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1 Thessalonians Chapter Three

 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To see the very real danger of being tempted, and the need to stand
 fast in the Lord
 
2) To appreciate how our own steadfastness can be a source of joy and
 strength to those who taught us in the faith
 
3) To understand the need to increase and abound in love, in order to
 establish our hearts blameless before God when Christ returns
 
SUMMARY
 
As Paul expresses his concern for their faithfulness, he explains why
Timothy had been sent to them while he himself remained in Athens. 
Fearful that their afflictions might have given Satan an opportunity to
tempt them and render his labors with them in vain, Timothy was sent to
establish and encourage them in their faith (1-5).
 
Timothy brought back good news to Paul concerning the church at 
Thessalonica, telling him of their faith and love, their fond memories 
of Paul, and their desire to see him again. This greatly comforted 
Paul who was suffering his own afflictions, and he is overwhelmed with
thankfulness and joy. Praying night and day that he might see them 
again and perfect what is lacking in their faith, he offers a prayer 
that God and Jesus might direct his way to them. He also prays that 
the Lord will help them to increase and abound in love to one another 
and to all, and to establish their hearts blameless in holiness before
God at the coming of Christ with all His saints (6-13).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. PAUL'S CONCERN FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS (1-10)
 
 A. TIMOTHY'S MISSION (1-5)
 1. When he could endure it no longer, Paul remained in Athens
 alone (1)
 2. He sent Timothy...
 a. To establish and encourage them in the faith (2)
 b. That they not be shaken by their afflictions (3a)
 1) To which they had been appointed (3b)
 2) As Paul told them before (4)
 c. To know of their faith...
 1) Whether they had been tempted (5a)
 2) Whether his labor might be in vain (5b)
 
 B. TIMOTHY'S REPORT (6-10)
 1. Timothy's return brought good news...
  a. Of their faith and love (6a)
 b. Of their fond memories of Paul (6b)
 c. Of their desire to see him, just as he desires to see them
 (6c)
 2. Such news brought comfort to Paul in his affliction (7-8)
 a. He was comforted, knowing of their faith (7)
 b. He felt alive, knowing of their steadfastness in the Lord
 (8)
 3. He is thankful beyond words (9-10)
 a. Thankful to God for them, for the joy they bring to him (9)
 b. Praying night and day that he may soon see them and perfect
 what is lacking in their faith (10)
 
II. PAUL'S CONCERN FOR THEIR CONTINUED GROWTH (11-13)
 
 A. HIS PRAYER FOR HIMSELF (11)
 1. A request made to both God the Father, and the Lord Jesus 
 Christ (11a)
 2. That he may come to the Thessalonians again (11b)
 
 B. HIS PRAYER FOR THEM (12-13)
 1. That the Lord make them increase and abound in love...
 a. To one another and to all (12a)
 b. Just as Paul does toward them (12b)
 2. So that the Lord might establish their hearts blameless in 
 holiness...
 a. Before our God and Father (13a)
 b. At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints
 (13b)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Paul's concern for their faithfulness (1-10)
 - Paul's concern for their continued growth (11-13)
 
2) Where did Paul stay when he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica? (1)
 - Athens
 
3) Why did Paul send Timothy? (2)
 - To establish them and encourage them in their faith
 
4) What was Paul fearful of that might have shaken their faith? (3)
 - Their afflictions
 
5) What two reasons are given for Paul sending Timothy to learn of
 their faith? (5)
 - Lest by some means the tempter had tempted them
 - Lest Paul's labor might have been in vain
 
6) What good news had Timothy brought back to Paul? (6)
 - Of their faith and love
 - Of their fond memories of Paul
 - Of their desire to see him again
 
7) How did this news affect Paul? (7-9)
 - Brought him comfort in his affliction and distress
 - Made him feel alive
 - Overwhelmed him with thankfulness and joy
 
8) For what did Paul pray night and day? (10)
 - To see their face and perfect what was lacking in their faith
 
9) For what did Paul pray concerning himself? (11)
 - That God and Jesus direct his way to the Thessalonians
 
10) For what did Paul pray concerning the Thessalonians? (12-13)
 - That they increase and abound in love toward one another and to
 all
 - That their hearts be established blameless in holiness before God
 at the coming of Christ with all His saints
 
Paul's Concern For His Brethren (3:1-10)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. It is evident from this epistle that Paul loved his brethren...
 a. In their presence, he treated them like a nursing mother and
 exhorted them like a caring father - 1 Th 2:7,11
 b. When absent from them, he longed to see them time and again 
 - 1 Th 2:17-18
 
2. His concern for them is also evident as we continue our study of
 this epistle...
 a. As we notice his anxiety over their faith - 1 Th 3:1-5
 b. As we read of his joy in hearing of their steadfastness - 1 Th 
 3:6-10
 
3. What of our concern for one another? Are we troubled at all over
 the spiritual welfare of our brethren?
 
[As we take a closer look at "Paul's Concern For His Brethren", perhaps
there are things to be learned that will ensure we have a proper
concern for one another as well...]
 
I. PAUL'S CONCERN FOR HIS BRETHREN
 
 A. IMPLIED BY HIS ANXIETY...
 1. Paul was concerned about how they were holding up under
 tribulation - 1 Th 3:1-4
 a. He did not want them to be shaken by them
 b. He had even warned them when he was still with them
 2. Paul was concerned about their faith - 1 Th 3:5
 a. He was afraid that the tempter (Satan) might have tempted 
 them
 b. He was fearful that his labor might have been in vain
 1) A concern expressed for churches in Galatia - Ga 4:11
 2) A concern expressed for brethren at Philippi - Ph 2:16
 -- Note: if the doctrine "once saved, always saved" were true, 
 why did Paul worry?
 
 B. INSINUATED BY HIS HELP...
  1. He sent Timothy, at expense to himself - 1 Ti 3:1-2
 a. It meant being left in Athens alone
 b. It meant being without the aid of a brother, a minister of 
 God and fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ
 2. He sent Timothy for two reasons - 1 Ti 3:2,5
 a. To establish and encourage them in their faith
 b. To learn of the condition of their faith
 -- Note again: if the doctrine "once saved, always saved" were 
 true, why the need to hinder the work at Athens by sending 
 Timothy back to Thessalonica?
 
 C. INDICATED BY HIS JOY...
 1. Timothy had now returned with good news - 1 Ti 3:6
 a. About their faith and love
 b. About their good remembrance of Paul
  c. About their great desire to see Paul
 2. Paul's reaction to this news - 1 Th 3:7-9
 a. Comforted in his own affliction and distress by their faith
 b. Made to really live by their steadfastness
 c. Rejoicing with thankfulness for their condition before God
 
 D. ILLUSTRATED BY HIS PRAYERS...
 1. Note the frequency of his prayers for them - 1 Th 3:10
 a. Praying night and day
 b. Praying exceedingly
 2. Note the content of his prayers for them - 1 Th 3:10
 a. To see their face once again
 b. To perfect what is lacking in their faith
 
[Paul's concern for his brethren is certainly evidenced by his anxiety,
his help, his joy, and his prayers. To provoke our thinking, let us
now examine whether there is evidence of...]
 
II. OUR CONCERN FOR OUR BRETHREN
 
 A. DO WE HAVE ANY ANXIETY...?
 1. Are we concerned about the welfare of our brethren, especially 
 the weak?
 2. Have we noticed their absence, does it not trouble us?
 -- Do we act as though we believed in the doctrine "once saved,
 always saved"?
 
 B. DO WE EXTEND ANY HELP...?
 1. Have we made an effort to call, write, or in some way contact
 them?
 2. Are we helping by setting a good example with our own service 
 and attendance?
 3. Are we doing what we can to establish and encourage them in 
 the faith?
 -- Paul was willing to make personal sacrifices to provide help 
 for his brethren, are we?
 
  C. DO WE EXPERIENCE ANY JOY...? 
 1. Are we moved at all when we see a brother or sister restored 
 to the Lord?
 2. Do we have any joy when we see them returned to our midst?
 3. Can we say with Paul, "For now we live, if you stand fast in 
 the Lord"?
 -- Our reaction to seeing brethren who are weak make an effort
 reveals much about our level of concern for them
 
 D. DO WE OFFER ANY PRAYERS...?
 1. Prayers of thanks when we hear or see evidence of their
 faithfulness?
 2. Prayers to see them and perfect what is lacking in their 
 faith?
 -- Paul prayed exceedingly, night and day...how often do we pray 
 for those who are weak or experiencing trials?
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Much joy comes from seeing the faithfulness and steadfastness of
 other Christians...
 a. Paul was comforted in his own afflictions by their faith - 1 Th 
 3:7
 b. He was "alive" because of their steadfastness - 1 Th 3:8
 c. He was filled with thanksgiving for the joy that came from seeing
 their faith - 1 Th 3:9
 -- The apostle John could relate to this joy of which Paul wrote 
 - cf. 3 Jn 3-4
 
2. To experience such joy, we need to have concern for our brethren...
 a. Enough concern to be anxious over their condition
 b. Enough concern to do something about it
 -- Perhaps "Paul's Concern For His Brethren" might spark our own
 concern!
 
Without concern for our brethren, there is the very real danger of our
labor being in vain. May our concern for our brethren be such that
when we hear of their faithfulness we too can say:
 
 "For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord." (1 Th 3:8)

Paul's Prayer For The Thessalonians (3:11-13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The first section of this epistle contain "apostolic reflections" in
 which Paul...
 a. Praised their wonderful reception of the gospel - 1 Th 1:1-10
 b. Reviewed the nature of his ministry among them - 1 Th 2:1-16
 c. Expressed his love and concern for their spiritual condition 
 - 1 Th 2:17-3:10
 
2. This section ends with a prayer in their behalf - 1 Th 3:11-13
 a. A common practice of Paul in his epistles - cf. Ph 1:9-11; Co 1:
 9-12
 b. In which Paul expresses his desires regarding his brethren
 
3. In considering such prayers, I find it beneficial to remember that
 Paul wrote by inspiration...
 a. So he is not just expressing his own desires, but those of God's
 as well!
 b. In most cases, these prayers are just applicable to us today as
 they were for them!
 
[As we examine this prayer more closely, then, consider how elements of
"Paul's Prayer For The Thessalonians" might also be God's desire for us
today. We first notice that Paul's prayer was that the Father and
Jesus might...]
 
I. DIRECT HIS WAY TO THEM (11)
 
 A. PAUL'S DESIRE TO SEE THEM...
 1. He had expressed this desire earlier - 1 Th 2:17
 2. He had been hindered by Satan - 1 Th 2:18
 
 B. PAUL'S PRAYER TO SEE THEM...
 1. Requesting aid from both the Father and Jesus
 a. Note the distinction between the Father and the Son - cf. 
 also 2 Jn 9
 b. This implies the Trinity, the distinction between the 
 Persons of the Godhead
 c. Suggesting both joint and separate actions of the Father 
 and Son
 2. Implying belief in the providence of God
 a. That God could overcome the hindrance of Satan's efforts 
 - cf. 1 Pe 5:8-10
 b. That God could provide safe travel if it be in accordance 
 to His will - cf. Ro 1:10
 
 C. GOD'S DESIRE FOR US...
 1. That we remember God's will in our prayers - 1 Jn 5:14
 2. That we remember God's will in our planning - Ja 4:13-15
 
[As Paul desired to see his beloved brethren, so we should desire to
see our loved ones. But in our planning and prayers to see them, let's
not forget the will of God! Now consider how Paul prayed that the Lord
might...]
 
II. MAKE THEM INCREASE AND ABOUND (12)
 
 A. THROUGH THE WORKING OF GOD...
 1. Our spiritual growth involves the working of God - cf. Ph 1:6
 2. He works in conjunction with our own efforts - cf. Ph 2:12-13
 -- So let us pray as though it depends upon God, but work as 
 though it depends upon us!
 
 B. TO INCREASE AND ABOUND...
 1. Our spiritual growth is to be never-ending, always increasing 
 - cf. 2 Pe 1:5-8; 3:18
 2. Our physical may grow old and slow down, but our inner man can 
 be renewed every day! - cf. 2 Co 4:16
 -- Like the sun rising to reach its zenith, so our spiritual 
 growth should be marked by increasing and abundant progress! 
 - cf. Pro 4:18
 
 C. IN LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER AND TO ALL...
 1. Especially increasing and abounding in love
 a. Something the Thessalonians already possessed - 1 Th 1:3
 b. Something the Thessalonians didn't really need to be told 
 - 1 Th 4:9-10
 -- Yet we can never say that we cannot grow more - cf. Ph 3:
 13-17
 2. Love not just for one another, i.e., our brethren, but for all
 men!
 a. It is easy to love our brethren
 b. But it is loving our enemies that we become like God! 
 - cf. Lk 6:32-35
 -- It is certainly God's desire for all His children to abound in
 love, and this should be the focus of many prayers - cf. Ph 
 1:9
 
[And finally, we note in "Paul's Prayer For The Thessalonians" that the
Lord might...]
 
III. ESTABLISH THEIR HEARTS
 
 A. BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS...
  1. To be blameless is very reason Jesus gave Himself for us - Ep
 5:25-27
 2. Without holiness, we will not see the Lord - He 12:14
 -- While Jesus makes it possible through His blood, we must 
 cooperate as well - cf. 2 Co 7:1
 
 B. BEFORE GOD AT THE COMING OF JESUS...
 1. Here is the "where" and "when" we must be blameless in 
 holiness
 a. Where - before God at the Judgment!
 b. When - when Jesus comes with all His saints (lit., holy 
  ones)!
 2. Note the following about the Lord's coming...
 a. This is the third time in three chapters that Paul refers 
 to this event - cf. 1 Th 1:10; 2:19; 3:13
 b. While "saints" (holy ones) could refer to angels (cf. Mt 
 25:31), it may also include the redeemed (cf. 1 Th 4:14)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. From "Paul's Prayer For The Thessalonians", we have seen that it is
 appropriate...
 a. To seek God's providential guidance when we desire to see our 
 loved ones
 b. To pray for one another's spiritual growth and the Lord's 
 blessing
 
2. If we desire to see each other...
 a. In this life from time to time
 b. Increasing and abounding in love 
 c. Blameless in holiness in the presence of God at Christ's coming
 ...the "Paul's Prayer For The Thessalonians" is the sort of prayer
 that we should diligently offer for one another!

－－《Executable Outlines》

The sanctification of coming again

Long to see us

Long to see you

I. The mission of Timothy

1. Left by ourselves

2. Encourage and strengthen

3. Destined for trials

II. Stand firm in the Lord

1. News of joy

2. Be encouraged

3. Pray for meeting

III. Wishes for the church

1. May the Lord clear the way

2. Love increases and overflows

3. Be blameless

－－ Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》