Douglas Maurer was 15 years old
was he was diagnosed with Leukemia. The doctors told him that his chances of
survival were slim and that he would have to endure three years of
chemotherapy. The side effects would be severe. He would go bald and his body
would bloat. It was a lot for a 15 year old to take in and the diagnosis sent
Douglas into a deep depression. His aunt tried to encourage him by sending
flowers to his hospital room. She told the clerk at the flower shop that the
flowers were for her nephew who was battling leukemia.
When the
flowers arrived at the hospital there was an additional note from the clerk at
the flower shop. It said, “Douglas—I
took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old.
I’m 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura
Bradley.” Douglas was surrounded by millions of dollars of hospital equipment
and the best doctors in the country, but it was the note of a 22-year-old clerk
making $160 a week that gave him comfort and the will to carry on in midst of
his trials[1].
What brings
you comfort during trials? The Bible promises that we will face trials and
persecutions. “Indeed, all who desire to
live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:13). Acts
14:22 says that Paul and his travel companions went about “strengthening the
souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying
that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Peter writes,
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test
you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) We know
that trials are promised to us, but when trials come where will we look for
comfort? Will we find comfort in our bank accounts or health? Will we find
comfort in our possessions or accomplishments? There may be more than one place
to draw comfort, but God’s Word shows us where we can find comfort. I pray that
from this text you will find comfort and the will to carry on in the hope of
the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Comforted by the Faith
of God’s People
Acts 17 shares how Paul and his
companions came to Thessalonica preaching the gospel, causing an uproar and forcing
them to quickly leave the city. Paul had been concerned for the faith of the
Thessalonians, fearing that they had walked away from Jesus because of their
persecution. When his grief and worry had reached an all-time high, he sent
Timothy to find out how they were doing. Timothy came back with a good report.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-7,
But now that Timothy has come to
us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and
reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to
see you, for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have
been comforted about you through your faith.
Paul and his companions were suffering emotional distress
because they were worried about the church. They were worried that the
afflictions they were facing had caused them to abandon the faith and they were
worried that their afflictions would cause a break in their relationship. Paul
is overwhelmed with joy when he learns that the Thessalonians are standing
strong in their faith and that their love for them had not changed.
Why was
Paul so comforted by the faith of others? He was under his own distress and
facing his own affliction. Paul had his own pressing concerns, except that the
pressing concerns of his life was the faith of others. Paul lived for others.
He did not count his life as anything, but was glad to lay it down so that
others would have faith in Christ. This concern was not unique to the
Thessalonians, but was the pattern of Paul’s entire ministry.
Paul, a servant of God and an
apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their
knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, Savior;
(Titus 1:1-2)
Not that we lord it over your
faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. (2
Corinthians 1:24)
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,
called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…to bring about the
obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including
you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, (Romans 1:1, 6)
And I was with you in weakness and
in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible
words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your
faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1
Corinthians 2:3-5)
Our hope is that as your faith
increases, (2 Corinthians 10:15b)
Even if I am to be poured out as a
drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and
rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
(Philippians 2:17-18)
Paul lived his life for the faith of others, so it was only
natural for him to find comfort in the faith of others during his affliction.
His trials were worth it if others had faith. He said, “Even if I am to be a
sacrifice for your faith, I am glad and rejoice!!” Think about that!! He was
comforted by their faith because he was consumed by it. The faith of the saints
was Paul’s driving passion. Is it yours?
My heart
has been comforted by the faith of the saints of Park Baptist Church: the faith
of those who believe in Jesus despite their bodies being ravaged by cancer, the
faith of those who believe in Jesus despite an absent spouse, the faith of
those that leads them to sacrifice time in our gatherings to serve our kids in
the nursery or children’s church, the faith of those which leads them to labor
for hours in preparing Sunday School lessons, and the faith of those which
leads them to give sacrificially. I have been comforted by the faith of those
who stand up to unethical practices at work and the faith of those who open
their lives to the hurting and those who visit the sick. One of the greatest
joys of my life is to see the faith of the people of Park Baptist Church. You
exemplify a pure and sincere faith in Jesus Christ. Your faith in Jesus has
comforted my soul so many times and in so many ways.
I have been so comforted by your
faith, but have you been comforted by the faith of these fellow saints? Have
you noticed how much our young people are growing in their knowledge of the
Word? Have you noticed how much compassion and tenderness our seniors have for
one another? Have you noticed the boldness growing in our ladies? Have you seen
the steadfastness of our men? Have you noticed how people have started to
gather more frequently? When you see the faith of the saints, are you
comforted? One of the reasons we are not comforted by the faith of others is
that we are not looking to be comforted by their faith. It may be because we
haven’t been trained to look, or that we are too consumed with ourselves.
Do not miss
that Paul and his companions were also comforted because of how their faith in
God was expressed in love towards them. They were comforted in how people they
loved also loved them. Timothy reported that the church always remembered them
kindly and longed to see them. (1 Thess. 3:6) Their comfort was connected with
their relational unity with God’s people. Their lives were intertwined. This is
what I pray for our church. I pray that our lives would be so interconnected
that we would experience comfort and joy when we see the faith of others even
if our lives are filled with distress and affliction. And I also pray the
opposite would be true. I pray that when we see a lack of faith in our brothers
and sisters lives, that our hearts would grieve. Does your heart hurt when you
see others walking away from the faith? Or withholding love from the body? Or
absent from our gatherings? Would your desire for their faith in Christ be so
great that you would have the courage to admonish or rebuke them? Would you
love them enough to discipline so their soul could be saved on the last day?
The
Christian life is others-focused. If we do not find comfort in the faith of
others, it may say more about our own faith than we would care to admit. Be
comforted by the faith of God’s people.
Comforted to Persevere
for God’s People
If our eyes are looking and
longing for the faith of others, then it will be natural for to find courage to
press on in living for the glory of God. 1 Thessalonians 3:8-10,
For now we live, if you are standing
fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all
the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly
night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in
your faith?
I can imagine Paul, Silas and Timothy sitting around a room
thinking and reflecting about the Thessalonians faith finding the resolve to
continue to press on for the faith of saints.
Paul and
his companions are looking and longing for the faith of others, but it is the
faith of the Thessalonians that to pushing them on to persevere. Eunice Smith
has been a great encouragement to our church family. She has demonstrated a
lifetime of service to the church and a sincere faith in Christ. Over the last
several years, her hearing has gotten so bad that she barely could hear what
was happening in the service. At 95, she would get in her car and drive to
church. She barely heard anything that went on in the service, but that doesn’t
mean that she got nothing from the gathering. Her presence and her faith
spurred others on to persevere. Her example and presence, and others like her,
is a constant source of perseverance for the saints.
Mrs.
Eunice’s faithfulness to Jesus has given the saints of Park faith to press on toward
the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Her faith has spurred the saints of
Park to continue in the faith. Beloved, your faith does a lot more than you
realize. I hear stories upon stories of how you have been encouraged by others
in the church. You will never know how much your life and faith in Christ means
to others this side of heaven. We only see glimpses. My friend CAM Wagner died
a little over a year ago with leukemia. He had a lot of friends and family
visit him in his last months. He told one of his friends, “I am so blessed.”
His friend gave him a quizzical look thinking that a strange thing for a dying
man to say. He said, “Most people never get to see how much others love and
care about you. I get to sit in this hospital room and hear how my life has
impacted others. I am blessed.”
Friends, you are blessed. Your
life matters to the people of God. Your presence and faith in Christ is a
source of joy and perseverance for the saints. Do not let your eyes define the
impact for your faith. Things are happening through your faith that you may
never see, but one day all will be revealed. Until then, stand firm in your
faith for the faith of others. Give others the opportunity to say, “For now we
live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” And this perseverance is not mere
drudgery, but done in joy. Listen, “What thanksgiving can we return to God for
you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God.”
I have been accused of being too
church-centric in my teaching and preaching. Some have said that I focus too
much on church, but the Christian life cannot be lived faithfully outside the
fellowship of the church. Our lives are meant to be lived for the faith of
others. Hebrews says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love
and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews
10:24-25) There is an imperative that Christians should meet together in the
faith (i.e. go to church), but notice the why we should go. The text begins,
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” which will
be encouraging one another to persevere as the Day of the Lord is drawing near.
Do you notice the reason why you are to go to church? You are to encourage
others to have faith until the Last Day. Beloved, you have the great privilege
to help others safely enter the Sabbath rest of the people of God, to see Jesus
face to face, to enter into the eternal joy of the kingdom of God, and to enjoy
the pleasures at His right hand for all time. What a privilege!! Why would you
forsake it?
The faith of the Thessalonians
comforted Paul and his companions to persevere in the faith and to continue to
serve the Lord in the midst of much affliction. Be comforted by encouraging
others to persevere in the faith.
Comforted by the Beauty
of God’s Plan
God’s plan
is so beautiful. There is nothing more precious and more glorious that God’s
plan to redeem the world through Jesus Christ creating a people for his own
possession who are zealous for good works. This is a great prayer to offer to
the Lord for the church. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13,
Now may our God and Father himself,
and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he
may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at
the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
We were filthy, unrighteous sinners. We were mockers and
rebels. We were haters of God and children of the Devil. We were…But now in
Christ, we have been justified through his blood, sanctified by His Spirit and
declared blameless before God, adopted as his children and co-heirs of the
world to come. Never stop marveling at the gospel. Never stop beholding the
glory of our Savior displayed in his death and resurrection.
Friend, if
you are not in Christ, the Bible says you are in sin. And to be in sin is to
one day stand before God alone and pay for that sin. The punishment for sin is
death in Hell for eternity. Our sin makes us unholy and therefore unfit for
heaven. And yet, God sent his Son, the Righteous One, to suffer for the
unrighteous to bring them to God. Jesus died for you. He died to bring you to
God. His resurrection is a promise of a future resurrection for all those who
turn from their sin and trust in Him. Friend, behold the beauty of the Savior
and be comforted in Him. Turn from your sins and trust in Christ. You can be
declared holy and blameless before God today in Christ.
One of the
greatest things of this letter is that it continues to lift our eyes to the Day
of the Lord. Christians live for two days: today and that Day. 1 Thessalonians
is a great help to lift our gaze to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I want
you to notice how Paul connects our life together now with our holiness on the
last day. See how verse 12 and 13 are linked together,
May the Lord make you increase and
abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so
that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God
and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
There is a connection with the love we have for the saints
and our state on the last day. The Lord wants a supernatural love for one
another. A supernatural love has to come from Him. The Lord increases our love
for one another. The Lord creates love in our hearts for our brothers and
sisters. It is not natural. It is a work of God. And that love is a sign that
God is working in us to establish our hearts blameless in holiness before our
God and Father. Do you see how our love for each other and for all is a sign
that God has saved us?
If you do not love the church, what
confidence should you have before God on the last day? The message of
Christianity has not changed since the beginning. 1 John 3:11-14,
For this is the message that you
have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not
be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he
murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not
be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed
out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love
abides in death. (1 John 3:11-14)
Love is the mark of a Christian. Therefore love should be
the mark of a Christian community.
The love we
have for one another is not only for us, but for those watching on the outside.
Francis Schaeffer writes,
One cannot explain the explosive
dynamite, the dunamis, of the early church apart from the fact that
they practiced two things simultaneously: orthodoxy of doctrine and orthodoxy
of community in the midst of the visible church, a community which the world
could see. By the grace of God, therefore, the church must be known
simultaneously for its purity of doctrine and the reality of its community. Our
churches have so often been only preaching points with very little emphasis on
community, but exhibition of the love of God in practice is beautiful and must
be there.[2]
As Christians behold the beauty of God’s plan, we will
become a beautiful people which will display God’s beauty to the world. Love
and doctrine must always be linked. Love without doctrine and doctrine without
love are false representations of church. We must be full of grace and truth.
One night
at an evangelistic meeting in Chicago, Booth Tucker preached on the sympathy
and comfort of Christ. Someone came up to him after the meeting and said, “If
your wife had just died, like mine has, and your babies were crying for their
mother, who would never come back, you wouldn’t be saying what you’re saying.”
The man was not comforted with Christ and did not believe Christ was sufficient
for his trials and distress. In our trials, will the comfort of Christ be
sufficient?
Sadly, Tucker’s wife was killed in
a train wreck a few days later. Her body was brought to the same building where
he gave his last sermon. After the service, a grieving Tucker looked down at
his wife and then turned to those in attendance and said,
The other day a man told me I
wouldn’t speak of the sympathy of Jesus if my wife had just died. If that man
is here, I want to tell him that Christ is sufficient. My heart is broken, but
it has a song put there by Jesus. I want that man to know that Jesus Christ
speaks comfort to me today.[3]
Our greatest comfort should always rest on the comfort given
to us by Jesus Christ. He is enough. Our greatest distress has already been
conquered in the cross. Jesus overcame the grave and promised us a glorious
resurrection.
We are
going to face distress and anguish in our souls, but God has provided comfort
in Christ. He has comforted us in the gospel and through his church. Therefore
let us press on in our faith in Christ, our love for the saints so that God
will establish our hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father on
the last Day.
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