Brotherly Love and the Return of Jesus (1 Thess. 3:6-13)
This sermon was preached on 21/2/2010
In this section of his letter, Paul again details the spiritual pleasure Silas and himself had after receiving Timothy’s report of the spiritual progress of the young Thessalonian church. Their focus on evangelism (1:6-10), their fortitude in persecution (2:13-16) and their love for the team that had brought the gospel to them (3:6) greatly encouraged Paul and his colleagues. His account here reminds us of several important features of Christian living, which we can mention briefly.
First, a church making progress is a great source of encouragement to other Christians, in this case a new church that brought spiritual comfort to those who founded it. A sad sight in the business world is a company that fails to develop despite the input of hard work by those who commenced it. Their energy and enthusiasm was not duplicated in others who joined the company. A similar scenario can happen with a church. It can have a good onset, but for various reasons fail to grow. Instead it can become stagnant and sometimes even disappear. Since news of growing churches brings encouragement, we should read about them.
Second, when a church makes progress, we should ensure that we give God all the glory. Paul and his colleagues were sort of frustrated in that they could not thank God enough for what he had done in the Thessalonians. Now Paul had shown in 2:1-11 that his team had behaved in a very devout way when they brought the gospel to the city. He was confident that no-one could accuse them of insincerity and indifference. Yet he does not credit the outcome to their dedicated service. Instead he stresses that all the glory must go to God. We live in a society in which gifted individuals are lauded, even idolised. This is true in the entertainment world obviously, but it also occurs in politics, business, sport and other areas. And there is a great danger that such an attitude will appear in the Christian church in which we can assume that gifted individuals are the answer to decline or the path to growth. I would suggest that the human component that gave success to Paul’s team was not their gifts, but their prayerfulness. It was not only what they did in the presence of the Thessalonians that mattered; in addition, we must note what they did in when they were away from the Thessalonians – they prayed earnestly. Ongoing prayer, marked by thanksgiving to God, is the mark of authentic leadership.
Third, when a church makes progress, the initial founders may find that they are not necessary for its ongoing development, especially regarding their physical presence. Paul and Silas had wanted desperately to return to Thessalonica, but had been prevented by various circumstances. Their desire was good, and indeed Paul expresses it again in 3:10. Yet God did not let them return at this time. Instead he sent them evidence that he could protect his own work without their help. Sometimes we see a similar situation in families. Perhaps one child grows up very quickly and shows great maturity at an early age; another child may take a lot longer, and a lot more parental input, before reaching that level of maturity. Some churches develop very quickly and when that happens, those who planted it should be prepared to leave it with God. This does not mean that God has no more work for them. It means that he wants them to work for him elsewhere.
Fourth, when a church is making progress, it does not mean that others should not offer intelligent prayer for it. It is important to remember that prayer is a crucial part of Christian service. And this is what we see Paul and his colleagues doing for the Thessalonians in 2:12-13. So what did intelligent prayer involve for Paul and his friends?
Their prayer was doctrinalIn verse 11 and verse 13, Paul clearly identifies God the Father and the Lord Jesus. But who is intended by the title ‘Lord’ in verse 12? It would be an unusual way of writing if Paul meant either the first person (the Father) and the second person (the Son), given that he uses additional descriptors of them in verses 11 and 13. So I would suggest that in verse 12 Paul refers to the Holy Spirit, although many commentators say Paul is referring to Jesus. As far as the outworking is concerned, the result is the same because it is by the Spirit that Jesus works. Nevertheless, it seems to me that Paul is referring to the Trinity.
Paul’s petitions are also expressed theologically. He mentions particular relationships – he addresses the first person as the Father and the second as the Lord. The two doctrines Paul has in mind are adoption and the pre-eminence of Jesus. Adoption describes the greatest privilege that God bestows on the sinners that he saves through his grace – they become members of his family, with a God-given right to all the privileges this status brings. The pre-eminence of Jesus is acknowledged when he is called Lord by Paul. Jesus received this position when he ascended to heaven and was exalted to the throne of God. This was not when he became God, but as the Mediator (the God-man) he took his human nature there.
What lessons can we learn from Paul in his use of doctrine in his prayers? First, using appropriate doctrines when praying to the Father and the Son is a way of reminding ourselves of who they are and how they can respond to our prayers. Prayer should involve thinking as we make our petitions. Second, the use of appropriate doctrines reveals that we are rejoicing in the relationships we have with these divine persons. Paul was glad that he was a member of God’s family and the exaltation of Jesus was wonderful in the sight of the apostle. Third, Paul was revealing to the Thessalonians a good way to pray. In prayer we should glorify God by highlighting his greatness. This is a challenge to those who engage in public prayer. Sometimes when listening to a prayer, I have been given more information about the individual’s relative than about the God who can help her with her problem. So I think, ‘She has a big problem for God to deal with.’ It would be better if I was led to think, ‘She has a big God to deal with her problem,’ and one way we do this is by mentioning the positions God has concerning us.
Their prayer was practical
As Paul surveyed the church in Thessalonica, he noted their various strengths. How would these strengths be maintained and developed? Paul’s answer is for the Thessalonians to increase in love for one another, and that love should be expressed for each one individually and corporately. Of course, if a person loves each member he will love the whole church, and it is impossible to love the whole church without loving all the members. In addition, they are to love those outside the congregation, and this love would include even their persecutors.
We should not be surprised that Paul focuses on love. After all, he has just mentioned two relationships that are dominated by love. The family of God is marked by love and the kingdom of Jesus is a domain of love. In fact, the whole Christian life is a world of love. Yet Paul was aware that it was possible for love of Christians to decrease, and if that happened to the Thessalonians they would cease to be a model church.
The presence of love is the guarantee of inward holiness. There is not such a creature as a holy person who does not love. The first aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is love, and without love, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13, we are unholy. What was the problem in Corinth? We can identify some of its consequences – party spirit, toleration of sinful practices, lack of respect for the Lord’s Supper, accepting false teachings about the resurrection, misuse of spiritual gifts. But what was the cause? Lack of love towards God and other Christians.
The presence of love is essential for effective evangelism. Jesus told his disciples that the world would know that they were his disciples by the strength of love they had for one another. We should note that he did not say they would know we were his disciples by how much we did for the world. Of course, Jesus expects us to do things for the world, but he is also saying that anything we do for them is ineffective if they cannot see that we love one another. I cannot witness for Jesus if I am out of love with another Christian in the congregation.
Paul wanted the Christians in Thessalonica to retain their love for one another because he knew the disaster that would occur if love declined. Inevitably they would descend into unholy behaviour and their evangelism would lose all credibility.
Their prayer was focused on the future
The work of sanctification in their hearts was to continue all life long. Paul, as he prayed for his friends in Thessalonica, looked ahead to the second coming of Jesus. Why does Paul do this?
First, there is a connection between our current spiritual state and our future spiritual state. Paul prayed that the Thessalonians would live a life of love in the present in order that they would be presented blameless by Jesus to his Father. While it is true that our sanctification does not merit heaven for us, it is also true that heaven is only for those who being sanctified, who are living lives of love.
Second, since this is the case, we must take this future appearance in God’s presence into every aspect of life now. Therefore we need to journey towards aware that it is coming and take each step in light of how our actions and attitudes will be judged.
Third, when Jesus returns, accompanied by the holy angels, his people will be made perfect. They will be blameless in the sight of God. Jesus will present them to his Father and say, ‘Behold I and the children which God has given me’ (Heb. 2:13). One day we will be established in holiness for ever. This is both a comfort for us and a challenge to us as we live lives of love day by day.
First, a church making progress is a great source of encouragement to other Christians, in this case a new church that brought spiritual comfort to those who founded it. A sad sight in the business world is a company that fails to develop despite the input of hard work by those who commenced it. Their energy and enthusiasm was not duplicated in others who joined the company. A similar scenario can happen with a church. It can have a good onset, but for various reasons fail to grow. Instead it can become stagnant and sometimes even disappear. Since news of growing churches brings encouragement, we should read about them.
Second, when a church makes progress, we should ensure that we give God all the glory. Paul and his colleagues were sort of frustrated in that they could not thank God enough for what he had done in the Thessalonians. Now Paul had shown in 2:1-11 that his team had behaved in a very devout way when they brought the gospel to the city. He was confident that no-one could accuse them of insincerity and indifference. Yet he does not credit the outcome to their dedicated service. Instead he stresses that all the glory must go to God. We live in a society in which gifted individuals are lauded, even idolised. This is true in the entertainment world obviously, but it also occurs in politics, business, sport and other areas. And there is a great danger that such an attitude will appear in the Christian church in which we can assume that gifted individuals are the answer to decline or the path to growth. I would suggest that the human component that gave success to Paul’s team was not their gifts, but their prayerfulness. It was not only what they did in the presence of the Thessalonians that mattered; in addition, we must note what they did in when they were away from the Thessalonians – they prayed earnestly. Ongoing prayer, marked by thanksgiving to God, is the mark of authentic leadership.
Third, when a church makes progress, the initial founders may find that they are not necessary for its ongoing development, especially regarding their physical presence. Paul and Silas had wanted desperately to return to Thessalonica, but had been prevented by various circumstances. Their desire was good, and indeed Paul expresses it again in 3:10. Yet God did not let them return at this time. Instead he sent them evidence that he could protect his own work without their help. Sometimes we see a similar situation in families. Perhaps one child grows up very quickly and shows great maturity at an early age; another child may take a lot longer, and a lot more parental input, before reaching that level of maturity. Some churches develop very quickly and when that happens, those who planted it should be prepared to leave it with God. This does not mean that God has no more work for them. It means that he wants them to work for him elsewhere.
Fourth, when a church is making progress, it does not mean that others should not offer intelligent prayer for it. It is important to remember that prayer is a crucial part of Christian service. And this is what we see Paul and his colleagues doing for the Thessalonians in 2:12-13. So what did intelligent prayer involve for Paul and his friends?
Their prayer was doctrinalIn verse 11 and verse 13, Paul clearly identifies God the Father and the Lord Jesus. But who is intended by the title ‘Lord’ in verse 12? It would be an unusual way of writing if Paul meant either the first person (the Father) and the second person (the Son), given that he uses additional descriptors of them in verses 11 and 13. So I would suggest that in verse 12 Paul refers to the Holy Spirit, although many commentators say Paul is referring to Jesus. As far as the outworking is concerned, the result is the same because it is by the Spirit that Jesus works. Nevertheless, it seems to me that Paul is referring to the Trinity.
Paul’s petitions are also expressed theologically. He mentions particular relationships – he addresses the first person as the Father and the second as the Lord. The two doctrines Paul has in mind are adoption and the pre-eminence of Jesus. Adoption describes the greatest privilege that God bestows on the sinners that he saves through his grace – they become members of his family, with a God-given right to all the privileges this status brings. The pre-eminence of Jesus is acknowledged when he is called Lord by Paul. Jesus received this position when he ascended to heaven and was exalted to the throne of God. This was not when he became God, but as the Mediator (the God-man) he took his human nature there.
What lessons can we learn from Paul in his use of doctrine in his prayers? First, using appropriate doctrines when praying to the Father and the Son is a way of reminding ourselves of who they are and how they can respond to our prayers. Prayer should involve thinking as we make our petitions. Second, the use of appropriate doctrines reveals that we are rejoicing in the relationships we have with these divine persons. Paul was glad that he was a member of God’s family and the exaltation of Jesus was wonderful in the sight of the apostle. Third, Paul was revealing to the Thessalonians a good way to pray. In prayer we should glorify God by highlighting his greatness. This is a challenge to those who engage in public prayer. Sometimes when listening to a prayer, I have been given more information about the individual’s relative than about the God who can help her with her problem. So I think, ‘She has a big problem for God to deal with.’ It would be better if I was led to think, ‘She has a big God to deal with her problem,’ and one way we do this is by mentioning the positions God has concerning us.
Their prayer was practical
As Paul surveyed the church in Thessalonica, he noted their various strengths. How would these strengths be maintained and developed? Paul’s answer is for the Thessalonians to increase in love for one another, and that love should be expressed for each one individually and corporately. Of course, if a person loves each member he will love the whole church, and it is impossible to love the whole church without loving all the members. In addition, they are to love those outside the congregation, and this love would include even their persecutors.
We should not be surprised that Paul focuses on love. After all, he has just mentioned two relationships that are dominated by love. The family of God is marked by love and the kingdom of Jesus is a domain of love. In fact, the whole Christian life is a world of love. Yet Paul was aware that it was possible for love of Christians to decrease, and if that happened to the Thessalonians they would cease to be a model church.
The presence of love is the guarantee of inward holiness. There is not such a creature as a holy person who does not love. The first aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is love, and without love, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13, we are unholy. What was the problem in Corinth? We can identify some of its consequences – party spirit, toleration of sinful practices, lack of respect for the Lord’s Supper, accepting false teachings about the resurrection, misuse of spiritual gifts. But what was the cause? Lack of love towards God and other Christians.
The presence of love is essential for effective evangelism. Jesus told his disciples that the world would know that they were his disciples by the strength of love they had for one another. We should note that he did not say they would know we were his disciples by how much we did for the world. Of course, Jesus expects us to do things for the world, but he is also saying that anything we do for them is ineffective if they cannot see that we love one another. I cannot witness for Jesus if I am out of love with another Christian in the congregation.
Paul wanted the Christians in Thessalonica to retain their love for one another because he knew the disaster that would occur if love declined. Inevitably they would descend into unholy behaviour and their evangelism would lose all credibility.
Their prayer was focused on the future
The work of sanctification in their hearts was to continue all life long. Paul, as he prayed for his friends in Thessalonica, looked ahead to the second coming of Jesus. Why does Paul do this?
First, there is a connection between our current spiritual state and our future spiritual state. Paul prayed that the Thessalonians would live a life of love in the present in order that they would be presented blameless by Jesus to his Father. While it is true that our sanctification does not merit heaven for us, it is also true that heaven is only for those who being sanctified, who are living lives of love.
Second, since this is the case, we must take this future appearance in God’s presence into every aspect of life now. Therefore we need to journey towards aware that it is coming and take each step in light of how our actions and attitudes will be judged.
Third, when Jesus returns, accompanied by the holy angels, his people will be made perfect. They will be blameless in the sight of God. Jesus will present them to his Father and say, ‘Behold I and the children which God has given me’ (Heb. 2:13). One day we will be established in holiness for ever. This is both a comfort for us and a challenge to us as we live lives of love day by day.
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