If anybody would like a pen to take notes, if you've got paper with you, thanks Yelena.
Yelena has some pens there, so they'll be passed round.
So we're reading from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, it's on page 1187, as we continue on our
series through this book.
And I'll read it and then invite Alex up and I'll pray for him and we can hear God's
words.
So let's read together then.
1 Thessalonians chapter 2, starting at verse 17, on page 1187.
Let's hear God's word to us.
But brothers and sisters, when we were torn away from you for a short time, in person,
not in thought, out of our intense longing, we made every effort to see you.
For we wanted to come to you.
Certainly I, Paul, did again and again, but Satan stopped us.
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our
Lord Jesus Christ when he comes?
Is it not you?
Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker, in spreading the gospel of Christ
to strengthen and encourage you in your faith so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.
You know quite well that we were destined for them.
In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted.
And it turned out that way, as you well know.
For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith.
I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
Alex, I don't think you need an introduction, so I'm just going to pray for you.
Let's pray.
Our Father God, we thank you again for the opportunity to hear your word.
Thank you for those who you have gifted and enabled to speak it.
We pray for Alex now that he might know the strengthening of your Holy Spirit.
We pray that you would help him to communicate clearly and that he would be resting in you.
And we pray for ourselves that we would be hearing what you are saying,
being changed, being transformed, and ultimately being encouraged and strengthened.
We pray this in Jesus' name for his glory.
Amen.
Thanks, Johnny.
Well, it's still good morning, so good morning, everyone.
Thank you.
and Dad. Well, my first term in college, this says dear Mum and Dad, well my first term
of college has gone fairly well. Life up here in the city is a bit different from home,
but I'm adjusting well and settling in now. The course itself is so different from the
Leaving Cert, but at least it's what I want to be studying, I think. Although I do hope
it'll get a bit more practical next year. There's a good hockey club up here, and I
have made one of the teams, and so I'm making friends through that and getting exercise
other than the five-mile cycle commute every day. We won our first few league matches earlier
in the season, but we've started to drag our heels a bit now. I think the social aspect
is affecting some of the performances. Well, that's the news for now. I hope you're
all well at home and the cat hasn't eaten the dog yet. I'll be back for Christmas in
a couple of weeks after these exams. Much love, your son.
That's a standard letter home from college. A child touching base with his parents after
leaving the big bad world of third-level education, where we learn more than just our course material.
There's nothing standoutish about this letter. The boy is alive. He's adjusting to the faster pace
of life. Study is okay. He's socializing a bit. Although we're not 100% sure how involved he is in the
socializing that is affecting the hockey team's performances. And he's getting exercise. So as parents,
are we glad to get this letter? Or email? Yes, we are. But there's still so much that's unknown.
We don't know if he's eating properly, sleeping properly, making all his lectures, managing his
finances properly. And if we are Christians today, if we are followers of the Lord Jesus,
then we would also like to hear that he is doing well in his faith. That he has found a good Bible
teaching church to go to. That he has met other believers on campus, and he is praying for
opportunities to share his faith with his classmates, housemates, and teammates. We would want to know that
when faced with the busyness of life in the city, the distractions and temptations of university life,
and the freedom of living away from his parents, that he would still love the Lord. Pursue him,
and grow in the faith, in his faith in the Lord Jesus. There is a PS, but that'll come at the end
of the letter, as all good letters do. So today our passage is 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 17
through to chapter 3 verse 5. If you want to keep your finger in that, we'll be referring to it a lot.
And Paul here is writing to his dear friends, who he loves.
He is pained to be separated from them. We know this because he talks about it, being torn from them,
and his intense longing to see them there in 17 and 18.
This pain, however, is not so much for their welfare, and him wanting their company. No.
He wants, verse 2 of chapter 3, he wants to strengthen and encourage them in their faith.
And that's what we're going to be spending this morning looking at. Strengthening and encouraging
them in their faith. This is Paul's desire for the church in Thessalonica, and I believe that that is
his desire for this church in Cargilline too. That we would be strengthened and encouraged in the faith.
Why? Well, he goes on to explain. So that no one would be unsettled by these trials.
And later on we'll be looking a little bit more at those trials.
But imagine back to the letter for a second. If there had been no letter home by the student
having just left for the big city. There was no homing pigeon sent with news. There was no herald
ordered to announce his news of survival. A parent would be concerned to hear from him
and how he was getting on. And back in the time of Paul's writing it was no different.
Paul had had to leave Thessalonica unwillingly, and so now at the time of writing he hasn't heard
from them and is concerned. Such is his concern that he is prepared to send Timothy to find out
how they are and to strengthen and encourage them in their faith.
He commends Timothy in his introduction as our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading
the gospel of Christ. Timothy was only a young fellow at the time, so he may not have been
taken seriously when he arrived there on his own. So perhaps this was Paul's way of breaking down
any barriers there might have been so that the believers there would accept Timothy. But what a
commendation he sends Timothy off with. God's fellow worker. Timothy is working with God to spread the
gospel of Christ, which means both initial evangelism and also the nurture of the church.
So we're going to look at those two things now. Evangelism. It's the introducing people to the
person of Christ, telling them why he came, died and rose again from the dead. And the reason Timothy
is sent to continue the work started by Paul of introducing people to Christ. Carraghlein,
our estate, Heronswood, Cork, the workplace, the world. We all need to hear this good news too,
that Jesus Christ entered the world to offer us forgiveness from our rebellion against God and to
offer us hope for today and for the forever future. We all need to hear this every day. Let's remind
ourselves, each other, our families about this every day. We need to hear that good news daily.
And Timothy was also sent to nurture. The Oxford English Dictionary describes nurture as
to care for and protect someone or something while they are growing. And this is also why Timothy was sent,
to help grow in knowledge and love of Christ. These young Christians in Thessalonica were in danger of
the tempter. We hear about the tempter there in verse 5.
So these young Christians in Thessalonica were in danger of the tempter leading them astray.
They were also young in their faith, so they needed to be cared for and protected.
As a parent will anticipate the dangers that threaten their child, so too Paul anticipates the
dangers lying ahead for his children in Thessalonica and sends Timothy to protect them.
How does he do this? With the gospel. By encouraging them in their faith, he is discipling them,
speaking the truth into their lives so that the tempter wouldn't deceive them with false promises
of an easy life. This is absolutely key to this letter because Paul is getting to the very heart of
the church. He doesn't say, oh, I heard you need a new praise time leader, or the rota has a few gaps in it,
or you need help with the kids and the youth program. So I'm sending Timothy to help out a bit. Slot him in
wherever you think is helpful. No, he is sending Timothy whose key purpose in life is all about spreading the
gospel of Christ. To strengthen and encourage them and us in their faith. That's where Paul's priorities
are for this church in Thessalonica, and I believe here in Cargilline too. Their faith and making it work
out practically and encouraging them in it. Why is Paul so concerned about their faith? Have they not
already heard the gospel of Christ? Been told of their need of a savior? Been encouraged to live a
repentant life? Yes, they have. But faith is not a one-off. It's not a decision you make once and then
carry on your life unaffected, but safely knowing that you will go to heaven when you die. He tells us
in verse 3 of chapter 3, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.
We heard last week from Tom when he was speaking about these trials that they faced. And we know
too from our own life's experiences that trials do come. To both believers and those who don't believe,
life is hard. So trials are not a surprise. And Paul continues in verse 4 by saying that he had told
them to expect to suffer and even to suffer for their faith. I'm sure Paul had often thought it would be
much easier not to follow Christ, to go along with the crowd and live an easy, stress-free life as a tent maker.
Especially when he remembers back to his time before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, which we learn
about in Acts 9 when he used to viciously persecute Christians himself. That was a much better life.
Life as a Christian is not easy. We always seem to be rowing against the tide or fighting an uphill battle.
And that is why Paul is so concerned for these Christians in Thessalonica,
because he knows how real the tempter is and how good he is at manipulating us into giving up
or rebelling against God's rule.
Paul loves these believers like a parent.
And so nothing is more important to him than their following Christ.
And he wants to do everything that he can to ensure that they are not blown off course
by the tempter, by Satan.
Satan has already thwarted Paul's own plans to go and visit them.
Chapter 2, verse 18 says,
For we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, did again and again.
But Satan stopped us.
So, here we have an illustration.
Here we have two big bookends.
Both being satanic opposition.
They nearly look satanic if you look at them closely.
But they are satanic opposition.
In verse 18, Satan is preventing Paul from visiting the church.
And in verses 3 and 4, Satan is trying to cast doubts in the minds of the Christians,
to unsettle them.
Satan's biggest weapon is to prevent the spreading of the gospel of Christ.
So it shouldn't be a surprise to Paul or to us
when trials or opposition or persecution comes.
It stands to reason, therefore,
that the best way to thwart Satan's plans
is the spread of the gospel.
And so...
In between these two bookends of opposition
is the good news.
The gospel.
Brought by Timothy.
Sent by Paul.
To strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians
in their faith.
Here in Carragalline, or even in Ireland,
as a church, we are very unlikely to face vicious persecution
like our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world.
However, Satan is still at work.
Casting doubts in our mind about God's sovereignty.
Causing us to think about giving up on faith.
Or even just causing us to be so comfortable in our life
that we start to think our lives are pretty good without God.
And there's no need to change anything.
Or let God disrupt our comfort.
So how can you be a Timothy?
How can I be a Timothy?
If Satan is still at work,
how can we strengthen and encourage each other?
Well, how does Timothy do it to the Thessalonians?
Verse 2.
He shares the gospel of Christ.
So, when we meet for coffee during the week,
we should be speaking of the good news of the forgiveness of sins.
The freedom that life in Christ gives us.
When we meet up during the week for a one-to-one Bible study,
and I encourage us all to do that if we can.
Or when we meet at Polo,
we should study the Bible.
Letting it mould and shape us.
We should be praying its truths into each other's lives.
Challenging each other as to how we read it
is affecting us in our lives.
The more we hear of the gospel,
the more we start to think it
and let it affect how we think,
how we make decisions,
how we react to situations.
We should be making these times a priority in our week
so that we can strengthen and encourage each other
in the faith
and therefore be strengthened and encouraged ourselves.
Maybe you feel more like a Thessalonian
and you need encouragement.
I think we all are.
When we meet at Growth Group,
there is a great opportunity
to share with each other
how we are really doing.
Where we can be vulnerable with each other
and say how we struggle
and pray for each other through those struggles.
When we chat over coffee,
at half time during our Sunday morning service,
do we really need to find out
the score in the football match the night before?
Or how long the kids slept for last night?
Yes, it's important to share life with each other,
even the small details.
But when else is there an opportunity
during the week to ask,
how is your faith?
How are you doing with God these days?
Johnny's always encouraging us
on a Sunday morning
to make the most of that time in our service.
And here we see the Bible saying the same thing.
Paul's deepest desire
was for the spiritual welfare of these believers.
So much so that he sent his right-hand man, Timothy,
with the express purpose
to strengthen and encourage them.
When I was thinking this through in my own life,
I was really challenged and rebuked
that I don't feel this way.
I said goodbye to the Crusader kids back in May,
and to be honest,
I haven't given much thought
to their faith since.
I'm delighted to talk to many of you
on a Sunday morning,
but once Monday morning comes,
I go into autopilot again,
thinking about my work
and my little life.
Is my or our deepest desire
for the faith of others?
Do we love to hear
how each other is really doing?
Every time research
seems to be carried out
and people are asked
towards the end of their lives,
what do you regret most in life?
Nobody ever says
they wish they had spent more time working.
Nearly everyone says
they wish they had spent more time
with their family.
It seems to be that our kids
and our relationships
with people
are the things that give us
most pleasure and pride.
And so it is here with Paul
and the Thessalonians.
What an endorsement he gives them.
Verse 19.
For what is our hope,
our joy,
or the crown
in which we will glory
in the presence of our Lord Jesus
when he comes?
Is it not you?
Indeed you
are our glory
and our joy.
You can see the pride
that parents feel
when their child
takes their first step
or says their first word.
And that's how Paul feels
about this church.
He is so pleased
to have met them,
to have taught them,
and seen them come to faith,
to know
and to love them.
Paul can almost imagine himself
before the Lord
bringing the church with him
as proof that he has been faithful
in his calling as a missionary.
His children or converts,
those he introduced to Christ,
were the source of his joy.
Not because of anything
Paul had done himself,
but because of what Christ
had done in the lives
of these people.
Paul pictures himself
with the Thessalonians
on the final day of judgment,
being presented to the Lord Jesus,
and he desperately wants them
to grow
and to be encouraged
and comforted
in their difficult walk
with the Lord
so that they will be with him
on that day.
Do we have
that same desperation?
Are we eager
to see each other,
the crusader kids
that we know,
our friends,
our neighbours,
being presented
before Christ
when he comes again,
standing beside us?
Do we love each other enough
to call each other
our crowning glory?
As I was thinking
through this
during the week,
I was struck
by how often
we talk about
how being a Christian
is all about
a personal relationship
with Jesus,
or the lovely romantic notion
that if I was stranded
on a desert island,
all I would need
is the Bible
and Jesus and I
would be happy
on our own forever.
Well, to be honest,
that sounds quite miserable
to me.
I'm not good
in my own company.
Chris left
last week
for a couple of days
and it was a great opportunity
to spend time
preparing this,
but to be honest,
it was miserable.
I'm not good
in my own company.
I need you.
I need Christ
working in my life
through you,
the church.
I know I am weak
and likely
to be tempted
by a seemingly
easier life
and without you,
then I would fail
and I suspect
that I'm not alone
in that feeling.
It is through the church
and the gospel
that God works
in my life,
strengthening
and encouraging me
in my faith.
I love that
on a Thursday night
I can go out
and I can get
a kicking in my shins
from the same people
who comfort
and pray for me
the night before
in growth group.
P.S.
Mum and Dad,
I can't believe
I almost forgot.
In Freshers Week
I joined the hockey club,
the skiing club,
the friends of
Star Wars Society,
they call themselves
the Jedi Sock,
and the Christian Union.
I am weakly
hearing the Bible
taught with passion.
I am making friends
with these people
and I think these
are going to be
friendships for life.
Some of them
go to a church
which is really close
to where I'm living
so we go there
and hang out
on a Sunday afternoon.
No longer
am I the little guy
who had to quietly
read his Bible
in the toilets
of boarding school.
Here I have people
to read it with
and study it with
out in the open.
The Christian Union
is helped by
a society called
IFES Ireland
and they have
a catchphrase
people not projects.
It puts our focus
on each other,
our relationship
with Christ
and takes the focus
off projects.
I think that's
a good motto
for the life
of the church too
because without
people loving each other
as Christ loves
the church
then no project
we take on
can succeed.
So mum and dad
life is good
at the moment
but I know
that when it gets tough
these same people
will still be there
encouraging me
and reminding me
of the risen Lord
Jesus who loves me.
That letter
although written
last week
as I prepared this
could have been
written 14 years ago
when I started
college
in Dublin.
I was a baby
Christian
although I had been
a believer
for a few years
at that stage
and going to the
big city
I could have
easily fallen
into the traps
and pitfalls
of student life.
Thankfully
I got involved
in the Christian
Union
I got involved
in a small group
with five lads
and we met
weekly to study
the Bible.
Four of us
are still great friends
and are still
walking with the Lord
and one sadly
was caught
by the tempter
and is following
the way of the world.
But we met
regularly
and study
the Bible
and encourage
each other
in our faith.
That continues
today
when we see
each other
but it has
to be intentional.
It's not natural
to go up to someone
and ask them
how their faith is
or how are you
doing with God
these days.
It doesn't flow
easily
but it is
so important
that that is
why Timothy
was sent
by Paul.
As I finish
it's helpful
to recap first
and then
to look forward.
As a church
we need to be
strengthening
and encouraging
each other
in our faith
at every opportunity.
If we don't
the tempter
will deceive us
and coax us
away from
the Lord Jesus.
We strengthen
and encourage
each other
with
the gospel.
Reminding ourselves
that without Christ
we are without
hope
and that with
him
we are
promised life
and fullness
of life.
So if you ask
me
how my faith
is
or how am I
doing with God
these days
maybe you'll
ask me later
or maybe you'll
ask the person
sitting beside you
or maybe you'll
ask your spouse
or your friend
when you see them.
But from this
passage
faith is described
as an awareness
of the pitfalls
Satan puts
in our way
but the resolve
to spread
the gospel
of Christ
to ourselves
to strengthen
each other
and encourage
each other
so that we
would all
be presented
together
before Christ
when he
comes again.
That
would be
our crowning
glory.
That
would be
our legacy.
Let's pray.
Father God
thank you
that you
loved us
enough
to send
Jesus
to comfort
us
and to
strengthen
us.
Thanks too
for each
other
for this
church
for the
love and
concern
that there
is in
this
church
for each
other.
Please help
us to do
this more
to be
intentional
in our
conversations
encouraging
each other
and strengthening
each other
in our
faith.
Please help
us to be
always pointing
each other
towards the
gospel that
saves us.
Thank you
for your
spirit that
is with us
to help us
do these
things which
can sometimes
feel alien.
And please
help us
to as we
leave here
today to
have a
desire to
stand with
each other
on that
final day
presenting
each other
to you
as your
children.
In
Jesus name.
Amen.
Thank you.