Enduring In Faith And Hope

As parents, we pour into our children so that they can grow and thrive.  The Bible tells us to train them up so that when they are older they will not depart from what you have taught them.  The greatest teaching we can give them to thrive in a hostile world, is a reverence and love for God and His word.  In 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, Paul had earlier been forced to flee from Thessaloniki after establishing a church there.  He knew that the Thessalonian Christians were enduring harsh Roman persecution because of their faith.  And although separated from them, Paul was anxious to find out if they were yet holding on to their faith.  I pray that even in the depths of your trials that you will seek God’s goodness in faith, holding on to the hope that we have in Jesus.  Amen

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.  (1 Thess. 2:13-16) Paul lovingly writes to the church in Thessaloniki, thanking God for the way they had wholeheartedly accepted the word of God.  He pointed out that the persecution that the Thessalonians were experiencing from gentiles (Romans) put them in good company with Jesus, who was persecuted and sent to the cross by Jews.  They also had persecution in common with what Paul and the church in Judea encountered from their own people (Jews).  

But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.  (1 Thess. 2:17-20) So close did Paul consider his relationship with the Thessalonian Christians, that he likened his separation from them to being orphaned (i.e. being without his family). Because of the intense persecution there, Paul had been forced to flee Thessaloniki and to stay separated from them for some time.  Paul was concerned that they might not want to see him because of this separation, but he was clear about his desire to see them.  He considered them to be his crown of glory in his service to the Lord.  

So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. (1 Thess. 3:1-5) Although Paul thought it best not come to them himself, (so as to avoid creating more unrest and persecution), he sent Timothy to them, his trusted son in the ministry.  He was anxious to know how the Thessalonians were holding up under persecution from the Roman Empire and to know whether they had endured to hold on to their faith. 

Paul was anxious to know if the Thessalonians believers had held on to their faith in the face of persecution from the powerful Roman Empire.  He had poured into them with the gospel of Jesus Christ and he wanted confirmation that they had not “departed from it”.  When you read further into this letter, you see that what Timothy found there was a church full of committed Christians.  They were yet holding on to their faith and continuing to grow in it!  

What trial are you facing?  Has it caused you to drift away from God, or to run to God and deepen your faith?  What has been poured into you through preaching, teaching, worship and prayer?  Are you holding on to that inpouring with a faith and hope in Jesus to see you through your trial?  Then we will hear the Lord say, “Well done my faithful servant.  You have endured your trials in faith and hope….  Now see the blessings I have in store for you!”

Blessings, Rev. Glenn