You must stand firm in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:8-13)

You must stand firm in the Lord

[1 Thessalonians 3:8-13]

Are you standing firm in your faith (1 Cor. 16:13) so that you are not being shaken by any difficulty and adversity? This is what the Bible Isaiah 7:9b says, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” If we don’t believe in Jesus firmly, we cannot stand firm. Therefore, we must firmly believe in Jesus. We must stand firm in our faith (1 Cor. 16:13). To do so, we must stand firm in the word of the Lord. May the Lord establish our footsteps in His word (Ps. 119:133). This is what the Bible James 5:8 says, “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.”

When we read 1 Thessalonians 3:8, this is what Paul said to the Thessalonian church saints: “for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.” Based on this word, I want to think about how we can stand firm in the Lord under the title “You must stand firm in the Lord.”

First, we must be supplied what is lacking in our faith in order for us to stand firm in the Lord.

Look at 1 Thessalonians 3:10 – “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.” What is faith? When we say “faith”, we often think about Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Last year, a pastor came to our church and preached during the Sunday service. And this is what I wrote down as I was listening to his sermon: ‘Faith is hoping that God will surely fulfill His promise that He has given to us no matter how pessimistic situation that we are in.’ What do you think? Do you think this is faith? Are you hopping that God will fulfill His promise even in the midst of very pessimistic situation? A good example is Abraham, the ancestor of faith. His pessimistic situation was that he and his wife Sarah could no longer have a baby. Look at Romans 4:19 – “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead.” What was the word of God's promise that Abraham believed and hoped for even in this very pessimistic situation? Look at Romans 4:18 – “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’.” Abraham didn’t waver through unbelief regarding this promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God (v. 20) even though the fact was that his body was as good as dead and that Sarah’s womb was also dead (v. 19). He was fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised (v. 21). Aren’t we seeking this kind of faith?

The Thessalonian church saints who received the letter from Apostle Paul were also people of faith. To what extent they were the people of faith was Paul always thanked God for all of them whenever he remembered them (1 Thess. 1:2-3). Their work of faith (v. 3) was that they welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit in spite of severe suffering (v. 6). What a wonderful work of their faith? They didn’t have to suffer if they didn’t believe in Jesus. But because they believe in Him, they suffered. But in the midst of severe suffering they welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. When they received the word of God of God, which they they heard from Paul and his co-workers, they accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God (2:13). And the Word was worked in them who believed (v. 13). Not only that, their faith in God had become known everywhere (v. 8). In other words, the amazing work of their faith in God was that their faith in God had become known everywhere. What a beautiful believer's picture is? How amazing is the work of their faith that their work of faith didn’t only appeared among them, but also had appeared in every place through them. There faith of turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God became known everywhere. Therefore, Apostle Paul rejoiced in all joy because of the Thessalonian church saints (3:9). This was Paul's greatest joy in ministry. The greatest joy was that as the faith of the Thessalonian church saints grew, they walked in the truth. In this joy, Paul worshiped God with thanksgiving (v. 9, MacArthur). Nevertheless, Paul wanted to find out about their faith (3:5) he sent Timothy, who was his brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ (v. 2) because he could stand it no longer (vv. 1, 5). The reason was that they were being persecuted (v. 4). That was why Paul was concerned when he thought of the Thessalonian church saints (v. 5). And that concern was that Satan might tempt them and their efforts might have been useless (v. 5). That was why Paul sent Timothy to the Thessalonica church in order to strengthened and encouraged them in their faith (v. 2). The purpose was so that no one would be unsettled by the trials (vv. 2b-3). Then Timothy came back from Thessalonica and told Paul about the Thessalonian church saints’ good news of their faith and love (v 6). In other words, Timothy told Paul that the Thessalonian church saints were standing firm in their faith even in the midst of severe suffering, as well as the good news of love for Paul and his co-workers. Therefore, Paul was encouraged in all his distress and persecution (v. 7). Therefore, Paul said, ‘Now I really live’ because the Thessalonian church saints stand firm in the Lord (v. 8).

But in 1 Thessalonians 3:10, Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church saints: “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.” Isn’t it strange? Didn’t Paul always thank God for the Thessalonian church saints because of their work of faith (1:2-3)? Not only that, didn’t Paul heard from Timothy that they were standing firm in the Lord in the midst of their severe suffering? (2:8) Then why did Paul say that their faith was lacking? (3:10) It was because their faith wasn’t perfect. That was why since Paul could stand it no longer, he sent Timothy to them in order to find about their faith. In particular, since Paul already told the Thessalonian church saints about suffering affliction and so it came to pass he was very concerned about their faith whether they were standing firm in the Lord or were shaken by affliction and the tempter (vv. 4-5). So Paul prayed most earnestly to God night and day so that the Lord may complete what was lacking in their faith (v. 10). Not only that, Paul pleaded with his God and Father Himself and Jesus his Lord to direct his way to them (v. 11). Not only did he ask, but he actually tried to go and see the Thessalonian church saints’ face more than once. But Satan hindered him (2:17-18).

We must pray to God. We must pray not only for our own faith but also for the faith of our family members and the church members. And as we pray, we need to realize how little our faith is when we face difficulties. So we must pray to God for the progress of our faith (Phil. 1:25). Therefore, we hope and pray that our faith will grow and become stronger so that we don’t waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but is strengthened in our faith and give glory to God (Rom. 4:20).

Second, our love must increase and overflow for each other in order for us to stand firm in the Lord.

What should we do in order for our church to stand firm in the Lord? First, the church must stand firm in the Word of God. We must all stand firm in our faith. In order to do that, we must not only pray to God for the progress of our faith, but also we must be diligent in listening and meditating on the Word of God. So each of our faith must grow. As our church family grows in faith, our church can stand firm in the Lord in any tribulation and adversity. Also, we must love one another with the love of the Lord. When we love each other and keep the unity of the church, the church can stand firm in the Lord. That was why Paul prayed for the Philippian church that their love may abound more and more (Phil. 1:9).

Look at 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” This was Paul’s another earnest prayer for the Thessalonian church saints. When I meditated on this Paul's prayer, I remembered 1 Thessalonians 1:3 that we already meditated. One of the reasons why Paul always thanked God whenever he remembered the Thessalonian church saints in his prayer was because of their labor of love. In 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 we can see some evidence that they were already doing the labor of love: “Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.” In 1 Thessalonians 3:12, we can divide the Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian church saints into three:

(1) In the words “just as ours does for you” we should rethink about how Paul loved the Thessalonian church saints.

I thought of eight things: (a) Paul remembered them and prayed to God (1:2, 3). (b) Paul preached the gospel to them when they were idolatry, before they believed in Jesus (v. 5). (c) Paul did not assert his apostolic authority to them, but he was gentle among them, like a mother caring for her little children (2:7). (d) Paul was pleased to give them not only the gospel but even his life (v. 8). (e) Paul worked night and day in order not to be a burden to them (v. 9). (f) Paul was holy, righteous and blameless when he was among them (v. 10). (g) Paul encouraged, comforted and urged them to live lives worthy of God as a father deals with his own children (vv. 11-12). (h) Paul made every effort to see them out of his intense longing (v. 17).

(2) In the words, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else” we should think about how the Thessalonian church saints loved each other (4:9) and loved all the brothers (v. 10).

How did the Thessalonian church saints love each other? Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:9, “Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.” I would like to think about how they love each other in six ways:

(a) The Thessalonian church saints loved each other by not only welcoming the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit (1:6) but also by their faith becoming known everywhere (v. 8). I think this is loving each other. I think that the ways in which the church can loves each other is to receive the word of God and grow in faith. This is strengthening each other and being joy to one another. This is considering and loving each other.

(b) The Thessalonian church saints suffered together (2:14). I think suffering together because of their faith in Jesus Christ and because of persecution as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is loving each other.

(d) The Thessalonian church saints encouraged each other (4:18). Paul didn’t want them to grieve like the non-believers who had no hope (v. 13). The reason is because there is a clear hope for those who believe in Jesus. Do you know what that hope is? It is the resurrection of the dead (v. 14). Paul encouraged the Thessalonian church saints to encourage each other with this faith and hope of resurrection (4:18) since they were waiting for the Son of God from heaven (1:10). Although they were already doing this labor of love, Paul encouraged them to do more.

(e) The Thessalonian church saints encouraged one another and build each other up. Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Although the Thessalonian church saints were already encouraging and building each other up, Paul encouraged them to do so more. Paul especially encouraged them to encourage the timid and to help the weak (v. 14).

(f) The Thessalonian church saints lived in peace with each other. Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:13 – “Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” Although they were living in peace with each other, Paul encouraged them to do so more. And in order for them to do so, Paul encouraged them to be patient with everyone (v. 14).

(3) What we must think about is how the Thessalonian church saints loved all the brothers.

Look at 1 Thessalonians 4:10 – “And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.” I think they loved all their brothers throughout Macedonia by becoming an example to all the believers in Macedonia (1:7).

I hope and pray that we all love one another more and more in this age of love growing cold (Mt. 24:12). I also hope and pray that wherever we go, whether to our family, our church, our work and so on, we may love one another with God’s love. I hope and pray that we may shine the light of His love in this dark world as His instrument of love. As we get to know more about God’s love in sending His one and only Son Jesus to die on the cross, we can become His instrument of love. In doing so, we will be able to love our family members, our church members, and even our neighbors outside our church.

Third and last, we must prepare to welcome Jesus with the hope of His second coming in order for us to stand firm in the Lord.

What can we do if we don’t see the hope of the future, no matter how hard we try? We must rejoice in the word of God even though we don’t see the future hope. The reason is because the word of God gives us hope. God’s promise word gives us hope. The Psalmist prayed to God in Psalm 119:49 – “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.” We must have hope in the God’s promise word, no matter what circumstances we are in. Although there seems to be no hope in our sight, we must have hope in the promise that the Lord our hope has given us. The clear and definite hope is the second coming of Jesus. Jesus clearly told us “Yes, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:20). Therefore, we must hold on to this Lord's promise by faith and prepare to receive Him as we desire for His return.

Look at 1 Thessalonians 3:13 – “May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” As Paul continued to write to the Thessalonian church saints, Paul told them what kind of prayer he was offering to God for them. The first prayer was about the faith of the Thessalonian church saints. Paul asked the Lord to supply what was lacking in their faith (v. 10). The second prayer was about their love. Paul asked the Lord to increase and overflow their love so that they might be able to love not only each other but also everyone (v. 12). And Paul's third prayer was about the hope of the Thessalonian church saints. Paul prayed to God for to strengthen their hearts so that they might stand firm in the Lord in the midst of persecution and suffering and that they might love each other and their neighbors. Not only that, but Paul also prayed that the Thessalonian church saints not only believed in Jesus’ second coming but also to be ready to welcome Him in hope. And that preparation was that the Thessalonian church saints would be blameless and holy in the presence of their God and Father (v. 13). The reason was that God didn’t call them to be impure, but to live a holy life (4:7). It is God’s will that they should be sanctified (v. 3).

Apostle Paul already knew that the Thessalonian church saints were waiting for Jesus, the Son of God, from heaven (1:10). For them who were waiting for the second coming of Jesus, Paul prayed that when our Lord Jesus comes with all the saints, they would be holy and blameless in the presence of God and Father (3:13). Paul didn’t pray like this only for the Thessalonian church saints. Look what Paul said in Colossians 1:22 – “yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” Here, the holy and blameless saints are “the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Eph. 5:27).

I hope and pray that the Lord builds His church like “the church in all glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (v. 27). So when Jesus, the Bridegroom, comes back to this world, I hope and pray that the Church, the bride, can be prepared as the holy and blameless bridal church.

“Will our lamps be filled and ready When the Bridegroom comes? …

Oh, there'll be a glorious meeting

When the Bridegroom comes! And a hallelujah greeting

When the Bridegroom comes! In the night, that solemn night,

Will our lamps be burning bright, When the Bridegroom comes?

Oh, be ready! Oh, be ready! Oh, be ready When the Bride-groom comes!

[Hymn: “Will Our Lamps be Filled and Ready!]

I hope and pray that we all firmly believe in Jesus and stand firm in the Lord (Isa. 7:9). I hope and pray that the Lord establish our faith on the Rock Jesus Christ. In order for us to stand firm in the Lord, what is lacking in our faith must be supplied. Also, we must be filled with His love more and more. And let us prepare to welcome our Lord Jesus Christ with the hope of His second coming!