Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8 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.
Main Point: Give good ministers good news: tell them how your faith has grown, and how much you appreciate them, personally.
· Lesson Two pieces of News are important to a Christian separated from those whom he loves and has ministered to: 1. News of their faith and love. 2. News of their affection for the minister.
The news from Thessalonica was doubly good. The believers there were steadfast, growing in faith and love in spite of great persecution and hardship. The cares of the world could have sidetracked their spiritual development, overshadowed their relationship with Christ, planted the seeds of bitterness and self-preservation in their hearts. Every pastor who leaves his people wants to hear that they are not suffering spiritually in his absence, but that they are pressing on, no matter what. The believers there also yearned for Paul and his companions to return; they loved him. They could have grown resentful to him for convincing them of this "Christianity" thing that brought so much misery to their life from public ridicule, rejection, and outright persecution. The price they had to pay for faith was high indeed, but they loved Paul anyway for sharing the gospel with them, for loving them, and for teaching them of the Lord.
The possibility of death existed for Paul around every corner. The believers he ministered to were how he lived: that is, should he die, the core of his being (his faith in Christ Jesus) lived on in the faith of those who believed, too, because of his testimony, teaching, and tutelage. Parents whose children, raised to believe and obey the Bible, grow up and continue in the faith in spite of great obstacles and objections from society are indeed a way for parents to live on beyond their natural years - and such parents are truly "comforted over [them]… by [their] faith." Likewise, the pastor is comforted by the faith of his flock when he must leave them, yet they stand fast in the Lord.
Devotional: God has truly helped me to see and understand this passage in a very personal way. I am a pastor, but I was recalled to active duty after 8 years in the pulpit for a tour in Iraq. I ministered 5 years in one church, then moved to my current church in the Ozarks. My year in Iraq will constitute my 9th year of ministry - and I have experienced the burning desire Paul expresses here to know of the congregation's spiritual well-being and that they love him and want to see him. I have that same desire - to know my congregations are growing spiritually, and want to see me.
My time here in Iraq has made this doubly important, especially for the flock in the Ozarks. I yearn to hear that they are growing in faith and love. I yearn to hear that they want to see me and get back to the Word of God again when I return. Long periods of no news have given rise to many fears, causing me to turn to the Lord in faith. When news came, it was not always as glowing as was Paul's news of the believers in Thessalonica. This has given rise to questions regarding my ministry effectiveness. My ministry has, as a result, has been given a great deal to prayer, Bible Study, and I have sought counsel and comfort from others in ministry. God has been gracious, and His Spirit has comforted my soul, enlivened my spirit, and given me hope for the future.
If there was something I would encourage all believers everywhere to do, it would be to 1. Stand fast in the faith for the sake of those who ministered to you and for the glory of the Lord who gave you eternal life; and 2. Send word of your love to those who have ministered to you, lest they be discouraged. Include a testimony of the work of God in your life so they know their ministry is not in vain.
Holler for Jesus,
Greg Yount
Check out my blogs:
Just-a-Thot - Devotional thoughts - http://justa-thot.blogspot.com
As I See It - Biblical perspectives on current events - http://asiseeit10.blogspot.com
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Pastor Greg