Date: SUN 11:30am 5th October 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: 1 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.
Sermon Summary: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-7 – “Are You Fixed in Your Faith?”
This sermon, based on 1 Thessalonians 3:1-7, was delivered as part of an expository series on the book of 1 Thessalonians, using the King James Bible. The preacher focuses on the Apostle Paul’s deep pastoral concern for the Thessalonian church, emphasizing the importance of steadfast faith in the face of trials, tribulations, and temptations. The central text is verse 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 labor be in vain.” The sermon, titled “Are You Fixed in Your Faith?”, explores Paul’s burden for the spiritual welfare of the Thessalonian believers and encourages modern Christians to remain steadfast in their faith.
Context and Background
The sermon begins by setting the historical and biblical context. Paul, a burdened minister, is depicted as a pastor with genuine love for God’s people. He was alone in Athens, having fled Thessalonica and Berea due to persecution from unbelieving Jews (Acts 17:1-15). Despite the success of his ministry in Thessalonica, where a flourishing church was established, Paul faced challenges in Athens, a city steeped in idolatry and intellectualism, with few converts and no established church. His concern for the Thessalonian believers’ spiritual state is evident in his decision to send Timothy to check on their faith, as he could no longer bear the anxiety of not knowing how they were faring amidst afflictions (verses 1, 5).
Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians, written after Timothy’s encouraging report, reflects his pastoral heart and his desire to strengthen the faith of these new converts. The preacher emphasizes that Paul’s primary concern was not their worldly status but their spiritual well-being, particularly their faith in Christ.
Key Themes and Structure
The sermon is structured around three main points: the evidence, establishment, and expression of faith, with a call to believers to remain fixed in their faith despite challenges.
- The Evidence of Your Faith
- The word “faith” appears five times in 1 Thessalonians 3, symbolizing God’s grace (verse 2, 5, 6, 7, 10). The Thessalonian believers, though a young church (approximately 11 months old), demonstrated genuine faith despite lacking a complete Bible, a full-time minister, or a formal church building. They faced opposition, persecution, and a culture of idolatry in Thessalonica, yet their faith in Christ was real and fruitful.
- The preacher defines faith using the Shorter Catechism: “Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is freely offered to us in the gospel.” Biblical references such as Ephesians 2:8-9 and Hebrews 11:6 underscore that faith is a gift from God, not a human work.
- The parable of the sower (Matthew 13, Luke 8) is used to illustrate different responses to God’s word. The Thessalonian believers are likened to “good ground hearers,” producing spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) such as love, joy, and peace, unlike the wayside, stony, or thorny ground hearers who fail to endure or prioritize worldly concerns over Christ.
- Application: The preacher challenges the congregation to examine whether their faith is genuine, evidenced by spiritual fruit, and whether they truly rest in Christ alone for salvation.
- The Establishment of Your Faith
- The Thessalonian believers faced three challenges: afflictions, tribulations, and temptations. Paul sent Timothy to “establish” and “comfort” them in their faith (verse 2) to ensure they were not “moved” (verse 3) or shaken by these trials.
- Afflictions (verse 3) refer to general trials and troubles common to all (Job 14:1). The preacher recounts a personal anecdote about a car breakdown to illustrate that trials are part of God’s sovereign plan to strengthen believers, not to destroy them. Paul notes that such afflictions are “appointed” by God (verse 3) to refine faith.
- Tribulations (verse 4) involve intense persecution and pressure to compromise Christian convictions. The preacher highlights the hostility faced by early Christians, including martyrdom, and draws parallels to modern pressures to conform to an ungodly world. John 16:33 is cited to remind believers that tribulation is expected, but Christ has overcome the world.
- Temptations (verse 5) come from the “tempter” (the devil), who seeks to destroy faith through subtle lies, accusations, or flattery. The devil’s tactics aim to discourage believers and cause them to doubt God’s plan.
- The preacher uses the metaphor of a “buttress” or a stake supporting a sapling to describe how God’s Word strengthens faith (Romans 10:17). Believers are encouraged to expect trials, resist the devil, and remain fixed in their faith, trusting that God uses challenges to build spiritual resilience (Ephesians 4:14).
- The Expression of Your Faith
- In an ungodly world, confessing Christ and maintaining a witness is challenging but essential. The preacher laments that many Christians have stopped witnessing or worshipping due to societal pressures or fear of ridicule. However, believers are called to express their faith boldly, as the Thessalonians did, bringing joy to Paul’s heart (verse 7).
- The sermon emphasizes that God appoints both trials and the grace to endure them. Believers must not only memorize or study Scripture but also “experimentally” lean on it, trusting God’s promises in real-life situations. An anecdote about a hospitalized believer finding comfort in God’s Word illustrates this principle.
- The preacher encourages the congregation to attend church, witness for Christ, and serve boldly, rather than hiding their faith. Timothy’s positive report about the Thessalonians’ faith and love (verse 6) serves as a model for modern believers to express their faith visibly.
Key Applications
- Examine Your Faith: Believers are urged to assess whether their faith is genuine, producing spiritual fruit, and rooted in Christ alone.
- Endure Trials: Trials, tribulations, and temptations are inevitable, but God uses them to strengthen faith. Believers should expect opposition and rely on God’s Word for support.
- Express Your Faith: In a hostile world, Christians must boldly confess Christ, attend church, and serve others, trusting in God’s provision of grace and help.
- Pastoral Care: Paul’s example as a burdened pastor highlights the importance of caring for the spiritual welfare of the church, a responsibility for both ministers and congregants.
Conclusion
The sermon concludes with a heartfelt call to remain “fixed in your faith,” as Paul desired for the Thessalonians. The preacher expresses gratitude for the congregation’s presence and urges them to go into the world proclaiming “Christ for me,” reflecting the Thessalonians’ steadfast faith that brought Paul comfort amidst his own afflictions (verse 7). The sermon underscores the reality of spiritual warfare, the sufficiency of God’s grace, and the joy of seeing genuine faith in God’s people, encouraging believers to stand firm, bear fruit, and witness boldly for Christ.
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