Grace Baptist Church, Nokomis, IL.

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Last summer, just before moving to Nokomis, I went on a mission trip to Joy, Illinois. We served several of the churches in that area, and every day we had done so much that we slept like little babies. But the whole week, I never heard a single complaint. Serving God is not burdensome, it’s refreshing. And I thought, “Wow, this is true fellowship.” We were of one mind and purpose. How do we maximize our fellowship and make it as awesome as it can be?

“We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-8)

Our fellowship is based upon the gospel of Jesus Christ (v. 2a). Paul counted Timothy as a brother. I have a brother who is a year older than me. Growing up, we fought all the time. But we have a bond now in which we share the joys of life.

Paul also counted Timothy as God’s fellow worker. Paul had this special relationship with Timothy how? In spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our fellowship with one another must be based on the gospel. That Jesus Christ was and is God. That He really did walk on the earth, and die for our sin. That we trust in Jesus Christ. That we are saved by grace alone through faith in His Name alone. We cannot have Christian fellowship unless it is based on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can have friendships, but not fellowship. Fellowship is being of one mind and purpose.

When we have such fellowship, we have an obligation to one another (v. 2b). We’ve got to encourage each other’s faith. That’s why Paul sent Timothy: for that one purpose. But why? Why is it so important that we encourage each other? Isn’t enough just to get together and have a good time? Isn’t it enough that we grow in our own faith rather than worry about the faith of others?

You can be sure that trials and persecution will come when you have genuine faith (v. 3-4). Don’t for a second believe that becoming a Christian will solve all your problems. How many of you won the lottery when you became Christians? It doesn’t happen! Christians do not live easy, pain-free lives. I have Christian friends who are dying of cancer. One of them had a heart attack last week. Because of their trials, they are learning to lean more upon God.

What does James say about trials? Consider it pure joy! One of the people that has cancer that I referred to a moment ago is an 8 year old girl. She gave her life to Jesus and was baptized in her home by her daddy just yesterday. Trials will lead to one of two things.

1) You will fail and your faith will prove to be non-existent (v. 5). Paul was afraid that he had preached among them, and failed to see any genuine conversions. He was afraid that when he preached the Word to them it was like the seed which feel along the path, which the evil one came along and snatched it away. Or perhaps they were like the seed which fell among thorns, where it was choked out by the worries of life. Because that’s what Satan does, doesn’t he?
2) You will stand firm in your faith and your faith will be strengthened (v. 6-7). When in the midst of trials, we need to remember Moses’s words in Exodus 14:14. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Cling to the Lord. Stand firm in the faith. Put on the full armor of God. And while you’re guarding your faith, make sure you encourage the faith of those around you as well.

Independence from others is held as a virtue in our country. We are told to stand on our own two feet. We teach our children to tie their own shoes. My two year old boy’s favorite phrase right now is “I can do it myself!” Even at such a young age, he desires to be independent. And that’s mostly a good thing, because no one should be an unnecessary burden on others.

But there’s something missing. As believers, our lives ought to be intertwined with one another. Part of our joy is knowing that other believers are keeping the faith (v. 8). Now we truly live. We may have had joy before, but now our joy is complete. Our hearts are encouraged knowing that you are walking faithfully with God. The kind of fellowship that we can have here on earth is a glimpse of what heaven will be like.