with Elder Elico Man
enji
✝️As the Apostle Paul was faced with difficulty after his escape in a basket, he was not able to return to Thessalonica but sent Timothy, a fellow worker there to strengthen the faith of the believers.
So he was left to preach the gospel alone in Athens as he did not want the work done in Thessalonica destroyed by people turning away from Christ.
When Timothy returned, the Apostle was overjoyed at the good news that he heard of the believers well established in the faith and infact they had progressed their faith and love and had a longing to see Paul again.
He does not know how to thank God for such good news. He desires more than ever to revisit them, so that he can further help their growing faith.
But he will return only if God gave him another opportunity to visit them. So, he advised believers that in view of Christ's return, they were to increase in love and holiness.
1️⃣1 Thessalonians 3:1-8: Paul and Timothy, trusted partners in the gospel work, to strengthen the faith of believers.
⏹️As Paul was compelled to leave Thessalonica because of the opposition of the Jews, he had to send Timothy to strengthen the faith of the infant church amidst persecution.
The prophet Isaiah says, "Strengthen you the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees"(Isaiah 35:3).
⏭️This mission though difficult was arranged because of his uncontrollable anxiety which sprang from his intensity of love for the church.
Genuine Christian love, though it bears external suffering with uncomplaining patience is impatient of delaying to do good for others.
The prophet Isaiah says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that said to Zion, Your God reigns!"(Isaiah 52:7).
⏹️ The church needs qualified persons like Timothy today to carry out Christ desire for His Church, to sympathize with the Church’s peculiar difficulties and trials in troublous times.
The Revelator says, "I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan"(Revelation 2:9).
⏭️ The Church needs today not just a courier of the Word but faithful ministers to give instructions of God's Word, ministers who are co-partners with Christ in suffering for the truth.
The Apostle says, "Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God"(Acts 20:23-24).
⏫The Church need more than ever ministers who can stand for the truth, though the heavens fall to establish, confirm and set fast the faith of believers by a fresh authoritative manifestation of the gospel truth and its divine evidences of the nearness of Christ's coming so the believers can be prepared to meet their God.
Jesus said, "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet him"(Matthew 25:6).
2️⃣1 Thessalonians 3:9-13: Paul's unceasing fervent prayers and affection for believers.
⏹️The Apostle was highly satisfied and overjoyed to hear the confirmation of faith of the believers. His joy lay in that his mission was not a waste as he preached and laboured so hard, suffered so much, for the work he had done.
⏭️His prayer and concerns were of the conversions experienced, if those who embraced the Gospel did not walk steadily in the way to heaven and persevere till the end, then it would be waste.
⏹️Then, because of the joy of his heart, the Apostle made a profound prayer saying, "Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you"(1 Thessalonians 3:11).
⏭️This prayer of providential guidance should ever be in submission to the Divine will, should make believers increase and abound in love one toward another, should establish the hearts of believers to blamelessness, perfecting holiness before God. The Apostle says, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God"(2 Corinthians 7:1).
🅰️Appeal
Love is the badge of the genuine Christian, to love one another and to love God should be our first and foremost priority.
Prayer is a part of worship and should be directed to God, even the Father and even to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our prayers directed to God and to Jesus Christ are made effectual by the abiding Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you"(John 14:26). Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
No comments:
Write comments