FRUITS OF FAITHFULNESS

I Thessalonians 3:6-13

August 2, 2026 – SUN a.m.

    Thanksgiving of Paul for the Thessalonians is one of the big themes for the first 3 chapters of the book.

     Paul planted the Thessalonian church and the believers continue being faithful in the midst of suffering and affliction.

     Paul’s thanksgiving revolves around 3 things:

I Thessalonians 1:4-5 “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. ⁵ For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.“

     Paul thanks God that He saved them. Paul thankful for the evangelism that occurred in the city, when he was there. 

I Thessalonians 2:11-12 “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, ¹² That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.“

     Paul is thankful even for limited opportunity to minister and labored as a workman among them like a mother and like a father would.

     Since Paul planted the church, and in that short amount of time, Paul heard a good report from Timothy how the Thessalonians were continuing on in the faith.

Three Characteristics of the faithfulness of the Thessalonians: (I Thessalonians 2:13 – I Thessalonians 3:1-13

I Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

     It was God who is the true source of Spiritual growth. In verse 13, Paul rejoices as he refers to the fact they received the truth, when it was preached, in such a way as to show that they fully believed it to be the Word of God and not the words of men. Therefore, the Word of God is the object of their faith, which at first is orally given, then for security against error, is written delivered (John 20:30). Though Paul said “ye heard of us” it really emanates from God. Paul continues to develop the idea that the continued spiritual growth of the Thessalonians was only a result of divine grace that works in the believer’s heart. Hence, By the grace of God, God’s Word changes the hearts and helps the faith of the Thessalonians grown stronger over time. God is the source of faithfulness. Although it is good to have a well-outlined sermons and good preacher and teacher but it is God Himself is the source of faithfulness. 

I Thessalonians 2:17-18 “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. ¹⁸ Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”

     The apostle Paul shares his deep grief over being separated from the new believers in Thessalonica. Paul had to leave Thessalonica early because of violent local opposition and riots stirred up by the enemy of the gospel. Notice the word “taken” in Greek “aporfanisthentes” has an idea of “orphanized” “from you” as parents torn from their children. Example is when Jesus told His disciples in John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless” in Greek “orphanized”. In this case there is the idea that it was like a painful bereavement, as that one of one who had lost a parent. So, Paul was painfully orphanized from Thessalonians.

     Paul notes that while they were apart in person, his heart stayed with them. Notice the words “we would” (v.18) it means “we wished” to come. Notice the words “endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face”, Paul made every endeavor possible, he tried multiple times to return to that city that he may see them face to face and reunite with them for he cared for them so much, but an unseen spiritual barrier blocked his path. Paul said, “But Satan hindered us” from returning to visit the Thessalonians. Paul recognized the hand of Satan in frustrating his attempt to do good, and preventing the accomplishment of strong desire to see his Christians friends.   Notice the word “hindered” in Greek “Enekopsen” literally, “to cut a trench, or break up a road, between one's self and an advancing foe, to prevent his progress;”, so Satan opposing the progress of the missionaries. Paul directly blamed Satan for the obstruction, showing that spiritual forces actively try to disrupt fellowship and growth in the church. Satan prevented Paul from returning to the city. If Satan can, he will oppose the good intention of Christian ministers of the gospel. That opposition to gospel work is not always human or physical; it can involve deliberate spiritual resistance against good intentions of the ministers of the gospel. Satan is the enemy of faithfulness.

I Thessalonians 3:5 “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”

     Paul writes (v.5 “for this cause”) referring to their tribulation that has actually begun and he knew that they were so liable to be persecuted.  So, Paul feared that some might be turned the truth by this opposition. That is why Paul could no longer contain himself, could no longer hide his impatience, his painful emotions with regards to the Thessalonians (v.5 “I could no longer forbear”), and because of that Paul sent Timothy because he wishes to know of the state of the Thessalonians if they stood the trial, to know their steadfastness in the gospel (v.5 “to know your faith”).  

     Paul said “lest by some means” refers to either by allurements to apostasy, set before them by their former pagan friends, or by the deception of false teachers, or by the severity of suffering. For though the Jews were the immediate actors in those transactions, yet the apostle regarded them as under the direction of Satan, and as accomplishing his purposes. Satan was, therefore, the real author of those persecutions. Satan is here called the tempter (v.5 “the tempter have tempted you”). Satan has many methods of seducing people from the truth, and Paul’s fear was by their yielding to it, by their being turned from the faith, their labor should prove in vain (v.5 “our labour be in vain”).    

     So, here Paul cautions of all of us regarding Satan the great adversary of Christian faithfulness. The devil thwarts ministers and the devil also tempt believers to abandon the faith. Satan is the enemy of faithfulness.

     How you can make a bigger impact for the Lord with the remaining years of your life? Is our marital status, is our occupation are all that making bigger impact in our lives? Is this what you are going to keep on doing for the rest of your life? We have to make a great impact for eternal things, as long as you are young and God giving you the grace of strength, that is the only things that will be remembered and rewarded in heaven.

     However, as you consider that you have few years left to serve God and you do not want to waste those remaining few years left in your life, you have to make a great impact of that blessed opportunity. May God sees in us the fruit of faithfulness

     As a believer it would be good if you should focus less on how to change everything about your life, or whatever it is, but instead it is helpful that you focus more on being faithful to what God has presently called you to do with your life. Just simple formula: Obey God whenever God is convicting you about wasting time and focusing on self-centered things. Whenever you obey God faithfully, everything will follow, everything will be changed, and God will lead you to rearrange everything that hinders your faithfulness to Him. Put God first and bear the fruit of faithfulness. 

     Trust God to use your life and your ministry to make a great impact in people’s lives. Be faithfully commit thyself in the church and in the ministry that God wants you to do whether you are a Pastor, deacon, Sunday school teacher or bible school teacher, music ministers, ushers, youth ministers, etc. 

     Paul reminds the young believers in Thessalonians that Satan will do everything to tempt, distract, discourage them and influence by false teaching in order for them not to continue doing what God wants them to do. Paul is saying that Satan wants their “labour be in vain.” This must challenge us, awaken us to be faithful to the responsibility God has assigned you to do, and to let others see that Christ is in your life whether you are a mother of several children, Christian businessman. Just remain to be faithful on the task that God has called you to do.     

     In connection with our passage, we see here the impact of the continuous faithfulness of these Thessalonians believers in the midst of much affliction that was used by God to encourage Apostle Paul. Same true with us, may our faithfulness can also be used by God to motivate and renew the enthusiasm of other Christians to be faithful unto the Lord.

     What the faithfulness of the Thessalonians can brings: 

I – RENEWING OF PAUL’S VITALITY – v.6-8

I Thessalonians 3:6-8 “But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: ⁷ Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: ⁸ For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”

     Timothy traveling over and came (v.6 “came from you unto us”) to Paul who was in Corinth, and Timothy brought a report (v,6 “brought us good tidings”). Timothy brought the good news (v.6 “brought us good tidings”) but not the technical use of the term gospel of salvation. Of course, Timothy is not evangelizing Paul at the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the good news of the Thessalonians, where Timothy informs Paul of the continuing faith and love of the Thessalonians (v.6 “tidings of your faith and charity”) which demonstrates that they are genuinely saved.                                                                                        

     Just before Timothy came, Paul was worried that the heavy pressure, trouble and somehow the devil had tempted the Thessalonians to give up and all his work in that church would be in vain (v.5 “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”). 

Timothy tells Paul that the Thessalonians were continuing on and keep looking for Paul wanted to see him again, so about three weeks or three Sabbaths he spent short time teaching them is not wasted. Timothy told Paul not only about the faith and love but reported that these Thessalonians always remember Paul (v.6 “that ye have good rememberance of us always”) and kindly longing to see Paul and company as Paul longing to see the Thessalonians also (v.6 “desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you”). So, Timothy tells Paul of the warm affection of the Thessalonians for Paul. Paul loves them and they love Paul too. It is a comfort to Paul who loves to hear that the people whom he loves know his love.

     The arrival and good news of Timothy comforted and gave Paul a sigh of relief (v.7 “we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith”).  This good report showed Paul that his hard work bore real fruit.

God comforted us that we may comfort others (II Corinthians 1:3-7; II Corinthians 7:6). Now, the steadfastness of the Thessalonians was a great source of comfort to Paul in his trials. It was an instance where the holy lives and the fidelity of a people did much, as will always be the case, to lighten the burdens and cheer the heart of a minister of the gospel. In the inevitable trials of the ministerial office there is no source of comfort richer and purer than this.  

     The good news report of Timothy was encouraging to Paul who was in the midst of much affliction in Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). In Acts 18, says that were a Jewish band of people united together who took Paul and brought to the tribunal before a Roman proconsul named Lucius Junius Gallio who was a prominent Roman official in Corinth during the 1^st century. Paul stayed and was severely afflicted in Corinth for a year and a half and was actively teaching the Word of God to the people. God encouraged Apostle Paul who has afflicted in Corinth during a night vision, telling him not to be afraid, because God promised that He is always with Paul and nobody is going to hurt Paul in Corinth, but to keep speaking, do not be silent, keep on being faithful and assuring him of safety (Acts 18:9-10 “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: ¹⁰ For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.”) because God had many people in that city.  

     Notice in verse 8 the words “now we live”, Paul is not saying that they had died, for it just a metaphorical. What Paul is talking about here is that the moment he heard from Timothy that the Thessalonians were continuing in their faith, it means Paul is really saying “now we flourish”. Paul is saying it revives us in affliction to hear of your steadfastness. It really renewed his enthusiasm in his ministry in the midst of much affliction. The good news brought by Timothy brought life to Paul and his missionary team. That’s Paul renewed vitality for he was comforted by the good report concerning the faithfulness of Thessalonians.

     When Paul said “now we live” he means he now enjoyed real life; in the fact that the Thessalonians acted what a Christian ought to be, and to show that his labor among them had not been in vain. The same thing is true of all faithful ministers of the gospel. They feel that they have that life, and that is worth living for, when those to whom they preach maintain a close walk with God.

     I cannot boast of my experience that I have been in a ministry for 42 years in the ministry and 35 years at Messiah Baptist Church at Baesa. However, for the few years that I have been in the ministry here in Baesa, one of the greatest joys in the ministry since I pioneered the church here in Baesa is to ponder from time to time and reflect on how some of our church members are doing. Not all of our church members present spiritual condition in life that we ministered to is truly encouraging and can refresh or renewed our enthusiasm. But some of them still continuing serving God faithfully in the ministry at to this point of time that really comforts, encourages and brings life to the ministers. Hearing these individuals’ names makes me smile and got joy in my soul. We can also encourage others by our faithful testimony and not just our presence in the church. People who dedicate their lives to ministry faithfully with integrity leave a lasting legacy that deeply encourages and inspires everyone around them to keep on going.

II – RENDERING OF PAUL’S THANKSGIVING – v.9-10  

I Thessalonians 3:9-10 “For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; ¹⁰ Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”

     Paul cannot even start to thank God for he struggled to find adequate words to express himself to God (v.9 “For what thanks can we render to God”) for all of the joy that Paul feels because of these Thessalonians believers (v.9 “for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before God”). That is an indication of the intensity of Paul’s joy

     It is a metaphorical picture. Paul expresses his love and joy for the Thessalonians. Here we have a group of believers who are faithful and Paul cannot even put the right words to thank God for the joy their faithfulness is producing in the life of Paul. 

     The result of Paul’s thanking God because of the faithfulness of thessalonians, is that Paul prays earnestly night and day (v.10 “Night and day praying exceedingly’).

     The content of Paul’s prayer is that he might see the Thessalonians face to face (v.10 “that we might see you face”).

     The Reason why he wants to see them face to face because Paul wants to be able to supply what is lacking in their faith (v.10 “and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith”).

     That is an interesting reason of Paul supply what is lacking in Thessalonians faith. Why? Because Paul mentions earlier in this passage that he heard that their faith is continuing that gives encouragement to Paul by how they are doing. Yet, Paul tells them that they have something lacking in their faith, so Paul wants to help them. But it does not mean Paul is condemning them but that Paul just wants to see them face to face and if he has more time with this new group of believers, they will be benefited by Paul’s teaching.

     As Paul started offering thanksgiving to God because of the good testimony according to good report from Timothy concerning the Thessalonians, Paul’s desire is to help them, so he started praying to God to let him go that he might minister to them and help them in some way by his teaching. 

III – REQUESTING OF PAUL’S THREE EMPHASIS – v.11-13

I Thessalonians 3:11-13 “Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. ¹² And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: ¹³ To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

     Paul was moved to do intercession for the Thessalonians because of their faithfulness. 

     Paul writes down his prayer so that the Thessalonians will know what he is praying once they read it.

     Paul is requesting that God who controls the events of this world would just open up a way to overcome those hindrances that Satan put down and pave a way for Paul to get back to Thessalonica. 

     Notice, interestingly Paul prays both to God the Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ (v.11 “Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ”).

     Likewise, when we pray, both God the Father and Jesus Christ are worthy recipients of our prayer. We can pray to either God the Father or Jesus Christ. Paul prays to God the Father and Jesus as one entity, Paul is thinking both the Father and Jesus Christ as one God because the verb direct is singular. But more interestingly, Paul prays requesting that he would direct their way to the Thessalonians to see them face to face.

     Paul prays that God would direct his way to them (v.11 “direct our way unto you”). In other words, Paul realizes that God has the power to direct things to accomplish his own purposes, so Paul prays that God would remove the obstacles that the devil put down that were preventing him from coming, so that he could spend lot of precious time with the faithful Thessalonians.

     There are some people that we love to see personally and love to spend time with. But perhaps, there are other people that we don’t love spending as much time with. 

     Because of the faithfulness of the Thessalonians continuing in the faith according to the report of Timothy, that is why Paul was so eager and would love to get back to Thessalonians, because he wants to increase his exposure to them. That is the reason why Paul intercedes for them.

     Paul prays that God would increase and overflow the love that Paul had already commended them for their love (v.12 “to increase and abound in love, ….even as we do toward you”). Paul is saying to them that they love more and more but Paul is now asking for God to increase the love of the Thessalonians.

     Actually, we observe that that the topics of conversation for the rest of the epistles is found in verses 12-13.

     The three things that Paul give emphasis about love, holiness, and second coming of Christ not only found in Paul’s prayers but also become the backbone for Paul’s epistles or instruction to the Thessalonians, at least at second half of the letter, chapters 4 and 5.

     Paul intercessory prayers for the Thessalonians revolves on 3 things: 

(I Thessalonians 4:9 “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”

This is concerning brotherly love. Paul urges to them later that they would abound more and more, and explain to them some things about that love)

(I Thessalonians 4:1-8 “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. ² For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: ⁴ That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; ⁵ Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: ⁶ That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. ⁷ For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. ⁸ He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”)

This is about knowing how to possess our vessels, our bodies and sanctification or holiness and in honor)

I Thessalonians 5 – contains some verses concerning the imminent coming of Jesus Christ)

     Before Paul instructed the Thessalonians in chapter 4 and 5, Paul mentioned his intercessory prayers at the end of chapter 3. Notice again his intercessory prayers regarding established hearts, that will result on being blameless and living holy when Jesus comes back.

     Notice Paul says in verse 13 “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” It should be translated with holy ones. It could be believers or it could be angels. It could be angels and believers. 

     Go back on our question previously as we started our sermon, how can we make a big impact on others for God? You can make a big impact for God if you would enable to be faithful, not for limited time but for all of your life faithfully serving and living to the Lord.

     It’s not that we need to change everything up about our life, but we need to be faithful and God will re-arrange everything in our lives, focus on what God has convicted us and has called us to and that God may use it in whatever way God wants. Be faithful.