Wednesday: The Result of Timothy’s Visit (1 Thess. 3:6-10)
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8. Timothy was sent to encourage the Thessalonians. What aspects of Timothy’s report brought joy and encouragement to Paul? That is, what did Timothy see in the Thessalonians that Paul thought was so good?
Image © Jack Pardue from GoodSalt.com
The “but now” of verse 6 is very emphatic. Paul did not waste any time before sitting down to write to the Thessalonians. The instant he got the news from Timothy, he immediately wrote 1 Thessalonians.
What do we learn about Paul’s prayer life from 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 10? What can we take from that for ourselves?
The absence of words like always and constantly (see 1 Thess. 1:2) suggests there was something new in Paul’s joy and thanksgiving here beyond the constant joy and thanksgiving that he always felt when he prayed for the Thessalonians. The joy and thanksgiving in 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 10 is in immediate reaction to Timothy’s news.
What was lacking in their faith (1 Thess. 3:10)? The immediate text doesn’t say. As we can see later, Paul’s concern for their faith was more practical than theological. Chapters 4 and 5 indicate that they needed to bring their practice in line with their belief. Though they had love and faith and were “standing firm in the Lord,” it becomes apparent later in the letter that they still had some important growing to do.
Why is prayer so important in our own walk with the Lord? How much time do you spend in prayer? What does your answer tell you about how important you deem it? In what ways can you strengthen your prayer life?
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What do we learn about Paul’s prayer life from 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 10?
What can we take from that for ourselves?
For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,
In the phrase where Paul stated that the Thessalonians were lack in faith, is also applying to us practicing SDA. We're so focused on theological of the word, and fail to practice what were are belief, We talk, but yet not action. I am thankful that for the words of the Lord, I have been strengthened. I have come to recognize that, I need to increase in the area I am lacking,
Carroll, I agree with you that at times we seem to focus too much on theology rather than the works it leads to. My only concern is that often the pendulum seldom stays in the center and usually gets swung radically in the opposite direction when we see that we are too far to one side. What I think we need is to listen to Jesus when He said, "These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone" (Mat 23:23 NKJV). We need both!
We need the theology because that tells us what needs to be done and how it gets done. We also need to do what the theology tells us to do. Paul didn't neglect either (Acts 20:27; 2 Tim 4:7). Neither did Jesus for He had a lot to say theologically yet He did what the Father asked Him to do (Jn 8:29; Jn 5:30; Jn 15:10).
I love the statement that refers to the Thessalonians not as only church members, but friends...we sometimes get so caught up in evangelising in the sense of the word, and not in the salvation of souls...(numbers joined the church in the year 0000) instead of how many are growing in Christ, because of the word of the gospel. Are we interested, like Paul, in the saving of souls, or just looking for numbers to be added to the church.