June 14, 2023 | Be On Mission
Timothy’s Ministry in Thessalonica
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3(NIV)
1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 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. 5 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 had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Devotional
In between Paul’s visit to Thessalonica and the writing of this first letter to them, he had sent Timothy back to the Thessalonians. Paul knew that the people of Thessalonica were coming to faith in a hostile environment. He knew that the new believers were immersed in a culture that promoted Greek gods and goddesses, complete with cultic, sensual practices. He knew that many of the Jewish Thessalonians would try to convince the young Christians that Jesus was not the Christ. He knew that they would face persecution.
So Paul sent Timothy to “strengthen and encourage” them in the faith, and to find out if they had abandoned the faith under the immense cultural and political pressures. By the time Paul wrote this letter, Timothy had left the Thessalonian believers and returned to Paul in Corinth. The good report from Timothy served as an encouragement to Paul and his team in the midst of their ongoing “distress and persecution.” This had to make the young believers in Thessalonica feel great. Their enduring faith in a secular culture encouraged their spiritual founders in their own situations.
How can you be an encouragement to someone who has poured the faith into your cup? Rather than always being the recipient, how can you be the giver, blessing them and encouraging them? Here are some ideas:
Pray for them.
Tell a friend about the impact they have made in your life.
Send them a message of thanks.
Take them to lunch.
Honor them with how you live your faith in Jesus.
Poem
Bear It
Bear the Gospel on your way
Wear it as your clothing
Share it counting not the cost
Pair it with deep praying
Bear the suffering you will face
Wear the stripes you’re given
Share the grace the Spirit gives
Pair the grief with others
Bear the hope Christ’s future brings
Wear it, labor’s yoking
Share it with those in distress
Pair it with thanksgiving
Bear the weight of standing firm
Wear it night and daytime
Share it, others’ burdens load
Pair it blameless, holy
