I was struck once again by the importance of music and particularly singing in the Bible.  God appointed Levites to the religious vocation of “singing”.  A quick concordance search for “singers” finds 31 occurrences in the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament.  Read on your own, especially in 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah of the prominence and importance of singing in public worship settings.  I especially love the picture of the two choirs on the walls celebrating the completion of the walls around Jerusalem in Nehemiah. 

Songs are also commonly seen in the Bible in various forms, as expressions of worship in a variety of emotions, the majority of which is praise.  Again, a quick concordance search finds 81 occurrences of “song” in the Old and New Testaments.  As we consider our lives congregationally together, let us lean in to the songs that we sing…expressing truths from the depth of our souls.  Let us be deliberate and purposeful about the kinds of songs we sing at church, in our homes, and even on our IPODS and MP3 players.  Let God be praised in our songs, let His Church be taught be songs, and let the Chuch be encouraged and strengthened through the God ordained means of music.

As I was reading Ephesians 5 to my children the other night, during Family Worship, I was reminded of the importance of songs even in our day to day relationships.  The epitome of right relationships, spiritually strong relationships, are those in which song and poetic expression is a part.  Rich, full, meaningful joy in life is not found from substances, nor enthralling entertainment experiences, but our sweet communion together around the truth in creative and musical expressions:

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
(Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV)

I recently taught from 1 Thess 3:1-5 and was moved by the Apostle Paul’s deep concern for the spiritual health of the Thessalonians.  This is a challenge to all of us to not take the spiritual health of one another for granted.  Below is the outline of the message. 

1 Thess 3:1-5
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

Many of us have had loved ones that have had major health issues.  Health issues imply a sense of urgency and command action and response.  We all respond that way when someone’s health is at risk.  But how do we respond to the spiritual health of people that we know?   The Apostle Paul models again for us the heart of God in this matter.  He reveals to us that we are called to have a deep concern for the spiritual well-being of believers we know.  Our heart should ache to do everything we can to help fellow believers stay on course in their walk.  Maybe we don’t need life flight to tend to the spiritual slide of a follower of Jesus, but we should have a sense of urgency.  A strong burden to want to do what we can to lift our brothers and sisters up.  To see them plant firmly in good soil.  In our passage today (1 Thess 3:1-5), we will look at Paul’s model.  We’ll discover that a deep concern for the spiritual well-being of believers, first, compels one to action.  Second, a deep concern for the spiritual well-being of believers compels one to protect their faith.

 I.      A deep concern for the spiritual well-being compels one to action. (1 Thess 3:1-2)

A.  This deep concern causes a crisis in our hearts.  It should be consuming interest.

1. Paul and his team could no longer endure being uninformed about the spiritual health of the Thessalonians.
2. Most people have some kind of interest that they always look forward to practicing.  For some it is music, reading, woodworking, fishing, swimming, shopping, rebuilding engines, golf, you name it.  A deep concern for others should be an all consuming interest.  When we wake up we think about it.  When we go through our day we can’t stop thinking about it.  This is God’s heart. 
3. This tension should compel us to respond.
   1. Though physically separated, Paul’s team is compelled to respond.

a)    It appears that Paul and Silas stay in Athens (thought well to).

b)    Paul sends the highly qualified Timothy as his delegate.

(1) Timothy’s credentials are solid.

C.  Do you have anybody on your heart that you feel compelled to respond to? 

I.  A deep concern for the spiritual well-being of believers seeks to protect their faith. (1 Thess 3:2-4)

A.  Protecting a believer’s faith involves shoring up their foundation to withstand trials.

1. Timothy is sent to shore up the Thessalonians’ foundation of faith. 

a)    Strengthening involves finishing the foundation begun by the Apostles.  The focus is more on the instruction.

b)    Encouraging involves strengthening through relationships and coming along side.  It’s what Paul has done throughout this letter.

c)     The focus of the encouragement is for the benefit of the faith of the Thessalonians.

2.  The purpose of this foundation is to prevent a fall amidst trials.

a)    Paul is concerned because of the affliction the Thessalonians face.

b)    Where do falls come?  A poor foundation in both the Word and in meaningful relationships.  There is no substitute for biblical instruction, mentoring, and friendships in the Church.  The number one reason people return to Church…relationships (vital relationships).

B.  Protecting a believer’s faith involves helping others to understand right doctrine.  This is actually an example of strengthening their faith.

1. Persecution is a normal part of the Christian life.

a)    “You, yourself know” is an emphatic statement meaning “you know better”.

b)    “We are appointed” ties affliction to our Christian walk.

c)     The implication: Experience of persecution and suffering should strengthen, not weaken one’s commitment to Jesus.

      2.  We could all think of some other doctrines that could help to protect a believer’s faith.  Here the emphasis is on the doctrine of the place of       
              suffering in the Christian’s life.

C.  Protecting a believer’s faith requires knowing their spiritual health (1 Thess 3:4-5).

1. Paul was the primary source of impatience in his desire to minister to the Thessalonians.
2. Paul sent to “know of their faith” or faithfulness.
3. Paul’s deepest concern was the spiritual warfare being waged against them.

a)    Paul’s concern is that his “labor” or “toil” would be in vain.

b)   We see the same anxiety in 2 Cor 11:28-29:
 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

 Conclusion:
1.  Paul models once again the heart of God. 

2.  Paul isn’t just a model…he instructs us as he does the Thessalonians.  His anxiety over the potential failure of this Church should cause us to heed very closely.  Do not take your faith for granted.

3.  Think of one person that you can help in protecting their faith.  Then, think of what you can do yourself to protect your own faith. 

 

In the midst of the unrest in Egypt and the Middle East, we ought to be praying for the Christian church in these areas.  God uses many different means, circumstances, and unexpected instruments to communicate His Gospel and bring reform to the hearts of people.  I was reading of the exile of Israel this morning in 2 Kings, and I was reminded that in apparent chaos God is still sovereign and doing His Kingdom work. 

“And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel.  And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities.  And at the beginning of their dwelling there, they did not fear the Lord.  THerefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them.  So the king of Assyria was told, ‘The nations that you ahve carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land.  Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they are killing them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land.’  Then the king of Assyria commanded, ‘Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there, and let him go and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land.’  So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the Lord.”  2 Kings 17:24-28

Can you imagine this pagan king calling upon a priest of the Lord to teach the people how to fear the Lord?  This should be a great encouragement to us, that in the midst of chaos and mayhem, judgment and strife, God is not lacking the power nor desire to get His Word out and to make His Name known.  Let’s pray for the church in Egypt and the Middle East, that the Lord would use these brothers and sisters to wisely and boldly proclaiim the Gospel with grace and winsomeness.

The people that the king of Assyria moved into the land of Israel ultimately followed a syncretistic worldview, in which they “feared the Lord and also served their carved images.” (2 Kings 17:41a)  It is true today, that proclaiming the message does not necessarily result in revival and reform.  Yet, we ought not be deterred from the task, knowing that God Himself initiates the preaching of His Gospel, even when the results are not what we expect.  Perhaps this is what Paul was getting at when he exhorted Timothy:

“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Tim 4:2-3) 

Therefore, whatever the results…preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ is a noble and vital task for all Christians.  We will have to wait to see what the Lord does through His church in Egypt.  But as we wait, let’s support them in prayer and in any other manner the Lord might lead you.