1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13, Endurance: It's worthy of gratitude.

Theological Proposition/Focus: God's model for spiritual growth is a discipleship model whereby just as a parent invests in their children so the spiritually mature invest in those less mature.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: We should express gratitude when we learn that those of the faith have faithfully endured.

Introduction: Memory verse - 1 Thess. 1:2

Image: Canceled plans can be a real bummer but that doesn't mean we should just give up.

Have you ever had plans canceled or radically changed at the last minute? My brother and his family are visiting with us today. They actually were slated to visit back in October but they day they were to drive out they became sick. We talked on the phone and decided it would be best to postpone. It was a real bummer, Emily had bought all sorts of food, we had planned out the visit but we ended up having to cancel. Nevertheless, we didn't give up and today after the service you should take a minute to introduce yourself to my brother and his family!

Setting the Stage:

Today in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 we are going to see some details of Paul's canceled travel plans.

Recall that Paul and Silas had planted a church in Thessalonica but after things got out of control in the city they were forced to leave the city and head to Berea.

From Berea they went to Athens and from Athens to Corinth.

While in Corinth, Paul labored but also, as we will see, Paul desired to return to Thessalonica in order to see how the new church was doing.

Unfortunately, Paul's best intentions went unrealized and Paul was forced to go with plan B and send Timothy on his behalf.

So, why did Paul care so much about returning to Thessalonica? the answer is Spiritual Legacy.

Paul loved his spiritual children, his spiritual legacy, and had an incredible desire to see them grow.

Body

A spiritual legacy is the legacy worth your investment (2:17-20).

Image: Cat toys, a bad investment.

Have you invested in something before? I have made some really good investments and some not so good investments. Emily enjoys purchasing toys or furniture for our cat. The problem is that when we get the new toy or cat tower home, almost without fail the cat chooses the box over the toy. Here we are going to see that spiritual legacy is a worthwhile investment.

Paul's love for his spiritual children brought deep longing (17-18).

I really appreciate Paul's language of love expressed in verses 17 and 18.

The word ἀπορφανισθέντες (when we were orphaned) can also carry the idea of being deprived of something.

In other words, Paul had such a deep desire to be with his spiritual children that he felt like an orphan, he felt deprived to be away from them. This is a true deep love.

In fact, Paul adds a little drama "For we wanted to come to you" - Better translated "we resolved to come to you."

The word ἠθελήσαμεν is rooted in "wish" but BDAG suggests "resolve" is appropriate.

In fact, several commentators note that contextually there is more in mind here than just a wish but a resolve. Paul has decided he needed to visit the church. Unfortunately, this was not going to be allowed.

Paul states that Satan blocked the way. And we can learn some important asides.

Paul is willing to admit that Satan has been successful in causing him distress.

I don't want to get too caught in the weeds here but I want you to understand that we need to be spiritually vigilant. This is not some abstract feel good motivational speech. This is real!

Paul recognized the reality of a future pinnacle event (19).

Paul almost builds anticipation here by talking about levels of expectation.

Hope - Joy - Crown!

The crown could refer to a number of things, a royal crown, prize for an athletic competition, a chaplet of woven flowers for a victor.

The point is that More than hope, more than even joy, there is coming a point when Christ returns to take His people to heaven and Paul is looking forward to the reward that is in store but it is not just a trophy that Paul will set aside in a display case, no the reward that Paul looks forward to is an eternity with Jesus and his spiritual children.

Paul understood what his future self would value (20).

Boasting is a double edged sword!

I want you to understand that we must be careful. You see there are things we should take pride in, things we should boast about. We should not boast in ourselves. However, we can boast in the Lord in the work that he is doing. We should take pride in the God we serve. Ultimately, we need to recognize that our glory and joy will be those who we have discipled. We need to realize what really matters!

Image: When I get older I am going to...

I enjoy talking to people about what they want to do when they grow up. It is fun to imaging what your future might look like. It is fun to think about the house you might one day own. It is fun to imagine what might occupy your time. However, what I think is more important is the realization that no matter what you are doing you should be investing in what matters. I want to tell you that when I grow up I plan to serve God! No seriously, I learned a while back that no matter what I was doing to pay the bills what really mattered was what I was doing of eternal consequence. I am incredibly grateful that God has allowed me to invest my full-time vocation directly in serving. But I also am thankful for many of you who invest through working secular jobs toward the glory of God. Many of you give abundantly toward the glory of God. Many get off of work and come straight to the church on a Wednesday night to begin investing time with the children. Seriously, I want to say thank you!

A spiritual legacy should never be taken for granted (3:1-5).

If we are not careful, it is easy for us to take things for granted. I take the air I breathe for granted. My meals are mostly taken for granted. The heater,... I could go on.

Paul understood that his spiritual children needed encouraging (1-2).

Verse 2 reminds us that we need to encourage each other, the Thessalonians needed encouragement and Paul recognized the need.

However, Paul also recognized a significant problem, he was not able to provide that encouragement. Instead Paul would send Timothy to provide the encouragement. Paul is careful to defend Timothy by calling him his brother and fellow worker. The Thessalonians needed to know that they needed encouragement but it really didn't matter from whom that encouragement came.

Image: Our deacon ministry.

I am incredibly thankful for a church that seems to understand this. I have never heard someone complain that they received a visit from someone other than the pastor. I want to encourage/challenge you today. No matter what resist the temptation to think of the pastor as your connection to God or the only one who can encourage you.

Paul was aware of the reality of trials and persecution (3-4).

In the Christian life it is not a matter of if trials will come but when trials will come.

However, as suggested in verse 3, Paul also knew that trials can be unsettling.

We need to realize that our spiritual children face trials. These trials can be unsettling and we need to prepare our spiritual children for these trials. We also need to be ready to offer support in these trials.

Paul feared for the safety of his spiritual children (5).

Another scary thought, people can fall away from God!

This does not mean they lose their salvation but rather that they cave to temptation and turn their back on God.

Here I see in Paul genuine concern. Paul uses strong language to express how he felt. Paul was concerned that in the wake of significant temptation the Thessalonians would fall away from following Christ.

We need to realize that spiritual battles are real and people can lose!

Let me ask you a question.

A spiritual legacy can bring real joy (3:6-10).

Paul identified two sources of encouragement, faith and love (6-7).

Verse 6 starts with a contrasting conjunction Ἄρτι δὲ (but now).

Yes, Paul and Silas had been genuinely concerned but it turns out all was well.

Paul understood that true vicarious living was spiritual in nature (8).

We are all guilty of trying to live vicariously. Life simply is too short to do everything you might want to do.

Sports

So we live vicariously, we try to go back and play sports through our children.

Note Facebook

We join together with a friends vacation through Facebook, ... But this is not true living. You see true living is living for Christ. If you want to live vicariously then invest in someone's spiritual life. Paul here notes that true joy in life comes from watching those we love stand firm in Christ!

Paul expressed gratitude for the joy of a spiritual legacy (9-10).

It is important to recognize that it is God who who grants victory and so it is to God that we owe gratitude for the spiritual children he has given to us. Ultimately, Paul still wanted to visit his spiritual children in order to continue to teach and encourage.

A spiritual legacy is worth your prayers (3:11-13).

Paul prayed that his spiritual children would live as God intends (13).

The answer is simple, because Jesus is coming again!

There is coming a time when Jesus will return and we need to live in anticipation of that time. We need to pray that others will live in anticipation of that time.

There is a interpretive issue, the NIV translates μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων αὐτοῦ as with all his holy ones as opposed to saints.

Saints is probably a more well-known translation among those who understand the theology. the point is it is probably a reference to those who have accepted Christ as their Savior, died, and now perfectively sanctified. We need to realize that Jesus is coming again and he is bringing with him christians who have passed before. We will be united again. We need to live for Christ because Christ is coming again!