Grosey's Messages

"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