CHRISTIAN JOY

August 25, 2020

 

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6.

 

  1. Praying from: I Thessalonians Chapter 3

 

TIMOTHY SENT TO COMFORT THE CHURCH

“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2     And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

3     That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4     For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

5     For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

TIMOTHY’S ENCOURAGING REPORT

        6     But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

7     Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8     For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

9     For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

PRAYER FOR THE CHURH

10     Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11     Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12     And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

13     To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

 

 

  1. THE STRENGTH—vv. 1–5

TIMOTHY SENT TO COMFORT THE CHURCH

  1. The stay—v. 1. Paul stayed in Athens.
  2. The strength—vv. 2–3.
  3. a) Purpose—Send Timothy to help the people.
  4. b) Power—Timothy sent to establish the people.
  5. c) Praying—Timothy would comfort the people.
  6. d) Problem—Timothy to help people with problems.
  7. The suffering—v. 4. All true Christians must face suffering for the Lord.
  8. The sympathy—v. 5. Timothy sent to help the people.
  9. a) Testing—Test their faith. (b) Temper—See if they have overcome Satan. (c) Trouble—If living in sin, then all their work was vain for the Lord.
  10. THE SUFFERING—vv. 6–10

TIMOTHY’S ENCOURAGING REPORT

  1. Delight—v. 6. Paul was happy with Timothy’s report. There is joy in seeing people accept Christ.
  2. Distress—v. 7. Despite sufferings, persecution and problems, the Christians remained true to God. Ten of the disciples were martyrs. Judas denied Christ, and John died of old age on the isle of Patmos.
  3. Determination—v. 8. Since the Christians were suffering, it was easy for Paul to suffer too.
  4. Desire—v. 9. Paul desires that the people praise and thank the Lord, and stand with him in prayer.

PRAYER FOR THE CHURH

  1. Dedication—v. 10. Paul prayed night and day for the people and their faith in God.

III. THE SANCTIFICATION—vv. 11–13

  1. Sent—v. 11. Paul longs to have God send him to Thessalonica. God sends man to do His work.
  2. Stablished—v. 12. Paul longs for spiritual growth in the lives of the Christians.
  3. Sanctified—v. 13. God wants us to be holy. Jesus taught that we should be perfect.

 

  1. THE AMEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20         “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

16:24         “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

16:27         “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”