Handling Affliction — 1 Thessalonians 2-3

0:00 There's not a lot of notes for this one. This is, you know, Thessalonians. I like, Thessalonians a lot like Philippians to me, in that it is, a letter that Paul wrote that is very intimate. It's very personal. It's not loaded with doctrine necessarily, not that there isn't always great stuff to be had.

0:21 It's not loaded with doctrine, though. It's very personal. It's very practical. It's for practical daily Christian living and handling the pressures and challenges of, living in a society that, while we have our own pressures and challenges, was a little bit more, difficult, we'll say, than what we have to face today. But I think that there's ways that we can make this practical for us.

0:47 And that's really the goal today is to try to take what Paul was telling the Thessalonians in Chapter three because even like I said, there's not a ton it's not loaded with doctrine in Thessalonians, but Chapter three, even less so. There's not lot to chew on necessarily, and yet there are some very important concepts that in terms of the practical Christian life that I think we can apply. So let's first pray, and then we'll ask the Lord to bless our time and our thoughts here. Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. We appreciate so much as we, this morning, considered what it meant for him to go to the cross and take your wrath upon himself in our behalf, and what it means for us to be free and to have hope and have a future and have an inheritance.

1:44 Lord, it a picture of grace, a picture and demonstration of grace that we have a future and a hope that we do not deserve, but through the grace and goodness and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, we do. And so this morning, we want to give you praise and pray that you're honored through our discussion here and as we open up your word and as we know it's always there's always something to be gained each and every time. In your name, amen. Okay. So the first thing I want to say, if you guys could put up the map, please.

2:21 The first thing I want to say is that if there's anything that I say today that is offensive or that you don't like, I appreciate you just approach me about it. Last time I spoke, I walked out of the parking lot and there was a huge dent in the corner of my bumper. You could check it out when you go out there. And I assumed it was Tammy because I went like eight minutes over, she reminded me. I assumed that Tammy bashed into the car, but it wasn't her or so she claims.

2:52 And so I've not yet found the culprit nor am I looking for it. The car has 235,000 miles on it. I really don't care what it looks like. It doesn't matter. Yes, Noah, if I do say something, please approach.

3:17 Okay. Yeah, that's right. So, going through Paul's second missionary journey, he faces some challenges as he did in all of his journeys. And this is kind of the premise of going through this is to kind of leave us that point. And if someone is going to discuss how to handle affliction, Paul's a pretty good candidate for that.

3:40 And his response to it. And I think that there's something that we can gain in terms of how Paul managed the affliction they dealt with, and that's kind of an important part of chapter three because the Thessalonians, as as we learned the last couple of weeks, they were... They they remain faithful to the gospel, and they remained faithful to the gospel under very difficult circumstances. Paul was run out of town by a mob. Right?

4:04 And I'm gonna go through this. First, as they started and I... We don't quite have Jerusalem in the picture there, but he comes up from Jerusalem up through Galatia and for whatever reason, Acts says that in Galatia, the Holy Spirit forbid him from from sharing the gospel so there wasn't anything going on through Galatia and then as he came over to Troas, he was called by a dream or vision to go over to Philippi and so he following the leading of the Holy Spirit went to Philippi and as we know the story in Philippi and this is if you want to read it, obviously, it's down here in Acts 15 through 18 is that that second journey but as he goes to Philippi, we see how Paul is preaching the gospel in the synagogues and it's not well received. He heals someone that had some mystical powers of telling the future and the people that owned her and controlled her were upset and he's thrown in prison and all these things that happened. And through this, the Lord uses this affliction to bring about the salvation of the Philippian jailer.

5:09 And others are saved through his teaching there, and the church begins, and it becomes a thriving and healthy church as well. And so you never know, like we talked about this morning as well, you never know how the Lord is going use those things. And so from Philippi, then he goes over to Thessalonica, which is now Thessaloniki. Right? Am I pronouncing that correctly?

5:53 And so but there are some who believe and it says, quite a few Jews and quite a few Greeks and a lot of prominent women in the community came to know the lord through his teaching there and so in that little bit of time, people they received the gospel. And to me, it's a testimony to the power of that message, the power of that message. And that's one of the things we want to point out today. And I thought last week, Clough, Patrick Clough, right? Did a phenomenal job talking about how powerful that message is and how the power that it has to change lives.

6:31 I thought it was fantastic last week. So then from Thessalonica, once he's run out of town, he heads over to Berea, right here and then eventually down to Athens and then from Athens, he sends Timothy back to Thessalonica and then he heads over to Corinth and it's from Corinth that he actually writes the letter to the Thessalonians and it's one of his first epistles, okay? So, really, it's considered his first epistle. I don't know how, anybody know the accuracy of that? I read it a couple places but considered his first epistle.

7:44 There was an angry mob. They were after Paul. Paul and Silas split town because they realizing what this is what this means by staying, that they're definitely in danger. And but the people that accepted Christ there were in equal danger. They had accepted a message that was rejected by the Greeks and the Jews that majority of the Greeks and the Jews that lived in Thessalonica.

8:10 And so they knew what they were going to face and that was some heavy serious persecution, not just name calling, not just you guys are Christians. No, it was violent threats. And I think we can surmise that people even died, that Christians there were killed in the name of Christ. And we can I think we can assume that based on the fact that Paul later in Thessalonians has to address what happens to those who died in terms of the second coming of Christ, what happens to those who died? And he had to address that and this is only a short period.

8:47 He writes this for Corinth. It's not very long after he left Thessalonica. So in that time, the word came to him that some Christians had been killed. And so he had to address that issue with the Thessalonian the Thessalonians so that they would have an understanding of that those people that had died, they would be caught up first with Christ and and what a comfort to us to know that as well. Okay?

9:11 So the book itself though is an intimate and and affectionate letter. It's not you when you read certain books, you know, second Corinthians, you can feel the the frustration and and the sarcasm that Paul uses. He's not happy with with the Thessalonians or with the Corinthians. You can tell when he writes to the Galatians, oh you foolish Galatians. You know, he never uses terms like that with and you don't you don't have that tone in Thessalonians or in Philippians.

9:43 Those are the two that stand out to me that are very appreciative and intimate and affectionate with both of these. And so I think for Paul to realize that to get that message from Timothy that these folks had stayed true to their faith, not just stayed true, if you read in chapter one, they were out sharing that faith despite the persecution, despite the fact that they were putting their lives on the line each and every time they left their homes. So they weren't hiding in a corner with it. And I think we don't face that type of persecution today, although I think we're only a couple of generations away from even that. I believe that might be true.

10:29 And we've talked for about up here, whether it was last week when Patrick made the same statement that, well, we could probably use a little more persecution and wouldn't it be good if we had that. And sometimes that's a strengthening of our faith. But I believe that we all, in our personal lives, we deal with persecution in maybe a little bit different way, we're going to talk about that today. How does how do we handle affliction in our lives and how does it affect our walk? How does it affect our testimony, how does it affect our anxious resolve to share the gospel with others.

11:27 It's not scolded. They're exhorted to do this. And it's not that they aren't doing it. He's just reminding them, This is the way we need to live. This is way you need to present yourself because how we how we present ourselves to others is a big part of whether or not they're going to listen and receive that message.

11:46 And and I want to focus a little bit on that today when we get down to Paul's prayer and love, his concept of love. And then also the book of Thessalonians attempts to develop their understanding of the second coming of Christ the day of the Lord. And looking through some of those things, I am not an expert on all the end times issues. I couldn't draw up a timeline of all the events and when everything is going to happen and what comes before what. Not an expert by any stretch of imagination, but the two things that are really addressed in Thessalonians is the rapture, the coming of Christ and the rapture and the the drawing to heaven of the saints, but also it touches a little bit on the judgment seat, which is that next phase of his coming.

12:36 It does not get into until two Thessalonians, doesn't really get into the final judgment that phase of the day of the Lord. But in this one, in one Thessalonians, it does. Okay. So what was the reason for Timothy's visit? Why did he have to go?

13:02 Well, Paul was very afraid that the people in Thessalonica had fallen away from the Lord. And I try to imagine, and it's good for us to put ourselves into the shoes of the people that were in Thessalonica. You think about the gospel message and how challenging it is to share it even now, right? Our lives aren't in danger. If we go out in the streets and tell it or share it with friends or do whatever the case may be, our lives aren't in danger, but we still find ourselves hesitant.

13:31 Do we not? I can't I know I'm not alone on that. We're hesitant sometimes to share that message. And the question is why? Why?

13:38 Why would we know that we have the most powerful message to save sinners, we hold the answers to eternity and yet we hesitate to share it. And I know that that I can tell you my friends that are here today, if you don't mind keeping calm, it took me a long time, didn't it? Building relationship and I'm working my way to it and I should have punched them right in the nose with it from the first day and times I wonder why do I incrementalism, comes back to incrementalism, right? Working my way to it. But why do I hesitate and sharing with people the good news?

14:26 And that's because we, as people, hate rejection, do we not? I hate being rejected. I don't there's got to be some marriage jokes in there somewhere, but I don't like to be rejected. I don't want what I say to be rejected. And people nowadays, they scoff at what we have to say, don't they?

14:46 When it comes to the you know, as in first Corinthians, Paul says the the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, right? It's foolishness. You listen to Bill Meyer and I don't watch him. Dear goodness gracious, I would never watch him but you see clips of him on the news and the guy, he talks about Christians as if they are the most pathetic, stupidest human beings on the planet. You people are just so ignorant.

15:13 How could you believe this? We're all a bunch of hillbilly yokels and you know what I mean? That's the impression that's given about Christianity and about Christians. And it makes you sometimes I think you draw back. And I and I think sometimes that if somebody came to you and said, renounce your faith, renounce your faith, and they're in your face and they're they're they're getting after you, you would be more resistant to that.

15:39 That, I can stand up against and and we talk about the government restricting our religious freedoms. We want to stand up and we'll march against that but when someone makes fun of you and says that you're an idiot and a fool and you know, then you kind of take a step back and like, oh, you know, boy. And when that many people are saying it, because believe me, it's the majority, isn't it? It's not the minority that's out there saying terrible things about Christians. It's the majority.

16:53 It kills the message because these people and their testimony, it destroys what is a beautiful and wonderful message of salvation. And you wonder, well, why do people reject it? That's part of it. They see that and they equate that with Christianity. And yes, is it ignorant?

17:09 Does it really represent what the Bible, the the gospel of the Bible? Absolutely not but yet but yet, that's what they see and so, one of the challenges I want to talk about today is is how we how we demonstrate love to one another and and this is this is goes into in Matthew 17, Christ's prayer for the church, for those who would believe that they would love one another and learn to love one another as god loves them, right? To learn to love each other that way because it was going to be a testimony to the world and I and I say that that part of our problems in our how we present ourselves to the world as Christians is sometimes the way we're lacking in our demonstration of love to one another. And that's a hard one. We'll get into that later.

18:25 And that I look around and I love everybody here, so don't get me wrong. I'm not saying anything. I'm not picking anybody out. I'm not going to mention names. But it's only Christ that really brings us together and allows us to function as a group.

18:37 And we want to talk about how important it is for us to be able to demonstrate that love in the way we should. And I'm going to have you hold me accountable, all right? And we got to hold each other accountable for that a little bit and being able to show that love the way we should. And I know my own failings in that regard. As Tammy had said, I could very easily move into a shack in Montana and live like the Unabomber for a while and not have any problem, you know.

19:04 After a few years, I might miss people. I don't know. But but that's not certainly what the Lord has for us in terms of of what he wants for us to be as a community of believers how we're supposed to interact and support each other. And that's really where when Paul's getting into the I'm actually going open the Bible here soon, so don't worry. When Paul gets in, when we start talking about the affliction that the Christians are under and how they've managed that affliction, I think that's one of the points he makes as he prays later on in the chapter, in chapter three, it's about that they'll love one another because I think that's what helps bring us through those times.

19:43 So let's open up our Bibles right now. And let's take a look. And we'll go to Thessalonians. Actually, before we go to Thessalonians, I'm just going to read this for Mark. This is Mark chapter eight verse 34.

20:09 You don't have to open there. When he called the people to himself, this is Jesus. When his disciples also, he said to them, whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake in the gospels will save it.

20:57 That kind of set the tone of my thinking as I went through this. So I wanted to read it first. Okay. First Thessalonians chapter three. We're actually going to start at verse 17 of chapter two.

21:15 It's kind of where things really break off. But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavor more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore, we wanted to come to you, even I Paul, time and again, but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crowning, crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ that is coming?

21:47 And I can certainly appreciate that when I think of Connor giving his life to the Lord and for all my kids that have given their life to the Lord, what a not just a relief, right, but a crown of we glory in that. It's our joy to see our children saved. How much more to see someone else saved outside of that family who's exposed to it all the time. But what a joy it is when that does happen. So you can relate with Paul in that.

22:14 For you are our glory and joy. And you can see to the the love that that Paul has, the true love, the sacrificial love that Paul has for the Thessalonians. Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it'd good to be left in Athens alone. 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 for you yourselves know that we are appointed for this. So they were forewarned, they knew and Paul knew and all the disciples knew and all that because Jesus told them, you should fully expect to be afflicted.

22:58 You should fully expect to be persecuted. We're going to read later in Mark how Jesus say, Hey, the world hates you or hates you because it hates me. It hates me. Of course, they're going to hate you. You follow me.

23:11 So you're not going to be popular. In fact, that hatred is a reassurance to you, right? It's not a bad sign, it's a reassurance to you. If you're hated by the world, that means you're probably doing something right. For in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation just as it happened and you know.

23:41 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I said to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you and our labor might be in vain. Now there's something that stands out to me in this. I'm just gonna make a quick point on this, but something that stands out to me about Paul in this, because in two different times he says, I couldn't take it anymore, I couldn't stand it any further, not knowing what was going on. And what you see in Paul is his true passion before for the the the church in Thessalonians and and for all the churches that he met with and all the people that he brought to the lord or brought the gospel to and you could see his his passion for that and that's something I I I'm praying for. I I I know there are certain people who have a passion and a gift for evangelism and there's certain people who have a passion and a gift for different aspects of the ministry, right?

24:34 And and I think that it's a healthy for us to all pray, to grow in our passions for those things. Let's look, you know, if you look at Matthew chapter five under the the Beatitudes, Jesus says, blessed are those who mourn. Why? What does that mean? Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

24:52 What was that about? Blessed are those who mourn. It's not just people who whine and complain, so that's not what it's talking about. So what is it? People who mourn about what?

25:01 The state of the world. The state of the world and the state of sinners and mourn over that, for they should be comforted. How are they comforted? And why would they mourn? Why would you mourn over the state of the world and and and to see the sin out of the world and it and it just it it goes, it hurts you to your core to see it.

25:21 Why? Because of your love, right? Your love of Christ compels you to want to share that love with other people and to have a passion to do that. And I don't know about you, but I know that my passion for that isn't where it needs to be, where I want it to be. And I question why, why, why is it?

25:43 I have this great news, how come I'm not as passionate about that as I should be? And I think that's just the work of the Lord in each one of us to build that passion about sharing the gospel with others. And we all have reasons, well, that's not my gift or that, but there comes a point in time where we were all commissioned to do it, to do it. And so we need to pray for each other and build each other up. I believe that's one of the responsibilities when we talk about loving one another, which is part of Paul's prayer later, that part of loving one another is building each other up and edifying each other to the point where we are confident in that.

26:23 And that doing things together like that, going on alone sometimes, Paul didn't do too many trips alone, did he? He took Timothy, he took Silas, Barnabas and John Mark, that didn't work out so well, but he took people with him and there was comfort in that, to be persecuted, to be rejected together, that just seems better than being rejected on your own. And so I would challenge us today to pray for each other in that regard that are we passionate enough as a group and as individuals about sharing the word of God and passionate about those people that we do take the word of God to too. That's sometimes the other thing, We share the gospel with somebody and then, okay, see you. Great, good luck.

27:09 Good luck with that. Hope it works out. And that's not what Paul did either. And that's why there's so many letters and retracing his steps and checking in and sending people. And it wasn't just leave them on their own.

27:21 It was, let's go find out how these folks are doing. But now that Timothy has come to us, oh, here's the good news. But now that Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news of your faith and love, your faith and love and that's brought up that word faith. He talks about his faith, their faith five times in this chapter and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us as we also to see you. Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress, we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

27:57 For now we live, listen to that statement. I love that. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord, that's all that matters. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord, that's all that matters to us. It's now I can breathe.

28:15 They're okay. They've stayed true to their faith and not only stayed true to it, but word has gotten out all through Macedonia of their faithfulness and how they've shared God's word with others. Incredible, isn't it? For what thanks can we render to God for you for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God. Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith.

28:43 So they want to be back. Paul wants to be back with them. He wants to spend time with them. And there's no question about it. Now I want to move on.

28:51 I want to talk about affliction real quick. And we're going to look at a couple of scriptures just in dealing with there's affliction that that we face out there in the world. The persecution from others. And I think that's for us a little problem. We're going to get made fun of and teased and some of those things, but and called names and who knows, maybe even beat up at some point, that's possible.

29:21 And we should invite those things as we'll talk about here in a second. I suggest and I because I thought about how do I make this how do we make this practical? This is a letter that's supposed to be practical and applicable to our lives, right? So how do I make this really applicable to me? And I think about the things that affect my walk with the Lord and the things that affect my progress in growth, but also my effectiveness with my testimony and sharing the gospel.

29:59 What are the things that affect that? What get in the way? And as I look back and I kind of spent some time just meditating on the things that caused me the most problems, it's not the people out there. In fact, it's most often the things that are closest to me. The frustrations with my job, the frustrations with my marriage, very few, almost never happens, right, honey?

30:25 But no, the frustrations with my kids, the frustrations with friends and people around me that I have to deal with on a daily basis that I find that sometimes there are certain situations where something bad happens or something that's presenting a trial to me and I shrink away from that. In terms of my, do I seek out the Lord? No, I almost resent. I get into this mood of, don't read my Bible for a few days and I don't do, I kind of shrink away from it because I'm angry that I'm going through this. And God, why is this, why are you letting this happen to me?

31:07 And it affects me way outside of just, you know, what my testimony to the world, what the testimony to my family, and the testimony to those who are closest to me and and I know and as Paul will say here in his prayer and it's a reason what's what ties together, how we deal with the our own personal problems. We need the affection and love of one another to help us through that as well. Yes, do we first and foremost count on the Lord Jesus for our strength? And yeah, there's no question, we do that. But we are human and the Lord made us human and communal and all those types of things and drawn to each other.

31:43 That's why we live in cities. We don't live in a shack in Montana, most of us, even when we want to really, really bad, But we don't live that way. We're drawn to each other. And so we need to learn to rely on each other in a greater sense because it helps us through those things and helps keep our testimony strong and helps keep our message strong to the world because we need that love and affection from one another. So how do we deal with those things?

32:11 Well, I'm going to first talk about this is pretty much just dealing with the outright persecution, physical persecution. Let's take a look first in Philippians. And I have my copy right there. Philippians one twenty seven. This one was pretty familiar with to me.

32:32 Through our study in Philippians. I'm starting to understand how it took my dad seventeen years to get through first Peter because you don't always get back to it right away. You know what I mean? Someday, I'm going to get through Philippians. I've I've it's my hope at least.

32:46 So verse 27, only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Notice that idea of together, striving together, working together, being of one mind, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries. So don't be afraid is the first thing, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation and that of God. The proof, our conflicts, our affliction, our persecution is a proof of our salvation. Isn't that a beautiful thing?

33:34 That's what it is. It's a proof of our salvation. Out of perdition, don't let them think that. It's not. So don't be afraid.

33:42 Be bold. Speak boldly. Let's look at Mark chapter 13. This is Jesus, of course, talking about the latter days. It's not the end of times but certainly the latter days and I think we could argue that every day we're a day closer if we're not there, right?

34:14 Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name. I'm sorry. We're in chapter 13 verse six. For many will come in my name saying, I am he and will deceive many but when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.

34:34 For nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be earthquakes in various places and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. But watch out for yourselves, and here's what we're talking about being bold, but watch out for yourselves for they will deliver you up to councils and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

35:06 And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand or premeditate what you will speak. Great advice. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death and a father, his child, and the children rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death and you will be hated by all for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

35:38 But certainly, we are told, be bold, speak out. The Holy Spirit, you have the Holy Spirit on your side. You have the most powerful person in the universe on your team. Go ahead, you're good. You don't have to worry about that.

35:49 So speak boldly. Speak boldly. Don't worry about that affliction. And then rejoice. Let's look at Romans first.

36:04 Romans chapter five one through six. Reading the whole thing because I like the whole section even though there's therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Beautiful thing that we have peace with him. Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations.

36:41 Knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance, character, and character hope. Now, hope does not disappoint because the love of god has been poured out in our hearts by the holy spirit who is given to us for when we are still without strength in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. So it was at our weakest. Now we didn't think it was our weakest. It's when we thought we had it all together.

37:07 Didn't we have it all together before we were saved? Had the world by the tail and yeah, it was all ours, right? And then you came to realize that this is to the challenge of the message, right? Then you realize that you are a worthless sinner who had nothing and could never ever ever even approach the throne throne of glory because of your sin. It just separated you from God completely.

37:32 That's tough for people to hear, isn't it? I don't like to be here that especially nowadays that you're something's wrong with you. When we live in a day and age where everybody wins and everybody gets trophy and everybody, you're wonderful and we pump kids' self esteem up and do all that stuff, right? I mean, no one wants to hear that they're bad but that's the truth of it, right? They're bad but in that in that time, that's when we were weakest, we didn't know it.

37:56 But it was Christ, the the salvation that he provided through the blood shed on that cross that gave us strength, right? But even as Christians, we are still more powerful when we're weak. Let's turn to second Corinthians. Familiar verse but one of my favorites. This is one of those.

38:15 I I I imagine everybody has a verse or two that that just runs through your mind all the time. I'm going to tell you this one has been a blessing to me in a lot of ways. And at certain times, let's take a look second Corinthians just nine and ten and knowing the background, Paul, of course, has a thorn in the flesh. He's telling a story of how he was caught up in the third heaven and whether it a vision or not. He doesn't know but he was caught up in the third heaven and and so to keep him humble, the Lord gave him a thorn in his flesh.

38:54 And we don't know exactly what that is. Some people think it was his eyesight. Some people think it was some other kind of pain or whatever he had. He had plenty of reason for pain. He was beaten, stoned, all the kinds of things.

39:05 He had, I'm sure had lots of aches and pains, but whatever it was, this was given to him to keep him humble, right? And so concerning this thing, in verse eight, concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you. For my strength is made perfect in weakness. It is when we are the weakest as Christians, when we are the weakest that we are the most powerful for God.

39:35 How is that? How is that? Because when we are the weakest, we are less likely to be about us, which is where our weakness is and our true weakness is in the first place, right? But when we have exalted him in our lives and lowered ourselves to the place where we should be, we can effectively work for him and let the power of the gospel truly work in the lives of other people and in our lives, right? So, it's our weakness that makes that that's when we're at our best.

40:11 Therefore, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure. Now listen to what he considers. That's why I don't think that afflictions here just refers to those outside influences that affect our walk and our testimony. But therefore, I take pleasure in the infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, it's there in the list, isn't it?

40:37 In distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Oxymoron, right? When I'm weak, then I'm strong. But it's the truth.

40:47 As Christians, when we are weak and we are relying on God, that's when we're at our best. That's when we're at our best. So there's more to it though. And that's what we'll get in the last very last thing. And I'm going to very be very brief about this.

41:02 Okay? And that is this last part in Paul's prayer. Now I did a breakdown, a little breakdown of odd, and I wish somebody would speak to this that knew more or would be able to express it really, really well. But looking at all the different prayers that Paul has for the churches, I broke down Colossians and Philippians and Ephesians and this one, there's some really some neat stuff. If you start looking at the pattern of what he prays for for the church, it really is kind of a neat thing and someday, maybe it'll be time to go through it but look at Paul's prayer and that is, may the lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all.

41:42 For what purpose? So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness. May make you increase. I don't think it's a mistake. I don't think it was accidental.

41:52 I think it was his intent to include this prayer at the at at the end of when he was talking about their response to the affliction because there was more to come. There was going to be more affliction to come and Paul knew that yes, relying on Christ is where it starts but also they did as a group and how they pulled together and showed demonstrated love and affection for one another was what was going to bring them through that that persecution. And I suggest to you that the time, some of the times of affliction that I've had in my life, I have gotten through it with the help of some of you. And I'm saying thank you because there's people in this room that I've gone to or that have come to me out of the blue and been a huge source of encouragement to me. And I hope that we, I hope that I've done that for you, but I know that's an area I need to search.

42:46 We have to search that out for each other. Those times when we are afflicted, where it's affecting our walk, are we searching each other out and seeking those things out to be a comfort and a blessing and encouragement to one another. And so I want to say thank you because I know that in my life, this has made a big difference, that many of you, I think back to when my mom died, it was the love of this assembly that helped bring me back to the Lord. No joke. It was that outpouring of love that I said, where else am I going to find that?

43:22 Right? So that's the picture. That's what we want to be to the world too. I mean, we want the world to see our affection, our love for one another, and then how that radiates to the world. It's just something to be conscious of this morning.

43:36 So hopefully, that was practical a little bit. Let's close. Heavenly father, we thank you. We praise you not just for who you are and what you've done for us, but lord, but the plan that you put in place, the fact that you want us to be a body of believers that works together to bring honor to you and glory to you and... But to uplift one another.

44:01 And we pray, Lord, that you'll help us all in that regard. And as Christian was pointing out this morning, the things that we can do collectively to strengthen our hope and resolve in those areas and how we can work together to love one another the way we should. And, boy, what powerful things could happen when we do that. We praise you, Lord. We thank you for your plan in your name.

44:30 Amen.