The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

3.4 THEIRS WAS AN ENCOURAGED FELLOWSHIP (1 Thessalonians 3:10-12)

1 Thessalonians 3:10 "Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?"

There is no better way to encourage a fellowship than praying exceedingly for it.

PRAY TO BE PRESENT TO HELP THE GROWING CHURCH DEVELOP

This was Paul's fervent desire and it should be ours. Face to face contact is essential in imparting strength, knowledge and practical support. Genuine faith needs full truth of the Word to make growth complete.

PERSISTENT PRAYER TO HELP MAY BE DELAYED BUT WILL BE ANSWERED

1 Thessalonians 3:11 "Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you."

The Lord did direct Paul to them in His own way and time (Acts 20:1-3, 1 Timothy 1:3 ). And the Lord will arrange the fulfillment of our desire to bring spiritual help to others, no matter how, in the natural circumstances it does not seem possible.

PRAY FOR LOVE TO INCREASE AND ABOUND IN THE FELLOWSHIP

1 Thessalonians 3:12 "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another."

We are to encourage the love to "abound," that is, to "multiply" so that it overflows to all men. The love of Paul and his companions was indeed overflowing to all and everyone. Nothing less than these kinds of fellowships are needed today.

PRAY THAT BLAMELESS, HOLY LIVES WILL WITNESS TO EXPECTATION OF CHRIST'S RETURN

1 Thessalonians 3:13 "So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

Establishing in our hearts holiness unto the Lord, by grace, results in the issuing of daily living unto the Lord in all pleasing, under His all-seeing eye, and being presented blameless at His coming. What a day of rejoicing that will be.

3.5 THEIRS WAS AN EXPECTANT FELLOWSHIP (1 Thessalonians 3:13)

1 Thessalonians 3:13 "At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

Our Lord is coming with all His saints. We are to live with this coming always filling us with expectancy. (Philippians 3:20,21, Titus 2:11-14 ). The culmination of expectant fellowship is eternal fellowship with the Lord. What glorious consummation! Jesus is coming.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

What do you see as the main reason for the removal of the strain on Paul, caused by his sympathy for the Thessalonians?
- What fills you with thankfulness and joy about those you serve?
- What do you pray for on behalf of your Fellowship?
Are you living in readiness for your Lord's return?
- What prayer do you pray, as one who is expecting Jesus, for yourself and for other believers?