Paul Needed Friends…and So Do We

Paul Needed Friends…and So Do We
I Thessalonians 3:1-13  |  Pastor Terry Wilcox

Paul was “A man of steel and velvet”

1. His effort to strengthen their  and encourage their  – I Thessalonians 3:1-4
   ”Encourage” is translation of the Greek “parakeleo” which was used by Jesus 
   I Thessalonians 3:1-2 alludes to Paul’s “velvet”

   I Thessalonians 3:3-4 – Is it a burden or a cross?
   John 16:33
   Romans 8:28

2. Paul’s primary concern was for his friends’ spiritual – I Thessalonians 3:5-8
   Beware of the tempter – Matthew 4:3; Genesis 3; Acts 5:3; I Peter 5:8; James 1:13-15
   Their  was visible
3. Their  was his  – I Thessalonians 3:9-10
   God is the  and sustainer of life in the Christian community.
4. Paul’s prayer for his friends – I Thessalonians 3:11-13
   Prayer pulls Christians .
   In I Thessalonians 3:11 the Greek word for “direct” is singular (so what?).
   I Thessalonians 3:12 the Greek “agape” is  love.
   In scripture the “heart” is reference to our capacity to think, , and make decisions.
   Holiness is to be   by God for His service.
   It is to live our lives so as to reflect God’s glory, rather than conforming to the ways of the world.
   Romans 12:1-2

Personal Notes