Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 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.
Main Point: Love serves sacrificially, not verbally. Don't just SAY you care, do something to SHOW you care.
· Lesson Love serves sacrificially. We learn of Paul's deep concern for the believers in Thessalonica in that he could not take it any longer (when we could no longer forbear) knowing that there were suffering, persecuted believers in Thessalonica in need. His love was displayed through sending faithful Timothy to minister to them and comfort them. Timothy was a comfort to many - Paul, especially. For Paul to make this decision was indeed a sacrifice. Paul's love was shown practically, not just prayerfully. The lesson - love serves sacrificially.
Paul's concern was not just for their physical well-being, either. Verse five indicates that there was a great deal of concern for their spiritual well-being; Paul did not want their faith to fail under the pressure of the persecution. His enduring persecution to preach the gospel to them would have been pointless had they turned from the faith. Paul, through his own enduring persecutions, knew the power they had to discourage and dissuade.
Devotional:
Many believers will tell you they love you, that they pray for you, and they leave you in your troubles, offering no relief or giving no comfort. Jesus Christ said, "If a man comes to your door hungry, feed him; cold, clothe him. Don't just tell him to be full or warm and be on his way" (paraphrase mine). James puts it this way, "Faith without works is dead."
As a pastor, I can attest to the desire to know that the faith of those I have led to faith, and to know they are pressing on, growing, and serving our Savior. Those I have given my heart and my all for, that they might better know the Lord and His grace are on my mind many times a day. I think of my time here in Iraq, always wanting the believers in my church to grow in Christ and not let the cares of this world press them out of service. I think of my former church members, wondering often of their lives, knowing I have committed them to Christ and another pastor; yet still yearning to know of their faith and love.
Can you say that when you know of the hurts of others, you are able to do more than merely pray for them? Will you give something of yourself to alleviate their hardships and prove your words with actions that speak of your love? Sometimes failing to do that empties your words of their meaning. Today, think of someone who needs encouragement in Christ and help them in some tangible way; lest their faith in the intangible Savior begin to wane.
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