1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.  For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.  For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?  Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

The relationship between Paul and this church continues to be on display.  It is instructive to see the interaction between the two of them and how the Lord is at work in and through the relationship to bring about mutual edification.  We see in this passage the report that Timothy brought back from the church as well as the impact this report had on Paul.  When the body of Christ is healthy, these are the kinds of responses we should come to expect. 

 

A GOOD REPORT: Paul’s concern that the believers in Thessalonica were becoming discouraged in the face of persecution seems to have been unfounded.  Instead, Timothy brough a glowing report of their faith, love, and mutual desire to be reunited.  This was a huge relief to Paul and brough the entire missionary team comfort and encouragement.  Good news about our disciples has an immensely positive impact on leaders and is sure to bring encouragement and comfort.  Leadership in ministry can be both lonely and difficult.  Paul speaks of his distress and affliction.  However, all the suffering in the world can be dissipated by the realization that the suffering is making an eternal difference in the lives of others.  Suffering with purpose diminishes that suffering.

 

A GOOD RESULT: The result of the report Paul received was life enhancing.  The stability of the of the faith in the midst of suffering brought joy and peace to the missionary team.  This resulted in thanksgiving towards God, joy, and more intense prayer for the believers in Thessalonica.  When we demonstrate progress in our walk with the Lord it brings an even greater commitment to those who are leading us.  Obedience from followers is a great motivation to leaders.  When we fail to cooperate with, ignore, or become discouraged and quit following the instruction of our leaders, we will be led in a far less effective manner.  Leader and followers are in partnership with one another and will constantly impact one another.  None of us have arrived and we all need other members of the body of Christ to continue to invest in our lives.  There are things that are lacking about all of our faith and God is at work through His Spirit, Word, and Church to conform us to the image of Christ.

 

A GOOD REQUEST: Paul’s request in prayer for the church in Thessalonica is instructive as to what we should pray for one another and for ourselves.  He asks for God’s direction of their paths to cross once again.  We should pray for opportunities to be together with the people we love and those God is using to invest in our lives.  The second request is for increasing love for one another as well as for all the saints.  We are called to lives of love as a basic part of our walk with the Lord.  True love will always be growing and increasing as we walk through lives together and help one another in spiritual growth it is only natural for us to grow in love as well.  The final request if for them to be established in holiness and godliness.  This is the work of God in our lives and we should be faithful to pray for one another in the work of the Lord in one another’s lives.

 

APPLICATION: Share with others about what God is doing in our lives especially those who are having a positive impact on us.  Invest in others and be obedient to those who are investing in us so we might all be encouraged by one another in our times of distress.  Pray for opportunities to be with brothers in Christ.  Seek to grow in love with one another and in holiness together.  Be intentional about producing these qualities whenever we have opportunity.

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