In years gone by, when a person repented of his sin and trusted Christ for salvation, he was told to expect troubles. The Apostle Paul’s gospel message also included a clear warning that trusting Christ will bring persecution.

Down through the centuries and still is true in many oppressed countries today, when a person trusts Christ, he expects troubles. However, for about 200 years, religious liberty in countries like our own has made it so that trusting Christ no longer brings severe persecution.

Has this helped the cause of Christ? In some ways, it has. However, it has also made it easy to be a professing Christian. As a result, many who have never repented and trusted Christ have made false professions of salvation. Many who call themselves Christians that have no testimony of transformation. Perhaps that is why so many people now think of Christianity as a myth.

Transition

This morning, I want us to consider three things Paul tells us about Expected Troubles.

Expected Troubles Can Cause Concern, 3:1-3

1. Paul’s struggle
   1. “Wherefore” – the fact that Satan hindered his visits to Thessalonica.
   2. He “could no longer forbear”. This phrase comes from a word that means to cover over with silence. Paul had covered or suppressed his concerns for some time. He now felt that he could no longer hide his inner feelings of concern. He longed to know how his converts in Thessalonica were doing.
2. Paul’s solution
   1. Though he needed Timothy’s help in Athens, his burden was so great that he chose to be left alone and send Timothy back to Thessalonica. Notice the description Paul gives of Timothy.
      1. He was a valued companion (2:1). He was Paul’s friend and helper.
      2. He was a true brother in Christ (2:2). This was very important. He was not just religious. He truly knew the Lord – he had repented of his sins and received Christ as his personal Saviour. Jesus made it very clear that religion does not make a person a true Christian and give them a home in heaven. (Matthew 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
      3. He was a minister of God (2:2). This word describes one who is a servant. He was a young man with a servant’s heart. He humbly served the Lord and others.
      4. He was a fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ (2:2). He was a worker. He worked together with Paul. They formed a team. Their work focused on spreading the gospel of Christ. Timothy was learning to preach and witness for the Lord.
   2. Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica with a mission.
      1. He was to establish the believers. This word means to make stable or to strengthen. This was a big task for a young man.
      2. He was to comfort them concerning the faith. Here is that word again that means to call to one’s side for the purpose of admonishing, begging, comforting, encouraging, or instructing. To do this, Timothy had to be a leader who knew the Bible well. The fact that Paul trusted Timothy with this great duty says much for Timothy’s character and discipline in the Bible.
      3. He was to keep them from being moved by these afflictions. Paul and his missionary companions were suffering persecution. Troubles, trials, and persecution were attacking the new believers. Timothy must equip them to stand strong.
         ☆ Timothy is a fantastic model for each of us. He was not the seasoned preacher Paul was. He was just a young man – an apprentice preacher. He was probably in his early 20’s. Yet, he was Paul’s valuable friend and co-worker. He knew the Word well enough to strengthen others and to instruct them in the faith. He was able to help others stand up to persecution. Could these things be said of you? If not, ask God to help you to grow so that you can help others grow.

Expected Troubles Must be Repeatedly Foretold, 3:4-5

1. Paul often told them troubles were ahead
   1. He had foretold that tribulations or troubles would come. The imperfect tense of the verb shows us that he repeatedly foretold of coming troubles. Becoming a Christian was almost always accompanied by persecution.
   2. When Paul used the word “we” he included himself and the other missionaries, but likely included the new believers as well. Persecution has always been part of living a dedicated life for the Lord.
      1. In Matthew 16:24 we read, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
      2. Peter wrote, (1 Peter 2:21) “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
      3. In Paul’s last letter to Timothy he said, (2 Timothy 3:12) “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
2. Paul knew Satan uses troubles to try to trip us
   1. The tempter Paul mentions is the devil himself. The same word describes the devil tempting Jesus in the wilderness (Mat 4:3).
   2. The devil is real and he is a very powerful tempter. I like how one commentator put it when he said, “Indeed, for Paul the devil was real, an actually existing, very powerful and very terrible opponent! Those who deny the real and personal existence of Satan should be honest enough to admit that they do not believe in the Bible!” (Hendricksen quoted by Dunagan)
   3. Paul feared that the devil would use troubles in the lives of the new believers to turn from the Bible truths he had taught them.

Expected Troubles Can be Endured Victoriously, 3:6-8

1. Paul was thrilled at Timothy’s good report
   1. The troubles faced by the Thessalonian believers had not harmed them spiritually. Timothy reported of their faith and charity. They had a clear testimony of faith in the Lord and an active love for the Lord. They had happy memories of Paul’s preaching and teaching and they longed to see him again.
   2. These are all signs of new life in Christ. They are evidence that a person truly knows the Lord as his Saviour. They are some of the fruit that true Christians bear.
      ☆ Do you have a clear testimony of faith in Christ? Could you explain how and when you trusted Christ? Do you have an active love for the Lord that has replaced a love for the things of the world? Do you enjoy solid Bible preaching and teaching? Do you long to be with godly Christians?
2. Faithful Christians encouraged Paul’s heart
   1. Paul said he was comforted by the news of Timothy’s good report. This is the same word that we noted in 3:2.
   2. Paul was comforted or encouraged by their faith in Christ. Paul said, “now we live”. His life was revived by the good news that they were standing fast in the Lord.

Conclusion

Expected troubles cause concern for new believers. New life in Christ so fully transforms a person that unbelievers often turn on him. The Bible forewarns us of this. Yet, with God’s help true Christians can endure troubles. Has Christ transformed your life? If not, you need to repent and put your faith in Christ alone.

If unbelievers are troubling you, stay strong in the Lord. Don’t let the devil defeat you. Keep your eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Song: The Fight is on 404
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Expected Troubles
28 February 2016 AM – 1Thessalonians 3:1-8 – 1Th2016 – Scott Childs