Our Faith and Prayer
Our Faith and Prayer - Study 10/21/10
This past week, the World celebrated the successful rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 70 days. Now talk about being raised from the dead and this is it. For the first 17 days, the miners were in utter darkness before there was breakthrough to supply them light. Subsequently, they have been sharing their experiences and what mattered most to them while “buried alive”. One of the miners, Mario Sepulveda said, “I was with God and with the devil. And I reached out for God”. What a true confession of faith when nothing else matters.
When all is said and done, what matters most to you and what is of the greatest concern for yourself and the people in your life? Apostle Paul helped us answer this question as he wrote his beloved Thessalonians. In our current chapter 3, five times he spoke and inquired about their faith. Repetition in Scripture often signifies importance and that was the case here. When you are concerned and inquire about people (your children, friends, co-workers and neighbors), what is really of primary concern? I submit to you that we end up in the mundane – the things that only make a difference here and now- food, shelter and safety.
So, what is Faith and who do you have faith in and/or what do you have faith for? I submit to you that all of us have faith and that the real issue is the object of our faith. Like the miner, it is either in God or the Devil (manifested by believe in one-self). Faith is also like pregnancy. You either have it in the one you claim to be the object of your faith or you don’t. This is why Jesus spoke of having faith as small as a mustard seed.
1 Thessalonians 3
1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker[a]in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
6But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. A new church had been born for which Paul is not there to nurse to maturity. Therefore he was worried and concerned about their faith. Earlier in this Letter Paul explains and reminds the Thessalonians of the object of their faith. “Your faith in God has become known everywhere. … You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus” 1 Thessalonians1:8 and10. True and real faith is believe, trust and dependence on God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ the living God. Nothing else counts as faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:1,6). Is God the one in whom you believe in or in yourself and your resources?
2. God himself is the source of our faith. Jesus is the “author and finisher” of our faith. The Scripture also teaches us that saving faith is also a gift. “8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast”. Ephesians 2:8.
3. Our faith in God can also mature, strengthened and encouraged. Paul sent Timothy to the Thessalonians to “strengthen and encourage you in your faith”. vs. 1. Timothy would encourage them through the Word of God because “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”. Romans 10:17. Do you have someone to encourage and strengthen today, speak God’s Word to him or her? I am so delighted and encouraged when another believer in Christ shares God’s Word with me. The impact is great so let’s never discount speaking God’s word to each other.
4. Our faith can be and do get tested as was the case of the Thessalonians. Trials and troubles can all be used by God to refine and mature our faith. The trial for the Thessalonians were severe that Paul even feared derailment of their faith. “I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless” vs.5. Are you in the midst of your trial right now, please hang in and keep trusting God.
5. Your faith and my faith can encourage others too. We see it here that Timothy brought the good news that encouraged Apostle. “Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love… Brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord”. When we are able to continue to trust and depend on God regardless of external pressures, other believers are encouraged. Let’s keep in mind that people are watching to see if we are “standing firm in the Lord”. Our faith will also cause many to give thanks to God vs.9.
6. Our faith sometimes may need to be equipped, repaired or corrected in areas where it lacks full and comprehensive understanding of God’s word. That was the case for the Thessalonians. Paul wrote, “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” vs.10. Later in the Letter, we will see some of the things Paul was referring to such as Thessalonians’ lack of proper understanding of the coming of Jesus (4:13-5:11); moral issues (4:1-12) and disciplinary issues (5:12-24). We all lack in one area or the other and that is why we must continue to study the Word and sit under the teaching of sound doctrine.
7. Our faith informs and drives our prayer and expectation. Paul prayed knowing whom He believed in. Faith is not a force to bulldoze our way to God to get whatever we want. The so called “breakthrough prayers” of today are just based on lack of proper understanding of what faith is and who is the object of our faith. We have faith because God has granted it to us and not for manipulating God into giving us everything we want. Rather faith draws us to God and to knowing Him more than ever before. Faith opens us to the door of God’s grace which helps us overcome the world. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”. 1 John 5:4-5.
8. Did you see the content of Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians? Please read verse 11-13. He prayed for increase in their love for one another and that they may remain blameless and holy until Christ returns. Is this your prayer for others and for yourself? I did not see the financial prosperity prayer of today that has blinded the Church of Jesus. Lord, change the emphasis of our prayers. Amen.
Who do you believe in? It is a simple question that needs a simple answer. We either believe in our self or in the living God. Most of the Chilean miners had an encounter with God when all hope for living was lost. Not everyone is that lucky. May we never wait till it is too late to make a true confession of belief in God and in His Son Jesus Christ the savior of the world. May God grant us faith and strengthen and encourage us. Amen.
This past week, the World celebrated the successful rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 70 days. Now talk about being raised from the dead and this is it. For the first 17 days, the miners were in utter darkness before there was breakthrough to supply them light. Subsequently, they have been sharing their experiences and what mattered most to them while “buried alive”. One of the miners, Mario Sepulveda said, “I was with God and with the devil. And I reached out for God”. What a true confession of faith when nothing else matters.
When all is said and done, what matters most to you and what is of the greatest concern for yourself and the people in your life? Apostle Paul helped us answer this question as he wrote his beloved Thessalonians. In our current chapter 3, five times he spoke and inquired about their faith. Repetition in Scripture often signifies importance and that was the case here. When you are concerned and inquire about people (your children, friends, co-workers and neighbors), what is really of primary concern? I submit to you that we end up in the mundane – the things that only make a difference here and now- food, shelter and safety.
So, what is Faith and who do you have faith in and/or what do you have faith for? I submit to you that all of us have faith and that the real issue is the object of our faith. Like the miner, it is either in God or the Devil (manifested by believe in one-self). Faith is also like pregnancy. You either have it in the one you claim to be the object of your faith or you don’t. This is why Jesus spoke of having faith as small as a mustard seed.
1 Thessalonians 3
1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker[a]in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
6But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. A new church had been born for which Paul is not there to nurse to maturity. Therefore he was worried and concerned about their faith. Earlier in this Letter Paul explains and reminds the Thessalonians of the object of their faith. “Your faith in God has become known everywhere. … You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus” 1 Thessalonians1:8 and10. True and real faith is believe, trust and dependence on God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ the living God. Nothing else counts as faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:1,6). Is God the one in whom you believe in or in yourself and your resources?
2. God himself is the source of our faith. Jesus is the “author and finisher” of our faith. The Scripture also teaches us that saving faith is also a gift. “8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast”. Ephesians 2:8.
3. Our faith in God can also mature, strengthened and encouraged. Paul sent Timothy to the Thessalonians to “strengthen and encourage you in your faith”. vs. 1. Timothy would encourage them through the Word of God because “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”. Romans 10:17. Do you have someone to encourage and strengthen today, speak God’s Word to him or her? I am so delighted and encouraged when another believer in Christ shares God’s Word with me. The impact is great so let’s never discount speaking God’s word to each other.
4. Our faith can be and do get tested as was the case of the Thessalonians. Trials and troubles can all be used by God to refine and mature our faith. The trial for the Thessalonians were severe that Paul even feared derailment of their faith. “I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless” vs.5. Are you in the midst of your trial right now, please hang in and keep trusting God.
5. Your faith and my faith can encourage others too. We see it here that Timothy brought the good news that encouraged Apostle. “Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love… Brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord”. When we are able to continue to trust and depend on God regardless of external pressures, other believers are encouraged. Let’s keep in mind that people are watching to see if we are “standing firm in the Lord”. Our faith will also cause many to give thanks to God vs.9.
6. Our faith sometimes may need to be equipped, repaired or corrected in areas where it lacks full and comprehensive understanding of God’s word. That was the case for the Thessalonians. Paul wrote, “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” vs.10. Later in the Letter, we will see some of the things Paul was referring to such as Thessalonians’ lack of proper understanding of the coming of Jesus (4:13-5:11); moral issues (4:1-12) and disciplinary issues (5:12-24). We all lack in one area or the other and that is why we must continue to study the Word and sit under the teaching of sound doctrine.
7. Our faith informs and drives our prayer and expectation. Paul prayed knowing whom He believed in. Faith is not a force to bulldoze our way to God to get whatever we want. The so called “breakthrough prayers” of today are just based on lack of proper understanding of what faith is and who is the object of our faith. We have faith because God has granted it to us and not for manipulating God into giving us everything we want. Rather faith draws us to God and to knowing Him more than ever before. Faith opens us to the door of God’s grace which helps us overcome the world. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”. 1 John 5:4-5.
8. Did you see the content of Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians? Please read verse 11-13. He prayed for increase in their love for one another and that they may remain blameless and holy until Christ returns. Is this your prayer for others and for yourself? I did not see the financial prosperity prayer of today that has blinded the Church of Jesus. Lord, change the emphasis of our prayers. Amen.
Who do you believe in? It is a simple question that needs a simple answer. We either believe in our self or in the living God. Most of the Chilean miners had an encounter with God when all hope for living was lost. Not everyone is that lucky. May we never wait till it is too late to make a true confession of belief in God and in His Son Jesus Christ the savior of the world. May God grant us faith and strengthen and encourage us. Amen.
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