June 6, 2014
LET'S CELEBRATE TOGETHER!
1 Thessalonians 3
Erin Tuohy
Central Truth
We were created to live in intimate community with one another as the Church.
Key Verse | 1 Thessalonians 3:2
[A]nd we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:2)
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 coworker 1 3:2 Some manuscripts servant 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 labor 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, 2 3:7 Or brothers and sisters 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.
Dive Deeper | 1 Thessalonians 3
One theme woven throughout the Bible is the importance of community with other believers -- a primary purpose for which is encouragement. It's so important, in fact, it's one of Watermark's foundational values.
Being a believer isn't easy. Trials and persecution are draining and sometimes overwhelming. But we don't face difficulty alone because God provides community for us. Not only did He give us the ability to be encouraged through His Word and prayer, but He also gave us the ability to be encouraged by His people (1 Corinthians 12).
Here, Paul sent Timothy to encourage the Thessalonians in their faith and to make sure they were withstanding temptation. Timothy reported back that they were standing firm in their faith. That report encouraged Paul (verse 7). This theme of preaching the gospel, moving on, then later going back to encourage others in their faith is seen throughout the Bible. In Acts 14 and 16 and Philippians 1, we read about this practice in action. This was the Lord's plan when He designed us to live closely with one another -- the ability to spur each other on to love and good works.
Over the past four years, the Lord has been incredibly sweet to bless me with other believers, near and far, who have done just that. It has been life changing to see Christ through the acts of His people. In our community group, we loved this idea so much we created the sunshine club. A few times a year, money is pooled to bless the girls in the group, be it their birthday or a rough season. We have found so much joy in celebrating each other, and I have gotten to see firsthand a heart change from just a little bit of encouragement from fellow believers. We do not go through this thing called life alone. God is so good to bless us with community.
If this is something unfamiliar to you, I encourage you to check out www.watermark.org/community and get plugged in. It's a game changer!
Discussion Questions
1. When was the last time you took a moment to celebrate or encourage fellow believers in their faith?
2. Share with your community group one way they could tangibly encourage you in times of trial.
3. When was a time you felt motivated to continue on in God's work? What about that time encouraged you?
4. Why do you think God sent His disciples back to places they had been before? Was it solely to encourage others, or could it have encouraged them as well?