Sustained Through Encouragement

June 20, 2010

Background Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3
Lesson Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3

Today’s lesson reminds us that we all experience the need for encouragement. This passage of scripture presents the need from two perspectives. On the one hand, the Apostle Paul agonized in concern for the spiritual welfare of the Christians at Thessalonica. Perhaps his concern was further aggravated by his observation of the environment in Athens where he was when he wrote this letter. The book of Acts records that while Paul was in Athens, his spirit stirred within him when he saw that the city was totally given to idolatry. Meanwhile, his mind was still on the new converts back in Thessalonica where he had been sent away by night because of the persecution against the Christians by an angry mob created by the Jews who did not accept the gospel message. Paul was encouraged by the report of Silas and Timothy when they rejoined him. Paul had sent Timothy back to strengthen the new converts in the midst of their own persecution. Paul needed the assurance that his three week labor among the Thessalonians had not been in vain. He knew that they would suffer spiritual attack from Satan but he did not know their outcome. Would they persevere or would they give up? Timothy’s report of their spiritual growth and love was the encouraging answer to the questions that Paul, no doubt, wrestled with. Furthermore, he learned that the Thessalonians were also longing to see him just as he desired to see them. Paul’s labor was not in vain. His work did indeed bear good fruit that had remained even after his urgent departure. Paul was thus inspired to persevere through his afflictions knowing that the fruit of his labor yet remained and continued to prosper. Now his concern would no longer be if they were holding on to their faith but he desired to return to them to help in the process of their spiritual growth towards maturity. Likewise, the Thessalonians needed to be encouraged in their new faith walk in Christ Jesus. To this end, Paul sent Timothy to help accomplish in them what he himself was not able to do without placing them in further danger through their association with him. Timothy’s presence and guidance provided the new converts with much needed pastoral care in the midst of persecution. The mutual concern of the apostle and the church was satisfied through communications through the apostle’s letter and the eyewitness report of Timothy to the apostle. Both parties needed encouragement and God provided the necessary channels of communication to accomplish it. Today, the apostle’s letter to the Thessalonians encourages Christians to persevere through their own situations. Because of the immutability or unchanging nature of God, we can be sustained through the same words that encouraged others almost two millennia ago. We learn from the examples of those who lived many years ago that we can overcome situations through faith in God and perseverance in the midst of persecution. Be encouraged.


Robert C. Hudson
June 8, 2010