Thriving Through Thessalonians #3

Thriving Through Thessalonians #3

To thrive spiritually means your relationship with God continues to increase in intimacy. As your trust of God deepens your life is transformed so that God’s will is done in and through you.

If you are to thrive spiritually you need to have at least one person praying for you.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 (MSG)

1 So when we couldn't stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens 2 and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn't be discouraged by these hard times. He's a brother and companion in the faith, God's man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.

3 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You've always known that we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling. 4 When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it's happened, you know what it's like. 5 That's why I couldn't quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn't want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.

6 But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It's especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you! 7 In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you're doing keeps us going. 8 Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.

9 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? 10 We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

11 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! 12 And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. 13 May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

One way you impact people is by your affection for them.

1 Thessalonians 3:1 (MSG)

…we couldn't stand being separated from you any longer…

Its doubtful that God’s message of love, redemption and salvation will be effective through you if you don’t like the person you are telling. If you despise the people you are trying to enlighten, I think your effort is a lost cause.

Discouragement can lead to despair and despair to destruction of your faith.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (MSG)

When we “…could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn't be discouraged by these hard times…”

It’s not easy street for Christians. Those who teach that material property and physical health is the right of every believer are liars.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 (MSG)

I didn't want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.

Scripture reveals that this Satan wants to tear down everything that God has built. The evil one wants your faith destroyed.

1 Thessalonians 3:6 (MSG)

…Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love…

Faith is observable as you love on others.

James 2:18 (NIV) &  20 (MSG)

What fruit in your life can you point to the demonstrates you faith and love? Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?

Too many Christians are “do nothing” believers. Faith but no works is no faith at all.

Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Faith working in love is the sign of the Holy Spirit’s power within you.

1 Thessalonians 3:6 (MSG)

It's especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you!

Knowing that those you have mentored are thriving spiritually is powerfully rewarding.

         

1 Thessalonians 3:8 (MSG)

Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.

When you mentor someone less mature in the faith, there are an incredible rewards for loving others this way. Those rewards include cultivation of a heart of gratitude and a         growing inner joy.

1 Thessalonians 3:9 (MSG)

What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you?

We are all called by God to pray for one another.

Ephesians 6:18 & James 5:16  (NIV)

…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints…. pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

In order to thrive spiritually you need to have someone praying for you.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 (MSG)

We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

To have someone praying for you is to have a disciple that is asking God to bless you, prosper you, protect you. This type of prayer is called intercessory prayer.

I am convinced it is because of intercessory prayer that God’s grace has come time and time again to help me rise up and keep on keeping on.

Ask God to bring someone in our life that you trust enough to allow them to intercede for you.

                  

Ask God to make you that kind of person.

                   You can begin by praying for someone.

                   Write down the times and reason you prayed.

                   Watch for God’s intervention.

                   You will see God using you to help others thrive.

Intercessory prayers open windows of love that God uses to fill your life.

           

Intercessory prayers infuse you with strength, purity and confidence.

Intercessory prayer is you being an invisible means of support to someone else.

         

Intercessory prayer is an act of love.

         

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (MSG)

And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.