1 THESSALONIANS 2:17-3:13
INTRODUCTION
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I want to begin, today, by asking you a question: Do you love people? I’m not talking about
some general sense of loving “the world” – vaguely – but the people who are actually close to
you, and in your life every day. That’s difficult! And, I want to focus particularly on the people
that you know – people in your family, friend group, and church. Do you love them? Maybe
more importantly, how do you love them? And, how do you know you’re loving them in the
way that is most eternally good for them?
Now, before we go any further, let me give you a quick word on my approach to application of
passage from the Bible. Sometimes, it’s very appropriate to find ourselves (when studying and
applying the epistles) with the believers in the church – receiving the apostolic gospel and the
accompanying instructions. In fact, this is how we should apply the passages of the New
Testament epistles most of the time!
But, in this passage today, I actually want us to learn from Paul – to place ourselves with him, as
we examine his immense LOVE FOR PEOPLE, in light of the gospel. We are not Apostles, to be
sure, but we can evaluate our love for the people around us in light of the way that Paul loves
the Thessalonian believers with deep, gospel-centered, and eternally-focused love.
Now, we need to admit that this text is something – functionally. It is a letter, written to real
people living at a real time and place, and it does really recount specific events – actions of Paul,
and decisions that he made. Paul is, in the historical context, continuing to defend his ministry
and love for the Thessalonians – especially in light of his absence from them.
But, there are principles here that we need to see – and learn – from the ministry of Paul. At the
heart of this passage today is an important lesson for us to learn: As God’s people, we are called
to LOVE people, in light of the most ETERNAL perspective on their lives, hearts, and souls in
Jesus Christ. We’re going to see this, today, in Paul’s:
o ATTITUDE toward the people in this church
o ACTIONS toward the people in this church
o AFFIRMATION about these people in this church
You see, Paul’s was not a ministry that was focused on programs or structures; Paul’s ministry
was about the PEOPLE. Loving people. Calling them to love Jesus. Rejoicing in their spiritual
well-being more than almost anything else, because of an eternal perspective on the coming of
Jesus Christ as Savior, King, and Judge.
We, like Paul, are called to love the people around us with gospel-centered love, in light of
eternity.
OUTLINE
1. The ATTITUDE of Paul (2:17-20)
a. We see that, as Paul begins this passage, he talks about the way that he was “torn
away” from the believers at Thessalonica (17). He is referring to the events that are
recorded for us in the Acts 17 account; Paul and Silas were forced to exit the city quickly,
because of all the persecution that the Jews were inciting against them. Paul wants
them to understand two important things about his absence, though:
i. First, Paul is very clear that he deeply desires to be with them in person (17). He
did not want to go away from them; he wishes he could stay with them!
ii. Second, Paul actually says that he was hindered by Satan from seeing them (18);
we don’t know exactly what he means by this, but he certainly sees a vicious
demonic attack on his life and ministry, which has prevented him from being
with the church members in person.
b. Next, though, Paul makes a bit of a tangential statement, which is very important. Paul
wants the Thessalonian believers to know how he views them; Paul sees his people as
his “crown” (sign of victory – wreath for athlete) at the last day (19-20). They are his
pride and joy – even a source of boasting before God when he stands before him.
c. Paul is defending his love for the Thessalonians, in the midst of his absence, by telling
them his desire to see them, and the way he sees them in light of eternity.
i. As we seek to apply this first point – with regard to Paul’s ATTITUDE toward
the people he leads and loves – we should consider the way we pursue an
eternal CROWN before God at the last day. What do we hope will be our prize
when we stand before God? What will God treasure and value? According to
Paul, it will be the people that we have helped and encouraged to love and
know Jesus! Think about what this tells us about our commitment to people,
in light of eternity. More on this in a moment.
2. The ACTION of Paul (3:1-5)
a. Paul does not merely have a warm and loving attitude toward the Thessalonian
believers; he also ACTS based on his love for them. Paul goes on to explain that he
sends Timothy to them (1-2) because of his deep concern for their spiritual well-being.
Notice that Paul highlights two aspects of this sacrifice that he makes, out of love for the
believers in Thessalonica:
i. First, this is clearly a sacrifice for Paul (he explains that sending Timothy meant
that he was left at Athens alone).
ii. Second, Paul goes out of his way to give a very noteworthy description of
Timothy; he calls him “God’s coworker” – highlighting the integrity and
worthiness of Timothy, who has been sent to Thessalonica. He doesn’t want
them to miss how highly he values this gospel friend and co-worker.
b. We then see the motivation behind Paul’s sending of Timothy to them: Paul wants them
to not fall away in the midst of persecution (3-5).
i. Afflictions are coming to the believers in Thessalonica, just as Paul says that he
had warned them about. It could be that some of the Christians there are
surprised by this; Paul is telling them that he told them this was coming!
ii. Paul goes on to explain that part of what made his absence from them so
difficult was that he was afraid that Satan may have used this affliction and
persecution as an opportunity to take them from the faith – to tempt them
toward sin, doubt, and discouragement.
c. Paul is acting on his love for the Thessalonians, sending Timothy to “check in” on their
faith, and see how they are holding up in light of human and demonic attacks.
i. So, what does this mean for the way that we demonstrate our CONCERN for
the people we love? It means that we, like Paul, are most chiefly concerned
for the spiritual state of the people we love. More than anything else, we
want to know that they are holding strong in their faith in Jesus, and resisting
the attacks of Satan. Now, this of course doesn’t mean we don’t have concern
for physical needs of people we love; it simply means that we have as our chief
and most eternal concern the well-being of the state of people’s hearts and
souls – just as Paul did for the believers in Thessalonica.
3. The AFFIRMATION for Paul (3:6-13)
a. Now, in the final few verses of this passage, we are going to see that Paul’s joy comes
from the spiritual growth and health of the believers (6-10), more than anything else.
i. Timothy brings a good report to Paul; he hears that their faith has held fast,
even in the midst of persecution and affliction (6)!
ii. Paul is deeply moved by their faith; this brings him genuine joy (7-8).
iii. Then, Paul goes on to pray for opportunities to “supply” what is lacking in their
faith (9-10).
1. Perhaps he is thinking, here, about teaching them more about the
resurrection and the last days (see 4:13) – having a continuing teaching
role as they continue to grow more mature in their understanding of the
things of God.
b. As our passage draws to a close, we find that Paul prays a prayer of blessing for them
(11-13). There are three main parts to this prayer; Paul prays:
i. A prayer to see them soon (11) – he wants to physically be present again with
them, so that he can continue to teach, lead, and encourage them in their faith.
ii. A prayer to increase their love (12) – he wants the believers at Thessalonica to
continue in loving one another in Christ Jesus.
iii. A prayer to make them holy, in light of the coming of Jesus (13) – he wants the
believers in Thessalonica to be made mature and faithful by the work of the
Holy Spirit, ready to stand before Jesus Christ the Judge on the last day.
c. Paul rejoices, because of his deep love for the Thessalonians, that they are walking in
Christ, and holding fast to the faith – and he prays for this faith to be made complete.
i. So, what does Paul’s affirmation (his deepest joy) and his prayers for the
believers in Thessalonica tell us about our CARE for the people we love? It
means that our CARE for people has to focus – at least in part – on their
holiness and growth in faith. What makes Paul most happy is that the
Thessalonians are walking in faithfulness and love for Jesus – not that they are
materially prospering, or even getting married and having children. As we care
for people – and about them – our CARE should focus on their holiness and
godliness. This should shape the way we pray for our friends and family
members too!
CONCLUSION
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So, as we looked at Paul’s attitude, actions, and affirmation – in ministry – because of his love
for the Thessalonians, we considered three ways that we can evaluate OUR love for the people
around us:
o Our CROWN – What are we working to present to God at the last day?
o Our CONCERN – What are we most deeply concerned about in the lives of others?
o Our CARE – How do we work hard to care for others in light of eternity?
If you’re a Christian – you need to pursue this. And you can ONLY pursue this if you are REALLY
a Christian, saved by faith in Jesus Christ!
o How could you try to seek a CROWN that has to do with building up the faith of other
people, if you are not assured of your own faith in Jesus Christ?
o How could you be CONCERNED for the souls of others, if you have not been concerned
about the state of your own, and repented of sin and trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord?
o How can you CARE for the holiness and godliness of others, if you are not striving to
obey and be more like Christ yourself?
Give yourself to Jesus; that is the first way you can respond to this passage. But, if you have
done that, seek to LOVE other people like Paul. Seek a CROWN before Jesus Christ, as you lead
others to faith and love for him. Make your deepest CONCERN the eternal hearts and souls of
the people around you. Pray that you will CARE most about the godliness and holiness of the
people you love, and pray for them to this end.