Faith and Persecution

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June 20, 2010

Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 3

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:7

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Introduction

Jesus answered the question, “which is the great commandment in the law?” saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:36–40). After the giving of the Ten Commandments, our Lord spoke to his people, saying, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deut. 6:5). The word which God had spoken to his people was to be taught diligently to the children. And they were to be taught in the home.

The Law of God, in its negative commands (positive in “honor your father and mother”), and in its summary to love, shows us what a Christian is like, what the Church should reveal in its being the Body of Christ. The Law reveals the nature of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. In other words, it reveals the nature of God in Christ Jesus, whereby we are enabled, sanctified to live as those who are made in the image of our Creator. This life in Christ is shown in Paul’s words to the Thessalonica saints: “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 establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the saints” (3:12–13).

This life in Christ, which reveals our love toward God and one another, is nurtured by our faith in Christ. It is this faith which gives us strength and victory in persecution and affliction; as Paul encourages the saints, “Therefore brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith” (3:7). Faith in Jesus Christ is defined as “a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel” (S.C. # 86). Faith in Christ is called a saving grace, for “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Eph. 2:4–5). We read in Calvin’s Institutes that “faith is the principle work of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, the terms commonly employed to express his power and working are, in large measure, referred to it because by faith alone he leads us into the light of the gospel, as John teaches: to believers in Christ is given the privilege of becoming children of God, who are born not of flesh and blood, but of God [John 1:12–13].”

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To Comfort You—1 Thessalonians 3:1–3

Paul’s love for the saints at Thessalonica is shown in the sending of Timothy to minister to them. Paul would rather be without Timothy than not meet the needs of those of the church. Timothy is considered a brother and a minister of God. Elsewhere Timothy is called a son. Timothy has a special place in the heart and ministry of Paul. He desires that the saints receive Timothy as a fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ. The purpose of Timothy’s coming to the church is that he may comfort and confirm the saints in their faith. This is what Paul and Timothy have been appointed to do by God: to preach and teach the Gospel so that the people of God may not only know Christ as Savior, but that they may grow in the faith, so freely given them by the Spirit. Would that the churches today receive pastors for the same reason! Each minister of the Word is called to confirm the faith of God’s people, and to help and encourage their growth in the Scriptures of God.

We acknowledge, as children of God, that his written Word is infallible and inerrant, that God breathed-out his Word that we might know that Jesus is the Christ, and in him we have life. It is the written Word of God that each preacher must teach; acknowledging that it is the Holy Spirit alone who teaches us the truth, giving us understanding of the Word he has given us. The truth must be taught because it is the Word of God; the fully authoritative and faithful Word of God by which our souls are comforted. Our faith is assured by the Word. Our walk is straight when it is made right by the Word of God.

Discussion: How is the church comforted through the minister God has sent?

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Faith and Love—1 Thessalonians 3:4–10

Paul reminds the saints that when they were with them, they spoke of suffering tribulation. Paul’s suffering reminded him of their suffering. Therefore, for this suffering, he could no longer wait to know of how the church at Thessalonica was doing. So he sent Timothy to find out how their faith was holding out, “lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” The tempter is one who works to make another evil. The world around us is exceptional in this desire. For the wicked would have us do as they would do, to act as they would act, to believe as they would believe. Their savior is not ours. Their righteousness is not of the Son of God. Their deeds, though sounding good, are for their own delight. Self-esteem sounds good but does not deliver one from the darkness of sin. Pluralism and the preachers of a social gospel claim peace and unity at the expense of God’s truth as revealed in His Word. Beware of those who would deceive the little children of the Kingdom of God.

Paul rejoices in the news that Timothy had brought him, the good news of their faith and love. The Christian’s heart, as was Paul’s, rejoices when other Christians remember them, and desires to see them again. Why? Because of the love and truth they have received from the Word, they have taught. The faith of the saints had comforted Paul in his afflictions. They stood fast in the Lord; and this gave Paul a greater desire to live, to weather the storms of affliction. We encourage one another in the faith as we stand firm in Christ and his Word.

Paul gives thanks for those things which he and his companions can do for the saints. It was a joy to give oneself for the sake of the saints in the presence of God. This leads Paul to pray, night and day, that they might see those to whom they have ministered, face to face. And, in so doing, be able to give them through their ministry what is further lacking in their faith.

Discussion: Do you have the desire to be with one another, as Paul desired to be with the saints at Thessalonica?

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Paul’s Prayer—1 Thessalonians 3:11–13

Paul concludes this section of his letter with a prayer. Consider what Paul prays for, that the church may be blessed, and compare it to our prayers. He first prays that God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, would direct his ways to them. Paul has a great desire to be with the children of God. Second, he prays that the Lord would make them “increase and abound in love, one toward another,” and others, even as Paul loved them. Third, he asks the Lord that he may establish their hearts, “unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” We need to pray in like manner for one another. May the Lord bless our fellowship together that he may increase our love toward him and each other, and that we would be set apart in the righteousness of Christ before God our Father.

Discussion: What ought we to pray for? (Consider the words of the Lord’s Prayer.)

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.