Overflowing Love

Introduction

A. Do you remember the first time a loved one, a child, spouse, or parent, went away for a time? Do you remember some of the feelings you had? You worried about their safety. You were concerned about their health while away. You missed the daily interaction and hoped that they were missing you too. You couldn’t wait to see them again and maybe even planned for a reunion that would be a big celebration. When I was very young, for the sake of work dad moved to Nashville leaving us in Wingo, KY. For six months, he and mom were separated. I was about 4 at the time so I was too young to understand all the implications, but I do remember dad coming home on some weekends and the celebration that we had when he walked through the door. We were all so excited to see him and there were lots of hugs, smiles, and kisses. If you have had similar experiences then you know what it is like to wonder what is going on with a loved one and having a sense of anticipation in seeing them again.

B. This is what Paul is going through with the church in Thessalonica. He began his work in this city and then was forced to leave. The separation was difficult. He wanted to return and visit with them but time and again Satan kept him from returning. He wondered if they missed him as much as he was missing them. He wondered how their spiritual health was as well as their physical health. He envisioned a great reunion taking place when he could see them again. He was sad because they were separated and he wanted more than anything to be with them again. In fact, he prayed that God would allow them to be reunited. Our text this morning will not only reveal this truth but will also reveal the importance of specific prayer and the value of relationships.

Paul’s Response

A. Timothy has just returned from Thessalonica. He has spent time visiting with the Christians there. Remember at the most Paul was in this city 2 or 3 months. He did not have time to fully teach the will of God to these people. He began his teaching and they readily accepted Jesus as their Savior, but he didn’t have time to explain fully how the Christian life differed from their current lifestyle. One of the things he feared was that they would misplace their faith. He feared that their initial faith would not be enough to sustain them through the difficult times. Remember in 1:6, he knew that they had accepted the gospel in the midst of suffering. What if the suffering became too intense? What if the persecution took its toll and they decided that following Jesus was too much? Timothy’s report could not have been much better. Not only is their faith intact but they are growing in that faith and love. But not only is their faith growing, but they long to see Paul. Paul had reason to be concerned. Their lives were relatively easy before Paul came. They may have turned against Paul.

B. But such is not the case. They long to see Paul just as he longs to see them. Paul is overjoyed by Timothy’s report. In fact, this is like a tonic to Paul. According to verse 7, this report has brought him encouragement as he faces his own persecution and afflictions. But the kicker is found in verse 8. “For we now really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” The connection between Paul and these new Christians was so strong at least on Paul’s part that when he heard the report he was not only encouraged he took great strength from them. Do you get the sense of Paul’s relief and joy? Can you hear his excitement because of Timothy’s report? There is a true shift in Paul’s words beginning in 3:6. This letter was written immediately after Timothy’s report and Paul couldn’t wait to write it. So what are we to get from this?

C. How long does it take you to form a bond with someone? For most of us it takes time. There are rare occasions when we meet someone and we immediately hit it off and we feel like this person is a long lost friend. But most of the time it takes effort to build a friendship. In a short period of time, Paul had formed a bond with the Thessalonians at least in his own mind which could not be severed by distance or circumstances. We often view Paul as this solitary man who went from city to city preaching the gospel, caring about the people, but not really having any significant depth of contact with them. Paul needed the Thessalonians. His life was tied to them. In such a short time, Paul became deeply involved in their lives. The point is simply this: relationships are important. Paul was not a lone ranger. He needed the Thessalonians possibly more than they needed him. But this is not uncharacteristic of Paul. In 2 Timothy 4, the last words that we know Paul wrote, he asked for Timothy to come to him before winter. If you read between the lines, you can hear the words of a man who is lonely and in need of encouragement.

D. As great a man as Paul was in terms of his work for God, he was very human. He needed human contact. He needed relationships. He needed to experience life with others. This is not a weakness. This is the way God made us. Those who go through life without a group of Christian friends must at times feel isolated and lonely. Even in this brief section, we can see the importance of relationships. ILL. “Relationships: Stay in Touch.” None of us need to go through life alone. You initiate the contact; you make it known that you need someone; you offer the hand of compassion. Relationship are important.

Paul’s Prayer

A. With such a good report, Paul prays for three things. First, that God would open the door for him to come to them. Do you get the impression Paul really wants to see the Thessalonians? It is obvious that he wants to be with them again. Second, that their love for each other and for others increase. Third, that they would grow spiritually so that when Jesus returns they would be found holy and blameless. This third petition is elaborated on in 4:1-8, so I will not delve into this particular petition yet. Suffice it to say that in his absence Paul writes the remainder of the letter to flesh out this idea of holiness and Christ’s return.

B. Two quick points about this prayer. First, the second petition may be more significant than we think. While we do not know a lot about the early converts in Thessalonica what we do know is that they came from varied backgrounds. Acts 17 tells us that Jews, Gentiles, and prominent women all became Christians. We can see that varied backgrounds make up this congregation. It seems that they would have come from varying social and economic backgrounds. With such diversity they would not have had a lot in common. This meant that Paul in a short period of time had to create a sense of common identity and community. He had to teach them how to love each other and how to share that love with others outside their community. This second petition become all the more important. He prays that these new converts will learn to love each other more and to love others more.

C. Second, Paul is not afraid to ask for something specific. His first petition is to see the Thessalonians again. He asks God specifically to open the door for him to return. He had tried before but according to 2:18, Satan had stopped him. Paul’s request then demonstrates that he understands that God is going to have to intervene in order for him to return to this congregation. That should say something to us about prayer. Prayer needs to be specific. Lay out your desires before God. Confidently and boldly ask for what you want. This is not to say to ask selfishly, but to ask with godly wisdom. Then realize that by making this request we are asking God to directly intervene. Without getting too far off track, Paul says in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle in this world is not against flesh and blood but against Satan. Paul experienced the power of Satan in his life. You have too. You know what it is like to be attacked by Satan. When we pray we are asking for God to intervene on our behalf and to set aside Satan’s agenda for a time. Paul understood that point; we must as well.

D. God answered Paul’s prayer. Some years later on his third missionary journey, Paul is able to return to Thessalonica not just once but twice. He first preached in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. But God also answered his prayer about increasing in love. In 1 Cor. 9, he mentions Christians from Macedonia which would have included Thessalonica, sharing in the relief effort for Jerusalem famine victims. Our God answers prayers. Notice God didn’t answer Paul’s prayer immediately. I’m sure Paul longed to return to Thessalonica soon. But it took a couple of years. But God didn’t forget the prayer nor Paul’s desire and in time intervened to make it possible. Nor did He forget the prayer to increase their love for each other and for those outside of their fellowship. God desires to for us to ask him; he desires to intervene; he desires to answer. We must be willing to wait for him to act.

E. The last part of Paul’s prayer illustrates that Christ with his angels will return and as we wait for his return our lives should be lived with a look toward purity and holiness. This is about the fourth or fifth time Paul has mentioned Christ’s return in this short letter. Obviously, he wanted the Thessalonians to keep this in mind as they lived life. So should we. Invitation.

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