1Thes3: STANDING FIRM IN THE LORD

Introduction. Read 1Thes3

In the April 2013 edition of Evangelicals Now a Christian Tuareg pastor of a congregation of 90 in a town in the north west of Mali described what happened when Muslim militants took over from Malian forces. They destroyed the hospital, Christian school, bookshop and church. Most of the church members fled to the capital, Bamako. The pastor, as a Tuareg, felt he and his family would be safer in Niger. Their escape was successful. The pastor has joined a church in Niger and been invited to share in the ministry.

This is a grim story. It illustrates how some Christians still have to suffer loss for the sake of Jesus Christ. Very few of us can really enter in to the despair of having to leave everything and fleeing for our lives.

The article gave the impression that the displaced Tuareg pastor has begun a new life in Niger. His past life in Mali is behind him. He did not write anything about his former flock. How were they? Where did they end up? Had they found a new church to attend? Did he maintain any contact?

It can be the case in England that a pastor is 'called' to another church. The members of his flock are left to their own devices. Their former pastor can be so taken up with his new appointment that he quite forgets about their spiritual well-being. He may not even bother to phone up to see how things are going. It is no longer a concern of his!

The apostle Paul was not like that! He experienced persecution - he was frequently on the move - but he never lost touch with the churches he established. The passage under consideration is all about his concern for the believers at Thessalonica.

(1) Paul's anxiety. So that no one should be unsettled in these trials... v3. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. v5.

Paul was concerned that the pressure put on the new converts by both pagan Gentiles and orthodox Jews might, in his absence, unsettle them and weaken their faith.

Now this is very much the fear of both Christian parents and church members when a young convert moves away from home to attend university. The day I left home to attend university in London my parents prayed for me at the breakfast table and continued to pray for me in my absence. They were very wise to do so. Of the 50 or so Geographers in my year at UCL only two of us were Christians. So the friends I made were all non-Christians. The most powerful temptations come, not from those who don't like you, but from those who do like you.

The word translated 'unsettle' has an interesting derivation. It originally meant, 'wag the tail,' and eventually came to mean, 'fawn over' or 'make a fuss of.'

We have all read how unscrupulous agents can unsettle professional footballers by flattering them; telling them how good they are and that they deserve a better deal.

Satan is the master tempter. In the Garden of Eden Satan got Eve to sin by making a fuss of her. "You will not surely die .... For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Gen3v5. Satan is just like the football agent - promising his client a better deal.

One can imagine the new Christians in Thessalonica being bombarded with comments like: "You shouldn't have to put up with all this hassle. You don't deserve what your new fangled religion has landed you in. You owe it to yourself to rejoin the mainstream. Think of what your are missing."

I have to say that my parent's and my church's prayers for me were answered while I was a student in London during the permissive 60's. No one led me astray. I was not tempted more than I could bear. I think it helped that I made my position clear from the start - and I have never been particularly attractive to the ladies!

(2) Paul's policy.

Paul did two things to help the Thessalonians in their time of testing:

(a) He forewarned them. You know quite well we were destined for them (trials). In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. v3and4.

It can be a help to be forewarned. It means we are not caught unawares. When a new batsman arrives at the crease he will often have a word with the batsman still in to ask about the bowling. Is the tall left hander swinging it? Is the squat and menacing spinner really bowling leg breaks and googlies?

A warning helps us to be prepared. When I was a teacher each year brought a fresh intake of pupils. We were always briefed about which of those pupils had special needs or posed particular problems. This meant we could give some thought on how to deal with the challenging students we would encounter.

A warning can dispel unrealistic illusions and stiffen resolve to see it through. I can recall taking my ailing father to see our village doctor. He was very upset to see my father and diagnosed his condition instantaneously. Dr Wilkerson called me into his surgery and told me that my father had Parkinson's disease. I said, "We are Christians doctor - God will help us through." The old doctor just looked at me and said, "It is a hell of a disease." So it was - but God did help us through - just!

So Paul, not only a wonderful evangelist, but also a loving and honest pastor, warned the Thessalonians of the persecution they must expect. They were not caught unawares. The Christians at Thessalonica were prepared and resolved to endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.

Every new convert should be prepared for the difficulties that lie ahead. Not many young Christians read John Bunyan's, 'Pilgrim's Progress.' This is a pity because it describes some of the problems a believer will face on the narrow way that leads to life: the Slough of Despond, the lions in the way, the Hill Difficulty, the Valley of Humiliation, Giant Despair's Dungeon, Vanity Fair and Dead Man's Lane where Little Faith was assaulted by three thugs - Faint-heart, Mistrust and Guilt.

I, myself, have found certain things difficult to cope with: being an outsider, the only Christian in a company of unbelievers, the decline of the church I attend, the lack of conversions among those I know, lack of success in overcoming the sins rooted in my disposition, limited opportunity to teach and preach. There are many disappointments being a Christian. I draw strength from the words of the writer to the Hebrews: Consider him (Jesus) who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not lose heart. Heb12v3.

(b) He sent them a helper. So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. v1.

Paul did not send just anybody to Thessalonica to strengthen the believers there. He sent Timothy - his right hand man and a choice, young brother he loved. Timothy was unassuming but enthusiastic and devout - the ideal man to encourage the Thessalonians in their trials.

There is no doubt that Paul greatly missed Timothy's company, assistance and support in Athens - a town in which his preaching bore relatively little fruit. He was prepared to weaken his own team in order to strengthen a church in trouble.

Needless to say this is not the way of the world. One cannot conceive of Manchester United loaning out their star striker to another struggling Premier League Side.

Sadly, it is not a policy followed by many churches. Very few well supported churches send personnel to help out a neighbouring fellowship that is struggling for survival. There are exceptions. I admire the Grace Baptist Church at Caulderhall Road in Ipswich for providing finance and personnel to get the weak and ineffectual fellowship at Shepherd's Drive back on its feet. Similarly the Independent Evangelical Church at Mickfield is to be commended for taking responsibility for the poorly attended Grace Baptist Church at Blakenham.

Paul sets the leadership of popular, well-attended churches a lesson by releasing his valued, able and much loved co-worker, Timothy, for the sake of a fellowship that needed strengthening and encouraging. The least that strong churches can do for the weak is to supply them with itinerant preachers. This they should do gladly and prayerfully. It is to the credit of the Grace Baptist Association of Churches to which I belong that this is a valued and supported ministry.

(3) Paul exultant.

When Timothy returned to Paul from Thessalonica the little apostle was in Corinth. Timothy had wonderful news for Paul.

(a) He was reassured of their love. 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.

If you love someone you yearn to see him or her. I was very fond of some of the girls I taught. I miss them - even though it is 30 or 40 years since I last taught some of them. I still long to see them! I suppose the next best thing to actually seeing them again is to learn that they long to see me. Paul's heart thrilled because many of the Christian in Thessalonica ached to see him - as he ached to see them. They had pleasant memories of him - just as a few of my pupils have pleasant memories of me!

I think it is important for Christians to reassure each other of their love. Paul was not shy about expressing his love. Frank Muir, wit and comedy writer, wrote touchingly in his autobiography of his wife to whom he had been married for 49 years. Each night he would pray at the bedside for the children and tell his wife that he loved her. You could say that Paul had shown his love for the Thessalonians by sending Timothy to them to encourage and strengthen them. We say, "Actions speak louder than words." But it is also very important to express our love in words. God did this when he said of Jesus, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."

(b) He was encouraged in all his difficulties. Therefore, brothers, 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. v7and8.

When the battle is fiercely raging the most heartening news for a commander in chief is that a regiment is standing firm under fire. Conversely nothing is more distressing for a general than to learn his men are in disorderly retreat. We can almost hear the anguish in Paul's voice when writing years later to Timothy he says, Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. 2Tim4v9.

Difficulties come to a church. Men and women get tired of a minister; others take umbrage over some perceived slight; and a few get cross because no one supports their agenda. Some feeble Christians leave a church with the advent of trouble. They are tested and found wanting. It is important at all times to stand firm IN THE LORD - to do those things that Jesus would approve of. That includes striving for unity.

(c) He was grateful to God for the joy he experienced at Timothy's news. 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? v9.

Paul experienced intense happiness - true joy - to learn of the unwavering faith of the Thessalonian Christians. It was wonderful news for him - the seed he sowed was bearing fruit. How Christ's servants yearn for this.

Years ago my friends Henry and Jesse had to get rid of their car. They lived in a village five miles from our chapel and it seemed unlikely that they could continue attending. However a couple in their village offered to bring them to chapel - and attend themselves. So instead of losing two from our small congregation we gained two. I was happy. It was good news.

(4) Paul's exhortation. Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 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. v10to13.

Some commentators treat these verses as Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians. He undoubtedly did pray for them. He would have asked God for the opportunity to visit the young church at Thessalonica again. Timothy's visit and report revealed to Paul that they needed help to mature in the faith. Their spiritual development may well have been retarded for the lack of experienced leadership. However, the fact that Paul details what he prays for the Thessalonians also acts as an exhortation. He is telling them where they need to improve. There used to be and old lady in the church I attend who told me she prayed each night that I would keep my temper. Well I am pleased that she prayed for me at all! Nonetheless by telling me what she prayed for Ivy made it pretty clear what area of my life I needed to improve.

Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to:

(a) Display more love.

It is natural when up against it - as the Thessalonians were - to become self-absorbed and pre-occupied with one's difficulties. In such circumstances love for others can be in short supply.

One of the things that deeply moved the author Roald Dahl was the phone call he received in hospital from his mother the night before a major operation. Dahl did not realise that at the time she was terminally ill and close to death. His mother spoke not one word about her condition. She spoke cheerfully and reassuringly. All she wanted to do was boost her son's morale before his operation. She had a great love that overflowed to her boy.

When Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were incarcerated in Ravensbruck concentration camp by the Germans during World War 2 they had a small bottle of a vitamin supplement. Instead of the two sisters keeping it to themselves they shared it. Corrie later testified that, like the widow's cruise, the supply never ran out. Those two Dutch Christians had a great love that overflowed to others.

One of the hugely endearing characteristics of the apostle Paul was that however awful his circumstances he was deeply concerned for the welfare of his brothers and sisters in Christ. His love did not evaporate in the bad times but overflowed to the churches however desperate his situation.

We, too, she never stop loving.

(b) Be blameless and holy in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus.

Paul at this time probably thought the Second Coming of Jesus was imminent. He wanted the Thessalonians to be ready for inspection. The genuine Christian will have the righteousness of Jesus imputed to him - but he must be genuine. Jesus told a parable about the wheat and the tares to illustrate that it was difficult to tell apart the true Christian from the false professor. But Jesus indicated a time would come when the tares would be separated from the wheat - the tares to be burned and the wheat to be brought into the barn.

It is very easy for people to act a part and to make a good impression. We can be like the house my old friend Lee who worked for Rentokil was asked to inspect. It was a lovely house both beautifully decorated and furnished. Expensive carpets covered the floor. All appeared well with the house and Lee was on the point of deciding to give it a good report. He just lifted up the corner of another carpet and there it was - a red smear - the tell-tale spores of the dry rot fungus. It had spread to almost all the joists under the floor from a tiny leak in a cold water pipe.

There are tell-tale signs that we are not genuine Christians. Are we trusting in Christ's saving work alone for the forgiveness of our sins? Do we obey Jesus because we love him? Do we rejoice when we hear others speak well of Jesus? Do we love our fellow Christians regardless of their weaknesses? Do we count it a privilege to be servants of Jesus? Where do our priorities lie. Our lives must bear scrutiny; we need to be ready for his coming; we need to pass the test.

ANY COMMENTS FOR JOHN REED: E-mail jfmreed@talktalk.net

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