If you turn in your Word of God now to 1 Thessalonians, you may be seated. I’ll be reading there in chapter 3, I believe that’s on page 1,256 of your pew Bibles. For context, I’m gonna begin in verse 17 of chapter two. Let’s give attention to the very word of God.
But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time in person, not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face because we wanted to come to you, I, Paul, again and again. But Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s co-worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions.
For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported to 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.
Thus far in the reading of God’s word. Amen. Would you pray with me? Heavenly Father, now as we’ve read your word, we ask for your blessing upon it. We pray that you’d plant it deeply within our hearts, and Father, that you would do all that you’ve ordained in our hearts from eternity past, even this morning. Work powerfully in us, Lord, by your Spirit. Conform us more and more into Jesus Christ. We ask this in his name, amen. Is your faith increasing? Seems to be a question that’s being asked by this text. Is your faith increasing?
If you remember that passage in Luke’s gospel, as Jesus was telling his disciples how many times they were to forgive their brothers, If your brother sins, rebuke him. And if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in the day and turns to you seven times saying, I repent, you must forgive him. In other accounts, this is that 70 times seven times of forgiveness.
And the apostles responded to the Lord Jesus Christ and they said, increase our faith. They knew they weren’t strong enough to continue to forgive a sinning brother who’s repenting. Increase our faith. In a sense, that brings us to our passage this morning.
Paul and Silas and Timothy have been brought to Thessalonica, they had received that Macedonian vision Paul had, and they were brought ultimately to Thessalonica, but only for three weeks, or at least three Lord’s days. They were with him for a very short time, and during that time, the preaching of Paul converted many. And so there’s this infant church in Thessalonica that they were among only three Lord’s days before they were persecuted and had to flee for their lives. And so now Paul, Timothy, and Silas were separated from this church, this fledgling church, and they were experiencing affliction, persecution, just as Paul and Silas and Timothy were.
It seems to be the focus of this passage before us this morning in chapter 3. The afflictions, the persecutions that the Thessalonians were experiencing, but really the result of those afflictions. What would the result be? Would they grow in faith? Or would they be snatched out of Christ by the wiles of Satan? This morning, as we look at this chapter 3, I would like us to think this way.
Rightly understood, affliction builds up the faithful in their faith. Rightly understood. Affliction builds up the faithful in their faith. We’ll see that in three points. First, the problem. Satan misuses affliction. Secondly, the truth. Jesus never leaves nor forsakes. And finally, the solution. Spirit abides to grow. As we go through this passage this morning, I’d like you to be asking yourself, probing your heart, am I increasing in my faith? That brings us to our first head, the problem. Satan misuses affliction. I think one of the questions this morning is your faith on autopilot. Are you just flying along, knowing that I’ve come to faith, I’ve walked the aisle, so to speak. It’s a once and done event in my life. Or are you growing?
There’s a problem that’s afoot here that Paul brings forward in this chapter three. It’s throughout this letter to the Thessalonians. But here it seems to be the focus that these saints, these young believers are under affliction, they’re being persecuted. Paul knows it.
Paul knows that they are immersed in afflictions and you become imitators of us in the Lord for you received the word in much affliction, chapter one. They’re surrounded by affliction. Chapter 2, you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews. All Christians experience persecution and affliction.
Paul even mentions that that no one be moved by these afflictions for you yourselves know that we are destined for this. Paul is asserting that this is our lot. This is who we are. We are followers of Jesus Christ. He suffered and we suffered as he did.
Indeed, Luke writes in Acts chapter 14 that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. That’s the path. It’s through tribulation, it’s through affliction, it’s through persecution. That’s the path to go through to enter the kingdom of God. Peter writes, after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who’s called you into his eternal glory and Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. You see, suffering comes first.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy were destined for us. Tribulations must come as you’re entering the kingdom of God. Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Paul knew that this was the typical life of the Christian, and certainly those in Thessalonica.
What about you? Are you experiencing afflictions? Are you being persecuted? All Christians do experience these things. It’s not something strange. It’s typical. And rightly received, your afflictions will actually grow your faith. If you leave here this morning with nothing else, please Remember that. Rightly received your afflictions will actually grow your faith. That’s why Peter was able to write, but rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings. Rejoice.
Well, that’s the foundation of what Paul is writing about now. He’s noted the situation, the environment, the community in which these Thessalonians lived, and now he brings forth that foundation of his concern for these new believers that the problem and their affliction, that constant persecution that’s going on, the experience of being hated by men who actually hate God, is being experienced by these babes in the faith. And that provided a foundation upon which Satan could, would, and does build. He builds on affliction. And that’s Paul’s concern.
For this reason, verse five, when I could no longer bear it, I sent to learn about your faith for fear that somehow the tempter attempted you and our labor would be in vain. That’s Paul’s concern, that Satan would take these afflictions and misuse them, misapply them to draw these young believers away.
It should cause us to consider the power of Satan, shouldn’t it? He actually prevented Paul from returning to Thessalonica. That’s the power of Satan, at least in part. Verse 18 of chapter 2, we wanted to come to you, I Paul, again and again, but Satan hindered us. Now we’re not told how, we’re just told that he did.
That’s the work of Satan. He’s powerful. Peter confirms the power and thus the danger of Satan’s work. Be sober-minded, be watchful, your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Think of that. seeking someone to devour. He’s a lichen to a lion. He has the power to devour.
We underestimate, constantly underestimate the power of Satan. But Paul didn’t. Let’s consider the work of Satan as he builds as a master in deception upon persecution or affliction. What are his arguments? How does he tempt? First, God does not care.
As the waters are too deep, Satan takes that affliction which is painful, the persecution which is unbearable at times, and he tempts the one in that affliction to think of nothing other than that pain. The whole focal point of one’s life becomes that affliction. It’s so hard that Satan tempts, suggesting that God is either unable to take it away or just doesn’t care enough about you as you’re in your affliction. The desire for that affliction, that pain, whether physical or spiritual, to cease becomes a constant request before the Lord, and when it’s not taken away immediately, Satan argues, I told you so.
God doesn’t care about you, leave him, follow me. I’ll take you to the place where the pain will leave you. Second, God is not worth it. That’s another approach used by Satan as he argues in your affliction. God is not worth it. Satan knows that God is sovereign, and that God Himself has brought about the affliction, that persecution, in an attempt to mold and shape you to be like His Son. But then Satan tempts the afflicted, like those in Thessalonica, by saying, God just isn’t worth it. This pain that you’re experiencing to conform you to Christ isn’t worth it. There’s no value in it. There’s no purpose to it. Leave it behind. The pleasures of life which I, Satan, can lead you in are so much better than Christ. God’s not worth it. And then finally, God is not a promise keeper.
Satan knows the scriptures. He knows the covenant promises of God. And so he begins by reminding the one being tempted about these promises. And Satan knows that many misunderstand the promises of God. Satan knows that many tend to think that the covenantal promises of God mean that God has promised to give good things to His children.
But His children define those good things as things they desire. In other words, Satan encourages the one he is tempting to think in terms of what is humanly good, not divinely good. Satan would be right that God has promised to give His children good things, but not according to the desire of His children. No good things as defined by God. So Satan turns the promises of God into a means of temptation and argues that God has not kept His promises.
This affliction, this persecution which you’re suffering is not good. In fact, God has given you that which is bad. So he’s not a promise keeper, is he? He’s deceived you, he’s led you astray with unkept promises. This affliction is not what he promised, it’s not good. Leave this liar, this divine falsifier.
Follow me, you can trust that I, Satan, will give you all that you desire. You see, there it is. That’s the problem. That was what Paul was concerned about for those at Thessalonica. that they would be led astray by these arguments of Satan in their affliction, in their persecution. Have you experienced them? Have you heard Satan speaking in such a way to draw you away from Christ, away from God, attempting to tell you that God is not trustworthy?
He’s prowling. He’s roaring. He’s roaring out his lies. But the truth must be told that Jesus Christ does care for each and every child of God. Satan is a liar. So let’s turn to that point, the second point, the truth. Jesus never leaves nor forsakes.
Remember Paul, the pastor, a great pastor. On three Sabbath days, he preached. And his preaching was such that many came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Some were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas. A great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women all come to faith in Christ. Paul was their pastor. He had poured himself out. Even if it was only for three Lord’s days, he heard them and watched them profess faith in Jesus Christ. They had become very dear to Paul.
But they had to leave. Paul and Silas and Timothy had to leave. This theme of separation is throughout the letter. It starts in verse three of chapter one, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and love. It was only a memory at that point. They were physically separated. Verse 7 of chapter 2, but we were gentle among you in the past tense, not the present. And then in verse 17 of chapter 2, but since we were torn away from you, they were gone. They departed from Thessalonica. They were separated.
Not by choice, but because of this persecution experienced from the Jews, and thus they were not able to see or witness the progress of these new Christians in their faith. In one sense, like Jesus Christ, who has ascended, who left the disciples, the apostles behind. Paul, Silas, and Timothy were distant physically. But like Jesus, that didn’t mean that Paul was uncaring. Paul’s pastoral love for these infants in the faith was strong, it had not faded. His care for the flock had not waned.
In fact, it seems to actually have increased. We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face. Their love for these dear ones was so strong, they just longed to come back and be with them in person. And so this letter, this letter is in place. of them being there in person, face-to-face, this concern, this ongoing care for these dear ones in Christ. And so we read of Paul’s pastoral concern, verse three, that no one be moved by these afflictions.
That’s the concern. From Paul’s perspective, these new believers had been fixed on and in Christ. In a sense, he had placed them there. Now, I know that’s not humanly possible. But by and through his preaching, used by the Spirit, they were in Christ. When Paul left, they were set. But now he speaks of them as possibly being movable.
That problem identified earlier was the root of Paul’s concern, his care, his warning. So as their pastor, Paul’s concern was that these Thessalonians not be moved. They were Paul’s glory and joy. And his care, his concern, was that they remain secure in Christ, that they remain part of Jesus’ flock, protected from ravenous wolves and roaring lions. But the potential detrimental effect of their afflictions, this persecution, was raising this concern. Paul knew of their afflictions.
And Paul knew of Satan’s devices. And he knew that Satan was going to tempt them to abandon their faith as a result of this persecution. That Satan might have his way. That he might turn some or even many away from God, away from Christ. That he would try to convict them that God had left them. That is part of Satan’s work, isn’t it?
These were the children of Paul, so to speak. He had birthed them. He speaks of himself as being like a nursing mother taking care of his own children. And that’s exactly what he’s doing in this letter. Despite the geographical distance, there was an unending concern for their growth in faith that they would not fall away. So Paul was So concerned. Had they already left the fold? Had Satan’s arguments worked? Had the affliction been so unbearable? Were these willing to give up Christ to alleviate their pain? Was Paul’s labor in vain?
It’s a picture of Christ’s care for his flock, isn’t it? It’s just the opposite of that which Satan was going to argue for. Christ is the great shepherd, and you’re his sheep. You see that wonderful care of the shepherd in Psalm 23. In essence, Psalm 23 could be summed up by saying the shepherd does not leave the sheep, ever. How often do Satan’s temptations begin with Jesus Christ does not care about you.” It’s quite often, actually. It began in the garden with Eve, as Eve was tempted by Satan’s lies, which amounted to, God doesn’t care about you.
And so, the Thessalonians were probably asking, why did you leave us? Just like the disciples were asking Jesus Christ, why are you going to leave us? As many of you might have asked yourselves, why did Jesus leave? The truth is he’s not left. The real answer to that question of why did you leave is that Jesus has not left.
His care for you now is greater. And indeed it was when he walked this earth, as he sits on the throne in glory next to his father in his very right hand, he’s interceding for you, but he’s also ensuring that everything that happens to you, every circumstance, every situation, every affliction, every persecution, every event in your life is intended, it’s designed, it’s purposed to ensure that on the day of judgment, you will be saved from the wrath of God. that you will enter glory, that He is sovereignly overseeing everything in your life. It’s a care so great, so personal, so intimate, like Paul’s knowledge of those saints in Thessalonica, that not a hair can fall from your head that’s not intended to be that which, in part, works to bring you into glory. That’s the care and concern of your Savior, of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has not left you and He will never forsake you.
Are you trusting in Him this morning? Have you given your very soul to Jesus Christ and placed it in His hands? For He’s the only one who will care for you and love you to the very end. Satan is the eternal liar who only cares for himself. Run from Satan, run to Christ. That’s part of the message this morning.
That’s Paul’s care here for those saints at Thessalonica. It sets forth just this little glimpse, this little picture of the everlasting and eternal care of Jesus Christ for you if you’re trusting in him this morning. Paul’s concern was that those in Thessalonica would continue to grow in their faith. Just a little glimpse of what Jesus does to ensure your faith never wavers until the day he returns.
That’s the loving care of your eternal pastor, your forever shepherd, Jesus Christ. And that’s exactly what Psalm 23 demonstrated, and that’s what this passage is speaking of, that the shepherd is always watching over his flock, leading his sheep out to green pastures where they’ll be well nourished and grow. That’s what Jesus does. That’s his caring, that’s his loving kindness. He shows you where to go, which pasture to go and which passage to feed upon, day by day, making you lie down, be quiet before him, bringing peace, calmness to your heart as a good shepherd, reminding you that he’s the only way and he will keep you and care for you. Until he brings you into his glory. Brings us to our third point, the solution. The spirit abides to grow.
That was the solution, wasn’t it? For Paul, he couldn’t go. But Timothy could. That was the solution. He sends Timothy to find out, to learn how the saints at Thessalonica are progressing in their faith or not. Even to his own disadvantage. Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we’re willing to be left behind at Athens alone. Timothy was part of the team.
But he’s sent off because the love of Paul is so great for these. He pours out his love and care for these dear ones that he’s birthed. He pours out himself. And he’s longing to hear how they’re progressing in their faith. And so Timothy is sent to exhort and encourage and report back.
Did you notice Paul mentions a lack in their faith in verse 10? Look at that. As we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to faith and supply what’s lacking in your faith. How could that be? How could there be something or anything lacking in their faith?
Is it not true that once a person comes to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they’re saved? Once and done? That a person who confesses Jesus Christ is indeed saved? That’s what scripture teaches. So how could they be lacking? The answer is that you must grow. You must grow in your faith. That’s what Paul’s concerned about. Concerned about their growth, that there was that which was lacking. And so Paul desires to come and build them up or provide what is lacking in their faith. And Timothy is sent to do exactly that.
Did the husbands know how to treat their wives? Did the wives know how to submit to their husbands? Did the children know about their biblical relationship to their parents? Did the believers know what it was to love their neighbors? Are not all these things embodied in and worked out in the lives of believers through faith?
Yes, of course. They needed to grow in their grace. Paul certainly cared about proclaiming the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ. He cared about hearts being changed from stone to flesh. He cared about those who were in darkness and seeking to bring them into the light. He cared about giving them hope in Christ, but he also cared about their growth and grace after They came to faith.
There’s more to grace than a regenerated heart. There’s more to grace than enabling a person, a man, a woman, a child to believe to their salvation, and we see it here. That was Paul’s concern. Are they growing? We read it this morning, that the grace of faith whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word. It is increased and strengthened by the administration of the sacraments, prayer, and by preaching. It is increased and strengthened. Paul writes to those in Ephesus, rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ. There’s a growth that is to occur in every single believer, every single person that’s trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ in the time that’s given in this world, they are to grow. You are to grow up into Christ.
So that’s why Timothy was sent. Paul couldn’t go. And so he was to bring a report back to Paul and Silas as to the growth in faith of those newborn believers to encourage Paul and Silas to be comforted, but also, and probably even more importantly, to exhort and encourage them in their faith to combat Satan. We sent Timothy, our brother, God’s coworker, in the gospel to establish and exhort you in your faith. Their faith needed to grow. Their faith needed to mature. Paul is convicted that they had sincere faith, but there was much more for them to learn about living in Christ.
And so Timothy goes. And so Jesus sends his spirit. Do you see the parallel? Paul sends Timothy because Jesus sent the spirit. Timothy was sent because of persecution and affliction. And so, in part, the Spirit has been sent because of the affliction and persecution that you have and that you will experience. Indeed, the Spirit is exhorting and encouraging you. He’s building you up in the faith once given to you, and you need Him. You need that work. And Christ has ensured that you will have it. But are you? Are you growing?
Are your afflictions growing your faith? That’s why God sends them. Are you increasing in faith? Are you growing in grace? Are you learning how to trust more and more in Jesus Christ? Are you learning to lay aside and cast off your worries and anxieties, your concerns about tomorrow, and trust more in Christ?
That’s growing in faith. Are you learning how to lift up the interests of others above your own? That’s growing in faith. Are you growing in your love for God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, even as your love for this world and the things in it grows dimmer and dimmer? That’s growing in faith. Are you growing in your ability to receive afflictions and trials and tribulations as good things, which conform you more and more to the image of Christ? That’s growing in faith. Has your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ grown to the extent that you’re able to say more sincerely today than yesterday, not my will, but your will be done? That’s growing in faith.
Just like the disciples when they were told how many times they needed to forgive others and recognize that they were unable to do it without an increase in their faith. Brothers and sisters, each of us need to pray just like the disciples prayed, Lord, increase my faith. You see, it’s only when you’re able to admit that your faith is weak and small, like a mustard seed, that the Spirit can actually begin His work of increasing your faith. So the call this morning, I think, is to humble yourselves before Christ and cry out to Him that He would continue to use His Spirit who abides in you today to exhort and encourage you and to build you up to increase your faith.
For actually, it’s a command, it’s not an option. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. like newborn infants long for pure spiritual milk that by it you may grow up into salvation. That’s what Paul was concerned about here in this letter. That’s what we need to be praying for day by day.
It’s rightly understood Affliction builds up the faithful in their faith. The disciples knew it. They knew their faith was small. They knew they had to increase, and they knew that it could only happen by and through the work of their Savior, even Jesus Christ.
Our Father and our God, help us. Even now we confess our faith is weak. We are feeble and frail. And we need the Spirit to build us up. Oh Lord God, Satan is waiting. He’s prowling, he’s roaring. He’s looking for a way to drag us off and consume us. but help us, protect us, and give us those spiritual muscles we need that our faith would increase and we would be more like Christ. I ask all this in his precious name, amen. Brothers and sisters,