Wednesday, 28th October 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
Good morning, family!
Today, we will read 1 Thessalonians chapter 3.
Yesterday, in chapter 2, we saw that Paul did more than preach the gospel to the people in Thessalonica. He cared for them like a mother caring for her children. He also encouraged and taught them like a father. He wanted those who had received the gospel to live a life worthy of God’s calling.
But while Paul was sharing the gospel in Thessalonica, some people opposed him. Because of this, he had to leave the city at night. The church had only just begun, and the believers were still new in their faith when Paul had to leave them.
Even after he left, Paul continued to care deeply for them. He wanted to return, but his way was blocked. At the same time, the believers in Thessalonica were facing troubles.
Would these new believers continue to hold on to their faith? How would they continue to grow? These were the things on Paul’s heart.
Today, let us look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 and see how God leads His children to stand firm in the Lord and grow in love.
- Support One Another and Strengthen Our Faith (3:1–5)
“And sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions.”
—1 Thessalonians 3:2–3, NKJV
Paul wanted to return to Thessalonica and visit the believers himself, but he was unable to go. He was deeply concerned for them, so he decided to stay in Athens and send Timothy to them.
Timothy went to strengthen and encourage the believers in their faith, so that they would not be shaken by the troubles they were facing.
Paul knew that these believers would face opposition and difficulties because they followed Jesus. When he was with them, he had already told them that they would face troubles. Now it had happened, just as he had said. (3:3–4)
Paul wanted to know how their faith was doing. He was concerned that the tempter might use their troubles to tempt them, and that his work among them might have been in vain. (3:5)
Paul cared about their situation, but he was especially concerned about their faith. He wanted them to continue holding on to the gospel, even in the middle of difficulties.
Here we also see the importance of working together. Although Paul could not go himself, he sent Timothy to care for and strengthen the believers. Together, they shared the burden of caring for the church and serving God’s family.
Family, sometimes we really want to do something, but the way is not open yet. At such times, we can place the way ahead in God’s hands. We can also work together with the people God has given us, doing what we can with the opportunities we have.
In the church, God has brought us together so that we can encourage and support one another with His Word. When our brothers and sisters face difficulties, our care and presence can help them continue to trust in the Lord.
- Stand Firm in the Lord Through Troubles (3:6–10)
“For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.”
—1 Thessalonians 3:8, NKJV
Later, Timothy returned from Thessalonica with good news. The believers still had faith and love. They also remembered Paul and his co-workers with affection and wanted to see them again. (3:6)
This news brought Paul great comfort. Paul himself was facing troubles and hardship, but when he heard about their faith, he was encouraged.
He said, “For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.”
These words show us Paul’s deep love for the believers. The brothers and sisters he cared for were facing troubles, yet they were standing firm in the Lord. Their lives brought him comfort in his own difficulties.
The church in Thessalonica began in difficult circumstances. Paul had to leave because of opposition, and the believers continued to face troubles. Yet they did not give up their faith in the Lord.
They continued to have faith and love in the middle of their troubles. Their lives also became an encouragement to Paul and his co-workers.
Family, standing firm in the Lord does not mean that we will have no more difficulties. It means that we continue to trust Him in the middle of them. As we depend on Him, He is able to keep us and help us hold on to our faith and live a life of love.
Paul was filled with joy because of the believers, and he gave thanks to God for them. (3:9) He also prayed earnestly night and day, hoping to see them again and supply what was lacking in their faith. (3:10)
This does not mean that the Thessalonian believers had no faith. Timothy had already brought good news about their faith. But they still needed more teaching and encouragement so that they could become stronger in what they believed.
In the same way, as we stand firm in the Lord, we can continue to grow through His Word. Our heavenly Father knows what we need. He will continue to lead us so that we can know Him more deeply and trust Him more fully.
- Grow in Love Until the Lord Comes (3:11–13)
“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”
—1 Thessalonians 3:12–13, NKJV
At the end of chapter 3, Paul brought his concerns and hopes for the believers before God.
First, he asked God the Father and the Lord Jesus to open the way for him to return to Thessalonica. (3:11) Paul deeply wanted to see the believers again, but he placed the way ahead in God’s hands.
Then he prayed that the Lord would make their love for one another and for everyone grow more and more.
Timothy had already brought good news about their love. But Paul still prayed that their love would continue to grow. He wanted them to keep growing in the Lord.
This love included their love for one another in the church, as well as their love for all people. As we receive our heavenly Father’s love, the Lord can also help our hearts grow in love, so that we can share what we have received with the people around us.
Finally, Paul asked the Lord to strengthen their hearts, so that they would be holy and blameless before God the Father when the Lord Jesus returns. (3:13)
Paul wanted more for them than simply getting through their present troubles. He wanted them to continue growing in the Lord. The Lord would help their love grow and strengthen their hearts, so that they would be holy before God when Jesus comes again.
Family, standing firm in the Lord means that we continue to depend on Him. From today until the Lord returns, He is able to strengthen us and lead us to keep growing in love and holiness.
Summary
Today, from 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, we have seen:
- Support one another and strengthen our faith.
- Stand firm in the Lord through troubles.
- Grow in love until the Lord comes.
Although Paul could not return to Thessalonica himself, he sent Timothy to strengthen the believers and continued to pray for them.
When Timothy brought back good news about their faith and love, Paul was comforted in his own troubles, and he gave thanks to God for them. He also wanted them to continue growing and become stronger in their faith.
Finally, Paul placed the believers in God’s hands. He asked the Lord to help their love grow and to strengthen their hearts, so that they would be holy when the Lord Jesus returns.
May we trust God as we wait, stand firm in the Lord through troubles, and continue to grow in our heavenly Father’s love until the Lord Jesus comes again. Amen!
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