Quote from Forum Archives on January 29, 2004, 10:48 am

Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>

 

  The Perfecting of Faith, part 2 of 2

 

 Basis= 1 Thess 3:1-13

 

 How many think that their faith is perfect, lacking in
 nothing?  Let's face it...our faith still needs perfecting.

 

 Introduction

 

  1. We will conclude a study we began last week (part 1
 can be read at: http://associate.com/groups/sermonsonthenet/
  2. Based on I Thess 3 we have studied some guidelines
 towards the perfecting of our faith, 3:10
      a. Faith is to be developed gradually, 3:10
      b. contact with strong Christians helps build strong
 faith, 3:2
      c. Stability in trials perfects faith, 3:2-4
      d. Resisting temptations perfects faith, 3:5
 3. There are 4 more guidelines in this chapter that will
 perfect our faith.

 

 I. Steadfastness in the Christian Life Perfects Faith

   1. 1 Thess 3:8
   2. Few things are as encouraging to a preacher than to
 hear of the steadfastness of someone he has had a
 hand in bringing to faith in Jesus.
      a. The Thessalonians to Paul ("we live" = Paul enjoyed
          life) NIV="we now really live"
   3. To "stand fast" = to cause a thing to be in place,
   i.e. persevering in a given activity, Matt 7:24-27
      a. Gal 5:1, I Cor 16:13, 15:58, Phil 4:1 (Hurricanes)
      b. allow the strength of the Lord to enable them to
          stand secure, in place
   4. Must rely on God's strength, not ours, for stability
      a. not status...possessions...intelligence
      b. but union with God in heart and life.
      c. their faith would then develop and mature so as to
         enable to remain loyal in all circumstances of life
  ...so must ours!

 

 II. Prayer Perfects Faith

  1. It would be impossible to have a mature faith without
 the help of prayer
       a. prayer is an exercise of faith...we pray because we
           believe in God
       b. where there is much faith, there is much prayer
       c. as we exercise our faith, faith grows (like weight
           lifting)
  2. To Paul, prayer was vital to perfecting faith, 3:9-11
      a. giving thanks recognized that God was at work thru
               Paul, vs 9
      b. his prayer was a joyful thanksgiving for their
         spiritual growth, vs 9
     c. he prayed that he might personally see them to
         perfect their faith, vs 10
     d. he prayed that God would "direct" his way to them,
        vs 11 (this indicates a dependence on God)
     e. thus, prayer was important to perfect faith, both
          his and the Thessalonians.
  3. Prayer not only expresses faith, but strengthens it as
 well.
         a. thru prayer Jesus found strength to face the cross,
             Matt 26:36-46
         b. thru prayer the early church found boldness to
                 preach, Act 4:29-31
  4. Our faith is also perfected by prayer.

 

 III. Christian Virtues Perfect Faith

   1. Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians not only included
 a desire to be with them personally, but also a
 request that they develop traits of Christian virtue,3:12,13
        a. this would help perfect their faith
        b. Peter said similar things, II Pet 1:5-10
  2. Paul prayed that their love would "increase and
 abound" (steadfast but not stagnant)
        a. news of their faith and love had spread world-
                wide, 1:3,8  3:6
        b. but they were not to "settle in" on their present
             level of love.
        c. they were to make it "increase and abound"
  (1) abound and overflow...a fountain of love..
   4:1, Phil 1:9
  (2) toward each other, 4:9,10, Jn 13:34,35, I Pet
   1:22, I Jn 4:10,11
  (3) toward all men...not just local congregation,
   or even Christians...ALL.
  3. The purpose for the practice of such love was to
 perfect their faith.
        a. 3:13
        b. "stablish" - establish, to fix, make fast, to set
            (from root meaning "to prop")
        c. "blameless" so that no charge could be laid and
                sustained, I Pet 2:11,12
        d. "holiness" - separation, consecration, devotion to
                   God.
        e. these virtues are expressions of the reality of
          one's faith, and the practice of such will, in turn,
          perfect your faith.

 

 IV. Awareness of the 2nd coming Perfects Faith

  1. When Paul first arrived in Thessalonica from Philippi,
 he taught about Jesus
      a. Act 17:2,3
      b. Faith in Jesus related to the past, present & future
            (1) from past were freed from sin by grace of God.
            (2) in the present they were to live the virtuous
                life
           (3) faith also believes in the future..Christ's
             coming 3:13
  2. Hope in the return of Jesus gives strength to our
 faith.
      a. we often get caught up in the present
        (1) life begins to lose its purpose and meaning
        (2) the power to resist evil begins to fade.
     b. remembering the Lord's return can re-vitalize
         our faith
          (1) all history is moving toward the final
                 destruction, II Pet 3:10
          (2) this should encourage our faithfulness,
                 II Pet 3:11-14
          (3) faith is to look beyond the present and see
                the ultimate purpose of God, Heb 11:1,6
          (4) thereby, one's faith is molded and perfected.

 

 Conclusion:

 1. The perfecting of faith is something we work at daily
 "a journey toward God"
 2. There are many things that help along the journey.
 a. fellow christians
 b. trials and temptations
 c. prayer
 d. Christian virtues
 e. the 2nd coming
 3. Some days the travel will be easier than others
 a. detours and roadblocks are to be expected
 b. however, don't allow these to cause you to quit
  your journey.
 4. Use the means God has provided to help you perfect
 your faith.

 

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