We Are Destined for This

Reading:  1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
    
    Paul continues telling the Thessalonians about his distress when he was “torn away”(1 Thess 2:17) from them shortly after their conversion and wondered whether they continued to serve Jesus.  “Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith”(1 Thess 3:1-2).  Because Paul was such a lightning rod for persecution, he remained in Athens and sent Timothy back to work with the Thessalonians (Acts 17:13-15).  Paul says he “could bear it no longer,” which adds a distinct emotional flavor to otherwise bland descriptions of travel plans.

    His main concern for them is “that no one be moved by these afflictions.  For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.  For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know”(1 Thess 3:3-4).  Persecution and social ostracism are hard for young faith to endure.  Jesus warns about those who receive the word joyfully but fall in time of tribulation and persecution (Mark 4:17).  Yet Paul insists that affliction does not mean something has gone wrong.  Paul both taught and lived the reality of suffering for following Jesus.  So he sends Timothy “to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain”(1 Thess 3:5).  If this hardship destroys their faith, Paul will be devastated.

    Paul’s words underscore two important ideas.  One is that disciples should expect to suffer.  “We are destined for this.”  Paul shows us that we need to understand this personally and teach new believers to anticipate it from the beginning of their conversion.  The other is that this suffering, when poorly endured, can harm or ruin our faith.  This is the reason for Paul’s intense emotions (“we could bear it no longer” and “for fear”).  Hard times are opportunities to shore up our faith and encourage others to be strong.

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One Thing to Think About:  What kinds of afflictions do I endure for following Jesus?  How do they affect me?

One Thing to Pray For:  A heart to “establish and exhort” others in their faith

Satan Hindered Us

Reading:  1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
    
    Shortly after the conversion of the Gentiles, Paul was forced to leave town.  He describes his mindset:  “But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face”(1 Thess 2:17).  Paul was parted from his brothers “in person not in heart” because he continued to think about them, pray for them, and seek to return to them.  He could write letters and send messengers to them, but some matters (like encouragement) are best done “face to face.”

    So if he was thinking about them so much, why didn’t he return?  “because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us”(1 Thess 2:18).  He does not specify what Satan did to block his return.  Is it the ongoing persecution in Thessalonica?  Is it that plans didn’t work out with logistics, money, or weather?  Is it other responsibilities that overwhelmed Paul?  What we can know is that Paul attributes the delay not to God, but Satan.  Paul insists that this was not his desire:  “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming?  Is it not you?  For you are our glory and joy”(1 Thess 2:19-20).  Time and distance might intervene, but they do not change Paul’s deep love for (and pride in) these new disciples.

    “Satan hindered us” reminds us that Satan is constantly at work inhibiting God’s purposes.  He is behind the persecution of God’s people (Rev 12:10-17).  He is the father of lies (John 8:44).  He has schemes to attack believers in Jesus (Eph 6:11).  Perhaps even unexpected hindrances to our work come from him.  Paul teaches us to acknowledge Satan’s work, but not to let it discourage or overwhelm us.  We serve one stronger than the one who sometimes hinders us.

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One Thing to Think About:  Why is it important to acknowledge that Satan is at work?

One Thing to Pray For:  A deeper connection to my brothers and sisters
 

How to Receive God’s Word

Reading:  1 Thessalonians 2:9-16
    
    Paul continues to recount his initial visit to Thessalonica.  He stresses that when he and Silas came, “we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you”(1 Thess 2:9), a thought that will become important later in the letter.  He also reminds them “how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers” and how he appealed to them “like a father with his children”(1 Thess 2:10, 11).  Paul is not bragging; he is emphasizing that all his instruction comes from sincere concern.  

    What is impressive is the way the Thessalonians responded to the message.  “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers”(1 Thess 2:13).  When they heard Paul’s message, they did not consider it his words.  They listened for the God behind the message.  They acted as if God were directly speaking to them.  And that word began to “work in you believers” because it is not merely human.  They continued to believe in it even as they suffered persecution from their countrymen.  Paul expresses frustration about the unbelieving Jews who have rejected God at every turn:  killing Jesus and the prophets, opposing Paul and his ministry to Gentiles, and displeasing God.  Yet he also celebrates that despite their opposition, there are still those who receive God’s word well in the midst of hardship (1 Thess 2:14).

    Receiving God’s word well means that we evaluate the message, not merely the messenger.  We can always find fault with people—they are mere “jars of clay”(2 Cor 4:7)—yet they can still carry God’s word to us.  Meanwhile, it is also tempting to merely follow the prevailing winds of our culture:  if others dismiss the message, perhaps we should too.  The Thessalonians are an example to us because they discern God’s word and resolve to follow it despite human opposition.

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One Thing to Think About:  What might hinder me from receiving God’s word well?

One Thing to Pray For:  Comfort and strength for my brothers the world over who face opposition for their faith
 

The Power of Sincerity

Reading:  1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
    
    Hoping to rekindle his connection with the Thessalonians, Paul reminds them of their initial meeting.  “But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict”(1 Thess 2:2).  Paul’s rough experience in Philippi (see Acts 16) did not make him gun-shy, even when he found “much conflict” in Thessalonica.  He opens his heart to describe what he was thinking and feeling as he preached to them.  He does not preach “from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive” but “to please God who tests our hearts”(1 Thess 2:3, 4).  There is no place in preaching for “flattery” or “greed” or “(seeking) glory from people”(1 Thess 2:5, 6).  His words invite scrutiny because these are the very people he preached to.  If anyone could accuse him of these improper motives, wouldn’t it be the Thessalonians?

    What motivated his approach?  “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.  So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us”(1 Thess 2:7-8).  Paul was tender like a mother, preaching as if these were his own children.  He did not just want to “get them taught”; he was ready to give his entire self for them because he loved them deeply.

    Sincerity—or its lack—is obvious.  We can usually tell when people mean what they say and genuinely care—or when they don’t.  Insincerity makes our message and example easy to dismiss (“he’s just in it for the money”), while sincerity makes others stop and consider.  Paul expects his sincerity to be so memorable that even now, after some time, it will reestablish his bond with the Thessalonians.  Sincerity will help us reach others, show genuine concern, and impress others with the reality of God.

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One Thing to Think About:  How have I seen the impact of sincerity (or insincerity)?  

One Thing to Pray For:  Pure motives in my dealings with God and others

Sounding Forth the Word

Reading:  1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
    
    Persecution forced Paul to leave the Thessalonians shortly after their conversion, yet they have remained faithful to Jesus.  In fact, they have done far more.  “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia”(1 Thess 1:6-7).  Their willingness to accept Paul’s message and obey it in rough circumstances has made them an example to their brothers in the surrounding regions.  

    But it goes beyond the surrounding regions:  “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything”(1 Thess 1:8).  Their dogged faith in Jesus is the talk of the whole region.  When Paul encounters other Christians whom he wants to encourage by telling about the Thessalonians, he finds that “we need not say anything” because they already know!  “For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”(1 Thess 1:9).  Everyone is talking about how these uninterested pagans suddenly hear the gospel and abandon their former idolatry in favor of Jesus.  What kind of a God can bring about this kind of change?  

    The term “sounded forth” means to make a loud, clear noise.  God has done a mighty work in Thessalonica and everyone has noticed.  It is a reminder that our actions have an influence on others (even if we are unaware).  We can be an example to them (v. 7) and bring glory to God by what we do.  Paul’s words encourage the Thessalonians, especially in a moment where they might have felt isolated and neglected.  God can take our little lives, everyday choices of faith, and small relationships and use them to sound forth his word.

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One Thing to Think About:  How am I “sounding forth the word”?

One Thing to Pray For:  The patience to wait for Jesus (1 Thess 1:10) even through hardship