A FAITH FOR THOUGH TIMES

I Thess. 3:1-13

Paul was writing to a group of people, he had led to the Lord Jesus. We always desire the very best for the people we love, we are concerned that we have the best for them. That is true in the physical realm, it is also true in the spiritual realm. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that it is "impossible to please God apart from faith". In Romans 10:17, the Bible tells us that "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God", again the Word of God says, "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith". The Christians at Thessalonica were people of faith. Let's look at what Paul said about faith in this chapter.

1. Paul was Concerned About Their Sufferings, about Satan, and their Shortcomings. I Thessalonians 2:15, 2:16, 1 Thessalonians 3:5 , 1 Thessalonians 3:8, with suffering, Satan, and shortcomings, Paul encouraged them to have "A Faith For Tough Times".

Our concern should be for Pewee Valley, Oldham County and Jefferson County, Kentucky. We should show our faith and share our faith with those around us in every day of our life.

I. THE PREPARATION OF OUR FAITH. (Making ready faith - Putting in order our faith.)

Verses #1-3 "Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you CONCERNING YOUR FAITH: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for your selves know that we are appointed thereunto.

(a). When We Come To Church Our Faith Is Established.

Verse #3 ...."to establish you, .... concerning your faith:"

Romans 10:17 "So then FAITH COMETH by HEARING, and HEARING by the WORD OF GOD".

Hebrews 11:6 "But WITHOUT FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to God must BELIEVE that HE IS, and that HE IS A REWARDER of them that diligently seek him."

There is a lot of Men Pressure and Lady Pressures in this world and we need something to put our hope and trust into that will stand the test of time. (Romans 3:23 Is The Bad News Of The Gospel and Romans 10:9-13 is The Good News Of The Gospel.)

(b). When We Come To Church Hearts Are Encouraged.

Verse #3 ...."comfort you concerning your faith:"

Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written FOR OUR LEARNING, that we through patience and COMFORT OF THE SCRIPTURES might have HOPE."

Psalms 119:50 "This is MY COMFORT in my affliction: for THY WORD hath QUICKENED ME.

II. THE PROTECTION OF OUR FAITH. Verse #4-9

(the safeguarding or strengthening of our faith)

(a). The Troubles In Life Can Damage Our Faith. Verse #4

Verse #3 "That NO MAN should be MOVED by these AFFLICTIONS: for yourselves know that we are APPOINTED THEREUNTO.

Verse #4 "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that WE should SUFFER TRIBU- LATION; even as it came to pass, and ye know. (Salvation does not mean troubles will not come - Jesus Said, "If they hated me they will hate you also")

(b). The Temptations Of Lucifer Can Drain Our Faith. Verse #5

Verse #5 "For this cause, when I could NO LONGER FORBEAR, I sent to KNOW YOUR FAITH, lest by some means THE TEMPTER have TEMPTED YOU, and OUR LABOUR be IN VAIN." (Lucifer Tempted Jesus - Don't give into the devil)

III. THE PERFECTION OF OUR FAITH. Verse #6-13

(a). The Maturing Of Our Faith. Vr#6 (germinating, growing, expanding, enlarging, )

Verse #6 "But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and BROUGHT US GOOD TID- INGS of YOUR FAITH and CHARITY, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

Faith does not come fully equipped. When we are saved we have enough faith to believe on the Lord Jesus but our faith is to be fully equipped as we grow and mature in the Christian life.( In II Peter 1:5-8, Peter tells us some things to add to our faith. In I Peter 1:5-8 Peter tells us some truths about faith.)

(b). The Maintenance Of Our Faith. (keeping, sustaining, continuance, preserve,)

Verse #10, "Night and day praying EXCEEDINGLY that we might SEE your FACE, and MIGHT PERFECT that which IS LACKING in YOUR FAITH?"

Verse 11-13, Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, DIRECT OUR WAY unto you. And the Lord make you to INCREASE and ABOUND in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts un-blame-able in holiness before God, even our Father, AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, with all his saints.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:, after he has talked about "putting on the armor of God, that we might be ABLE TO STAND" Verse #14-16, Paul Says, "STAND THEREFORE, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.'' (Faith must be maintained, it must be sustained and preserved, "Above all, taking the SHIELD OF FAITH".)