August 22, 2017: Day 3 – I Thessalonians 3

There really is no doubt that Paul wanted to get back to Thessalonica as soon as he could, but he couldn’t.  So, he sent Timothy to check in on the church to see how they were doing.  Look at vs.6 where we read that Timothy just got back and gave a glowing report.  Not only is the church doing well, but here is a video of one of their worship services…  Okay, not quite, but pretty much right?  

It is interesting that Paul basically told the church that you know what you signed up for, right?  I told you that you were going to be persecuted, and sure enough you are living through that persecution.  But hey, it isn’t anything that we haven’t experienced.  He says it in the most loving and caring way possible.  In fact, since we don’t really know each other all that well, I sent someone along to check in on you just in case you were falling in your faith.  But you weren’t!  Praise be to God.

Focus for a moment on vs.12.  “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.”  This is really the progression that we see we ought to take.  As a church we have to have love for each other, but that love can’t remain within the church.  It has to be love that we have for all.  That is fairly audacious of Paul to make that statement that we have to have love for all.  Not just our neighbor, not just the people we like, not just other members of the church, but all.  Focus on that for tonight and this week.