Concern for Christians

 Concern for Christians 

1 Thessalonians 3

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were concerned for the believers in Thessalonica. Before writing this letter called 1 Thessalonians, they visited Thessalonica for the first time and shared the gospel. Many believed, putting their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and deliverance from sin. 

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were chased out of Thessalonica, and the believers there were left on their own. Paul and his companions knew of the persecution, testing by Satan, and temptations the Thessalonians were facing. These three men wanted to visit Thessalonica and encourage the believers, but could not. Several times in this section of the letter, they express how greatly they desired to go to Thessalonica. Their concern for the Thessalonians was very great indeed, so much so that in 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 they tell us:

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

Notice the great concern expressed by these words. Connect these words with those expressed in verse 5.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 (NKJV) For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Twice, the letter says, “When we could no longer endure it.” They cared very deeply for the Thessalonians. It is surprising to see how anxious the great apostle is! This shows us another side of the Apostle Paul. In another place, he says:

2 Corinthians 11:28-29 (NKJV) 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

Paul’s concern for the churches where he had been was one of his biggest burdens. He really cared! We see this concern reflected in the decision to send Timothy.

1 Thessalonians 3:6 picks up with Timothy's return. The language changes from concern to rejoicing. As we look at these verses, we see two concerns that the Apostle and his companions had, and when they saw these two things, they rejoiced greatly.

Their first concern was that Christians stand fast in the Lord.

We see this expressed in verses 7-8.

1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (NKJV) 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Notice they say, “We were comforted concerning you by your faith.” Therefore, their concern had to do with their faith. They follow this with “For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” They cared so much that their lives were at stake. Most parents know what this feels like. There is nothing scarier than the thought of losing a child. That is how these men felt. They say, “If you stand fast in the Lord.” They were okay only if the believers stood fast in the Lord.

What does it mean to “Stand fast in the Lord?”

In Psalm 1, the Psalmist says that the person who meditates on the word of God day and night will be like a tree planted by rivers of water. Let’s think of that tree. When the wind blows, lightning flashes, and thunder roars, the branches sway and bend, but the tree stands firm because its roots are sunk deep in the soil, which is the word of God. Standing firm is like that tree. The storms, the temptations, persecutions, and testing only serve to strengthen our grip on our foundation. Jesus used the example of building a house on a rock.

In addition to standing firm, Paul, Silas, and Timothy expressed their concern that Christians “increase and abound in love to one another and to all.” We see this in verses 12-13.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NKJV) 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we [do] to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Let’s compare the prayer that the Thessalonians increase and abound in love to Jesus’s teaching that the greatest commandments are to love God with heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. He tells us that all the teachings of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. 

To grow in love, we need the prayer that the Lord makes us to increase and abound. One thing we can do is practice self-control and purpose to treat others as well as we treat ourselves. This is an act of the will, including how we think of others. This does not mean we let people do whatever they want. Our conscience does not permit us to do whatever we want. It does mean that we treat others respectfully, even when confronting them with their sins against us. Another crucial component of growing in love is meditating on the word of God, especially our salvation, God’s love, and what He has done for us. 1 John tells us that we love God because He first loved us. Focusing on our salvation and God’s love is also how we forgive our neighbors. We are to forgive others because God forgives us.

Are we doing all we can to stand firm and grow in love?

Unshakable

1 Thessalonians 2:14-3:5

Jesus changes lives. The Thessalonian believers were evidence of this. In Chapter 1, verse 8, they turned from idols to serve the living and true God. In Chapter 2, verse 14, they became imitators of the churches of God in Judea.

The Thessalonians were transformed by God’s word. We see this in chapter 2, verse 13, where it says, “You welcomed it...as the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.”

Having been transformed by Jesus and the word of God, the Thessalonians soon found that some people did not like the change. They experienced opposition. The believers were opposed in every way, legally and physically. Their detractors resorted to physical violence and the destruction of property.

The big offence that caused the violence was that they spoke the truth. Their opposition characterized the Christians as liars and called the truth lies. This very conflict has been going on since Cain and Abel. Abel did what was right, and Cain did what was wrong. When God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but rejected Cain’s, Cain was angry and killed Abel. 1 John 3:12-13 tells us:

1 John 3:12-13 (NKJV) 12 not as Cain [who] was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

Jesus told us that in the world we will have tribulation. 

Opposition and resistance do not mean you are wrong, and they do not mean you are right, either. In any case, opposition is to be expected. It will come. Paul’s comments show that the Thessalonians were tested in three ways.

The first way the Thessalonians were tested was the hatred of their own countrymen.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 says:

1 Thessalonians 2:14 (NKJV) For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they [did] from the Judeans,

They suffered the same thing as the Judean believers, so let's ask what that suffering was.

1 Thessalonians 2:15 (NKJV) who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,

They killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. They did this because “They do not please God and are contrary to all men.”

As one reads the Bible, one will discover two things. Many people are angry at God and contrary to others. The Bible teaches us that our flesh is hostile toward God. Rather than being reconciled to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, some choose to live as enemies of God. This attitude exists all around us. We see it in the many ways people defy God. Their attitude is seen in Psalms 2.

Psalm 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, [saying,] 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”

Do you see how they rage against God?

In like manner, many are like Cain, who murdered his brother because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Sometimes there is no way to keep from being persecuted, and sometimes believers die. God does not stop every bullet or every violent attack. Therefore, the Scriptures tell us to be strong and courageous. We must support and encourage each other. The Thessalonians were imitating the Judean churches, many of whom had been chased out of homes in Judea. Paul, Silas, and Timothy’s main reason for wanting to visit the Thessalonians was to encourage them so that their faith would remain unshakable despite their intense suffering.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were anxious to return to Thessalonica to encourage the believers with the word of God as they faced this violent opposition. But they found their road blocked by another way that tested the Thessalonians. 

The second way that the Thessalonians were tested was by Satan.

In verse 18, they say:

1 Thessalonians 2:18 (NKJV) Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us.

Satan was able to keep the Apostle and his companions from encouraging the Thessalonian believers.

Satan’s opposition is real, and it is a danger to all believers. The Apostle Peter warned us:

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Along with warning us that the devil is like a roaring lion, Peter tells us what we must do. We must resist the devil (one might say “just say no!”) and we must stand firm in the faith. As encouragement, we can see that many are successfully resisting him. But notice it says “the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood.” All believers experience this opposition. We must recognize that in every trial we face, the devil will be there telling us things like, “Just give up!” “What’s the use?” “God has no use for you.” “God is not involved in your life.” “God is persecuting you.” And, it goes on and on. We must resist him like Jesus did. We must turn to the word of God to find answers to these insidious lies.

Finally, there is a third way the Thessalonians were tested.

The third way the Thessalonians were tested was temptation.

We see this in 1 Thessalonians 3:5.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 (NKJV) For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

The devil is involved in both this and the second matter. 

There are temptations to seek power, or riches, or pleasure. Our flesh has enough desires that the devil does not have to work hard to dangle something attractive in front of us. Add to the attraction of these things the suffering and hardship of tribulations, and the temptations become even more appealing. The question for us today is, “How can we keep from falling into these temptations?”

We see the answer in 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NKJV) 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

Paul and Silas sent Timothy to encourage them so they would not be shaken concerning their faith. For our faith to be unshakeable, we must encourage one another and build each other up. As much as Scripture can build our faith, we cannot be unshakeable without other believers. The Scriptures are clear that we are not to quit gathering together as a body of believers. The words I just gave you about encouraging each other are taken directly from the same letter we are looking at today. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

The Thessalonians were tested in three ways: 

1. Their countrymen

2. Satan

3. The Tempter

We all face these same tests. Today, we have examined practical tools to help us overcome them. We see that we must encourage and support each other and stay grounded in the word of God. 

We must realize that we are in a spiritual battle. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, but spiritual beings. Therefore, the weapons of our warfare are spiritual; mainly prayer, the word of God, and worship. Ephesians 6 speaks of these things in terms of spiritual armor, but prayer, the word of God, and worship sum up the armor. The only other addition is that a soldier does not stand alone, but is part of an army. We must encourage each other and build each other up. As we use our spiritual armor, we come to understand that it is God who keeps us, and we can say with the Psalmist:

Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

I Sought the Lord

Psalm 34

When David wrote Psalm 34, he was hiding from Saul, the king of Israel. Saul had grown unstable and repeatedly tried to kill David. The most recent attempt came while David was playing music to soothe him. Without warning, Saul hurled a spear at David, aiming to pin him to the wall. Scripture doesn’t tell us how, but somehow David dodged the attack and escaped with his life.

Anxious and desperate, David made the fateful choice to leave Israel and seek refuge among the Philistines. But remember—David was famous for killing Philistines. After he struck down Goliath, he became a celebrated commander, and his victories over the Philistines were legendary. Saul’s jealousy burned hottest because David’s military successes far outshone his own.

Here we should pause. Scripture never glorifies the killing of people, but it does acknowledge that governments are established to restrain evil. In that role, they wield the sword. Soldiers who serve their government in the line of duty are not condemned by Scripture—they are honored for fulfilling their calling.

Back to David. Imagine the irony: the man who had killed thousands of Philistines now fled for safety into Philistia itself. What could possibly go wrong? Let’s read what happened:

1 Samuel 21:10–15 (NKJV) 10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” 12 Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? 15 Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

David barely escaped with his life. Through this humiliating episode, he was learning to rely on God. By nature, David was a man of action, a gifted leader who got things done. But in his own wisdom, he miscalculated. Out of that experience, however, came Psalm 34, where we see the lesson David learned:

Psalm 34:1–6 (NKJV) 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.

This is such rich truth! Look especially at verse 2: “My soul shall make its boast in the LORD!” Imagine living in that place—boasting only in the Lord. David echoes this again in Psalm 18:

Psalm 18:2–3 (NKJV) 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Now, focus on one phrase from Psalm 34:4: “I sought the LORD, and He heard me.”

• “Sought” here means not to search for something lost, but to inquire, to ask.
• “Heard” means to pay attention, to respond.

Paul declares this same truth in Romans 10:13: “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

David learned this the hard way. The first time he fled to Philistia, he went in his own strength and nearly lost his life. The second time, years later, he asked the Lord first. And that time, the king welcomed him. David had learned the lesson: always call on the Lord. We must learn the same.

When the disciples were troubled by Jesus’ words about leaving them, He said:

John 14:1 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”

My own heart has been troubled over the murder of Charlie Kirk, an unspeakable evil. Yet even now we must remember: God is in control.

Jesus Himself was murdered, willingly, for our salvation. All the apostles but John were martyred because they refused to stop speaking the truth. Through the centuries, countless others have laid down their lives for the same cause. Our calling is no different: to speak the truth and proclaim the gospel until Christ returns.

Notice this: the apostles never called for violent resistance. They called people to repent and turn to Christ. That message transformed the world. But when the church seized political power, it often committed terrible atrocities. That is why, since the Reformation, the true church has stood for freedom of conscience.

Charlie Kirk carried that same spirit. From what I have heard of him, his message was clear:

1. The gospel—salvation is found in Christ alone.
2. Truth—he spoke plainly about politics, policy, and culture.
3. Openness—he invited honest conversation with anyone.

Because of this, he influenced millions, persuading countless young people to turn away from the lies of our age and toward Christ. Charlie knew the risks—he had spoken openly of death threats—yet he willingly laid down his life for truth. His call was never to violence, but to Jesus.

And our call is the same. We are ambassadors for Christ, pleading with the world to be reconciled to God.

Our government exists to preserve order, justice, and defense. That is its domain—not the church’s. Our calling, as Christian citizens, is to stand for truth, and that truth is found in the Word of God. Jesus Christ is the way, the life, and the truth.