The Gospel Link

INTRODUCTION:

Context:

Last week we finished up the second chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church. Having heard of their vibrant witness throughout the region for Christ, he has been encouraging the church members to keep at it. Paul was excited to hear that the gospel message was not only secure in their young lives of faith, but that the gospel life cycle was ongoing as they reproduced their spiritual life in others through the spread of the gospel message. He has reminded them that they are the gospel messengers and as such, they will face opposition from God’s enemy—Satan. Yet, their task is to persevere in doing their sacred gospel duty of telling others about salvation in Jesus Christ for, as has been explained several times already in our series through this letter, salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ…<insert full gospel as needed>.

Preview:

This morning, we are going to begin looking at chapter 3. The chapter division really is in a bit of an unfortunate location here because Paul really isn’t beginning a new thought. In fact, the first word of our text today is the word “therefore,” a word that closely links this passage with the preceding verses in chapter 2.

I have mentioned many times in this series that Paul had sent young Timothy, one of the two men traveling with him on this missionary trip, back to Thessalonica to check on them. As you know by now, Paul wrote this letter in response to the report that Timothy brought back to him. Our verses today provide Paul’s explanation as to why he took this step of sending Timothy.

This morning our passage is primarily a narrative account of why Paul did what he did. I think the easiest way for us to approach it will be to make sure we understand what was going on and then to step back and think about what we should learn from what was going on in these verses.

Transition from introduction to body:

Let’s begin by reading the verses that we are going to consider this morning…<read>

BODY:

Paul is clearly explaining the immediate backdrop of this letter, but I think it might help us to understand better if we back up a bit further and conduct a quick travel review. The Thessalonians would have remembered how Paul, Silas (or Silvanus), and Timothy had come to them originally, but some of us may have forgotten since I reviewed in our first sermon at the beginning of August.

Let me have a map pulled up on the screen that shows Paul’s first and second missionary journeys. It may be a bit hard to see the colors, but his second journey is indicated in purple.

Now, when I showed this map in August I tried to use the laser pointer to indicate the places that I was talking about but several of you told me afterwards that you had not been able to see the pointer from your seats…the red dot wasn’t large enough to notice in the clutter of the map. In addition, since August we have started recording our messages along with the presentations so that you can watch it through Faithlife sermons or on Faithlife TV. Furthermore, over the past couple of weeks, Steve Hobson has been working out the technical challenges to allow us to stream our services over Facebook Live so that those of our church who are absent because they are providentially unable to be with us on Sunday mornings can watch the service live through our Facebook group. For sure anyone watching through any of these recording or streaming options would not see a laser pointer on the screen. So, this morning I have tried to mark out the places on the map itself that I will refer to as we review Paul’s and the other men’s travels.

Paul’s second missionary trip started out from his home church in Antioch…that’s the city circled on the right side of the map. Paul left Antioch with Silas, traveling back west through the region of Galatia that he had visited on his first trip with Barnabas, planting churches.

When Paul and Silas made it to Lystra…there roughly in the middle of the map…they encountered young Timothy who was already a believer. Timothy decided to join the duo and make it a trio at this point. He apparently wanted to help Paul share the gospel message further and Paul obviously saw some unique potential in this young man.

Eventually the three men made it to Troas where, as I mentioned last week, we are told in Acts that the “Spirit of Jesus” prevented them from circling north into the area of Bithynia and instead, instructed Paul to sail over to the region of Macedonia…what is now modern day Greece.

Paul and company pretty soon found themselves at Philippi…there on the top left of the map. It was at Philippi that Paul and Silas experienced a serious beating and overnight prison stay before being released and leaving town. No mention is made in Acts of Timothy who must have somehow avoided being arrested…maybe at this early stage the young man was not doing any of the preaching; we don’t know.

At this point, let’s zoom in a bit to get a better look. From Philippi they quickly made it to Thessalonica. They were likely still recovering from their beating in Philippi, but they immediately began sharing the message of Jesus Christ again. Gloriously, they saw people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and a church was started in this city. As you should also recall by now, though, the missionary team soon encountered serious opposition again, primarily generated by some Jews in the city. This opposition caused them to have to leave Thessalonica much sooner than they would have wished, before the church was well established.

The book of Acts tells us that the team traveled to Berea, but very quickly the Jewish opponents tracked them there. Paul left Silas and Timothy behind in Berea as he was quickly hustled out of town.

He was ushered by some of the new believers down to Athens from where he sent back word for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. It is about this general timeframe after leaving Thessalonica that our verses this morning are speaking, but the exact sequence of events is a bit murky since we only have sketchy details in Acts to combine with what is written in our verses. It isn’t clear if Silas and Timothy joined Paul at some point in Athens and it is a decision at that time that Paul is referring to in verse 1 when he says that they decided he should be left alone in Athens or did the three of them have that conversation before he left Berea. It also isn’t clear where Silas is in all of the movements. We know at some point Silas goes on a trip back to Macedonia…maybe back to Berea at the same time that Timothy heads back to Thessalonica if the three of them had a quick meeting in Athens, but the details are not clear.

What we do know is that through some sequence of events, Paul eventually finds himself alone in Athens from where he soon makes his way to Corinth. It is in Corinth that the three men again find themselves together and from where Paul pens this letter. Yet, this is, as we can see in our verses, after Timothy has returned from his trip to Thessalonica to check up on the church, bringing along his glowing report.

As we have said all along, Paul knew that the opposition that he and the others encountered in Thessalonica would be directed toward the new believers in this young church after he had left the city. It is clear from our verses that for Paul to be left alone in Athens was a hardship on him…although we don’t know exactly why that might have been the case. Still, because Paul knew what the young church would be facing he sent Timothy to check on them while he was left behind. Not knowing what was happening…and not being in a position to personally encourage the young believers…that was harder for Paul than being left on his own in a very strange city.

Illustration

Being in a foreign place can be disorienting. I have experienced this several times in my travels. For example, last year when I went to China my overseas flight was delayed causing me to miss my in-country connection in China. The airline put me up in a hotel overnight since all flights were finished for the day, but it was very confusing to figure out how to get to and from the hotel as language was a challenge. Once I got back to the airport very early in the morning, I discovered that the bus had dropped me at the wrong terminal…I needed the domestic terminal now, not the international one. I walked to the correct terminal and found that: 1) all the ticket agents were still closed…it was too early still, and 2) the English translations in this terminal were somewhat sparse. I knew that I had one of the first flights out in the morning and stood in line waiting for the agent to arrive. Eventually, after the agent arrived and I got to the counter, I discovered that I was in the wrong line. I moved to the instructed line and got my ticket, but found out I needed to get it stamped to show that my passport and visa had been checked…another line. I got that done and found my way to their security screening. The agent there would not let me through security…my passport included my middle name, but the ticket only had my first and last name; I had to go back and get the ticket reissued. I hurried back to the line for the ticket agent…at least this time I knew the correct line but the clock was ticking away. I got the ticket reissued…went and had it stamped again to show I had a matching visa and when back to security. This time, I managed to get through and hustled to find my gate. As I got close to the gate, I found it rather empty…I had missed that flight. I had to once more exit the gate area, go through the ticketing process again to find a flight later in the day, get the magic stamp on my ticket, and once more pass through security…and I had to do all of this while half-guessing at where I was to go and what exactly I was to do.

My experience was disorienting, but I am sure it is nothing compared to Paul’s. He was possibly still recovering from his beating combined with significant travel under stressful conditions and was now in a completely foreign city…Athens would have been nothing at all like Jerusalem or Antioch. Furthermore, Paul needed to find a way to provide for his own livelihood and was going to be left in this city all alone for an unknown length of time into the future while he sent his companion on a dangerous assignment. Being alone represented a real hardship for him.

Still, the Gospel had formed a bond between Paul and these new Christians in Thessalonica… they had a Gospel link. And that link left Paul with a burning need to find a way to encourage them in their Christian life.

We too should feel such a need for those with whom we have a Gospel link. The Gospel, as we talked about last week, creates an eternal bond between us and others…a bond that produces everlasting joy. But that bond also naturally creates concern for the well-being of others. The overall point that we should take away from Paul’s, along with Silas’ and Timothy’s, concern for the Thessalonian believers is that We must encourage others with whom we have a Gospel-link.

We must encourage others with whom we have a Gospel-link. That is our main idea today. What I would like to do for the remainder of our time, is to step back a bit now that we have the background of our verses in our minds and ask ourselves what we can learn that will help us fulfill this task of encouraging others with whom we have a Gospel-link.

Transition:

Asking our passage what we can learn that will help us encourage others reveals three things. First of all, we can see in our verses…

I. The reason for encouragement: Affliction

Why do we need to provide encouragement? What is the reason that it is needed? The answer is “affliction.”

Affliction. Paul faced affliction. The new believers in Thessalonica faced affliction. We face affliction. And those we have a gospel-link to face affliction. Affliction is part of the Christian life and for that reason encouragement is needed. Affliction is the word that we have in verse 4 used for the persecution that the believers in Thessalonica were experiencing from the hands of those who hated the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. We are never given any specific details as to what exactly was happening, but we can be sure it was real and that it was unpleasant in the extreme.

Transition:

When we think about affliction, our verses reveal two deeper thoughts about it that we should have beyond the unpleasant aspect of it all. First off, we need to recognize that…

A. Affliction reveals a spiritual battle.

Last week, Paul referred directly to Satan in verse 18 of chapter 2. This week, he refers to him again, but his time he uses the name “the temper” in verse 5 because that is one of Satan’s chief characteristics—he tempts. In fact, it is hard to display in English, but the way verse 5 is constructed in the original language where we have it translated as “the tempter might have temped you” in the NASB indicates that Paul was certain that the tempting had taken place; there was no doubt in his mind as to whether or not Satan would have been after them. That is what he does. Satan inevitable tempts believers and afflictions is one of his primary tools.

Illustration

Now, I make it a point to refrain from using people in our church family in sermon illustrations, but I am going to violate my policy today because one of you made a statement to me this week that perfectly illustrates that affliction is really what we should expect…I know the person will know who he or she is so allow me to apologize for bringing you into the sermon in advance. This person told me that they have experienced the reality that when their family is focused on doing the things that they know are obedient to God…that is when their lives begin to get complicated. Their spiritual lives certainly improved through their obedience to God’s word, but the rest of their lives became much more chaotic. When they were coasting along in what we might call minimal-Christianity; that was when the rest of life seemed to hum along just fine. That only changed and affliction really began when they started seriously focusing on the things of God.

This really is the normal experience for Christians. Of course, we recognize this happens because Satan attacks where the Gospel is progressing. Affliction reveals a spiritual battle.

Transition:

Secondly,…

B. Affliction can shake our faith.

I told you that the phrasing of verse 5 makes it clear that Paul was certain that the Thessalonians had been subjected to temptation by the tempter; the phrasing also makes it clear that what was in doubt for him was whether or not they had made it through the temptation with their faith intact or if they had abandoned their faith.

You see, it is our faith that Satan is out to shake. In fact, the word that we have translated in verse 3 as “disturbed” is a word that is also used to describe a dog wagging its tail. Satan’s goal is to use the afflictions so that our faith is completely shaken.

Application

A couple weeks ago we heard about the parable of the seeds and soils. Even though you may have made a profession of faith, Satan likely still hopes that you are the rocky or weedy soil rather than the fertile soil which will produce fruit. Remember, only the fertile soil represents a genuine Christian—one who reproduces fruit as evidence of that life. Satan is going to throw everything he can at you in the hopes that he can shake your faith and keep you from producing fruit. Affliction can shake our faith.

Transition:

Affliction reveals a spiritual battle and Affliction can shake our faith. Affliction is the reason for encouragement. We must encourage others with whom we have a Gospel-link. We need to encourage those we are linked to through the gospel because they will face affliction.

Secondly, though, in our verses we can also consider…

II. The means of encouragement: God’s Word

How can we encourage those we want to encourage? What are the means of encouragement? The means of encouragement that we see in our verses is God’s Word. God has given us His word so that we can use it for encouragement.

Transition:

Two observations about God’s word; first of all,…

A. God’s word can be readily shared.

Paul sends Timothy back to remind the Thessalonians that he had told them that they were going to suffer affliction. Paul, as an apostle, was speaking God’s word to them. Timothy, by repeating what Paul said, was sharing God’s word with them.

Notice, Timothy did not go back with instructions as to how they could minimize or escape the persecution. He did not carry back platitudes, such as “It will soon be over” or “We feel your pain.” He simply shared with them God’s word as spoken through Paul.

Application

We really are in an even better position to do share God’s word with people who need encouragement than Timothy would have been. We have the completed NT in our possession. Most of us have it with us almost all the time on our phones. We don’t have to wonder how we can encourage someone with whom we have a Gospel-link. All we need to do is share from God’s word. Ultimately God’s Spirit is the Source of real encouragement and the Spirit works by applying God’s word. We need to understand that so that we will readily share God’s word as the means of encouragement.

Transition:

God’s word can be readily shared; that is the first observation. Secondly,…

B. God’s word grounds our expectations.

Notice in verse 3 that Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they had “been destined” for affliction. The word “destined” means that what they were experiencing was not extraordinary; rather it was normal. That little word also indicates that what they were experiencing had come by way of divine appointment. God had destined them to experience afflictions. Paul had told them it was coming…and in verse 4, he simply observes that it has come to pass.

Application

You see, one of the great the benefits of using God’s word as our means of encouragement is that it grounds our expectations. God’s word consistently reveals that the life of the believer is going to be a life filled with affliction, hardship, persecution, and suffering. We shouldn’t think of persecution as a brief period to endure until life gets back to normal. Rather, the Bible tells us that for the church, persecution is normal. It is normal because the church is going to be attacked by God’s enemy. It is normal because it provides God with an opportunity to display His grace. It is normal because God has ordained that affliction will strengthen the faith of His people.

Teachings, such as the Health and Wealth gospel so prevalent in America suggest that suffering can be avoided if we are the “right” kinds of Christians. And while most of us would reject that teaching, I fear frankly, that many of us still deep down believe that message…that suffering should not happen to us if we are faithful. God’s word teaches otherwise. It grounds our expectations so that we expect suffering. Such grounding is good for us. Such grounding is good for those to whom we have a Gospel-link.

Transition:

God’s word is the means of encouragement that we can use to encourage others. God’s word can be readily shared and God’ word grounds our expectations. We must encourage others with whom we have a Gospel-link.

The third thing and final thing that we should think about from our verses is…

III. The goal of encouragement: Enduring Faith

What is the goal of our encouragement? Why do we encourage those with whom we have a Gospel-link? We do it for enduring faith. Enduring faith.

Transition:

Two quick thing about enduring faith. One,…

A. Enduring faith must be strengthened.

Paul knew that the Thessalonians needed to have their faith “strengthened” if it was going to endure. That is why, he says in verse 2, that he sent Timothy back to them, “to strengthen and encourage” them. That word “strengthen” means to establish. It is used in the NT to point to the process of establishing someone in the faith.

Application

Our faith must grow through a process that involves strengthening it. In fact, the focus of our concern for those with whom we have a Gospel-link should be their faith. Our ultimate concern should not be that whatever affliction is being experienced might pass quickly; our ultimate concern should be to strengthen their faith. We should be concerned to point others to Jesus in the midst of trials; fix their mind upon their faith.

Transition:

Enduring faith must be strengthened. Number 2,…

B. Enduring faith must outlast the test.

It is only enduring faith it a person’s faith remains when the trial is finally over. If the faith does not outlast the test, then any and all gospel-efforts that were expended on the person would be “in vain,” as Paul says at the end of verse 5. “Vain” means that all efforts are ultimately empty because they are devoid of any results. Enduring faith must outlast the test or it the faith is not actually faith at all.

Application

This is why we must encourage people to not give into despair when afflictions come. Faith must endure. Yes, God is the One who ultimately preserves His people, but God does so as His people endure the tests that Satan throws at them. A Christian cannot give up. We need to understand that our goal underlying every act of encouragement is to the enduring faith of the one with whom we have a gospel-link. This is why we should be willing to endure hardships ourselves; we are driven to see enduring faith that outlasts the tests that are thrown at it in this life.

Transition from body to conclusion:.

The goal of encouragement is enduring faith. Enduring faith must be strengthened and enduring faith must outlast the test.

CONCLUSION

We must encourage others with whom we have a Gospel-link. That is the overall point that we can from the first 5 verses of the third chapter of this letter to the Thessalonians.

Let’s remember the three things that we can take from this passage which will help us encourage others. 1) What is the reason for encouragement? Affliction. 2) What is the means of encouragement? God’s word. 3) What is the goal of encouragement? Enduring faith.

We must encourage others with whom we have a Gospel-link.