STANDING TOGETHER
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
|
THESIS: A
source of joy and satisfaction for a believer is to see others standing firm
in their commitment to live for the glory of the Lord. |
LIVING BEYOND OURSELVES...
I. ENGAGES OUR MOST EARNEST AFFECTIONS
--Love grows for others when we stop focusing on
ourselves and allow our affections to be released, channeled where they most
need to go.
--All through this chapter, Paul gives us clues
about the depth of his affection for his brothers and sisters.
...could endure
it no longer (3:1)
...could endure
it no longer (3:5)
...longing to
see us just as we also long to see you (3:6)
...keep praying
most earnestly that we may see your face (3:10)
...increase and
abound in love...just as we also do for you (3:12)
--If we are so in love with ourselves that we do not
care about their inconvenience, their hardships, their sacrifices, as long we
get what we want, we will never experience the fullness of love as Christ
intends for it to be expressed.
II. MINIMIZES OUR MOST TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES
--When I am more concerned about you than about me,
I may not even notice my difficulties as I seek to care for you.
--Paul wants them to know that even though he was
going through afflictions, his primary concern was for their welfare and for
their spiritual well-being.
...no man may
be disturbed by these afflictions (3:3)
...kept
telling...going to suffer afflictions (3:4)
...in all our
distress and affliction we were comforted (3:7)
III. STIMULATES OUR MOST INTENSE JOY
--Once I “get it” and begin to live my life as one
who has been crucified with Christ, one who has nothing to protect, no ego to
stroke, no prima donna to pamper, I can finally let go and rejoice in the good
that comes to others.
--That was what drove Paul’s joy to the highest
heights, knowing that others were abounding, standing firm, growing in Christ.
...for all the
joy with which we rejoice before our God (3:9)
--How many do you know who would be jealous,
resentful, find fault, criticize, rather than rejoice when others enjoy God’s
goodness?
Our greatest joys arise not from our own good pleasures but
in seeing the good pleasure of God in the blessing of others of His children!
IV. MOTIVATES OUR MOST FERVENT PRAYING
--When we understand the value of living beyond the
limits of our own desires and aspirations, looking beyond the range of our own
experiences and circumstances, we will find a new vitality and clarity to our
prayer lives.
--Listen to the things for which Paul prays in this
passage:
...may see your face (3:10)
...may direct our way to you
(3:11)
...may cause you to increase
and abound in love (3:12)
...may establish your hearts
unblamable in holiness (3:13)
--Praying that focuses only on ourselves soon
becomes dry and dull whereas prayer that incorporates the concerns of the
broader issues and citizens of God’s kingdom blossoms with renewed enthusiasm
and fervor.
V. EMPHASIZES OUR MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES
--What really matters? Is it not your faith?
Then should I not have that as one of the highest priorities of my life,
to find joy and encouragement and strength in seeing you grow in your faith?
...strengthen
and encourage you as to your faith
(3:2)
...good news
about your faith and love (3:6)
...sent to find
out about your faith (3:5)
...comforted
about you through your faith (3:7)
...may complete
what is lacking in your faith (3:10)
--What we want to know, when we get to the place of
living beyond ourselves, is how your faith is progressing, and whether or not
you are standing firm in Christ.
--I believe that you will find that it is true that
if you only focus on the development of your own faith and have no genuine
interest in the growing faith of others you will experience a severe limiting
of your own spiritual growth.
--God did not call us to individualistic faith, but
to take our place in His family, His kingdom, and invest our lives in matters
of the highest order...seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness!
Will you live beyond
yourself? Then you must first live only
for Christ and see His world as He does, serve His people as He did, and seek
His kingdom as He desires. We want to
make a difference by devoting ourselves to live for Christ as those who no
longer live but allow Him to live through us.
We can stand together when we refuse to
stand apart...either from each other or apart from Christ. May our joy be unleashed in full as we learn
what life can be when we live beyond ourselves in the fullness of Jesus Christ!
September 26, 1999
Providence
Baptist Church
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