In Paul’s second missionary journey, Paul, Timothy, and others traveled to Thessalonica and spent three weeks there encouraging the new believers. Then, due to major opposition, he left. But now, because of his love and concern for them, he sent Timothy, his spiritual son, to see them to get a report on how they were doing. In verses 6-8 he is rejoicing in the good news that he received from Timothy: Look at verse 8 in the NLT version – It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. Another verse; see 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
1 Thessalonians 3 Commentary
Paul Prays for The Thessalonian Church
See 1 Thessalonians 3:10-13: “Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”
How Does This Relate to Us?
On a national Level, there is chaos all around between government ideologies and cities being destroyed. Even right down to the local level, authorities are frazzled about what to do about crime and the like.
Even more sadly, the Christians don’t seem to know what to do. Sometimes, things are confusing because church leaders have refused to take a stand. They have given in to the lie to be relevant to society, to not be offensive. I’m sorry, friends, for those who want to live for themselves, the Gospel is offensive. Look at 2 Corinthians 2:15-16: “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?”
The last question of this passage leads us to the heart of what I would really like to discuss today. All the turmoil that is around us, the persecution against the church, how can we be brave enough to stand firm in it all? I’m glad you asked. As you know, I like acronyms. So, let’s look at an acronym for the word “brave.”
Read to be Brave?
Zelma E. Argue said in 1922: “Let us not look at the darkness that is growing continually deeper; but let us look upon the light that is shining brighter and brighter. Let us look at the works of God.”
Be Focused
Be focused on Jesus, not the opinions of others. See Psalms 5:4 and Matthew 10:22:
- Psalms 5:4: “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.”
- Matthew 10:22: “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Remain
We must stay connected to Jesus. Most Bible translations use the word “abide.” In the Greek, the word abide means “to remain.” As this verse says, if we do not remain in Him, we will not be fruitful. Think about it, if your life just seems to keep going in circles, it’s time to get plugged into Jesus and remain there.
See John 15:4 and Romans 8:5:
- John 15:4: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
- Romans 8:5: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
Ask
Ask God to help you abandon your ways so that you can live for him. Ask Him to empower you to have the courage to be different for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
See Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Victory
If you find yourself constantly struggling with a particular area in your life, ask God to show you how to have the victory.
See John 16:33 and 1 Corinthians 15:57:
- John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Embrace
Embrace the truth of God. See Psalms 145:18: “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”
Let’s try to pull all of this together in a simple statement.
Being courageous and brave will only happen when we fully surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. He knows our strengths, weaknesses, and woundedness. He wants to pour His life into us so that we will live out the verse in Matthew 24:13, which says: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Be brave!
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