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Future Glory | Present Trial: 1 Thess. 3:1-5

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 :: Interpreting Pain

Returning to our series today through Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church, we again catch an incredible glimpse of Paul’s pastoral heart in the beginning of chapter 3. In the rush to leave the city amid great turmoil and opposition (refresh the story in Acts 17:1-15), Paul’s heart yearned for this young church such that soon after his departure, he and Silas send Timothy back to Thessalonica to shepherd the church.

It seems clear from many passages in these letters that the same trouble that sent Paul and his companions out of town remained the reality for the new Christians in the city (see 1:6; 2:14). They were worried that the brutal affliction of persecution would tempt many to compromise their faith, change their behaviors, question the truth or hide their identification with Jesus. Satan, the great deceiver and accuser of the brethren, would be the tempter behind it all.

Thus Timothy’s main job was to “strengthen and encourage them in regards to their faith” and to make sure that the tempter’s work did not take root such that Paul’s great labor would become fruitless and empty - although never meaningless.

Pain and its companions - affliction, suffering, hardship, adversity - are often seen as the invading enemies of life. Whenever we spy one of those coming at us, we tend to turn and run. Truth be told, in our comfort-at-all-costs culture, when our comfort zones get the squeeze, we get angry. Yet according to the Bible, pain is a necessary part of life. And although we may not like it, we can learn to grow through it by learning its lessons. There’s a tension involved in trying to accept the pain that God allows while at the same time fighting to overcome it. But, like the Thessalonians, we can find real help in our struggle when we learn to see pain from God’s perspective. His Word reveals that suffering is inevitable and essential [and temporary].

Yes, I know that some advocates of this so-called ‘health and wealth gospel’ teach that if Christians just have enough faith, they won’t suffer. But Paul says suffering walks hand in hand with faith in Christ (Philippians 1:29). This doesn’t mean God is the perpetrator of evil or the cause of sin… or even of temptations (1 John 1:5). Human sin - both Adam’s and our own - is the root cause of pain and suffering in our world (Romans 8:20-22). However, in the fallen world, where pain and suffering are an inevitable reality, God has chosen to use afflictions as tutors which teach us how to rely continually on the strength of God and His Word - a lesson that we could never have learned others (Psalm 119:67, 71, 75).
”—Charles Swindoll

Pain and affliction are powerful things. For all people, the ability to interpret pain is rare and hard-won. Christians struggle with it just as much as anyone. But this ability may be the most powerful determining factor for the longevity of a life of impact and vital ministry.

Strength and courage cannot happen without pain that is interpreted. When most of western society is focused on eliminating pain and suffering in our lives, the bible takes a very different approach. Without seeking out pain, we are to learn how to engage and endure it in order that we might experience pain and suffering WITH GOD.

So your “interpretation” of pain is the main application. This is very complex and should not be simplified to programatic or simplistic principles. There are, however, some foundational questions that are critical to this interpretation.
  1. In my pain - what is something for me to learn? - about you, about God, about faith, hope…
  2. In my pain - what is something for me to pursue? - a relationship to mend, forgiveness to ask, confession to make, reconciliation to pray for…
  3. In my pain - what is something for me to use? - fuel for ministry, passion, mission or relationships…

Group Discussion Questions:
  1. Track the people, travel routes and timelines in Acts 17:10-16; 18:1-5. Compare and contrast them to the insight in 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6. Any issues? Answers?
  2. What do you see of Paul the Pastor in our main text?
  3. How is Timothy described by Paul? What does this say of Timothy and Paul’s relationship? (see Acts 16:1-3; much of the rest of the Book of Acts and 1 and 2 Timothy for more).
  4. Timothy was sent to “strengthen and encourage” the church “as to their faith.” Share with your group how your faith currently needs to be strengthened? In what areas of your life do you need encouragement?
  5. How are you a strength-trainer and encourager for others? How can you become better in these roles?
  6. What does Paul mean that “we have been destined for” suffering and affliction? See Philippians 1:27. How do you understand suffering in the will of God?
  7. What are three real, pressing, critical areas in which you feel the pressure of affliction, attack or spiritual warfare?
  8. How did Paul’s theology of suffering potentially help the Thessalonian church?
  9. How did Paul’s “foretelling” of affliction potentially help the Thessalonian church?
  10. In the sermon, Scot talked about “interpreting your pain.” What do you think he meant by that phrase? What did he suggest as a starting point for doing this?
  11. What are the top areas or situations in your life right now in which you feel the lure of temptation, the heat of affliction or the pressure of suffering and cultural crisis? Share with your group.
  12. End your time by discussing how to biblically fight temptation and the deception of the Devil, then close in prayer.
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