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The Testimony that Comes from Trials and Testing 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 by Cooper Abrams |
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The Testimony that Comes from Trials and Testing 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 by Cooper Abrams |
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Trials are an important part of a believers life and come with receiving salvation. The false "health and wealth" preachers of today teach if a person is saved, then God wants them to be healthy and wealthy and life will be a "cake walk." By the way, the way to be healthy and wealthy is to send them money. If you send them money and do not get rich and healthy it is your fault because you do not have enough faith and you did not send enough money. They are liars and are teach heresy.
God never told His children they would not have problems and trial in this life. He did promise to "never leave us or forsake us" and to be by our side through what ever comes our way whether it be good things or difficulties.
God in this Epistle is relating the trials and sufferings of the Apostle Paul to show us this truth. God wants us to understand how He works in our lives. Many people who are taken in by the false health and wealth teachers soon become discouraged and confused, because they find out that does not always deliver us from suffering and difficulties, but instead comforts and strengthens believers that they may grow stronger in their faith and testimony for the Lord.
After Paul left Berea and arrived at Athens Timothy and Silas came to him. Paul learned that in Thessalonica there was a continuing bitter persecution of Christians by the Jews. They had persecuted him when he was there and he had to leave in the night to escape. The were greatly suffering difficult trials and were in great danger. Paul then sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to comfort them. Paul was afraid that because of the trials these new converts would wane in their faith. Can you honestly relate to their situation? What would be your actions as a professing Christian in the face of death, that was caused because you are a believer? Paul writes this Epistle to comfort and encourage them.
I. No man should be moved by these afflictions. (1Thess. 3:1-3)
2. We should note as well that it was not God's will for Paul to return to Thessalonica. God had work for him to do where he was in Corinth, but Paul had a good brother, minister of God and fellow laborer to send in his place. Often pastors think that they alone can bring comfort to others, but God teaches us to train our people to be able to be used of God. We should then use those who are willing to be trained and make themselves available. Further, Christians should be willing to learn. I believe that most Church members do not see themselves as being teachers or doing anything more than attending services. That is a mistake.
2. We cannot fully understand the degree of hatred for Christians faced in the early church. We do not experience that degree of rejection of God's truth. Some few in the cults greatly resent the truth and organizations such as the ACLU and liberal Democrats seek to remove the name of God and Jesus Christ from society. But...they are not yet seeking to murder us.
The Jews hated the name of Jesus Christ vehemently. We can see how much the Jews hated Paul who preached Christ by looking at Acts 23:14. "And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul." (Acts 23:14)
"But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee." (Acts 23:21)
There is no record they died, so they must have broken their vow and eaten. God intervened and the Centurion sent 200 of his soldiers to take Paul to Caesarea to Felix the Governor.
2. Clearly Paul recognizes the possibility that Christians can be discouraged and defeated. Often the Christian does not recognize the hand of the devil in trying to defeat him. The devil is a master at attacking God's people and seeking to destroy they faith and make Christ ineffective in their lives. In Ephesians God tells us "Neither give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27) The word "place" literally means to give opportunity to Satan to work against us. He has many cunning devices such as an unforgiving spirit, lust, envy, bitterness, become angry, complacency, seeking after the world, and a host of other sins. However, here the devil's attack was a frontal attack. He was influencing the Jews to murder the Christians.
2. We must have a strong defense and offense. We are to as Ephesians 6:10-18 put on the whole Armor of God. Each of the parts of the soldier's armor protected him from the blows of the enemy who sought to kill him. The offensive weapon of the true soldier for Christ is "the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God."
3. Faith is not based on simply blindly hoping for something without any assurance of finding help. That is called "existentialism" termed a "leap into the dark." It is not a "leap into the dark!" Biblical faith is based on God's word and His absolute promises to us. God has told us what to do. How then does that work?
Example: James 1:2-4 is the Word of God and promises us tells us to rejoice when we suffer various trails.
Question? What should a believer do when trail come??
God's Answer? "Count it ALL joy to have to endure temptations which means trials."
The question then is well we believe God which means to trust Him in faith in His promises? When you are being tempted and having difficulty what do you do?!
4. Paul was comforted when he received the news, the good tidings, that they held fast to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He also mentions their charity. The word is the Greek word "agape" which means the same love that God has for us. Agape love is God's love that seeks the best for others not taking into account the worthiness of the person who is the recipient of the love.
Paul expressed this many times and to the Ephesians said, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love." (Ephesians 3:17) Biblical faith is rooted and grounded in love. You cannot separate. Faith is the motivation and love is the result of faith.
5. Their faith not only benefitted them it was of great value in the lives of others also and to Paul the preacher. Their steadfastness encouraged Paul. Folks we need to see God working in the lives of other people.
ILLUS: I was interrupted by a phone call while preparing this message from a man from Fargo, North Dakota. He said he had been struggling with the teachings of Calvinism and the Reformed movement. He was discouraged and confused. However, God lead him to my web site and article titled "Is Calvinism or Arminianism Biblical?" He said a great burden have been lifted from his shoulders because as he read the article he saw the truth in God's word. He has lost relatives and was worried that God had decreed He would send them to hell without any chance of being saved. He found my telephone number off the internet and called me to let me know what a blessing the article was to him. What an encouragement that was to me!! (1-14-08)
Another man two weeks later called me from Washington State and we talked for about 30 minutes. He called for the same reason. His pastor and church was turning to the Reformed movement and Calvinism. He wanted to let me know how the article helped him by correctly interpreting God's word. Folks the devil has a foot hold in that church and if allowed to continue it will destroy the church and God will have nothing to do with it.
6. Folks if we let the devil defeat us...then it is not only we who suffer but those around us also. You see...trials and suffering can produce biblical fruit. Faith will produce faith in others. Faith is contagious....and it grows.
7. Note Paul's statement in verse 8. "For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:8) Albert Barnes makes this comment on this verse. "This is equivalent to saying, ‘My life and comfort depend on your stability in the faith, and your correct Christian walk.' "
Dear child of God. . . when you stand fast in God's word it is a blessing and encouragement to your pastor and others. However, if you rather chose to be unfaithful the opposite is truth. It can tear the heart out of a pastor and others when professing believers will not follow the Lord. Many a godly preacher has been defeated by the devil through the discouragement he encounters in the lives of disobedient and worldly church members.
B. Paul says he prayed night and day that he could come to Thessalonica and see them face to face. (v11)
His reason was so he could teach them and perfect their faith in Christ. That is the passion of God's man, to see God's children maturing in Jesus Christ and not "tossed to and fo" by ever ill wind the devil sends.(James 1:6)
1. James states an important truth about trials.... "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:4)
2. Paul prays that the Father and Jesus Christ would direct "our way" to them. Most commentators interpret the passage to mean that Paul was asking that God direct him straight to them. The word "direct" is a Greek word that is only used here in the New Testament. It means to go directly straight way. I believe this is true, but I believe also there is more to the understand of this statement.
3. The next verse begins with the conjunction "and" which means the statement following is a continuation of the thought. Paul then says, "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." (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)
2. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 is to be an encouragement and warning to Christians.
What a blessing and encouragement to know that God notices all we do. He is pleased when we live by faith and are faithful to Him. He will richly reward us for serving Him by serving others and being faithful.
To the Colossians Paul encouraged them saying, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24)
This verse complete dispels any accuse of being complacent in our faithfulness to the Lord.
Paul explains and warns, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)
2. Every Sunday and Wednesday there is a test. True faith will get people to Sunday School, worship service and prayer meeting. There is a test each day as we go about our lives. Will be a testimony for the Lord or not.
3. Every temptation we face is a test of our faith. Where there is biblical faith...the temptation will be overcome. Where there is not true faith...there will be failure.
4. If we believe God we must accept that trials will come, but can be used of God to strengthen us and help us in our faith and our testimony before others.
ILLUS: I heard Pastor Marvin Smith, Harvest Baptist Church, Ft. Dodge, IA tell the story about how God worked in their lives when their son was born with deformed legs. The doctors said it would take many operations and a lot of money to straighten his sons legs. They had no insurance and could not afford it, but simply went to the Lord with their need and presented it to Him. They prayed for a long time that God would heal him, but nothing happened. They had a doctor's appointment and drove to the hospital to have X-rays done again. The doctors came out astounded. They said look at the X-rays...his hips and legs are normal. When he left home they were deformed. But by the time they arrived at the hospital they were straight. Folks it gave them great anguish when their son was born with such a deformity. Yet, their faith in God and stead fastness brought them the victory. They would not give up. The continued to pray and seek God's answer and strength.
4. Dear friends and church members...what is your response to trials and difficulties?
Introduction: The Bible abounds with examples of how that God's people were tested in their faith and obedience. The Book of James is the first book of the New Testament to be written which was around 45 A.D. The last Old Testament book was written 400 years earlier which was the Book of Malachi. It is then note worthy that the first thing God says after 400 years of silence is "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:2-4)
A. Paul was so concerned for their welfare that all though Timothy was a comfort and aid to him, Paul sent him to Thessalonica to help them in their faith in the face of persecution. (v2)
ILLUS: I recently had a woman write me enquiring if Christians could be deceived and influenced by the devil. The answer is of course "Yes."
1. The phrase "we could no longer forbear" means he could no longer remain in silence and not seek to help them. "Forbear" means to "remain silent."
B. Paul states plainly that afflictions should not discourage or dissuade us from the faith.
1. Paul refers to his own trials and persecutions that they were well aware of. They had seen how that he was literally run out of Thessalonica when he was preaching there. (v4)
C. Satan was alive, well and powerful in Thessalonica. (v5) Things have not changed and he is alive, well and powerful here in Utah as well.
ILLUS: I have often been accused of not being gracious enough because I stated that some action, movement, preacher, cult or church was of the devil. It has happened here in our church. The people involved left, because they refused to accept the unbiblical practices and beliefs of their movement. Folks, how are to we to overcome our adversary if we deny that he is working? How can we truthfully say we believe God and His word if we accept error and do not warn people about it? People can be easily deceive it they are not taught God's truth. That is why we encourage everyone to bring their Bible and look up the passages for themselves. If you read God's word and believe it you will not likely be deceived.
1. Paul was very much aware that the devil was behind the persecutions of this young congregation. He was concerned that somehow the devil would cunningly influence them to turn away from the truth. This does not mean he was worried they would lose their salvation, but rather that they would under such great trials give up and become let Christ become ineffective in their lives.
D. To have victory we must recognize the devil's work. (v5) Often pastors are criticized because they plainly state that something is of the devil.
ILLUS: I was reading an article by a pastor who related how that Satan had almost destroyed a good faithful church that was serving the Lord and being used by Him. He used a person in the church who was disgruntled. In time is spread to others and it began to discourage the pastor and others. A church is an assembly, a body of believers joined together to serve the Lord. One disgruntled church member if allowed to, can destroy even a good church.
Here Paul calls him the "tempter" and that the devil is.
II. The encouragement of those who are faithful. (1 Thess. 3:9-13)
1. This is always the concern of a true pastor. Like Paul we are not unaware of the devil's cunning tricks and work. Paul expressed this truth and warning to the Corinthians saying "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11)
A. Paul rejoiced with great joy over their faithfulness to the Lord. Note that he says he has joy for their sakes. Folks, that is the work of biblical love. It cares for and wishes the best for God's people.
C. I believe the words "our way" refers to what verse 12-13 state. Our way was that they increase and abound in love towards each other and to all men. The result of that would be that they would be established in their hearts to be unblameable in holiness at the BEMA judgment of believers.
1. Our steadfastness is not only a benefit to us and other Christians and pastors, it is a reward to be received at the BEMA judgment of true believers.
Conclusion:
1. The trials that come our way can work to mature us and are a test of our faith or to defeat us. The way we handle the trials in our life shows were we are in our relationship with the Lord and in our faith. Folks often doubt their salvation and wonder where they stand with the Lord. They can easily know this is by their actions.
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