1 Thessalonians 3

E. THE OF THE . 3:1-10

1. The Sending of Timothy. 3:1-5
2. The Report of Timothy. 3:6-10

a. Paul’ s Review. 3:1-5 b. Paul’ s Report. 3:6-9 c. Paul’ s Request. 3:10-13

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Thessalonica proved to be Timothy’ s first great training assignment.

Timothy was the junior member of the missionary team, Paul and Silvanus were the senior members.

1. The Sending of Timothy. 3:1-5 V.1 a) Sensible Solution -

Because the Thessalonians were babes in Christ, they couldn’ t endure the thought of them being alone, without mature Christians caring and training in Christ. Like parents would be troubled for their children if they were absent and they knew there where no mature person taking care of their children, so were they.

V.2 b) Sending a Servant-

I. They sent a mature Christian to parent them: Timothy. Timothy had the qualification of parenting in Christ, he was a:

1. Brother - A family man.

2. Minister - A man through whom God ministered.

3. Labourer - A man that works hard for the Gospel.

II. A true parent in Christ can:

1. Establish believers in their faith, like parents can establish their children’ s walk.

2. Encourage believers in their faith, like parents can encourage their children through life.

V.3 c) Shaken by Suffering -

They might have been worried and shaken in their faith, by hearing what happened to their parents in Christ, but they were taught by Paul that they were called to suffer for Christ’ s sake. 1.Cor.4:9; Phil.1:29; 2.Tim.3:12 V.4 d) Spoken about Suffering -

Paul and his co-ministers already knew that they would suffer in Thessalonica, perhaps it came in prayer or through prophesy, just as his suffering in Jerusalem was prophesied through Agabus. Acts 21:10-14 V.5 e) Satan’ s Schemes - Children without parents and trainers are more open to be led into wrong directions and lifestyles, this was Paul’ s concern and therefore he sent Timothy.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

2. The Report of Timothy. 3:6-10 V.6 a) Love - And Faith: The Passion.

Timothy easily discerned the Thessalonians state and condition. Phil.2:19 He brought comfort to Paul because of the good news of their faith and love.

V.7 b) Lightened - Because of their Faith: The Persecution.

I. Paul had recently experienced 4 apparent defeats:

1. In Philippi he was imprisoned. Acts 16
2. In Thessalonica he was forced to leave. Acts 17:1-9
3. In Berea he was pursued to move on. Acts 17:10-15
4. In Athens he had little success. Acts 17:16-34 II. So by hearing the news of their faith they experienced a victorious comfort.

V.8 c) Live - Fastened in Faith: The Purpose.

Like the parents’ faces that shines and glows when they hear the good news of their children’ s condition after much concern, so they lived and shined because of their steadfastness. 1.Cor.16:13; Gal.5:1; Phil.1:27; 2.Thess.2:15 V.9 d) Language - Of joy because of their Faith: The Praise.

They had indescribable joy (all joy) because of their faith, like parents fearing the worst while waiting in the hospital, while their child is being diagnosed, then the relief and joy they experience when the doctor says, that there is only good news concerning the child. V.10 e) Lacking - Of their Faith: The Prayer.

I. They were praying hard to God, outpouring their parental concern that God would allow them to see them soon.

II. They wanted to perfect their faith and help them to go on to perfection. Heb.6:1 III. It was a:

1. Constant prayer. (Night and day)

2. Concerned prayer. (Perfect what is lacking in your faith)

3. Concluding prayer. (V.11-13 or 5:23 is the concluding prayer of this letter)

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

F. THE PRAYER. 3:11-13 1. The Prayer that he might Return to them. 3:11 2. The Prayer that they might Grow in love. 3:12 3. The Prayer that their hearts might be Established in holiness. 3:13

1. The Prayer that He might Return to them. 3:11 V.11 a) The Lord’ s Leading -

Their prayer for the Lord’ s direction. Jam.4:13-15 2. The Prayer that they might Grow in Love. 3:12 V.12 b) The Lord’ s increasing Love - They prayed for the going on and the bond of perfection. Col.3:14; Heb.6:1 3. The Prayer that their Hearts Might be Established in Holiness. 3:13 V.13 c) The Lord Liberating in holiness - I. Their prayer for holiness, its only God who can establish man’ s heart in His holiness, man can only Exhort and Encourage but God Extends and Enables.

II. When Christ returns during rapture He comes to get His saints, 5:16-17 but at His 2nd coming He will come with all the saints.