Warm up questions:

• What are some outrageous claims do you hear in love songs?
  • “And I would give anything I own. I’d give up my life, my heart, my home. I would give everything I own, Just to have you back again. “ – Bread, 1972
  • “I would walk 500 miles, And I would walk 500 more, Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles, To fall down at your door” – Proclaimers, 1988
  • “And I will always love you. I will always love you” – Whitney Houston, 1992
  • “I’d catch a grenade for ya, Throw my head on a blade for ya, I’d jump in front of a train for ya, You know I’d do anything for ya” – Bruno Mars, 2010
• Seriously, how far would we really go for the ones we love?

Let’s read the passage (1 Thessalonians 2:17~20, 3:1~6) with that question in mind:

What does it say?　

• Briefly summarized: “We sent Timothy to strengthen you. We warned you that persecution would come. We are encouraged by your faith. May you grow in love.” – Chris Juby (Biblesummary.info)

What does it mean?

• Background and review
  • 2:8 – 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.
  • In 2:17~20, Paul tells them that the Thessalonians are always on his mind and longs to see their face. But as much as Paul personally tried, he was blocked from going there.   
  • The actual timeline of this next part is a bit of a mystery but all agree that there was some decision for Timothy to go to Thessalonica.
• We sent Timothy to strengthen you.
  • Verse 1~2: 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, 
  • Bear/Endure/forbear
    • Greek word here is used for water tight seal. Paul was bursting at the seams; couldn’t stand not knowing what was happening to them
    • Keep in mind in Philippians 4:13 Paul says he “can endure all things”; poverty, hunger, or great need.
    • But he could not endure the thought of those he loved suffering without help
  • Willing to be left behind … alone
    • Greek word used here could also mean desert or abandon.
    • Remember in 2:17 Paul talks about being “torn away from you.” 
    • Paul is showing his heart here again; being alone in a foreign city is difficult
    • He wasn’t the super-apostle, lone wolf Christian that some try to make him.
    • Paul was like us; an ordinary man who allowed God use him in extraordinary ways
  • Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker
    • When addressing Timothy personally, Paul calls him “my true child in the faith”
    • Here Paul addresses Timothy on equal footing
    • We see Paul’s trust for this younger brother with a great task that Paul wished he could do himself.
    • Remember, they were all baby Christians in a fledgling church. Lots of responsibility
• We warned you that persecution would come.
  • Verse 3~4: 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.
  • No one be moved
    • To waiver, to be troubled or disheartened
    • “The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain.” – Aristotle
    • For those suffering, it might seem wise to walk away to avoid more pain.
  • Destined for this
    • In this broken sinful world, no one can completely avoid suffering
    • But this is talking about being appointed to suffering.
    • Just as they had become imitators of Paul who himself was an imitator of Christ.
  • We were to suffer affliction
    • Paul tried to prepare the Thessalonians while he was with them
    • This was not a prediction but God’s appointment as they followed Jesus
  • Verse 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.
    • Again, bursting at the seams.
    • Why was Paul fearful for the Thessalonians? That they walked away for Jesus
    • As believers, if we are suffering for Christ’s sake we must resist this temptation.
• We are encouraged by your faith.
  • Now, there is much more to this passage but we will just focus on one verse for now.
  • Verse 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
  • What good news did Timothy bring back to Paul?
    • They were doing well.
    • Full of faith and love
    • Remember Paul kindly and want to see him again too.
  • What a relief to know that loved ones are safe and doing well!
  • OK, should Paul have then felt foolish for making so much fuss? I don’t think so.
  • Again, they were all baby Christians in a fledgling church and with no pastor.
  • Timothy was able to further establish and exhort them in their faith.
  • And finally, remember those outrageous claims in love songs?
  • By the extravagant effort demonstrated to them, the Thessalonians could know that they were loved by Paul, Timothy, and Silas … and most importantly, loved by God.

What does it matter?　

• What ideas can we find in this to help us encourage others: especially when they are in times of trial or suffering?
  • First and foremost, have a solid relationship with God, setting Christ as Lord of your heart
  • With this as a basis, we can love others with God’s love through the power of the Holy Spirit
  • Finally, let your love lead you to out-warding expressing it in words and deeds.
  • Realize it means some sacrifice of us; our time, our belongings, and our emotions
  • Example; Sometimes there is no way to “fix” the situation. That drives guys like me nuts.
  • There are times when people just need someone to cry with them.
  • Visit and spending time with each other
  • Going deeper and fellowship for us to know each other’s hearts
  • Look for the praiseworthy things in others and give thanks for that
  • Respecting and trusting them Believing that God is working in their lives as well.

Note: Some of the questions were taken or modified from a study found here: (http://test.ivpress.com/bible/study.php?study=514)