TRUTH IN THESSALONIANS

(Sermon Series)

PASTOR PAUL

1 Thessalonians 2: 17- 3: 13

 by Rev. Richard Jones

PAUL’S LONGING

17  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, 18  because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19  For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20  For you are our glory and joy.

PAUL’S AMBASSADOR

1  Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2  and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3  that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4  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. 5  For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

John 16:33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Corinthians 2:3-5

3  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4  and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5  so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

James 1:2-4

2  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

PAUL’S THANKS

6  But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7  for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8  For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9  For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10  as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

PAUL’S PRAYER

11  Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12  and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13  so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

John 13:34-35

34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

James 2:8

8  If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Romans 13:8

8  Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.