Grosey's Messages

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more

Francis Schaeffer. Schaeffer was known as a powerful defender of Christian doctrine, yet at the same time he strove to maintain love within the body of believers. He wrote:

Through the centuries men have displayed many different symbols to show that they are Christians. They have worn marks in the lapels of their coats, hung chains about their necks, even had special haircuts. . . . But there is a much better sign . . . . It is a universal mark that is to last through all ages of the church until Jesus comes back.

John 13:35: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

"for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia" (1 Thess. 4:10).

Christians ..not monasteries.. Not secondaries and factions. The ancient world was honeycombed with rents and schisms, politics.

Love was a part of their new life, and breathed into their hearts by God Himself. They were drawn together by common relation to Jesus, and driven together by common alienation from the world.

How's your love life? A card said: "I love you. "If I had an ice-cream cone, I'd give you half. If I had six pieces of candy, I'd give you three. If I had two apples, one would be yours. If I won the lottery…I'd send you a post card from Tahiti."

"you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another"   (1 Thess. 4:9)

" I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts" (Jer. 31:33)

"Whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love" 1Jn 4:7

Loving others is an outflow of our relationship with God, who imparts his own love to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Because faith in Christ brings believers into the family of God, we feel "brotherly love" for one another.  

Good record: "for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia" (1 Thess. 4:10).  

"But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more"

"God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Rom 5:5

Growing in Breadth  - across barriers In the midst of a world of selfishness this new faith started up, and by some magic knit warring nationalities and hostile classes and wide diversities of culture and position into a strange whole, transcending all limits of race and language. The conception of brotherhood was new, and the realisation of it in Christian love was still more astonishing. The world wondered; but to the Christians the new affection was, we might almost say, instinctive, so naturally and spontaneously did it fill their hearts.

Growing in Depth   -forgiveness, patience

1Thess 3:11  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, 

"4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,"

2Thess 3: 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

The Greek word ataktos may mean "disorderly," "irresponsible," or "lazy." Either such persons had entered into the church community or else some members of the church had fallen into this vice. It is possible that this happened as a self-serving response to the generosity of Christians who possessed means, so that the very love that Paul commended was being taken advantage of. Whatever the cause of this idleness, the result was that these people had become "busybodies" (3:11) who were not only using up resources but making themselves a nuisance to others.

Anticipating this problem, Paul amplifies his teaching on Christian love by urging his readers "to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs" (1 Thess. 4:11). Paul sees Christian love as a quiet love that avoids meddling in and disturbing the lives of others.

"mind your own affairs" (1 Thess. 4:11). We may infer from this statement that Paul was concerned that some in this young church were quick to point out the errors in others' lives and to demand conformity to a long list of items that had little to do with serving Christ. Martin Luther wrote harshly of such people:

They have the notion that they must control everything and superintend and criticize what others do. These are malignant persons. They stir up nothing but mischief and have no grace to do anything good, even though in other respects they may have excellent gifts. For they do not use their talents in their calling or in the service of their neighbour; they use them only for their own glory and advantage.  When it comes to assessing others, Christians should labour to mind our own business. Paul once wrote, "Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls" (Rom. 14:4).

The 'quiet' which Paul would have us cultivate is not only external, but the inward tranquillity of a spirit calm because fixed on God and filled with love.               

No gossiping busybodying

Alexander Maclaren laments that "nothing dries up sympathy and practical help more surely than a gossiping temper, which is perpetually buzzing about other people's concerns, and knows everybody's circumstances and duties better than its own."

 

1Thess 4:11"and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one."

The dignity of manual labour was a new doctrine to preach to Greeks, but Paul lays stress on it repeatedly in his letters to Thessalonica. Apparently most of the converts there were of the labouring class, and some of them needed the lesson of Paul's example as well as his precept. A Christian workman wielding chisel or trowel for Christ's sake will impress 'them that are without.' Dignity depends, not on the nature, but on the motive, of our work.

This verse has played an important role in developing a Christian view of work. Most Greeks thought that manual labour was unworthy of a cultivated person. Physical work was what slaves were for! In contrast, the Bible endorses the nobility of honest work of all kinds. Paul's example as a tentmaker underscored this point, since the hands that held the apostolic pen were calloused with the daily hard work by which Paul met his own needs. Paul was not glorifying manual labour over other forms of work, but since many of the converts hailed from the working class, he was quick to affirm the importance and dignity of all honest labour, including work that some considered menial.

Given Paul's emphasis in these letters on the return of Christ, it is possible that some believers were so focused on waiting for the second coming that they stopped working and made themselves a burden to others. Yet Christ's own teaching states that when he returns, he wants to find his people busy! In his parable of the talents, Jesus said that he will ask us to show the work we have done on his behalf. If we have worked hard and profitably at what the Lord has given us to do, he will respond, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much" (Matt. 25:21, 23). This work should be thought of as including both spiritual and temporal labour, which so often work together to advance Christ's kingdom. Along these lines, Martin Luther is said to have remarked that if he knew that the world would end tomorrow, today he would plant a tree. He meant that an awareness of Christ's return, the final judgment, and the transformation of all things in the end should not cause us to neglect the world and our duties in it but should cause us to cheerfully serve in all the various callings that we have received from the Lord.

12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

"so that you may walk properly before outsiders" (1 Thess. 4:12). For Christians to be lazy or wrongly depend on others only disgraces the gospel that we proclaim to the world. This is why Christians who run businesses should make a special point of providing high-quality goods and services and treating customers with honesty and care. By contrast, able-bodied men who are not working hard to provide for themselves and their families are a disgrace to God's people. Paul wrote scathingly in 1 Timothy 5:8: "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, he commanded, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." Since Christianity "makes people better citizens and neighbours, better parents and relatives," unbelievers "should be able to look at the way Christians work and live and go away respecting them deeply."

Paul wrote, "Win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

Paul wrote that we should live in a way that even outsiders, non-Christians, respect us. The way we do that is by working so we don't become a burden to others.

"be dependent on no one" (1 Thess. 4:12). Believers should provide for themselves so as not to burden other believers. This exhortation does not apply to those who are unable to work because of illness, injury, or honest unemployment. The New Testament makes it plain that Christians are to provide for fellow Christians in legitimate need. But because there will often be many such needs, Christians should do their best not to burden the church and to contribute to the assistance of others. Love does not take advantage of Christian generosity but works hard so as to contribute to those with true needs. Paul saw such a desire as evidence of gospel change in our lives: "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labour, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need" (Eph. 4:28).

Writing in the late second century, Tertullian of Carthage explained the spread of Christianity by the power of its love. "See, they say, how they love one another,"

  Unbelievers are watching and wondering

punctuality and honesty in the work place . . . willingness to cheerfully take on assignments others don't want . . . or treating all people at every level of the business with friendliness and respect. The smallest acts can reap great rewards as non-Christians notice that we're not only talking about Christ, but living like Him.

  Unbelievers are listening and learning  

Our interactions with others should never be harsh, demanding, or demeaning. Holier-than-thou attitudes expressed through higher-than-thou words can turn people off like a light switch. Be aware of the words you use. Let them soften a rough demeanour or colour a bland disposition. Let them be pleasing in their kindness and truth as well as seasoned by insight.

  Individuals are important, so respond with dignity and sensitivity.

Sometimes it's easier to give people a canned presentation of the gospel or a rehearsed response to their sincere questions than to actually listen to them, get to know them, and care about them as individuals. But Paul says we need to know how to respond "to each person" (Col. 4:6)

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all,  establish your hearts blameless in holiness.

Psalm 112,  1 Thess 3:1-4:8  "Stand fast in the Lord And Walk Worthy!"

Professor Ron Laura of the University of Newcastle wrote "Surviving the High Tech Depersonalization Crisis" and "Hidden Hazards: The Dark Side of Everyday Technology".  Highly technological machines are invading our lives and separating us from personal relationships. The balance between the use of technology for human advantage and developing valued human relationships has yet to equal, and we continue to subject ourselves to a rapidly growing sense of depersonalization. The New Social Disease is that we personalize our computers and associated technologies while depersonalizing others and ourselves. The increased use of technology-mediated communications has affected the way in which we live our lives, resulting in loneliness, depression, social isolation, and ultimately a rise in uncivil behaviours based upon frustration hopelessness and the devaluation of human life.  We live in a high tech world, but even the best technology is no replacement for relationship. We can be high tech, but we need high touch to grow spiritually. We in the church need real intimacy, and that only comes through authentic touch. Our big problem is that we can now substitute electronic media for Relationship with God, Relationship with others. And these things don't meansure up when Afflictions come on us, nor when we really look into ourselves. We are as CS Lewis said, "Hollow men" - with hollow lives because we have hollow hearts!  Who knows? Our spouses do. They know whether we are more addicted to the mobile phone than we are to them!

Today show.  Monday.  Depersonalisation and lack of mateship in younger generations. 56% of premobile phone have friends over 40 years. Friendships in person over a meal, open and honest, reliable and people we can have fun with.  But the substitutes offered by technology have depleted that for younger generations.

Stand Firm  Anchor down!

2:13 The first anchor of your soul is God's Word. Paul thanks God because the Thessalonians recognized his message for what it was—not a human message but the word of God. Only having Scripture within can sustain you when there is trouble without. If you don't have anything cooking on the inside, don't be surprised if you fall apart on the outside. They received the Word  Respect God's Word, reverence it, embrace it, take it in to give it out. Like people enjoying a good meal, not only taste it digest it.

Psalm 112 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. 7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

The second anchor: fellowship with other believers. The Thessalonians suffered the same things from people of [their] own country, just as the Jewish churches did from the Jews (2:14). The Thessalonians' own people had turned on them! But, in the midst of that betrayal, the Thessalonians became imitators of God's churches in Christ Jesus . . . in Judea (2:14). God created churches so that you would not have to be a Christian alone. You are part of a body (cf. 1 Cor 12), and no body part works unless it is attached to the whole. These churches could look to each other in tough times, offering support They had become family—brothers and sisters (2:17)— blood is thicker than water.

2:19-20 AN Anchor that which will carry us through the difficult times is a vision of the glory of God. Paul mentions the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming yet again. You are our glory and joy! (2:20).

Standing Firm is not being grumpy

Standing Firm is not being afraid

Standing Firm is Trusting in the Lord

Standing Firm is Looking Ahead

1Th 3:3,4   3:1-2 Paul was so devoted to authentic touch that he let his closest ministry partner go so that the Thessalonians could receive it. Long distance contact was just not enough. Paul sent Timothy . . . God's coworker in the gospel of Christ (3:2), because Paul knew that the Thessalonians needed flesh and blood. They needed someone to strengthen and encourage them in person (3:2). The Greek verb Paul uses for "encourage" is parakaleō. It shares a root with the noun (paraklētos) that describes the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 ("Counselor") and 1 John 2:1 ("advocate"). When God wants to encourage a believer, he uses his Holy Spirit to do it, but he often does that through another believer. You and I are to function like the Holy Spirit with skin on.

3:3 Why did Paul think authentic touch so important? Well, Paul knew something that we often forget: life is full of suffering. He wants us to have our eyes open to the reality of suffering so that no one will be shaken by . . . afflictions. Paul was concerned that the Thessalonians' spiritual lives would prove fickle—going up and down, back and forth, just like a dog's tail. He wanted them to be consistent and unshaken when trouble came.

APPOINTMENTS IN AFFLICTION

1Th 2:14-16 John 16:33 – "In the world ye shall have tribulation."  Acts 14:22 – "We must through much tribulation, enter the kingdom of God."

And Paul knew that trouble would come. Believers, in fact, are appointed to this. In other words, Christians are elected, chosen, destined for trouble. That's probably not what you were hoping for! But it's true. As soon as we start following Jesus, trouble starts following us. We don't have to find it. It knows our address; it will arrive (see John 16:33). But the good news is that God intends to use it for our good.

3:4-5 Trouble comes at us in myriad ways. Paul knew, for instance, that he was going to experience affliction (3:4). The only way to avoid affliction in this world, in fact, is to leave it. Everyone suffers. But when you come to Jesus, you get double trouble, because then you have a target on your back. You're a target for the world and for the devil.

Many of us think of the devil as a silly guy in a red jump suit with horns who carries a pitchfork. We aren't worried about him. But Paul was. When Paul thought of the devil, he didn't have in mind some ridiculous caricature. He knew that the devil is an evil spirit who hates God and seeks to tempt God's children and destroy their faith. Paul was concerned that the tempter might have tempted the Thessalonians and that his own labor might be for nothing (3:5). Satan is real, and he is after you and me. We need authentic touch to overcome his schemes.

Don't Be Grumpy             Don't Be afraid

Trust in the Lord             Look Ahead

STAND FIRM "Now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord."    

DON'T DECLINE IN GRACE.

DON'T BE DIVERTED FROM THE WORK

DON'T SHIFT FROM YOUR DOCTRINES

BE STEADFAST IN YOUR SERVICE

Everybody loses faith. Everybody falls down. We need somebody to pick us up again. Paul had the Thessalonians. Whom do you have? Connectivity with a solid, biblically centered local church is indispensable for properly progressing in the Christian life.

3:8 What Paul says here is a statement about how inextricably connected we are in the church. For now we live, Paul says, if you stand firm in the Lord. This is staggering!

Stand Firmer In spiritual growth. He wants the Thessalonians to increase and overflow with love for one another (3:12). Love is the hallmark of true spiritual growth. Love is a choice to serve someone for his or her good. It is a decision of the will, which is why we can—and should—love people even if we do not like them. We choose to love, and then we ask God to help our emotions catch up.

Stand Firmer in spiritual unity. We ought not just to love for each other, but also for everyone (3:12). Love and unity go hand-in-hand. If this were easy, Paul would not need to pray for it! Some of us need to take a hard look at our lives. If the only people we love are just like us, Paul may have some harsh words for us.

Stand Firmer In holiness. He asks that God would make their hearts blameless in holiness because Jesus is coming back (3:13). Paul simply cannot stop mentioning the return of Christ! He wants us all to live in light of Jesus's second coming, and that means living in holiness. If Jesus came back today—in the next hour—would he find you doing kingdom work? Would he say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:23)?
"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone.  Kindness in another's trouble, Courage in your own."  ― Adam Lindsay Gordon

The previous chapter closed with a prayer for their growth in love, with a view to their establishment in holiness. The prayer of a good man avails much in its working; but his prayer of intercession cannot secure the result it seeks without the cooperation of those for whom it is made. Paul, who has besought the Lord on their behalf, now beseeches the Thessalonians themselves, and exhorts them in the Lord Jesus, to walk as they had been taught by him. 

Λοιπὸν ⸀οὖν, ἀδελφοί,  Finally.. "As to what remains."  Not the preacher's finally, meaning another ten minutes.. but CSB additionally.. or finally, here is the bottom line.. the application to it all.

1Th 4:3,4  

"Sexual immorality" refers to any form of illicit sexual behavior outside of what is prescribed by God in His Word. This encompasses both the actions of the body and the thoughts of the heart (Matt 5:28). Sex according to God finds its perfect fulfillment only in the marriage relationship between a man and woman (Heb 13:4). Since sex was God's idea (Gen 1:28), it follows that you should not deviate from the parameters that He has established concerning it. Christianity had come to Thessalonica, but the city had not yet come to Christ. Now, we assume we are the only generation that has had to deal with porn addiction.  If you go to Pompeii near Rome, you can see that the people of that day struggled with porn addiction.

Pompeii was a city where depictions of erotic themes were commonplace in art, including frescoes, sculptures, and even household items. Excavations have revealed the presence of brothels (lupanaria) and depictions of various sexual acts.

In 79 BCE, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii was buried in the volcanic ash of Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located in Italy's Gulf of Naples. The bodies of over 1,000 inhabitants have been frozen in the moment of its eruption 

Tourists continue to flock to the ruins of this once vibrant city, often finding themselves shocked by the number of stone phalluses carved into the pavement and walls (some even hanging invitingly above doorways and ovens). Prostitution was not only legally permissible but it was generally regarded as the social norm for men (and, in some cases, wealthier women) to frequent such establishment.

In our day  Porn addiction.  An old friend of mine Marshall Ballantyne-Jones, has made many representations to Parliament and is recognized as the leading expert world wide on the damage of porn addiction.   No Porn  ἀπέχεσθαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς πορνείας  5.2 billion users,  42 billion visits per month, over 2 hours per month per person. 1Th 4:5,6 . 

Abstaining begins with "possessing" our own vessels, that is, knowing our own bodies—how our sex drives function, what weakens our self-control, and what strengthens it. Possessing our bodies involves admitting temptations we can't handle and avoiding those enticing situations. Certain conversations with coworkers may lure us, and friendly touches may be too personal—avoid those situations. Some films, books, or magazines may ignite lustful passions, and some settings may provide opportunities for compromise—stay away from them. No one remains pure by accident. (Swindoll, Contagious Christianity, 49)

We need to male a decisive break from old patterns of thinking and living.

At the root of sexual strongholds is not sex itself. Our lustful passions are not just bodily passions, and overcoming them is not just a matter of better discipline. When we succumb to sexual strongholds, we are worshiping the wrong thing. In committing acts of sexual immorality, then, we are not just making a mistake. We are proving that we are like the unsaved Gentiles, who don't know God. Sexual immorality is a fruit of an idolatrous root—of the worship of pleasure over God, something that should not be true of believers who possess the Spirit. And if we worship our way into sin, the only solution is to worship our way out of it. We are allowing something to meet our deepest needs.. something that is not God. It becomes a compulsive means of dealing with anxieties and stresses. Like a drug it becomes addictive. Make a decisive break!

No Perving 6,7  One of the most attractive lies about sexual immorality is that we can get away with the thrill and not experience negative consequences. But Paul reminds us that the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses. He sees what we are doing, even if no one else does. when we commit sexual sin, we disobey God's will and we disregard our brother's personhood. Pleasing God means saying "no" to the flesh. Simply stated, we must control our bodies and not allow our bodies to control us. We must therefore "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires" (Rom 13:14).  God has written 'No Trespassing' over every man or woman who is not one's own wife or husband. . . . He has also posted the warning 'Trespassers will be prosecuted'". When we commit sexual sin with another person we cross a boundary that God never intended to be crossed. We are taking from someone something that does not belong to us. In essence we are really saying to the other person, "I do not care about you." 

The Lord is an avenger of all these offenses" (4:6b). Stated plainly, God takes sexual sin very seriously. The Bible has much to say on this subject. Consider the following passages:

Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers. (Heb 13:4)

But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. (Eph 5:3)

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God's wrath comes on the disobedient. (Col 3:5-6)

Don't you know that your bodies are a part of Christ's body? So should I take a part of Christ's body and make it part of a prostitute? Absolutely not! Don't you know that anyone joined to a prostitute is one body with her? For Scripture says, The two will become one flesh. But anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

Run from sexual immorality! "Every sin a person can commit is outside the body." On the contrary, the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. Don't you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Cor 6:15-20)

Walk Worthy…7,8. It starts with understanding who we are in Christ. God tells us who we are before telling us what he wants us to do. Thus, when Paul wants to give the Thessalonians motivation to stay sexually pure, he does not just say, "Watch out! God will get you!" He reminds them of their identity in Christ: God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness. Though we do not stay pure to earn God's love, we are to stay pure because God loves us.

"Now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord."

1 Thessalonians 3:

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.

Timothy's Encouraging Report

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?

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.

Professor Ron laura of the University of Newcastle wrote "Surviving the High Tech Depersonalization Crisis" and "Hidden Hazards: The Dark Side of Everyday Technology". 

Highly technological machines are invading our lives and separating us from personal relationships. The balance between the use of technology for human advantage and developing valued human relationships has yet to equal, and we continue to subject ourselves to a rapidly growing sense of depersonalization. The New Social Disease is that we personalize our computers and associated technologies while depersonalizing others and ourselves. The increased use of technology-mediated communications has affected the way in which we live our lives, resulting in loneliness, depression, social isolation, and ultimately a rise in uncivil behaviours based upon frustration hopelessness and the devaluation of human life.   We live in a high tech world, but even the best technology is no replacement for relationship. We can be high tech, but we need high touch to grow spiritually. We in the church need real intimacy, and that only comes through authentic touch.

Stand Firm

Psalm 112 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. 7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Standing Firm is not being grumpy

Standing Firm is not being afraid

Standing Firm is Trusting in the Lord

Standing Firm is Looking Ahead 2:19 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.

1Th 3:3,4   3:1-2 Paul was so devoted to authentic touch that he let his closest ministry partner go so that the Thessalonians could receive it. Long distance contact was just not enough. Paul sent Timothy . . . God's coworker in the gospel of Christ (3:2), because Paul knew that the Thessalonians needed flesh and blood. They needed someone to strengthen and encourage them in person (3:2). The Greek verb Paul uses for "encourage" is parakaleō. It shares a root with the noun (paraklētos) that describes the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 ("Counselor") and 1 John 2:1 ("advocate"). When God wants to encourage a believer, he uses his Holy Spirit to do it, but he often does that through another believer. You and I are to function like the Holy Spirit with skin on.

3:3 Why did Paul think authentic touch so important? Well, Paul knew something that we often forget: life is full of suffering. He wants us to have our eyes open to the reality of suffering so that no one will be shaken by . . . afflictions. Paul was concerned that the Thessalonians' spiritual lives would prove fickle—going up and down, back and forth, just like a dog's tail. He wanted them to be consistent and unshaken when trouble came.

APPOINTMENTS IN AFFLICTION

1Th 2:14-16 John 16:33 – "In the world ye shall have tribulation."  Acts 14:22 – "We must through much tribulation, enter the kingdom of God."

And Paul knew that trouble would come. Believers, in fact, are appointed to this. In other words, Christians are elected, chosen, destined for trouble. That's probably not what you were hoping for! But it's true. As soon as we start following Jesus, trouble starts following us. We don't have to find it. It knows our address; it will arrive (see John 16:33). But the good news is that God intends to use it for our good.

3:4-5 Trouble comes at us in myriad ways. Paul knew, for instance, that he was going to experience affliction (3:4). The only way to avoid affliction in this world, in fact, is to leave it. Everyone suffers. But when you come to Jesus, you get double trouble, because then you have a target on your back. You're a target for the world and for the devil.

Many of us think of the devil as a silly guy in a red jump suit with horns who carries a pitchfork. We aren't worried about him. But Paul was. When Paul thought of the devil, he didn't have in mind some ridiculous caricature. He knew that the devil is an evil spirit who hates God and seeks to tempt God's children and destroy their faith. Paul was concerned that the tempter might have tempted the Thessalonians and that his own labor might be for nothing (3:5). Satan is real, and he is after you and me. We need authentic touch to overcome his schemes.

Don't Be Grumpy             Don't Be afraid

Trust in the Lord             Look Ahead

STAND FIRM "Now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord."     DON'T DECLINE IN GRACE.

DON'T BE DIVERTED FROM THE WORK

DON'T SHIFT FROM YOUR DOCTRINES

BE STEADFAST IN YOUR SERVICE

Everybody loses faith. Everybody falls down. We need somebody to pick us up again. Paul had the Thessalonians. Whom do you have? Connectivity with a solid, biblically centered local church is indispensable for properly progressing in the Christian life.

3:8 What Paul says here is a statement about how inextricably connected we are in the church. For now we live, Paul says, if you stand firm in the Lord. This is staggering!

2. STAND FIRM IN YOUR AFFECTIONS

1Th 3:11-13  with all his saints. 

3:12-13 Paul prays three things for the Thessalonian believers. First, he prays for spiritual growth. He wants the Thessalonians to increase and overflow with love for one another (3:12). Love is the hallmark of true spiritual growth. Love is a choice to serve someone for his or her good. It is a decision of the will, which is why we can—and should—love people even if we do not like them. We choose to love, and then we ask God to help our emotions catch up.

Second, Paul prays for spiritual unity. The Thessalonians needed to have love for each other, but also for everyone (3:12). Love and unity go hand-in-hand. If this were easy, Paul would not need to pray for it! Some of us need to take a hard look at our lives. If the only people we love are just like us, Paul may have some harsh words for us.

Third, Paul prays for their holiness. He asks that God would make their hearts blameless in holiness because Jesus is coming back (3:13). Paul simply cannot stop mentioning the return of Christ! He wants us all to live in light of Jesus's second coming, and that means living in holiness. If Jesus came back today—in the next hour—would he find you doing kingdom work? Would he say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:23)?
"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone.
Kindness in another's trouble, Courage in your own."  ― Adam Lindsay Gordon

The great American entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller stated, "I will pay more for the ability to deal with people than any other ability under the sun." According to a report by the American Management Association, an overwhelming majority of the two hundred managers who participated in a survey agreed that the most important single skill of an executive is [the] ability to get along with people. In the survey, management rated this ability more vital than intelligence, decisiveness, knowledge, or job skills.

I find that fascinating. Relationships are more important to good leadership than temperament, technique, and intelligence. This is something I've learned myself over several decades of pastoral ministry . . . and something the apostle Paul illustrates for us in the first twelve verses of 1 Thessalonians 2.

Marks of a dysfunctional church

I've come up with my own humorous top ten list of the ways to tell if you're attending a dysfunctional church. You know you're in a dysfunctional church when:

10. The ushers frisk everyone before they enter.

9. Church survey includes option of increasing pastors pay.

8. The worship leader directs the worship practice with a whip.

7. Family Fun Day includes the Titanic ride, and Jumping Castle is named "Ten Plagues of Egypt."

6.  There is a pastor appreciation month every month.

5. There are parking metres in the church parking lot.

4. Session meetings begin with the chairman saying, "Let's get ready to ruuuuummble!"

3. Visitors are required to put their bank account number on the guest form.

2. Requirements for teaching Sunday school students include martial arts training.

1. The Church changes its name and address regularly to avoid complaints.

I love the little poem that says:

If you should find the perfect church; Without one fault or smear;

For goodness sake, don't join that church; You'd spoil the atmosphere!

But since no perfect church exists; (We're all imperfect men);

Then please stop looking for that church; And love the church you're in.

So keep on serving in your church; Until the Resurrection.

And then we all will be the Church; Without an imperfection!

Measures of a maturing church

Paul then turns their attention to a slide show of memories—reminders of things from their past that affected their present. Notice how often he refers to things the Thessalonians already knew because of past experiences. These words serve as mementos of the past, not to obsess over it but rather to let the past motivate them.

1 Thess 1: We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

"You yourselves know" (2:1)

"After we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know" (2:2)

"We never came with flattering speech, as you know" (2:5)

"For you recall, brethren" (2:9)

"You are witnesses" (2:10)

"Just as you know" (2:11)

MEASURE THE MESSAGE (1, 2)

DON'T BE DETERED BY DIFFICULTY. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated 

DON'T BE INHIBITED IN DELIVERY.  we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God

DON'T BE STOPPED BY DISASTER we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict

MEASURE THE MOTIVE (3,4 )

DON'T DEVIATE FROM THE TRUTH 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive

DON'T DEFILE THE TRUTH. or impurity or any attempt to deceive

But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."  2 Tim 2

4 With Honour Comes Responsibility        5 ,6
WE MUST NOT BE MOTIVATED BY

POPULARITY  "words of flattery,"

POSSESSIONS  "a pretext for greed"

POSITION "seek glory from people"

POWER "made demands"

MEASURE THE MANNER OF MINSTRY

LOVE LIKE A GENTLE MOTHER 7,8

WORK LIKE A TROJAN 9

ENCOURAGE LIKE A LOVING FATHER 10,11

WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF GOD,  What is the ultimate goal of these things? Toward what objective was Paul trying to lead the Thessalonians? Well, it wasn't so that they would have the largest church in Macedonia. It wasn't so that they would gain the greatest reputation or manage the biggest budget. The point of it all is much nobler and more important than that. It was so that the Thessalonian Christians would "walk in a manner worthy of the God" who called them into His kingdom (2:12). Paul's leadership style focused on the benefit to those he served—that they might follow the Lord and enjoy His presence forever. He didn't let himself get distracted. Everything he avoided—deception , authoritarianism—and everything he embraced—from sensitivity to needs to enthusiastic affirmation—was meant to strengthen the Christian walk of those he was called to lead.

Walk Worthy of God.

Walk Worthy by Keeping the message pure and central.

Walk Worthy by valuing People more than programs.

Walk Worthy by Multiplying Ministry.