Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Believers in Jesus Christ: A Community of Suffering

 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.  1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

A. The Inevitability of Suffering

1. Destined for us: 1 Thess. 3:3-4, John 16:33, Acts 14:21-22, 2 Tim. 3:12

2. Bestowed upon us: Philippians 1:29

B. Our Ministry to One Another in Suffering

1. To establish/strengthen one another: 1 Thess. 3:1-2, 1 Thess. 3:3-4

2. To exhort/encourage/comfort one another: 1 Thess. 3:1-2, 1 Thess. 4:16-18

C. The Good from Our Suffering

1. Draws us to closer fellowship with the Lord Jesus: Phil. 3:10, Acts 5:40-42, John 15:20, Acts 16:23-35

2. Teaches Obedience: Psalm 119:67, Psalm 119:71, 2 Cor. 1:8-9, Heb. 5:8

3. Equips us to be ministers of comfort: 2 Cor. 1:3-5

4. Intensifies our prayer lives: Jonah 2:1-2