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by Sandy Shaw
I Thessalonians Chapter 3 – We have seen how these disciples of Jesus in Thessalonica became Christians, through Paul’s ministry. We have seen how he had to leave them through the pressures of persecution – but he so wanted to hear and learn how they were – so he sent Timothy.
He was unable to go himself, so he did the next best thing. If we are blocked in one direction then we can move in another direction.
Paul knew how to handle frustration. We have to be prepared to face frustration, and learn how to handle a crisis.
Look at his description of young Timothy. Although Paul was very much the preacher and leader it was a team, Paul was open to receive ministry from members of the body of Christ and we see that in various places.
Paul was in pagan intellectual academic philosophical Athens and the simple Gospel can sometimes appear embarrassingly naïve in such settings.
Timothy – our brother – minister of God – fellow labourer – he was sent to establish you – and to strengthen you – to comfort you and encourage you.
Paul was concerned about them and wanted someone to help and encourage them.
We have seen how Paul was committed to his ministry with his whole heart. This comes out time and time again.
He is prepared to be left alone for a while if he is going to be able to get news of these believers in Jesus and hear how they are progressing, amidst trials.
“No news is good news” is just not true. He just has to find out how they are doing – how they are getting on, in Christ.
We learn something of his deep concern for news of how they were faring. We see his love and care and care concern.
The Gospel, when it grips a man, it sows love in his heart, and this love is the opposite of all self-seeking and self-centredness.
We saw in Chapter 2 verse 8 how Paul gave without reserve. There was no holding back with this man. But love is costly and can involve pain and hurt.
He did not want to see these people continuing to be persecuted and being hurt and in pain. He wanted news about them.
It was as though the love he had in his heart for disciples of Jesus caused him hurt and pain and distress.
Caring hearts can be deeply wounded hearts.
Paul would have told them about the cross and the carrying of the cross of Christ, but it can be one thing to hear about it and another thing to experience it in our lives.
Verse 3 – He did not want on-going affliction to have a negative affect on their faith.
We are called to follow Jesus Christ which inescapably involves suffering, but God can use that suffering for His glory. He did not want these believers to become shaken in their faith by the pressures of persecution and affliction.
We see again here something of Paul’s intense love of people – and how he cared for their welfare and well-being.
It would be intolerable for him not to know how they were getting on in these dangerous and hazardous circumstances.
Paul was so human – and with such a caring heart that demonstrated compassion and concern – this is the love of Jesus Christ flowing through a heart which bore various burdens.
Verse 4 – This was part of their basic and elementary teaching. He helps people face it. Conversion is never the end of the matter.
Paul was concerned not simply in having converts but in making disciples, and this is how we can examine our own personal situations in the light of the Word.
It was the Word that made them what they were and the same Word will do the same for us.
Verse 5 – There is a right and correct spiritual anxiety.
He did not want them to leave Christ. He did not want the tempter to wipe out his work in Thessalonica.
This can happen even after seeing the signs and the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Word of God. (Chapter 1 verse 5.) He did not want to see his work for Christ come to nought and be wiped out by the tempter. That is possible.
He knows there is a tempter and his ways can be quite subtle at times.
If he is keeping me away from them in Thessalonica, might he be successful and ‘winning’ among them too? Is this all surging through Paul’s mind?
Paul was very aware of the enemy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and as a shepherd he is concerned about the flock of Christ – no matter where they are.
These must remain our concerns too – and we will not have to look far for people who need help and guidance and encouragement.
“Loving Father – our gracious God – thank You for revealing the caring compassionate concerned heart of Paul. Thank You loving Jesus, that as we read and study the Scriptures, we see how we need to be guarded as well as guided – how we need a shepherd as well as a preacher – hear us as we pray for others. Amen.”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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