The Church of the Thessalonians (part 3)
Acts 17:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10
1. Coming to Thessalonica (verse 1a)
2. Activity in Thessalonica (verses 1b-4)
3. Expulsion from Thessalonica (verses 5-9)
We come this evening to our 3rd exposition of Acts, chapter 17, with the goal of introducing to us this church at Thessalonica. In previous weeks, we have looked at several different aspects of Paul’s interactions with the church at Thessalonica.
Two weeks ago, we spent much of our time examining what Paul was
doing before he was coming to Thessalonica. We entitled that point,
1. Coming to Thessalonica (verse 1a).
If I show you the overhead of the map for the third time, you will hopefully begin to burn the image in your mind. In Acts 13, Paul set out on his first missionary journey. He traveled to Seleucia, to Salamis, through Cyprus, to Paphos, to Perga (in Pamphylia), to Pisidian Antioch (where he Luke records his preaching), to Iconium, to Lystra, to Derbe.
They returned through Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, through Pisidia, through Pamphylia, to Perga, to Attalia, to Antioch. With that, his first missionary journey was over. It was a quick trip up to Jerusalem and back. They say, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."
Paul and Silas went Paul and Silas went up through Syria, through Cilicia, to Derbe, to Lystra (where they picked up Timothy), through Phrigia, through Galatia, through Mysia to Troas (where they received the Macedonian call), to Samothrace, to Neapolis, to Philippi (where we know of the Philippian Jailer), to Amphipolis, to Apollonia, to Thessalonica. Thus, we have arrived in Thessalonica. Thessalonia, you recall, was a major city with about 200,000 people. It was a leading city which ruled much of Macedonia.
Our second point was
2. Activity in
Thessalonica" (verses 1b-4).
Paul’s activity in Thessalonica was no different than in other places. He had established a pattern for himself. You remember? Sam Senesczko? The Synagogue, the Gentiles, and the Persecution. And in each place, he established churches!
Paul went first to the Jewish people, according to "primitive evangelistic policy." When they rejected it, Paul would turn to the Gentiles and preach to them. And let me remind you why exactly it was that Paul went into the synagogues. He went there because that is where the believers were! Only, they were Old Testament believers -- many of whom, when they heard about Jesus the Messiah, would instantly come to faith in Messiah and become what we call today, "a completed Jew." Paul went to the synagogue because the Jewish people there had never heard of Jesus, the Messiah before. They were waiting for the Messiah, but they didn’t know of Jesus, who had fulfilled all of the messianic prophecies. They were "sitting ducks", ready to be evangelized and converted.
For us today, we shouldn’t go into the synagogues. We aren’t Jews. We aren’t comfortable there. Additionally, nearly every Jew in a synagogue has heard of "Jesus" and has rejected him thus far. So remember, I said that we could apply this passage by doing two things: first Mobilize the Christians (That is essentially what Paul did) and second Find the Interested (Knock on doors, meet people, and as doors open up, pursue things with them.) I know that there are many bad doors to walk down, and yet it is only God who knows the good doors.
So, Paul would go to the synagogue and preach until he was rejected. Then, he would turn to the Gentiles. And that is exactly where we find ourselves this evening in the text. Paul has already spent three Sabbaths with the Jewish people. They have already rejected his message. Paul has turned to the Gentiles and has found (in verse 4), "A great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women," which have begun to follow them.
You remember last time, how we looked at 1 Thessalonians and saw how the Thessalonians had responded to Paul and his message.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."
They received the word of God, they accepted the word of God. This word performs its work in you who believe! Paul tells them exactly how the word "performed its work!"
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out and are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved.
In other words, they became imitators of the churches that are in Judea who suffered greatly at the hands of the Jewish people. This may have been referring to "the great persecution that arose against the church in Jerusalem" (Acts 8:1). This may have been referring to Paul’s pre-conversion ministry. We see in Acts 8:3 that, "Saul was ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison." Don’t think that this stopped when Paul was converted in Acts 9. The Jews continued to persecute the early church.
Look also at 1 Thessalonians 1:6, ...
1 Thessalonians 1:6
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
Again, we see the same thing. The church of the Thessalonians received the word amidst much tribulation. It wasn’t an easy reception of the word. It cost these people dearly. Yet, the Thessalonians had the privilege of seeing Paul receive sufferings first, before he was forced to leave them. You will remember the pattern of Paul: Synagogue, Gentiles, Persecution.
In Acts 17:4, we see Paul, having turned from the Jews to the Gentile. We see Paul meeting with great success among the Gentiles. It is at this point in the regiment that persecution normally comes for Paul. And indeed, in the case of the Thessalonians, that is exactly what happens. Persecution arises and Paul and Silas are sent away to Berea (as verse 10 tells us). So let’s look at the details of what exactly happened. We look at it under our third point:
3. Expulsion from Thessalonica (verses 5-9)
Our first week, we sought to discover how Paul came to Thessalonica. Our second week, we sought to discover what Paul did in Thessalonica. Tonight, we are going to discover why exactly Paul wrote First Thessalonians.
First, I will define "expulsion" for the children. I use a hard word, because it is a good word. If I work hard to define it, even the smallest of children can understand what I mean. Expulsion: To force out, drive away (i.e. when a little kitty comes your way and you shoo her away). When little Hanna is going to get at the electrical outlet - you say, "no, no, let’s get away!" And you pick her up and you move her. That is what expulsion is: A forceful driving away.
And that is what happened to Paul and Silas - they were forcefully driven away. They left town, even when they didn’t want to.
1 Thessalonians 2:17
We were orphaned of you for a short while - in person, not in spirit. ...
He said, though physically we were separated, yet, emotionally, we wanted to be with you all!
1 Thessalonians 2:18
We wanted to come to you.
He said that it was his desire to come to them. But they had been forced to leave. They didn’t want to leave; they wanted to stay. But they couldn’t. That is what "expulsion" means.
Let’s examine the text. How did the Jews respond to Paul's success? The were jealous.
Acts 17:5
But the Jews, becoming jealous....
This is often how the Jews responded. They were jealous.
But why were they jealous? Initially, I was drawn to think that it was a jealousy of affection. The Jews saw the Gentiles believing in the same God that they (as a nation) had always embraced as their God alone. However, now that the Gentiles were believing as well, the Jews were going to have to share their God. This kind of jealously can be depicted by what happened the other night when Yvonne and I were at the Lewis’ house. When Yvonne picked up Zachary, our little Hanna did not like it one bit. She set out to hollarin’ and screamin’. Why? Because she was jealous with mommy’s affection.
This kind of jealously could be understandable. Here the Jews had Jehovah God all to themselves. The Gentiles were second class citizens. But when they began to understand that "both groups have been made into one," and that He "has broken down the barrier of the dividing wall," between Jew and Gentile (as Ephesians 2 speaks), they would have some jealously to deal with. No longer would they be the people that God has called to Himself. He has begun to call people from "every nation and tribe and tingue and people" with His eternal gospel (Rev. 14:6). And this kind of jealously would be commendable, because even God is Jealous concerning those He loves.
But, this isn’t the jealously that the Jews experienced that day. No, it wasn’t an affectionate jealously which caused them to react this way. It was a jealously of success. They were envious at the success of Paul as opposed to their success.
The reason I say this is because of Acts 13:44-45. Turn there...
Acts 13:44-45
And the next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.
See, the Jews wanted the "us four, close the door, no more" mentality. They thought that they controlled the reigns of God’s activities. And to see others having "religious success" was too much for them. They were jealous of the crowds. They were jealous of the success and couldn’t handle it.
My application to you is to ask some questions. Can you genuinely rejoice in the work of God, even if the work is outside of our sphere of ministry? Can you genuinely rejoice if somebody goes to another church than ours? Can you genuinely rejoice if a church is doing well, even if we don’t agree with them in every area of doctrine or practice?
Philippians 1:15-18
Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter [do it] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.
In Pisidian Antioch, this jealousy caused the Jews to "arouse the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigate a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and they drove them out of the district" (Acts 13:50). This was a pattern: Jealous Jews! In Iconium, the next town over, the same thing occurred: "The Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and embittered them against the brethren, ... And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region" (Acts 14:2,5-6). In Lystra, the next town over, the same thing occurred.
Acts 14:19
Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
And here in Thessalonica, the same thing occurs. What did the Jews do? They formed a mob! Verse 5 says, "But the Jews, becoming jealous, and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar." As we have seen, mob action was a common form of civil unrest, which the authorities hated. This is so different than today.
Think about it, when was the last time that you saw a mob demonstration due to civil unrest? I remember being at an NIU basketball game in the 70’s and there was some sort of issue and the people performed a "sit in" - people were merely sitting on the court, prohibiting the game from being played. Other than that, most of my recollections are visual, from the television. Perhaps your mind might bring to remembrance the Berkley demonstrations in the 60’s. Or the Tiananmen Square situation in China.
Perhaps the strength of our military today prevents some of this sort of thing, because crowds and civil unrest can be quickly dissipated. Today, rather than forming such a mob, we normally seek the use of the court of law. We will seek court orders prohibiting this demonstration or that demonstration, prohibiting trespassing, or enacting restraining orders. But, back then, it was common to use mob action to force the political parties to deal with an issue.
You will remember that Paul was ultimately seized in the temple because of the riot that was caused with his presence (not because of him, but because of his presence). Again, it was the Jews who stirred up the crowds and cried out, "Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people, and the Law, and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." (Acts 21:27). The Romans quickly took Paul away from the crowds. They wanted peace. Eventually, Paul was sent to Rome as he appealed to Caesar, but it was the mob that caught him as well.
But remember, when Christ was crucified, it was the mob that set the policy and pushed Pontius Pilate over the edge to order Christ to be crucified. You remember how Pilate was before the people and said, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" (Matt. 27:22). The people responded, "Let Him be crucified!" Pilate responded, "Why, what evil has He done?" "They kept shouting all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified.’" (Matt. 27:23). "And when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see [to that] yourselves." (Matt. 27:24).
If you remember this past Palm Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach on Matthew 21. Remember that I made a point that the Roman leaders wanted to keep peace. Like the secular Israeli government today, they don’t mind religion, as long as the passions aren’t stirred within the people to cause trouble. And the Jews knew that peace was of utmost importance to the Romans. And I am sure that the civil leaders in Thessalonica were especially aware of problems the Jews could cause. For only a few years earlier, Claudius had commanded all Jews to leave Rome, because of the problems that they were causing there (as we read in Acts 18:2).
The Artificial Agitation
It is interesting to note that the Jews sought out "wicked men" (Acts 17:) to help them form this mob. It was almost as if these men were mercenary. Perhaps they were paid. We don’t really know. It was almost as if these men were trouble waiting to happen. They merely needed a cause. And the Jews gave them the cause. It mattered not whether or not these men agreed with the cause or not. They merely needed a cause! These men were in the "market place" (verse 5) and in all likelihood responded to the request of the Jews.
The end result was that "they set the city in an uproar." (verse 5). They were on a hunt. And they knew where to hunt! They were hunting at Jason’s house. That's where the mob looked for Paul.
It strikes me that they knew where to find Paul. They didn’t have to go looking far, for they knew that he would be at the home of Jason. Perhaps Jason was one of Paul’s own converts, who had been so identified with Paul and Silas that the Thessalonians knew that they would be staying with him. "Jason" was a Jewish name (another Jason was referred to in Romans 16:21, my kinsman), and so we can surmise that Jason was one of Paul’s few Jewish converts, who heard him teach in the synagogue for the three Sabbaths he was there teaching. Jason heard Paul’s "Jesus is the Messiah" Message, (parts 1, 2 and 3)!
So, from the perspective of the Jews, he was probably one of those who had been active in the synagogue. He was probably somewhat well known. It would be like Yvonne and I taking in somebody. "Hey, they are at the Brandon’s house." All but a few of you know where we live and have actually been to our house.
Notice that Jason was not ashamed to host such a party in his home. He certainly knew of the danger and of the hostility that could potentially arise. And yet, we was willingly playing host to these travelling missionaries. When the crowds came looking for them, they couldn’t find Paul and Silas. Paul and Silas were probably aware of what was happening (either through an informant, who rushed ahead, or through the mere volume of noise). Perhaps, in the providence of God, they were off at somebody else’s house, visiting with them.
At any rate, they couldn’t find Paul and Silas, so they dragged Jason before the "city authorities." As a side-note, the Greek word for "city authorities" is literally "city rulers." This title is found on over 30 inscriptions found in archaeology digs in the Macedonian area. Most of them refer to the magistrates for the Macedonian cities. It must have been some type of technical term for these city rulers. Each of the Macedonian cities had such rulers. I mention this, because this is one of those little testimonies that we have of the historicity of the Bible. This title only makes sense to be used to refer to the Macedonian governments, and indeed, that is where we find the term being used.
Anyway, Jason was dragged before these politarchs, and was accused. Not only was the Agitation Artificial, but the Accusation is a false one as well.
The Railing Accusation
Within their accusation, we are going to see a glimmer of the truth. However, the truth is distorted to satisfy their own desires. Their history: "These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them," (Acts 17:6b-7a). Their message: "they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." (1 Thess 2:7b).
What did the mob say was the problem with Paul? Their history:
Acts 17:6b-7a
These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them,
These men accused the apostles of "upsetting the world." I love how the KJV says that they, "turned the world upside down. In the Bible, this word is always used in a pejorative (or derogatory) sense. It describes an Egyptian, who "stirred up a Revolt." Acts 21:38 says, "Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?" It describes the Judaizers, who were requiring circumcision for salvation. (i.e. those that "are troubling" you). Gal. 5:12 says, "Would that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves."
Down through the centuries, it has often been the Christians, who have received such an accusation against them. I think of Nero's accusation against the Christians (i.e. that they actually burned Rome!). I think of the American media, which was quick to accuse Christian organizations of being the catalyst in the slaying of Matthew Shepherd, a gay man in Wyoming (Oct 6, 1998). I even read this week where Christians were being accused of the death of James Byrd, a black man, who was killed by being dragged behind a pick-up truck. Said one editorial, "Hate-crimes thrive in an atmosphere of religiously sanctioned judgments. It is not the violent tempered boys from the 'margins' we need to confront so much as the Trent Lotts, the Republican leadership which identifies homosexuality with crime and insanity, with the destruction of home, family and rightful male authority."
Listen, church family, it has always been this way and it always will be this way. The church will be hated, despised and mis-represented. Because the world hates and despises our leader: Jesus. Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before [it hated] you" (John 15:18).
At work I face accusations from people. "Your Bible studies and your ‘church talk’ tend to alienate people." "People feel uncomfortable when you talk about your "religion" with Patrick." Please try to keep things to yourselves. As I have had Kishwaukee Bible Church brochures in my drawer at work, I have found my name altered a bit. Where it used to say, "College Pastor" is was scratched out and said, "Bozo" (along with Frank Heegaard’s name also).
People want the status quo. They don’t want feathers to be ruffled. That was especially true with the accusations against Paul and Silas: "They are upsetting the whole world!" "They are revolutionaries!"
Remember when Paul Revere rode through the Boston streets shouting, "The British are coming, the British are coming!" Well, the Thessalonians were shouting, "The revolutionaries are here! The revolutionaries are here!" And Jason, this man right here, has helped them.
The implication in their history is that they are going to be nothing but trouble. But not only did they bring up their history and distort the facts, but they also distorted their message. Their message:
Acts 17:7b
they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.
Now, there is an element of truth in this. And yet, there was also an element of falsehood in it as well. What did the mob say was the problem with Paul? His history and his message.
The element of truth should challenge us this evening. They said that Paul and Silas proclaim that there is another King. If you remember, when Jesus was crucified, his charge was that he was "the king of the Jews". (John 19:19). It was written in Greek. It was written in Latin - Rex Judaeorum. It was written in Hebrew - Melek HaYehudi You remember the Jews wanted Pilate to change the sign to say, "He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’" But Pilate refused to change it. There was no doubt as to the charge against Jesus. Jesus was executed because of his claim to be King of the Jews.
But also, this idea of Jesus being King wasn’t foreign to the apostles. If you remember, for 40 days, after the resurrection, the topic of conversation was about "the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). It says of Paul in Ephesus that he spent 3 months in the synagogue, "reasoning and persuading about the kingdom of God" (Acts 19:8). When Paul said farewell to the Ephesian elders, He said that while in Ephesus, he went about "preaching the kingdom." (Acts 20:25). The book of Acts closes with Paul, "in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered." (Acts 28:30-31). Paul even explicitly mentions the kingdom in 1 Thess. 2:12, ...
1 Thessalonians 2:12
So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
They were correct in speaking about Jesus, the King, who was going to rule and reign in His kingdom. The element of falsehood has to do with the nature of the kingdom. Jesus wasn’t a King like Caesar was a king. Jesus’ Kingdom was of a different realm Jesus explained this when talking with Pilate: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." (John 18:26). Jesus’ kingship doesn’t have to do with fighting for the here and now. Jesus’ kingship has to do with the hearts of people. Their allegiance within, not without. Jesus’ Kingdom was of a greater authority Jesus’ last words to Pilate: "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above" (John 19:11).
I said earlier that the element of truth should challenge us this evening. Here is how. As you proclaim the message of the gospel, (to neighbors, friends, family members, strangers, co-workers ...), could you be accused of having another King you are paying homage to? Would anybody summarize your message by saying anything about this King, Jesus?
The gospel is so simply understood using the "kingdom" metaphor. Jesus is the King who will come to rule and reign. Jesus is going to establish His kingdom. The first time He came to deal with our justification (i.e. our legal standing before God - the punishment for our sins needed to be paid). The second time He comes back, He will do like all reigning kings: He will gather His friends to Himself and will destroy his enemies. Now, are you a friend of this King or an enemy of this King? Have you been reconciled to Him or will you be destroyed by Him?
That is the gospel. We need to understand its simplicity! A King, coming to establish His Kingdom! Do you want to be a friend of this King? Repent and believe in His sacrifice for your sins!
There is this whole battle today over what exactly is required for the sinner to do. Does the sinner merely need to make a profession of faith? Does the sinner merely need to make a "decision"? At another church this week, the gospel was described as children making a one-time decision to trust Jesus. Based upon hands being raised, there was assurance of X-number of children becoming Christians this week! I told Yvonne. You know, I don’t even understand what they mean by that?!!
Or, does the sinner, realize his brokenness before a holy God, and merely cry for mercy in willing submission to to the Sovereign One who reigns on high? Does the sinner acknowledge his own hatred of sin and his desire to follow God, whatever the cost? Forsaking all?
If your metaphor of the gospel is like the apostles, you must forsake all! What king will reconcile half-hearted servants into His kingdom? So I ask you. Does King Jesus have a place in the gospel you proclaim?
Paul and Silas were accused of preaching a different King! This artificial agitation, combined with this railing accusation, provoked the crowd and the politarchs.... Turn back to Acts 17, if you are not there already. Look at Acts 17:8, ...
Acts 17:8
And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things.
The people were worked up! Action must be taken! It reminds me of what happens when I read some of this abortion literature! I cannot believe what they are doing to these babies. We gotta do something!
Action is taken...
Acts 17:9-10
And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.
A deal was struck. We don’t know exactly what the terms of the deal was, but a deal was struck. Somehow, Jason pledged something. Most commentators say that Jason posted a bond of insurance. Either that Paul would cause no more trouble, or that Paul would leave town as soon as possible. At any rate, the deal seems to be that Paul was forced to leave the city. He was expelled from the city! Children, here is that word again: Expulsion. Kicked out!
Expulsion from Thessalonica (verses 5-9). I know that we have taken a long time to get down to this point. But there were so many useful things for us to look at in this passage. But it is precisely at this point that we gain an understanding of why Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians.
Paul had only spent a short time in Thessalonica. It is difficult to determine exactly how long he spent in Thessalonica. The only thing that we can say is that it was short, perhaps a month. If we look at Acts, it appears as if he merely spent 3 Sabbaths in the city (i.e. 3 Saturdays). It could have been just a little more than 2 weeks (coming on a Friday and leaving quickly after the 3rd Sabbath), or even it could have been up to 4 weeks. But perhaps, Luke merely mentions Paul’s ministry among the Jews (i.e. for 3 Sabbaths). It could have been that Paul spent more time there, ministering to the Gentiles.
I say this for a couple of reasons. First, when Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he mentioned how the Philippians had sent him a gift more than once (i.e. twice or more times). Remember that Philippi was a three-day’s journey away. To have discovered Paul’s need and then to have responded not once but twice in a span of 3 weeks, might be a little short.
Second, Paul described his ministry in Thessalonica as one in which, "we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. You recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God" (1 Thess. 2:8-9). It would have been difficult to have been able to set up a business for so short a period of time.
Third, the tremendous success of his labors among the Gentiles: "a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks ... joined Paul and Silas." (Acts 17:4). Lightfoot is indicative of most commentators, when he writes, "The account of St. Luke is silent as to his labors beyond the first three weeks of his stay. Had we merely the historian's narrative we might have supposed that he only stayed so long. It is plain however from the Epistles that the length of his sojourn was much greater. At the close of these three weeks we may suppose that he devoted himself more exclusively to the heathen." [1]
Having said that, it is difficult to determine exactly how long Paul was there. Best to say that he spent a short time in Thessalonica: a few weeks at least and a few months at most.
And yet this fact that he was only with the Thessalonians for such a short time is one of the keys to understanding Paul’s purpose in writing. Paul had only spent a short time in Thessalonica. He was concerned for the church in Thessalonica. He had only spent a little bit of time with them and was prohibited from ministering to them any more. His desire was to be with them, but he couldn’t be with them (because of Jason’s pledge). He was forced to minister to them by mail. And he explains his situation in 1 Thess. 2:17ff. Turn there.
1 Thessalonians 2:17
But we, brethren, having been bereft of you for a short while--in person, not in spirit--were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.
Paul says that they were bereft of the Thessalonian. What does that mean? "Derived or robbed of the possession or use of something; lacking something needed or wanted." It means to be orphaned by separation. They were literally orphaned from these people. In Acts, we got the picture that they were prohibited by law to return.
This separation, however, was something more physical: "In person, not in spirit." For they longed to be with them. In their hearts they were with them. Like a mother, sending her first child off to college. Paul said, "with great desire I longed to see your face."
1 Thessalonians 2:18
We wanted to come to you--I, Paul, more than once -- and yet Satan thwarted us.
This may simply be that it was against the Law for Paul to set foot in Thessalonica. Satanic hindrances need not be anything other than the natural events of the day, which direct and guide the affairs of men.
Paul describes his great love for the Thessalonians in 2:19-20. Here was this young group of converts, who had to be orphaned. They were left to the dogs. Paul didn’t know how they were doing. Like giving birth to a child and being immediately separated from the child. You have all types of questions.
And think especially of the circumstances in which Paul left the Thessalonians. It would be one thing if he could arrange everything just as he wanted, like he did in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. Remember when Luke records that "they appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed." (Acts 14:23). Paul didn’t have time to appoint elders in the church. Paul didn’t have time even to pray a parting prayer with them. According to what we looked at in Acts 17, it appears as if Paul and Silas were uprooted with a moment’s notice. Gone!
It couldn’t have been a positive experience for the Thessalonian church. One day they had their fearless leader and the next day he was run out of town, never to return again!
So Paul was concerned with how they were doing. And rightly so. But though Paul couldn’t go to see them. But he had a plan up his sleeve. If Paul couldn’t go, he could send somebody to see how they were doing. So that’s what he did. He sent his dear son in the faith, Timothy.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-2
Therefore when we could endure [it] no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone; and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
In Acts 17, we know that Paul left Thessalonica and went to Berea. In Berea, the Jews of Thessalonica came and expelled Paul from Berea as well. So, Paul had to go on to Athens. It was there in Athens that Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica (according to 1 Thess. 3). Timothy’s purpose was clear:
1 Thessalonians 3:2-4
... to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, so that no man may be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.
Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage the believers in Thessalonica. Especially in light of the afflictions which they witnessed in Paul (and were now experiencing themselves). Paul was telling the Thessalonians that persecution was coming! We have seen that it was a pattern for Paul, thus Paul knew that it was coming. You can get the picture. Paul was preaching in the synagogue and many were believing. The ministry was going great, but Paul was telling them, "It may look like things are going great now. And they are. But, soon, the time will come when the Jews won’t like what we are doing. They will rise up and do something with us."
So, Paul sent Timothy, "when he could no longer endure it any longer!"
1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.
Paul was concerned for their perseverance. Quite frankly, I think that Paul was concerned that the fruit that had borne fruit would be like the seed sown on the rocky places. You remember that Christ spoke about how the seed on the rocky places "is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no [firm] root in himself, but is [only] temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away" (Matt. 13:20-21). Paul was concerned that his labor among the Thessalonians would produce nothing more than a field of crops, which all wilted because of having no root, which we see when he says in verse 5, "And our labor should be in vain!"
Paul was concerned about the lasting fruit of his converts. He was concerned to see that the fruit which was created by his ministry would continue. And here again, I voice my concern for the "decisionistic" tendency of our American Christianity. Somebody can make a decision for Christ and the case is over and people go home satisfied. I am tired of hearing letters from missionaries who report how many people "became Christians" at some big conference or event. They don’t show Paul’s attitude: "Oh, my concern is that our labor would not be in vain!" "My concern is that the people would persevere, because it is here that we have assurance that they are believers."
Why do you think that Paul began his epistle like this:
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3-4
We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention [of you] in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, [His] choice of you;
In other-words, "your work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope" demonstrate your perseverance in the faith and I am sure of your election! So, it was Paul’s great concern that his labor among them "was not in vain" (verse 5). Timothy’s purpose was clear. Timothy’s report was glorious!
1 Thessalonians 3:6
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you.
His report was just arrived: "But now!" Better translated, "Just now!" As soon as Timothy’s reports crossed Paul’s ears, he then picked up his pen to write this epistle. So thankful was Paul that he could do no other than immediately write to the Thessalonians of his thankfulness and joy of the good report. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 - "We give thanks..."; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - "We constantly thank God'; 1 Thessalonians 3:9 - "For what thanks can we render to God..."
His good report covers two areas. First, their devotion to God! Their devotion "has brought us good news of your faith and love" (3:6). Faith toward God. Love toward God (or love toward others, generated by the faith).
Second, their devotion to Paul! This devotion "has brought us good news ... that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you." (3:6) What a comfort was this to Paul. That his labor was not in vain. That the Thessalonians had persevered.
And Paul can do no other, than say that "in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord" (verses 7-8). His concern was for their spiritual well-being. When he knew that they were doing well, he would be well.
I think of no better way to end tonight that merely to repeat this truth and encourage you all with it. May I say, "I really live, if you stand firm in the Lord!" The truth of 3 John is ever true: "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." That is my heart's cry. As a pastor and shepherd of your souls, know and be fully assured that I am comforted when I hear of you walking with the Lord. When I see your spiritual successes, it is my joy. When I see you struggle through things with a proper heart and mind, it is my joy. I really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on
July 16, 2000 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rvbc.cc.