Paul has some great advice here on the purpose of life on earth and the ultimate destination for the believer. Paul receives encouraging news from Timothy about the Thessalonians, this lifts Paul’s spirit. Be encouraged!
1 Thessalonians 3:
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's co-worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labour would be in vain.
Timothy's Encouraging Report
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you---
7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.
8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,
12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 4: A Life Pleasing to God
1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honour,
5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,
10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
The Coming of the Lord
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Things to think about…
1. Let’s be honest, none of us appreciate suffering. Paul is concerned that the suffering the Thessalonian’s were enduring would cause them to stumble spiritually, 1 Thess 3:1-5. How would you cope if you were to suffer more than you presently do for your faith? Paul says that “For you yourselves know that we are destined for this”, vs 3. Following Christ means suffering is part and parcel of our faith. Anyone who teaches otherwise is denying a central tenant of the Christian faith.
2. There is a purpose in suffering. Look at the fruit of the suffering of the Thessalonians, 1 Thess 3:6-13. It brings them and Paul comfort and joy, knowing they are standing fast in their faith, vss 7-9, that they are supplied what they are lacking in faith, vs 10, that they may “increase and abound in love for one another “, vs 12 and that the Lord Jesus may establish their hearts “blameless in holiness before our God and Father”, vs 13. Suffering because of the native state of rebellion in our hearts allows us to be refined into the image of our Saviour. In our western world we tend to shun suffering. But the Lord uses it. What trials in your life have been used to make you more like Christ? How have they blessed other Christians as a result?
3. You want to know what God’s will is for your life? Sanctification, 1 Thess 4:3. It is that you conform more to the image of Christ and become more holy because He is holy, vs 7. Unfortunately, we don’t tend to hear this too much in modern pulpits either. I hear a lot of podcasts as part of my personal development. Unfortunately, it is not a common theme with today’s preaching. If we disregard holiness however, Paul says we are disregarding God the Holy Spirit, vs 8. Look at how godly sanctification expresses itself, vss 9,10; that we love one another and that this love continues to grow. I praise God for the love we have at CBC. When we see it being eroded at any point through destructive words or actions, we are all called to hold people to account.
4. I think Paul’s instruction to “aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands”, 1 Thess 4:11 is something we need to go back to. Unfortunately we live in a culture of self-aggrandizement and exaltation. I am fearful that Gen Z and Gen A have been marinated in the sauce of self-indulgence and narcissism. One from which we are about to pay for culturally, financially and even militarily in the future. A nation that has strong morals, values and a gospel minded work ethic prospers. This was seen after the reformation in the 1500’s by the countries that embraced the gospel of grace. They were blessed as a result of the “Protestant work ethic”. Unfortunately, we are so far removed from the core tenants of what drove the culture back then that it is in fact time for another reformation and gospel revolution to save the west from moral, financial and defensive decay.
5. What a blessing the second coming of Christ will be for the church, 1 Thess 4:13-18. The Thessalonians were unsure about the state of those who had died. We know there is life after this life. Paul exhorts us to encourage each other with this truth, vs 18. We know after the resurrection of Jesus that Matthew tells us that many saints who had passed were seen by many raised again after coming out their tombs, Mt 27:52, 53. At the return of Jesus some will be taken, and others left, as Jesus tells us, two will be in a field, one will be taken and the other left, Mt 24:40. Encourage someone today about Christ’s return and to be prepared as a result.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson group Wednesday night 6:30pm. Off this week so that everyone gathers tonight for the combined prayer night. Starts at 7pm.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group looking at “what is a cult” this Sunday.
Prayer Points
1. Combined prayer/praise meeting at CBC tonight night, 7:00pm.
2. Land slide in New Guinea that has claimed around 1000 lives. May God have mercy in the recovery efforts.
3. Keep praying for Anna and the Playgroup, pray for more families to be reached.
4. Conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
5. Church finances to cover all expenses. Budget presently not being met.
6. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
7. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Wednesday afternoons, 5:00pm in the church cafe. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
8. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
9. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Great meeting yesterday with new comers – give thanks
2. Tad’s health getting better all the time.
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Playgroup 9:30-11am on Friday.
2. Combined church prayer meeting Tuesday 4th June 7pm at Chuwar Baptist Church.
3. Special Members meeting 30th June after the service.
4. Young Adults study after church on Sunday – “What is a cult?”.
5. Wednesday evening prayer at church 5:30-6pm
6. Life Groups Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
7. Kids@Church every Sunday.
8. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
9. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for June...
Q. 21. In what condition did God make Adam and Eve? A. He made them holy and happy.
Bible References – Gen.1:26-28; Ps.8:4-8.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
