“Do You Need A Faith Lift?”
(1 Thessalonians 3)
Introduction:
In a “CNN/Money” online article dated April 19, 2004, Les Christie wrote:
Doctors performed 8.8 million (cosmetic surgery) procedures in 2003, a 33 percent spike from 2002, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Minimally invasive procedures, such as Botox and collagen injections, swelled 43 percent. More radical cosmetic surgical procedures, such as facelifts and rhinoplasty, increased as well, up five percent.
In all, Americans spent more than $8.3 billion last year on cosmetic surgery.[1]
An extreme makeover seems to be the solution of choice, not only for people who are not satisfied with some aspect of their appearance, but that seems to be the solution of choice for churches that are struggling numerically and financially and spiritually. The reasoning is that if we can change some of the superficial elements of our churches, we will become more attractive to the world. Statistically, it does seem to be working, but what the church really needs today is not a facelift. We need a faith lift!
Warren Wiersbe divides the book of 1 Thessalonians into two sections. In chapter 1 thru 3, Paul is Remembering. Then in chapter 4 and chapter 5, Paul is Exhorting.
In our study of this book, we have realized that Paul Is Remembering The Founding Of The Church At Thessalonica in chapter 1. In chapter 2, Paul Is Remembering The Feeding And Fostering Of The Church At Thessalonica, as he said in verses 7 and 8, “we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”
In chapter 3, Paul Is Remembering The Faith Of The Church At Thessalonica. Five times in this chapter, in verses 2,5,6,7, and 10, he mentions their “faith,” and what he says is just as relevant to our faith.
I. Paul Talks About The Tempting Of Our Faithvs. 1-5
Paul closed chapter 2 by talking about his desire to see the believers of Thessalonica again. The “wherefore” of verse 1 of chapter 3 is the continuation of that thought. He indicates that he couldn’t stand it any longer; he had to know how they were doing spiritually, for he says in verse 1 and 5 that he “could no longer forbear.” This word “forbear” means to roof over, to cover with silence, to endure patiently. He couldn’t stay in the house of not knowing anymore. He couldn’t cover his concerns with silence any longer. His patience had run out, and he just had to send Timotheus “to know your faith” (vs. 5). He had to know that they were established in the faith, because he realized that ...
A. The Tempter Wants To Weaken Us In Our Faith
1. We Are Apt To Become Doubtful
(1 Thessalonians 3:2) 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:
This word “establish” is the Greek word sterizo, and it means to set fast, to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or to confirm. It is translated in other places in the New Testament as “stablish” (vs. 13), “stedfastly set,” or “strengthen.”
Illustrate: Having doubts about the motel reservations for visiting preachers and called to confirm.
2. We Are Apt To Become Distant
(1 Thessalonians 3:2) 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:
This word “comfort” is the Greek word parakaleo, and it means to call near, to invite, or to invoke by imploration or consolation. It is translated in other places in the New Testament as “beseech,” “call for,” “desire,” “exhort,” and “intreat.”
Illustrate: When a relationship is weakened, you tend to draw away from that person. That’s how the relationship of faith can be, and God wants us to “draw me nearer, nearer Blessed Lord!”
B. The Tempter Wants To Wag Us In Our Faith
1. We Need To Understand The Shaking Effect Of Afflictions
(1 Thessalonians 3:3) That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
This word “moved” is the Greek word saino, and it means to shake or wag as a dog wags its tail fawningly. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says that it also means to move the mind of someone, to agitate, disturb, or trouble.
2. We Need To Understand The Sure Experience Of Afflictions
(1 Thessalonians 3:3-4) 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.
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(John 16:1-4) These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. {2} They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. {3} And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. {4} But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
C. The Tempter Wants To Wound Us In Our Faith
1. Paul Points Out That Because Of Temptation, Our Life Can Become Vulnerable
(1 Thessalonians 3:5) 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.
This word “tempted” is the Greek word peirazo, and it has the idea of testing someone maliciously, or trying and testing one’s faith, virtue, or character by an enticement to sin. It is used to of the temptations of the devil. Another interesting aspect of this word is that it is derived from a word that has the idea of piercing or wounding. It is as if the temptation pierces the vulnerable area of our life. As F. W. Robertson pointed out, “There is a deep truth contained in the fabled story of old, where a mother, wishing to render her son (Achilles) invulnerable, plunged him into the (river) Styx, but forgot to dip in his heel, by which she held him.” He said, “Let us remember that trials will assail our most vulnerable part, be it the head, or heart, or heel.”[2]
2. Paul Points Out That Because Of Temptation, Our Labour Can Become Vain
(1 Thessalonians 3:5) 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.
As Albert Barnes said, “By your being turned from the faith.”
Matthew Henry said, “Thus it would have been, if the tempter had tempted them, and prevailed against them, to move them from the faith. They would have lost what they had wrought, and the apostle would have lost what he laboured for.”
II. Paul Talks About The Tidings Of Our Faithvs. 6-9
A. The Good Tidings Of Faith Brings About A Remembering
1. This Report Made Paul Mindful Of A Consistent Fondness
(1 Thessalonians 3:6) 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:
2. This Report Made Paul Mindful Of A Correlating Fondness
(1 Thessalonians 3:6) 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:
It goes both ways.
B. The Good Tidings Of Faith Brings About A Recovering
1. Paul Is Spiritually Triumphant Because Of Their Persuasion
(1 Thessalonians 3:7) Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
Paul said he was in affliction, which means that he was in anguish, burdened, in persecution, tribulation, and trouble. He further said that he was in distress, which has the idea of the circumstances of life putting him into an intense arm lock. In spite of all this, though, he is “comforted” by the report of the Thessalonians’ faith.
2. Paul Is Spiritually Thriving Because Of Their Perseverance
(1 Thessalonians 3:8) For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, this word “live” is in the sense of living and thriving.
The phrase “stand fast” is a single Greek word that means to be stationary or to persevere.
C. The Good Tidings Of Faith Brings About A Rejoicing
1. It Has Brought Gratefulness
(1 Thessalonians 3:9) For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
2. It Has Brought Gladness
This word “joy” in verse 9 means cheerfulness or calm delight. It also has the idea of gladness.
III. Paul Talks About The Turning Of Our Faithvs. 10-13
(1 Thessalonians 3:13) 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.
This word “stablish” is the same word that we discovered earlier in verse 2 (establish), and it is the Greek word sterizo. It means to set fast, to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or to confirm.
In these last few verses, Paul mentions the fact that the Lord wants to resolutely turn our faith in a certain direction.
A. Paul Talked About A Faith That Is Turning Towards Completion
1. He Deeply Desired A Meeting With Them
(1 Thessalonians 3:10) Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
2. He Deeply Desired A Maturing In Them
(1 Thessalonians 3:10) Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Paul longed to see them again; he longed to minister to them and help bring their faith to maturity. The word translated “perfect” has the meaning of “adjust, equip, furnish.” It is even used for the mending of nets (Mark 1:19). Our faith never reaches perfection; there is always need for adjustment and growth. We go “from faith to faith” (Rom. 1:17).
(Warren Wiersbe)
This seems to have been the sentiment of Jude who said ...
(Jude 1:20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
(Luke 17:5) And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Even the Thessalonians in some things needed improvement (Luke 17:5). Their doctrinal views as to the nearness of Christ’s coming, and the state of those asleep, and their practice in some points needed correction (1 Thessalonians 4:1-9). Paul’s method was to begin by commending what was praiseworthy, then to correct what was amiss: a good pattern to all admonishers. (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
B. Paul Talked About A Faith That Is Turning Towards Compassion
1. Notice The Desire Of Faith’s Compassion
(1 Thessalonians 3:11) Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
It wants to be with God’s people.
2. Notice The Dimensions Of Faith’s Compassion
(1 Thessalonians 3:12) And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
“Increase” or enlarge has a comparative force: “abound” a superlative force (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown)
God wants us to have a love that is increasing and getting bigger in size than it was, and a love that is abounding and going beyond in scope from where it was.
C. Paul Talked About A Faith That Is Turning Towards Consecration
1. This Consecration Alters The Flow Of Our Hearts
(1 Thessalonians 3:13) 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.
Jesus said ...
(Matthew 15:19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
2. This Consecration Anticipates The Future Of Our Holiness
(1 Thessalonians 3:13) 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.
Conclusion:Until I began to study for this message, I had just assumed that the two terms were synonymous, but technically speaking there is a difference between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, “Plastic surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Cosmetic surgery is elective and meant to enhance one’s appearance (while) plastic surgery is necessary and reconstructive in nature.”
In the realm of Christianity, we seem to be seeking after some external, cosmetic enhancement, but what we need is the reconstructive operation of faith that deals with the birth defect of sin. We need a faith lift!
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[2] From The Biblical Illustrator