The Church as it should be; a people of joy
Joy comes
1 Thessalonians 2; 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus[a] at his coming? 20 For you are our glory and our joy.
3: Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,
9 For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
A people of joy
The church is to be a people of joy, a joyous gathering. And this is not supposed to be some artificial thing. We are not instructed to put on artificial smiles, to pretend to be happy, to fake it ‘til you make it. We’re talking about the internal joy that comes from being in fellowship with God. Scripture tells us, and we have experienced the presence of God is a place of joy. Heaven is going to be a place of joy; Scripture says that Jesus will say to the saints at their reward judgment, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”
In one sense we have already entered that joy, because we have the indwelling Spirit, and He gives us His peace, love and joy.
But what if, as a believer, I am not always feeling that joy? Well, it is as I stated last time; Our actions and attitudes are informed and elicited by our beliefs. What we believe will increase or decrease our joy. We need to work on what we believe, and how we act on those beliefs. We need to have beliefs that nurture our Spiritual joy.
Church will be a people of joy if they believe correctly about
Time and space
2: 17 But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
Your enemy
18 because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us.
Know that there is an enemy, know his power, trust in God
Your priorities
We have greater joy, and great joy when our priorities are right; Jesus first, others second, yourself third.
It’s right in the text. Paul describes his priorities.
Last week we looked at putting Jesus first.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus[a] at his coming?
Paul lived in the light of the return of Christ.
This week we will continue with priorities that lead to joy by looking at putting others second and yourself third.
Here is an illustration of priorities.
In recent years a head coach divorced his wife of 26 years when he left coaching a college team to become head coach in the National Football League. He said he needed a wife while coaching on the college level for social functions and to show families that he would be looking out for their sons. In pro football, however, she was an unnecessary accouterment and a distraction to winning. He said winning football was his number one priority and his two sons second.
That’s a tragic example of ungodly priorities. But it is exactly what we would expect from an unbeliever.
In contrast to this, Tom Landry, former coach of the Dallas cowboys said, "The thrill of knowing Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me ... I think God has put me in a very special place, and He expects me to use it to His glory in everything I do ... whether coaching football or talking to the press, I'm always a Christian ... Christ is first, family second and football third."
Source Unknown.
That’s what we are talking about. And those priorities bring joy to the believer.
A. Priority # 1 Jesus
WWJD: What Would Jesus Do
DWJWD: Do What Jesus Would Do
B. Priority # 2; Other’s Spiritual Enrichment
Me third
Let’s look at the text.
3: Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,
Paul had a deep love of the churches that he established. Second only to the Lord, his priority was the people that he had led to faith. And these two short verses tell that story about Paul.
1. Background
Let’s look a second at the background to these 2 verses. And by the way, I know that we review background in practically every sermon. And some of you may be saying, we know the background Bruce. We know that Paul had to leave Thessalonica because they were legally forced out of town. And so, later he sends Timothy back to check on the church there.
But, there are always people in our assembly who weren’t here, or it has been long enough that they’ve forgotten. But Paul begins chapter three of his letter by reviewing this history with the Thessalonians. Look at it. He reminds them how he sent Timothy back to them when he had come to Athens. But notice the reason why he sent Timothy. He was consumed with concern for them.
“Therefore, when we couldn’t stand it any longer,”
What couldn’t he stand? The separation from those that he loved and not knowing their spiritual condition
He was forced out of Thessalonica after 3 weeks. Remember, in Thessalonica, that they dragged some of these new believers to court. They had wanted to bring Paul and Silas up on charges of violating Roman law, but when they went to where they thought they were staying, all they found was the owners of the house, the new Christians who were possibly opened their home for Paul and Silas to stay in.
And what did these new Christians get for their kindness? They were dragged to court, and accused of being accomplices to Paul and Silas’ supposed crime. And Jason was forced to put up a bond, perhaps guaranteeing that Paul and Silas wouldn’t return.
So, Paul and Silas had to leave. They went on from there to Berea, and then on to Athens. Some weeks have passed. And Paul is headed into Athens, this great cultural center for Greece. What an opportunity! But, what is on his mind? That church back in Thessalonica. He knows the trouble hasn’t stopped for these new believers. He knows that they are spiritual babies in the Christian faith. He knows that their leadership is immature. And he’s worried that all that will be too much for them. That Satan will attack with persecution and discouragement, and they will just give up the faith. He was afraid that they might say, “Let’s just go back to the way it was. This Christianity stuff is too hard.”
They will be like the seed planted among thorns, that initially grew, but the cares of this world choked the plant, and it died. That’s what he’s thinking about.
And Paul has his priorities right; Jesus first, others second, myself third. He’s thinking about them. Well how do we know that he has his priorities right? Well, he doesn’t just worry about them, he takes action. And it is self-sacrificial action
3:Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,
Look at what he did.
We couldn’t stand the worry any longer, so we thought it good to be left alone in Athens. We sent Timothy.
Now the “we” here is Paul, Silas, and Timothy. This was a decision among all three of them. They were headed to Athens to take the gospel. But the topic of the welfare of Thessalonica kept coming up. They were probably praying for them and talking about them frequently. So, they finally decided that the best thing would be for Timothy to go back to Thessalonica, and Silas would go back to another church they were concerned about in Philippi, and to let Paul go on to Athens alone.
Can you see how unselfish this act is? Paul is headed to a brand-new city, an important city, an intimidating city; Athens. And he easily could have said to Timothy and Silas, “I need you guys here.” But he agreed that the health of these other churches was more important than his comfort. Look at the emotion in those words;
When we could stand it no longer…
We thought it good (that I be) left alone…
His priority wasn’t himself. He wasn’t building a cushy life for himself. He’s priority was others. And that wasn’t just his attitude here, but it was his attitude toward all the churches.
2 Corinthians 2:4 "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorrowful but that you might know the love which I have especially for you."
Philippians 1: 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
Down to verse 8
8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
When Paul left Ephesus, this is how Acts describes his departure.
Ephesians
Acts 20: 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept [j]freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Can you see the love between Paul and this church? They were his priority, and he was theirs.
That’s why Paul’s Christian life is characterized by joy. He had his life priorities in order; Jesus, then others, then himself.
And your joy, my friends, as a believer depends on where you place your priorities.
You know, some of the most miserable people I know are those who only think about # 1, themselves. And some of the happiest people I know are those who serve the Lord, and others first. Let’s get personal, I am most miserable when I only think about myself, and I am most joyful, when I am thinking of and serving the Lord, and others. It’s built into our system as believers. We have God’s Spirit living in us, these are His priorities, if we violate them, we grieve the Spirit, so we feel that grief.
Jesus, the others, then ourselves
C. Priority # 3; Our own Needs
You might say, “well, are we just supposed to ignore our own needs?” No. There are people who put on a show of false piety. They deprive themselves of good things, just to put on a show of false humility, or self-sacrifice. We’re not talking about that. Some have taught that Christians shouldn’t do anything for their own pleasure or enjoyment. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the life that God has given us.
Charge those who are rich in this present world (that’s us for the most part) that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything (look at the next two words) to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;
Jesus, others, yourself
It isn’t that you aren’t to enjoy the richness of life. We are just not to be arrogant, assuming it is ours and ours alone. We are to enjoy it, but remember that riches and blessings are uncertain, they come and go, and to always have an eye out for others needs; be willing to share.
Even Paul addressed his own needs to an extent.
9 For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Back to 2:17
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.
He wants to see them.
He got word back from Timothy that they had survived and thrived as a church, even with him absent. And they continued to thrive. Paul doesn’t get back to see them for possibly five years.
Now, it would have been tempting for Paul to think. “Well great, the church at Thessalonica is doing well. Another notch on my belt. Check them off my list.” But he didn’t think that way, because his priorities were first, that he would please Christ, second, because he was always concerned for that church’s spiritual welfare. But I think there is also a bit of his own desire here.
Me third-It was his desire to see them face to face.
He didn’t have to see them to know that they were thriving; Timothy just brought the report. But look at what he said,
we rejoice for your sakes before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face,
we…. endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.
I believe Paul had a deep emotional need to see them. He had a love for them, and a longing in his heart to look them in the eye. He wanted a very human thing; to be with people that he loved. Sure, I mean, he wanted to see them so he could, “perfect that which is lacking in (their) faith.” But I think he felt a personal need to be with them. Look at what he says,
"We were all the more eager to see your face with great desire." There’s a lot of emotion in those words. "We were all the more." We were more abundantly, more excessively, more fervently. Then he adds the word "eager" which means haste; you're in a hurry. It’s like he is emotionally anxious and out of breath. And then if that isn't enough, "With great desire." The word here is epithumia which most often is used of sexual desire, sexual passion. But here it is used of a driving desire.
So, he’s saying that “we were consumed with an anxious desire to see all of you face to face.” It consumed him.
His priorities are correct. He serves the Lord first, and then others needs. But he is also addressing his own emotional need to see them. And there’s nothing wrong with you seeking to fulfill your own needs, or to follow your passion, as long as the first two priorities, The Lord, and others, take precedence over your needs.
And those are the priorities that lead to joy in the life of a believer. Well, let me conclude by giving you a preview of the last two beliefs that impact a Christians joy.
Our joy is impacted by our beliefs about time and space, our enemy, our priorities, pain, and God’s sovereignty.
Joy is elicited by your beliefs about pain 3:3-8
3 that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. 4 For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know. 7 for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
A. We are appointed to endure afflictions.
We have an appointment to endure afflictions.
B. You were told that you would endure afflictions.
Some of you say, “I’m here, I’m checked in, and the doctor of affliction is seeing me now.”
C. Our faith is proven when we endure afflictions
Joy is elicited by your beliefs about sovereignty (God’s power and rule) 3:11-13
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. (Who was in charge of Paul getting back to Thessalonica?) 12 May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, 13 to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
A. God is in charge. “May God direct, make, establish…”
B. God’s Sovereign plan is for your love to abound.
C. God’s Sovereign plan is for you to be blameless at Jesus Coming.
All of this impacts your joy. What you believe. If you believe that God doesn’t care, or isn’t in control, that takes away your peace, your calmness.
These are some deep lessons about joy. I hope you understand that this is not just some frivolous call to “put on a happy face.” It is a call to drink deeply of the Word of God, and let it change your understanding of this life, and this world, so much so that it energizes the joy of the Lord that is in you, if you know the Lord. And that joy is a far richer gift than any temporary happiness this world offers. Choose the joy of the Lord. That reminds me of a fable about seeking eternal over temporal values.
This comes from Moody’s Anecdotes.
There is an old legend of a swan and a crane. A beautiful swan alighted by the banks of the water in which a crane was wading about seeking snails. For a few moments the crane viewed the swan in stupid wonder and then inquired: "Where do you come from?"
"I come from heaven!" replied the swan.
"And where is heaven?" asked the crane.
"Heaven!" said the swan, "Heaven! have you never heard of heaven?" And the beautiful bird went on to describe the grandeur of the Eternal City. She told of streets of gold, and the gates and walls made of precious stones; of the river of life, pure as crystal, upon whose banks is the tree whose leaves shall be for the healing of the nations. In eloquent terms the swan sought to describe the hosts who live in the other world, but it didn’t arouse the slightest interest on the part of the crane.
Finally the crane asked: "Are there any snails there?"
"Snails!" repeated the swan; "no! Of course there are not."
"Then," said the crane, as it continued its search along the slimy banks of the pool, "you can have your heaven. I want snails!"
This fable has a deep truth underlying it. How many a young person to whom God has granted the advantages of a Christian home, has turned his back upon it and searched for snails! How many a man will sacrifice his wife, his family, his all, for the snails of sin! How many a girl has deliberately turned from the love of parents and home to learn too late that heaven has been forfeited for snails!
Moody's Anecdotes, pp. 125-126.
How many Christians turn from the joy that God offers to seek the snails of temporary joy?
The Lesson;
Quit looking for your satisfaction in snails.