Strengthen and Encourage

Introduction:

If you have ever undergone trials, read I Thessalonians 2:17-20.  This passage shows Paul’s great concern for the Thessalonians, especially in his absence.  His departure from them was sudden and unexpected.  Satan had kept him from going back to see them.  Paul’s high regard for  them is seen in the words hope, joy, and crown of victory.  This is the reason Timothy is sent to them.

 Text:  I Thessalonians 3:1-3

 Body:

  I. Paul’s Self-sacrifice (Verses 1-2a)

• “Thought it best”  We understand this to mean take pleasure; delight in; give emotional satisfaction; a good thing to do; not grudgingly.
• “Left behind”  This suggests loneliness and desolation.  Acts 17:14-15
• Sending Timothy would have caused Paul great discomforts.  This was a self-sacrifice.

  II. Paul’s Fervent Desire (Verse 2b)

• ‘Fellow worker”  Paul and Timothy were team players.  There was no private agenda, nor selfish interests.  They wanted to help the Christians (church at Thessalonica) work smoothly and efficiently.  III John :8
• “Gospel of Christ”  The gospel is the good news of Christ.  A typical greeting was, “Have you any good news for me today?”
• “Strengthen”  This is to make firm, solid, or stabilize.  James 5:8  Christ’s prayer for Simon:  Luke 22:31-32   Peter’s admonition to Christians:  I Peter 5:10
• “Encourage”  This means to urge someone to take action, usually on an ethical course of action.  Give them a new heart!  Timothy came alongside them to help.
• When you encourage someone, you urge them not to panic when things get tough.
• Instability and discouragement often result from a weak faith or a faith out of focus.

III. Paul’s Hope for Them (Verse 3)

• God wants and intends for all believers to have a strong faith.
• “Disturbed”  One is shaken, unsettled in his beliefs.
• “Afflictions”  Paul wanted these Christians to deepen their faith, not disturb it.  I Thessalonians 2:14  This can give one the feeling of being crushed, squeezed (like in a press), intense pressure.
• Similar to the word tribulation comes from Latin “tribulum.”  This was a tool with teeth that tears.  A heavy piece of timber with spikes in it; used for threshing corn or grain.  When drawn over the grain, it separated the wheat from the chaff.  Our tribulations are meant to do the same, to rid us of chaff.
• When we are squeezed, what comes out is what’s on the inside!
• Parable of the Sower:  Matthew 13:20-21  Paul and Barnabas: Acts 14:21-22 Purpose:  II Corinthians 1:3-4, 4:17-18
• “Destined”  It’s the lot of Christians to suffer.  John 15:19-21   We are appointed for trouble.

Invitation:

Troubles have a purpose.  “All sunshine makes a desert.”  Troubles have the ability to make us stronger

Bobby Stafford

May 15, 2011

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