1 Thessalonians series - Love One Another

                 

The Lasting Work of the Good News. 

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

It is always good news when we hear of the lasting work of the Good News. Paul, having been blocked by Satan’s scheme, now hears the good news from Timothy. The Thessalonicans have persevered in their faith, in their love, and in their attitudes towards God and Paul.

First, let’s look at the first portion of the text, But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Paul had sown the seeds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Thessalonica in the midst of hostility towards the Gospel (2:2). But God had established good prepared soil in some of their hearts to receive the Gospel and now their faith had grown and was standing firm like stout stalks of grain. “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1Cor. 3:6-9) 

Paul missed the fellowship of community with these new believers and even through trials, distress, and persecution, his desire and love for them didn’t wane. In fact the good news was like a balm for Paul’s spirit (For now we really live). He rejoiced in the Lord for the increase of God’s love and he prayed with earnestness for the hearts and minds of the believers. He asked God for the opportunity to supply them with the Word from the Lord to fill what may be lacking in their faith and encouragement of the Spirit.

Application - God is all about community. From the beginning of creation, God knew man needed fellowship with him, and with his own kind. We need to heed the admonition from God in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” We are a chosen people (plural), and we need one another. As Paul told the churches, we are a body, with various parts, and all of them are important. (1 Cor.12:12-27) As Paul longed and desired the fellowship with the believers in the churches, he knew the importance of prayer for them, for spiritual support (building up faith), the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit in hearing of growth, endurance, and maturity (standing firm).

I desire that we all have the same mindset for the body of Christ, the church, that we are in prayer for one another’s spiritual well being as well as the physical. We need to support one another, lifting up those who are weary, encouraging those who are discouraged and distressed because of the enemy’s attacks. And rejoice in the growth in the faith, that the Word of God is securely and deeply rooted, and they are maturing in their faith. People talk of revival in our day, well these are the elements of spiritual revival that we need in the church today. 

Last, Paul knew the need for a solid foundation in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is commanded by the Lord Jesus, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Let’s look at the next portion of the text, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” 

The love from God, who is love, is the beginning block in establishing the temple in our hearts. Without love, we are useless (1 Corinthians 13). We must have love for one another and for all that are lost, even those who are an enemy towards God. This love must increase and overflow. Just as Jesus spoke at the feast of tabernacles of the living water that would overflow like a river. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38) Paul desired to see the love of the believers increase like his love for them. Then Paul prays that Jesus would strengthen their hearts by the Holy Spirit’s ever presence in their bodies because they are his temple and for the imminent return of Jesus. For who can come before God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ but those who are blameless and holy. “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person  but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken…Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.” (Psalms 15:1-5,24:3-6) 

Paul is looking with great expectations to the coming of the Lord Jesus. He knew that only those who were prepared, blameless, and looking forward to his appearing with the holy ones would enter into the presence of the Lord. 

Application - The love of God is given through the Holy Spirit who lives in those who believe in Christ. Here we see the Trinity of the Godhead in fellowship with mankind. It is through our love for one another, for this is the fruit that will distinguish us from the world. The Holy Spirit has sealed each believer and lives in them (the temple). The presence of the Holy Spirit in us will enable us to be used by him to encourage one another in ways that the world doesn’t understand or know. We have fellowship with God and His Son, through the Holy Spirit who strengthens us. We should long for that fellowship with God through his Word, through prayer, and through service to him and to one another in love. These are the elements of a blameless life, that God is pleased with, which is submitted to his will and purpose. There will be a day, perhaps very soon, when we will see Him who died for us, who promised to come back to take us to where he is, this is our hope and blessing from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Look up, for our redemption is drawing near. Let us fix our eyes on the perfecter of our faith, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1b-3) 

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. And he wants to empower you with the Holy Spirit. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second, B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis