1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 says,...
Today's verses are 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10, which read,
v.6-8 - But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
Another Pauline long run-on sentence. Timothy has returned to Paul and Silas with a great report of the Thessalonian church. The church not only has faith in the face of persecution but they have love meaning that their faith in not just surviving but striving. Paul's mind and heart is at ease but he adds the last statement, "...if you stand firm in the Lord."
"If" means that this is something that we continue to do. The church is continuing to stand firm on a daily basis. When we say "yes" to Jesus it is a "yes" that continues on and on and on. He is our life and He is our day and He is our work and He is our play.
v.9, 10 - For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
The thanks that Paul gives back to God for the spiritual growth of the Thessalonian church is to pray night and day for them to see them and see more growth in their faith. The thanks is in the form of an action by Paul on behalf of the church. He is praying for the church, actively taking large chunks of time to raise up the church to God.
You know where I am going with this, don't you? Have you, have I, been giving time in prayer for our church and it comes out of thanks to God for the growth of faith we have seen here? Are we praying for more? Do we know that there is much more work to be done in our faith? There is more work to be done in our lives individually and as a group of believers.
Union, what if a "Timothy" came in to see how things were going? What would his report be? Would he see and hear enough to go back to "Paul" with a good report? Would he find us standing firm in the faith and striving in love for others? Would he find us humble to continue to grow in what we lack?
"Lord, I confess that I don't pray for the church as much and as often as I should. May that be my way of saying thanks to You for my salvation and for the church that You have planted me in. The church has been such a blessing to me and therefore I will pray for her. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.6-8 - But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
Another Pauline long run-on sentence. Timothy has returned to Paul and Silas with a great report of the Thessalonian church. The church not only has faith in the face of persecution but they have love meaning that their faith in not just surviving but striving. Paul's mind and heart is at ease but he adds the last statement, "...if you stand firm in the Lord."
"If" means that this is something that we continue to do. The church is continuing to stand firm on a daily basis. When we say "yes" to Jesus it is a "yes" that continues on and on and on. He is our life and He is our day and He is our work and He is our play.
v.9, 10 - For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
The thanks that Paul gives back to God for the spiritual growth of the Thessalonian church is to pray night and day for them to see them and see more growth in their faith. The thanks is in the form of an action by Paul on behalf of the church. He is praying for the church, actively taking large chunks of time to raise up the church to God.
You know where I am going with this, don't you? Have you, have I, been giving time in prayer for our church and it comes out of thanks to God for the growth of faith we have seen here? Are we praying for more? Do we know that there is much more work to be done in our faith? There is more work to be done in our lives individually and as a group of believers.
Union, what if a "Timothy" came in to see how things were going? What would his report be? Would he see and hear enough to go back to "Paul" with a good report? Would he find us standing firm in the faith and striving in love for others? Would he find us humble to continue to grow in what we lack?
"Lord, I confess that I don't pray for the church as much and as often as I should. May that be my way of saying thanks to You for my salvation and for the church that You have planted me in. The church has been such a blessing to me and therefore I will pray for her. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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