. They are inevitable because we live in a sinful world and they are essential because God allows them to occur to build our faith (see 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 4:12-14). Both Paul and the Thesssalonians were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus as well as enduring all the normal trials that we all face in life. Paul here shares a most important concept, that we are destined for afflictions in our life. But, we must understand that God is not the author of evil or the cause of evil actions against us (see 1 John 1:5 and Romans 8:20-22).

 

* While it is natural to be disturbed by trials and persecution, how can spiritual encouragement and support help us not only endure such hardships, but also grow in faith? Read John 16:33 and think how this verse might encourage you in a trial.

* Have you sought ways to strengthen and encourage others as they face trials and storms of life? If not, what hinders you from reaching out and ministering to people in such situations?

* Paul states that we have been destined for such trials. Why does God allow trials into our lives?

* Read Romans 5:3 and James 1:2-4 and relate these scriptures to your thoughts about trials you may be facing.

* How would you respond to someone who does not trust God or desire to become a follower of Christ because of a hardship in their life that God has allowed to happen?

 

Paul used his own life to demonstrate that we should expect adversity in our lives, not only because it is a natural state of living in a sinful world, but especially because we are followers of Christ. Read 2 Timothy 3:12 and think about how it might apply to your life.

 

* How do Christians often face more adversity, persecution and hardship than non-believers? Is this caused by non-believers, Satan, demons or all of these at times?

 

DAY THREE

 

“5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, 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 once again reveals his deep love for the Christians in Thessalonica by stating he could not endure not knowing how they were doing in their faith. Timothy was sent to discover their spiritual condition and report back to Paul.

 

* Is there someone who checks in with you on how you are doing regarding your spiritual growth? If not, have you considered making friends with a fellow believer where each of you can hold one another accountable for how you are doing in your relationship with the Lord and the purity of your life?

 

Paul shares here about his concern that the tempter (Satan or the fallen angels under his command) might have sought opportunity to hinder or tempt the Thessalonian Christians spiritual lives. He had invested his life into that of the followers of Christ at Thessalonica and was concerned that might have been frustrated by the schemes of the Devil.

 

* Have you at times fallen prey to a temptation of the flesh which Satan has used to hinder your spiritual growth? If so, what did you do to regain fellowship with your Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit?

* What personal spiritual habits could you observe on a regular basis to assist you in keeping in step with the Spirit and obeying the commands of Christ?

 

Paul wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians for many reasons, to share doctrine, reprove wrong actions, correct about the Christian faith and instruct his fellow believers in how to walk like Christ.

 

Warren Wiersbe states, “It has been well said that doctrine tells us what is right, reproof tells us what is not right, correction tells us how to get it right, and instruction tells us how to stay right.”

 

DAY FOUR

 

“6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.”

 

Paul shares several very important truths in these verses. We should always be glad when we hear good news of other Christian’s faith and love for God. It is also only natural that we will experience joy when we see how kindly and lovingly people think of us because of our Christian witness. There is a bond that is very close in the family of God and this is what Paul is discussing here. Paul continues sharing that despite his distressing situation and the afflictions he had to endure, the thoughts of how others were thinking of him as well as their strong faith in Jesus and love for God comforted him.

 

* Do you rejoice in the faith and love demonstrated in the lives of other followers of Christ?

* Do you look forward to fellowship with other Christians, be it at church on Sunday or a small group fellowship?

* Are you comforted as Paul was when you hear of Christians who are standing strong in the faith and are praying for you to demonstrate their love for you?

* If you answered no to any of the questions above, what steps could you take to be more involved in the lives of other individuals as well as building relationships with other Christians, so that you could experience these relational benefits?

* If you have been wounded by other Christians in your past, have you been able to forgive them? Have you also been able to move on to develop close bonds with other Christians? If not, can you pray right now to forgive them and let the Holy Spirit help you move on in your life in this forgiveness? He will work with you to overcome the hurt and pain and you will experience relief and peace as the forgiveness becomes complete.

 

Warren Wiersbe has said “Faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.” How has your faith been tested so that it can be trusted by God?

 

DAY FIVE

 

“9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,”

 

Paul had tremendous joy regarding the character, witness and love demonstrated by the Thessalonian Christians towards him. He was unable to fully express his thanks to God for how much they meant to him.

 

* In what ways do Christians minister to each other that can cause emotions of thanksgiving to God to be felt?

* Do you have Christian friends that minister to you in this way? If not, pray that God will bring one or two other Christians into your life to minister to you in this way. Expectantly wait and see how God will answer this prayer. Also, consider being this kind of friend to someone as well.

 

DAY SIX

 

“10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?”

 

Paul here illustrates his consistent and persistent prayer life for others. He shares that not only does he wish to see his Christian friends, but also that he may assist them in growing spiritually in their faith.

 

* Evaluate your own prayer life for others. While we all pray for our own needs, we also need to expand our prayer life beyond ourselves and pray for the needs of others. Are there ways you can expand the depth and breadth of your prayer life? Make a consistent effort to pray not only for your own concerns, but also for the needs of others. Seek to ask others how you might pray for them.

* Also, seek to stay in touch with these individuals to see how prayers are answered or if there are any new prayer requests that need to be addressed in prayer. You will notice as you expand your prayer life you will not only grow deeper in your faith, you will facilitate and expand the Christian friends you know and love. Also, make sure you consider praying for non-believers to expand your prayer life and witness in their lives as well.

 

Paul desired that the followers of Christ at Thessalonica would be “complete” in their faith. The Greek word for “complete” here is “katartizo” and has a varicolored meaning. Fritz Rienecker in his book, “A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament states that it means “To fit together, to restore, to repair, to equip. The word had a variety of usages depending upon the context. It was used to reconcile political factions. It was a surgical term for “setting bones.” It was used for repairing nets (Mark 1:19). It was used for making military and naval preparations.” So Paul uses this word to communicate that he wants these Christians reconciled to God, to be strong in their faith, repaired emotionally and spiritually as well as prepared for any battles of the faith they might encounter.

 

* None of us are complete in our faith; that will only come when we enter Heaven. Knowing that you are lacking in many areas of our faith, what steps can you take to grow in your faith so that you come closer to being complete in it as the day of Christ’s return approaches?

* How can other followers of Christ help you become more complete in your faith?

* How can you help other Christians grow in their faith as well?

 

“11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;”

 

Paul had a keen awareness and sensitivity as to how the Father, Son and Spirit worked in his life. He knew that prayer is always the first and best path to take in petitioning God to fulfill a need. Paul valued relationships and had a close bond with the Thessalonian Christians. He wished to return to see them again, to minister to them and share their mutual faith in Jesus Christ. Here Paul begins a prayer for them that he writes down in this letter to them. He could have just prayed it, but he also wanted them to know what he prayed. This verified not only that he was praying, but how he was praying for them.

 

* Do you pray in this manner on a regular manner regarding personal issues and desires in your life? If not, what steps can you take to improve in consistently spending time in prayer? Do you mention what you pray for when talking to those for whom you pray?

* Later we will study 1 Thessalonians 5:17. How does this scripture tie in to Paul’s perception of prayer here and how does it relate to your prayer life as a follower of Christ?

* Do you place a priority on relationships with other followers of Christ? Why are relationships with other Christians so important to a Believer?

 

Part of Paul’s prayer is that God the Father and Jesus Christ the Lord would direct Paul’s way back to the Thessalonian church. It is interesting that the Greek verb Paul used here for “direct” is in the singular number form even though there are two names (God the Father and Jesus Christ) as the subjects. Through God’s direction this verb form is demonstrating the close relationship between God the Father and the Son and therefore also supports the Christian view of the Trinity (Father, Son and Spirit).

 

* Have you considered that when you pray, you are establishing your faith in the Triune God? You pray to your Heavenly Father, in the Holy Spirit and by the name of Jesus. How do each of these members of the Trinity influence you as you pray?

 

DAY SEVEN

 

“12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;”

 

Love is the most important theme in the New Testament and in this verse we see Paul emphasizing the need for followers of Christ in Thesssalonica to increase in their love for one another, but also ALL other people. He gives as an example, his own love for them. We know Paul loved all people because of his desire to share the gospel to the ends of the known world. But we also know Paul especially loved Christians because they were part of the family of God.

 

* Do you have a deep love for all people or do you reserve such love only for those that are easy to love?

* Why is it so important to God for us to love fellow Believers?

* Why is it so important to God for us to love all people?

* What makes this so difficult to do at times? How can you improve in your ability to love all people? What role does the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and other Christians have in growing you in your ability to love others?

* Read Romans 12:19-21. How does this apply to this verse in Thessalonians as to having a love for all people? How did Jesus Christ demonstrate this love for others in His life? As He died on the cross? Does this convict you to love others, even those who do you harm?

 

Charles Swindoll has the following acrostic for loving others as follows;

 

L – Listen to what others say and feel.

O – Overlook their flaws and weaknesses and affirm them instead.

V – Value, honor and esteem others making them feel valuable and capable.

E – Express love because it really is a verb to be acted out and demonstrated in tangible ways.

 

* Why is it important to invest yourself in the lives of other people and not just Christian projects?

 

Read the following scripture passages that relate to encouraging and ministering to others; Acts 4:36, 15:32, Romans 12:8, Ephesians 6:22, Philippians 2:1-8, Colossians 4:8, Philemon 1:7 and Hebrews 3:13.

“13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”

 

As Paul continues in verse 13, he shares why it is so important to “increase and abound in love” for others (verse 12). He states that when we “increase and abound in love” for others God establishes our hearts and grounds them in His love. Because of this love in our hearts we can stand blameless before our Heavenly Father at the second-coming of Jesus Christ.

 

* How can increasing, abounding and improving in how we love others facilitate our growth in holiness before the Lord?

* How can increasing, abounding and improving in how we love others better prepare us for the second-coming of Jesus Christ?

* What are significant ways you can increase and abound in your love for others as a follower of Christ?

 

Paul mentions the second coming of Jesus Christ in this verse. The Greek word for “coming” is “parousia.” John Phillips in his commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians states, “Three words are associated with the second coming of Christ: the “parouosia,” which has to do with the fact of the Lord’s being present; “ephiphany” which has to do with the Lord’s manifestation of Himself, first to the church (1 John 3:2;2 Timothy 4:8) as part of the “parousia in the air, and then, later, to the world (2 Thessalonians 2:18, which is delayed until the “apocalypse, the unveiling of the Lord’s glory (2 Thessalonians 1:7).”

 

The first act in the end-times is the “parousia.” This refers not just to the coming of the Lord Jesus but also His actual presence. He arrives “in the air” or sky at planet earth. He shouts, and the dead in Christ arise and the living saints ascend with them to be with Jesus in Heaven (Acts 1:9-11). This “parousia” is a special secret meeting of Christ and His church. In Heaven there will now be a judgment of the saints at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Judgment of God always begins with the House of God (1 Peter 4:17). This is where each follower of Christ will be judges and their lives reviewed by Jesus Christ. Saints will be rewarded and/or rebuked as Jesus Christ sees fit. We are not told how long this judgment will take, nor how it will be done. While this is taking place, the anti-Christ on earth will rise to power and rule for seven years (his own coming or “parousia” of sorts). After the judgment seat of Christ there will be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. At the conclusion of this period of time the two “parousias” will end. The clouds will part and everyone on earth will see the blazing glory of Christ returning (Matthew 24:27). The time will be approaching for the Battle of Armageddon where Satan will be defeated. Jesus Christ’s feet will rest upon the Mount of Olives and it will split apart (Zechariah 14:4).