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Father, thank you for another opportunity to read and work your Word. Father, thank you for giving us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You. Father thank you for our understanding being enlightened that we may know what the hope of your calling is, and what the riches of the glory of your inheritance in us, your sons and daughters. Thank you for the exceeding greatness of your power to us who believe according to the working of your mighty power which you wrought in Christ when you raised him from the dead and set him at your right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Thank you for putting all things under Christ's feet and putting him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the October 2019 teaching, we reviewed 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2 in detail. We learned as we walk among the believers our actions are to be "holily and justly and unblameably." When we share God's Word, we call people near, speak tenderly and witness the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation. We let them see how to walk worthy of God, who has called us to His kingdom and glory. God gives us rewards now and in the future for leading people into the new birth!

This month's teaching continues in 1 Thessalonians with Chapter 3. The first word in this chapter is "wherefore;" we need to go back and read the verse before this verse to know why the wherefore is there. 1 Thessalonians 2:20 states: "For ye are our glory and joy." Paul, Silas, and Timothy led Thessalonians believers to the Lord Jesus Christ, these born-again believers were their glory and joy.

When we lead men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ, they are our glory and joy. We can now understand the "wherefore" in 1 Thessalonians 3: 1:

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear [cover], we thought it good to be left at Athens alone.

When Paul, Silas and Timothy could no longer stand in the gap (cover or protect) for the born-again believers mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:20, they sent Timothy to establish and encourage them by teaching them more of God's Word. This was the second visit to the Thessalonians believers. The first one was in Acts 17:1. Timothy was sent to teach them more of God's Word to establish them; we can never get enough of God's Word! The more of the Word of God you know, the more you can believe and act upon. For as "it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4)!In this quote from Matthew 4:4, the phrase "out of the mouth of God" is a figure of speech, which attributes human characteristics to God. We know God is Spirit as taught in John 4:24, and that God does not literally have a "mouth." The importance of this phrase is that God's Word is speaking to us as recorded in the Bible.

Let's continue with 1 Thessalonians 3: 2:

And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of [pertains to] Christ, to establish [the Greek word is "sterizo"] you, and to comfort [encourage] you concerning your faith [believing].

Timothy's name means "value of God" and this is the 16th occurrences of his name. Paul, Silas, and Timothy agreed that Timothy "our brother, and minister of God" was the right person to send to Thessalonica to establish and encourage the born-again believers there. Timothy was very knowledgeable of God's Word, was diligent and hard-working.

In this verse, the Greek word for "establish" is sterizo, which means to "set fast, make fast, fix firmly." Being born-again of God's Spirit is just the beginning. Countless people in the world are born-again of God's Spirit. However, the key to being "established" is to have teaching that continues to "sterizo" and encourage God's Word inside a person's mind. We need to be taught how to be fixed firmly or established on the Word of God! We need to know how to rightly divide this Word of God.

Paul sent Timothy to establish - make fast and fix firmly - the Thessalonians believers on God's Word. In this verse, the second thing Timothy was to do was "comfort" them by exhortation and encouragement in believing God's Word! When the Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith (believing), he taught them more of God's Word. Romans 10:17 teaches us:

So, then faith [believing] cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Continuing with 1 Thessalonians 3: 3:

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

The word "moved" in verse 3 means "fawn, flattering words, to deceive through flattery." The intent here is that no one should be deceived or deluded amid the persecutions by the suggestions of seeming well-wishers.

The word "afflictions" is the Greek word "thlipsis" meaning mental pressure. And the word "know" is the Greek word "oida" - a clear mental image or picture; a mental video. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians believers not to be moved by seeming well-wishers while under mental pressure. They were to use the ways Paul, Silas, and Timothy dealt with mental pressure, as an example for their own behavior.

1 Thessalonians 3:4:

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer [to be subjected to evil, receive it, suffer from it] tribulation [press upon; to be oppressed with evil, to be distressed]; even as it came to pass, and ye know [clear mental image or picture; a mental video].

Paul, Silas, and Timothy told the Thessalonians's believers that they would be subjected to evil. This evil would be pressed upon them; they would be oppressed with evil and be in distress. However, they are telling the Thessalonians believers that this was going to happen, and that they should be prepared to deal with it, just as they had seen Paul, Silas, and Timothy deal with tribulations.

1 Thessalonians 3:5:

For this cause, when I [Paul] could no longer forbear [cover or protect], I sent to know [the Greek word "ginosko" - to know by experience] your faith [believing], lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain [empty].

When Paul "could no longer cover or protect" the Thessalonians's believers, he sent Timothy. Paul knew, based on his experience with them, their believing regarding the Word of God he had taught them. Because of the tempter, the devil's persecution and mental pressures upon them, the pressure would be on the Thessalonians to not keep God's Word.

1 Thessalonians 3:6:

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us and brought us good tidings of your faith [believing] and charity [agape], and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you.

After visiting the believers in Thessalonica, Timothy returned to Paul and Silas, and brought good news of their believing and love for God in the renewed mind in manifestation. The word "faith" is believing. The word "charity" is agape or the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation. The Thessalonians believers walked in the love for God in the renewed mind in manifestation while they were under persecution and mental pressures.

The Thessalonians' believing and love were the first point mentioned in this verse. The second point concerns the phrase "that ye have good remembrance of us always." The word "always" means continuingly; not just once, but ongoing. The Thessalonians believers had a continuing good remembrance of what Paul and the other believers taught them in God's Word.

The third point expressed in this verse concerns the phrase "desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you." The words "desiring greatly" means wanting with an intense desire. The Thessalonians had a great affection for Paul and the other believers. The Greek word for "as" means "even as," and shows their common affection for each other and desire to be together. The combination "you" and "us" is used four times in this verse and reflects their believing and love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation. The Thessalonians believers had a continual good remembrance of each other and an intense desire to be together!

1 Thessalonians 3:7:

Therefore, brethren, we were comforted [encouraged] over you in all our affliction [mental pressure] and distress [means force, constraint, necessity] by your faith [believing].

Paul and the other believers were encouraged despite the constraints and mental pressures from other people because the Thessalonians believers stood faithful to God's Word. Paul believed it was all worth it to be left at Athens alone when he heard of the Thessalonians believers' love, desire, and respect for what they had been taught in God's Word!

1 Thessalonians 3:8:

For now, we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Paul was excited by the Thessalonians believers standing fast on God's Word! Just as Paul was, I am excited that you are standing fast on God's Word!

1 Thessalonians 3:9:

For what thanks [thankfulness or gratitude] can we render to God again for you, for all the joy [delight and gladness] wherewith we joy [to be delighted or please with] for your sakes before our God.

Paul was thankful because of the Thessalonians believers stand on God's Word. Paul was delighted and glad for their believing despite the mental pressures they were enduring. Paul had great joy for the Thessalonians born-again believers' ability to stand fast in God's Word. Paul wrote this to encourage the Thessalonians and acknowledge their efforts. I am so thankful to God for you and your stand on His Word!

1 Thessalonians 3:10:

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith [believing]?

Paul prayed "exceedingly" to make a third visit to the Thessalonians believers. He wanted to continue to teach them in order to "perfect" or improve that which was lacking in their believing. When you teach others the Word of God, you truly desire that they can stay faithful; you want to see them and share more of God's Word with them!

1 Thessalonians 3:11:

Now God himself and [even] our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Paul was asking God to show him the way to return to the Thessalonians to continue to teach them. In the verse, the word "God" is translated "Elohim" which means the creator of all life. The phrase "Lord Jesus Christ" is translated as master (Lord) the humbled one (Jesus) now glorified one (Christ). Isn't God's Word rich in meaning when you take the time to understand it and put it on your heart?

1 Thessalonians 3:12:

And the Lord [master] make you to increase [grow up] and abound [over and above] in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.

Paul wanted the Thessalonians to grow and abound in their love for one another through God's Word. This is my heart to you who are reading and sharing these monthly teachings. Bless you. I sure do love you!

1 Thessalonians 3:13:

To the end, he [God] may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Paul ends this letter to the Thessalonians with an exhortation that God may establish their hearts "unblameable in holiness before Him, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." In the beginning of this chapter, Paul sent Timothy to establish and comfort the Thessalonians believers. God's Word must be fix firmly in our hearts. When people see us, they should see Christ in us!

Father, I thank you for each born-again believer growing up and abounding over and above in love for one another, and toward all men, even as you do toward us. I thank you, Father, for establishing our hearts unblameable in holiness before you at the coming of your son our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Next month's teaching: 1 Thessalonians 4.

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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