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When it became apparent that Paul was not going to be allowed to return to Thessalonica, he decided to stay at Athens and send Timothy back. If we read Acts 17, we will see that when Paul, Silas and Timothy left Thessalonica, sent away by night by the Brethren there who feared for their lives, they went to Berea. But the trouble makers followed them to Berea and stirred up opposition there to the extent that Paul had to go on to Athens while Silas and Timothy remained at Berea. From Berea, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica.
Timothy's assignment was to bring back the "Word" to the Thessalonians. Two terms are used to describe Timothy's duties. One, Establish their faith and two, enlighten them or teach them. Now, was Timothy capable of doing this? Certainly not every Christian is able or qualified to do these things, but Timothy was. Timothy and Silas were "special agents" fro Paul. He sent them as "trouble shooters" whereever churches had problems. Early in his young life, Paul had sent Timothy to Corinth to straighten out their problems, but it proved too much for him and Silas was sent to help.
But Timothy had improved with age and besides he had two very important qualifications. One, he was called of God to be a Christian, and two, he was called of God to be a minister. Out of this calling, Timothy became faithful to Paul and God. He had been a good student and learned well all that Pail had taught him. He had developed "people skills" and coupled with love and patience, there was no doubt that he was qualified.
Now, what was the #1 problem at Thessalonica? Afflictions had come upon the church. They had not accepted them well. Paul tells them that they were not to take those afflictions negatively. They were not to mourn or complain. He says that trials and afflictions come into our lives, not by accident, but by appointment. They are times of testing. We must expect to suffer for Christ's sake. We grow spiritually, with each trial, therefore, "let no one be MOVED by these afflictions." (Verse 3) There is a great deal indicated here and the key word is MOVED. It means that we are not to be concerned, saddened or depressed by afflictions.
Now that was a transliteration of what Paul said. The Greek word means "to wag the tail or to give false security". Dogs have been known to bite people when their tails were wagging, thus giving, by the wagging of the tail, a false sign of security. There were false teachers in this church that were deceiving the people by painting a "bleak picture" thus creating an atmosphere of doubt.
Paul sent Timothy with the "Word" to show these people that Satan was at work and
was attempting to use this affliction for his benefit by putting certain
connotations upon it that were not so and causing these people to mourn and doubt
their salvation. So the "Word" was the first thing that Paul used to establish
these people in their faith.
Through Prayer
["Click here for I Thessalonians 3:6-13"]
The second instrument that Paul used, was prayer. At this point, Timothy had been to Thessalonica and had returned back to report to Paul. Notice what He told Paul. First, he spoke well of their faith. He reassured Paul that in spite of their affliction, they still were strong in the faith. Isn't it strange how faith grows under affliction, and wanes under prosperity. Secondly, he spoke of their love. He measured the love of these people in three areas, love for one another, love for the Gospel, and love for their ministers.
It would appear that the people of Thessalonica had been drawn together in love as the result of this persecution. Together they had gained strength from the Gospel which they had received from Paul and was reiterated by Timothy. Because of this, they loved all who were sent of the Lord to minister to them in spite of any deficiencies, like Paul, who was a poor speaker and very demanding of others and Timothy, who was quite young and perhaps lacked experience.
What better could be said of any church than that they had love for one another, had love for the Gospel and had love for their ministers. This certainly was good news for Paul and it helped ease the pain and distress which Paul was experiencing. Their faith, their love and their desire to see Paul, sustained him in his troubles. Then in return, Paul prayed for them.
His prayer was one of thanksgiving. He thanked God for the Thessalonians and for their faith. He spoke as though he had trouble expressing just how thankful he was. Words sometime come hard and we often find it hard to express our love and concern for others, never the less, Paul did not let this stop him, he prayed earnestly, night and day, for they, like us, were lacking in their faith.
The best of Christians have something lacking in their faith. There are three steps in faith:
Many believers only achieve the first one, it is all that is needed for eternal life, but the others as where the "joy" lies.
Paul prayed that he might come to them and that he might supply whatever was needed or lacking in their faith. So he sustained this church with the Word and with his prayers. Next, he earnestly seeks to get them to walk the Christian walk.
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