Category: Sermons
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Aiming At Increasing
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Separated by time and distance, Paul reports his prayer wish to the Thessalonians. At the top of that list was the desire to return in person that he might minister to them. The purpose of that ministry was the spiritual increase of the Thessalonians. Three categories of increase mark out Paul’s aim…
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Ministry for the Afflicted
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Out of the deepest concern for the Thessalonians and their afflictions, Paul sent Timothy to bolster them in faith. Paul knew that in seasons of distress, Satan works overtime to discourage the believer and lead them into temptation and he desperately wanted to counteract it. To keep the church abounding in Christ,…
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Separated But Solicitous
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 Though separated from the Thessalonians, Paul overflowed with concern for them. Several attempts to return had been thwarted by Satanic hindrance. To reassure the church, Paul not only expressed his deep desire to see them, he reinforced it by telling them that his pastoral aim was nothing less than their spiritual preparation…
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An Empowering Word
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 In giving thanks for the Thessalonians, Paul pointed to the specific example of the powerful operation of the word in their lives. What stood out in the Thessalonian experience was suffering; they endured intense tribulation on account of Christ. Instead of turning from the savior, they powered forward in service and they…
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True Hearing
1 Thessalonians 2:13 As Paul returns to thanksgiving, he commends the Thessalonians for how they heard the word. When he came preaching, they leaned forward and listened with faith and made application of the word to their lives because they believed what they heard was from God and not from men. This message explores the…