First Baptist Church
July 6, 2025

      • Psalms 8.1-3ESV

      • Psalms 8.4-7ESV

      • Psalms 8.8-9ESV

  • Psalm 8: How Excellent Your Name
  • All Praise To Him
  • His Name Is Wonderful

      • Colossians 2.6-7ESV

  • Show Us Christ
  • We are going to start in verse one so we can catch the change in Paul’s tone.
    1 Thessalonians 3:1–5 ESV
    1 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.
    We can sense Paul’s angst and burden.
    There is a heaviness to His writing.
    1 Thessalonians 3:6–10 ESV
    6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

    1. Maturity over comfort: A healthy church will prioritize spiritual growth over ease.

    Three time Paul talks about their faith.
    Vs. 2 - Paul’s burden was to establish and exhort them in their faith.
    Vs. 5 - Paul sent Timothy to learn about their faith.
    Vs. 6 - Timothy brought good new of their faith.
    Vs. 7 - Paul got comfort through their faith.
    Vs. 8 - Paul wants to fill up what is lacking in their faith
    Paul and his team were in the middle of adversity, yet their greatest encouragement comes from hearing of the Thessalonians’ faith.
    Spiritual growth in others was more important than their own comfort.
    How hi does the spiritual growth of others land on your priority list on a good day?
    Often when I am in the middle of adversity, I’m worried about me.
    Let’s think about this as the church as a whole.
    Sometimes we overthink and get overwhelmed with what we think we need to do.
    What this passage teaches us as a church is the things we do should prioritize spiritual growth over comfort.
    There are things we WANT in a church.
    We want a certain kind of music.
    A few months ago half would want hymns and half would want new songs.
    Both are good and both are bad.
    What I wouldn’t have wanted is to sing more Psalms.
    And I wouldn’t have said lets do the uncomfortable thing learn new songs regularly.
    I wouldn’t have said: lets take a whole service to be uncomfortable giving testimonies about what we’ve learned.
    What the Bible teaches us is to sing a new song.
    And to sing Psalm, Hymns, and spiritual songs.
    AND to teach and admonish one another.
    We all have certain programs we like and want.
    It was uncomfortable to change prayer meeting.
    My entire life I’ve been in church on Wednesday night.
    ULTIMATELY: There are things we want out of church but we want it because is makes life easier for ourselves.
    We want it because maybe it feels more we want church to feel.
    Either corporate or personal, we regularly choose our own comfort over someone else’s spiritual growth.
    Why don’t we disciple more?
    Time?
    Scared?
    Why did some struggle with the friendship series?
    Uncomfortable.
    What about redemptive relationships?
    What I find striking is that all this burden and concern we’ve talked about is not for Paul’s own spiritual health.
    He has great concern for his own spiritual health, but what we see here is for others.
    How much do you and I really think about and worry about our own spiritual health, let alone the spiritual health of those around us?
    If we’ve learned anything over that past few months, it’s that the most impactful ministry prioritizes the spiritual health of others, even at personal cost.
    The testimonies we heard memorial weekend are an encouragement tat we are at least working towards prioritizing the spiritual health and growth of others.
    It would be a lot easier for Pastor Mike and I if we just “did church” in a traditional way.
    It has cost us something.
    We would not be seeing the fruit we see today.
    What are some good reasons to put maturity over ease?

    A. We should put maturity over comfort because that is what Christ modeled.

    Philippians 2:5–8 ESV
    5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

    A. We should put maturity over comfort because that is what Christ modeled.

    Paul is clear: Have the same mindset as Christ who modeled this for us.
    He emptied Himself.
    He was obedient.
    He died for us.
    He did this for OUR spiritual health.
    We should have the same mindset and be willing to do it for others.
    When we start talking about biblical counseling or disciple-making you might feel put off by that.
    Now I have to get involved in someone else’s life and someone else’s mess.
    It shouldn’t even be a second thought to us.
    Follow Jesus.
    Follow Paul.
    Paul and Timothy gave up a lot for the church int Thess.
    Why? Because of his burden for them - because he had the mind of Christ.

    B. We should put maturity over comfort because the church only grows when we build each other up.

    Ephesians 4:15–16 ESV
    15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

    B. We should put maturity over comfort because the church only grows when we build each other up.

    Paul doesn’t talk about…
    Marketing
    Programs
    Numbers
    But each member building other members up.
    This is what Timothy when to Thess to do.
    We’ve said so many times that the health and growth of the church does not lie only on the pastors.
    It isn’t a one person show.
    It is body all doing its part.
    Growth happens when everyone is engaged.
    They are engaged in speaking the truth in love.
    A friend lovingly calling out sin.
    A discipler encouraging spiritual gifts.
    A member showing grace during a conflict.
    To speak truth in love we must be engaged in their lives.
    All while recognizing that it is all about Christ!
    We want to follow and reflect Christ.
    We want to help other be more Christ like.
    This is all done through Christ binds and knits us together.
    Who works in us both to will and to do.
    There isn’t a thing we can do without Christ.
    The ultimate goal is to help others look like Him!

    C. We should put maturity over comfort because we are called to sacrificial love.

    Philippians 2:3–4 ESV
    3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

    C. We should put maturity over comfort because we are called to sacrificial love.

    Selfish ambition or conceit
    Could be simply to check it off a list to feel like we’ve done what we are supposed to.
    This isn’t why we do this.
    This isn’t a religious burdensome thing we are to do.
    This is following the example of Jesus and loving others as Christ loved us.
    Count others more significant than yourself.
    This is hard.
    Find someone to disciple.
    Learn to counsel and have meaningful conversations.
    Look for someone each week in church.
    Look on the interests of others (its ok to worry about yourself too).
    Care for others.
    Take on their own interests.
    (END) Application: Are we more concerned with others' growth than with our own comfort, convenience, or reputation?
    We are giving you Sunday nights.
    Build new friendships.
    Deepen current friendships.
    Build redemptive relationships.
    With the purpose of spiritual growth in others.

    2. Marvel at growth: Never lose awe for spiritual progress.

    1 Thessalonians 3:6–8 ESV
    6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

    A. Why has numbers become the metric for success?

    When looking at the health of the church our performance driven culture has trained us to count .
    Pastors ask how big a church is.
    Those with large churches are asked to speak.

    a. Cultural influence on the church and it’s leaders.

    American culture values growth, efficiency, and visibility.
    Bigger = better
    More = healthier
    Visible = valuable
    In the 50’s and 60’s the American church started adopting business strategies for growth.
    This resulted in what we would call an attractional model.
    People started asking:
    What do you have for me?
    What do you have for my family?
    What can I get out of this church?
    Pastor’s and leaders started following that trend.
    Even in conservative churches.
    Even if unconsciously, Christians buy into this thinking.
    If churches are numerically growing they are celebrated.
    When they don’t grow numerically they are often questioned.

    b. Insecurity and pressure on pastors.

    Numbers are a tangible way to feel secure and successful.
    There is a constant pressure by those outside and inside the church to fill the seats.
    A pressure that causes me to question if what we are doing is worth it.
    Numbers can feel comforting even when real spiritual fruit isn’t being seen.
    When attendance is not what we think it should be it puts pressure on the pastor and leaders.
    Jesus had something to say about this to the church in Laodicea.
    Revelation 3:15–17 ESV
    15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
    This doesn’t mean that bigger is always bad, but bigger doesn’t always mean success.

    c. Misunderstanding the gospels and the book of Acts.

    It is easy to point to the gospels or Acts and point out the thousands that Jesus and the Apostles taught.
    Jesus spoke to the multitudes several times. (20-30 recorded events)
    Over 90% of Jesus’ ministry was with the disciples or one-on-one with others.
    Our minds are drawn to the numbers.
    We miss the amount of times Jesus
    Taught his disciples.
    Intentionally traveled through Samaria for the woman at the well.
    Most of what we read in Acts are interactions with smaller numbers.
    We often don’t know what to look for.
    Spiritual growth not numbers.
    KEY TO REMEMBER: If it’s biblical, it’s reproducible in any culture.
    Acts teaches us this as Christianity spread.
    It is reproducible in any economy.
    It is reproducible in any level of freedom.
    And much of what the American church as become - it’s tactics and measure of success is NOT reproducible in any culture.
    Curt Lamanski told me as they train seminary leaders they are intentionally not bringing them to America - it doesn’t work in cultures of the Pacific Rim.
    Part of the problem is that we don’t know what to look for.
    If you know what to look for and you are connected you will know that there is an incredible thing happening here.
    Marvel at and celebrate spiritual growth.

    B. Why marvel at spiritual growth?

    Spiritual progress in others should never become routine or assumed—it’s a miracle of grace.

    a. Growth means the gospel is still changing lives.

    1 Thessalonians 3:6 (ESV) 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love…
    It was with great sacrifice that Paul sent Timothy to check on the church in Thessalonica.
    The good news made Paul ecstatic.
    But it goes deeper…
    “Good news” is the same good news of the gospel.
    The same Greek word.
    The same joy!
    Spiritual growth cannon become mundane.
    The joy of our baptisms should be followed with joy for every other step of obedience!
    Colossians 3:9–10 ESV
    9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

    b. Growth means God’s Word is doing its work.

    Hebrews 4:12 ESV
    12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    c. Growth means disciples are being made.

    Matthew 28:19–20 ESV
    19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
    God gave us the mission to make disciples. He did not give us the mission of making churches.
    The church exists because there are disciples there.
    When we see spiritual growth, when we see salvations, we know disciples are being made.

    d. Growth in others gives you and I vital spiritual life.

    1 Thessalonians 3:7–8 ESV
    7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.
    Joy over another’s growth brings joy in our own adversity.
    2 Corinthians 7:4 ESV
    4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

    e. Growth in other being celebrated reflects our own priorities.

    1 Thessalonians 3:9 ESV
    9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
    Look at Paul’s priorities!
    Romans 16:19 ESV
    19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
    1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 ESV
    19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
    Application: Do we celebrate the spiritual steps others are taking, or have we grown numb to God's work in people?

    3. Presence Matters: Face-to-Face Encouragement Fuels Maturity

    Paul longs to see them in person to “supply what is lacking” in their faith.

    A. Jesus modeled it.

    Mark 3:14 ESV
    14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

    B. Truth is heard best when delivered in the natural rhythms of life.

    Colossians 3:16 ESV
    16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

    C. Discipleship is more than passing on information - it’s imitation.

    1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV
    1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV
    6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—
    “Thought kindly” in Paul’s day meant: maintaining and practicing the teachers model or pattern.
    This why Sunday nights.
    This is why come to church.
    This is why discipleship.
    Digital or distant ministry can’t replace the power of real-life, relational discipleship.
    Application: Who needs your presence, not just your messages? How can you be more intentional with face-to-face encouragement?

    Conclusion:

    The joy of ministry isn’t found in ease, applause, or results—it’s in seeing people rooted in Christ.
    Like Paul, may we rejoice in others’ faith, labor for their growth, and never take it for granted.
    “What thanksgiving can we return to God for you?” (v. 9) — Let that be the heartbeat of every disciple-maker.

        • 1 Thessalonians 3:1–5ESV

        • 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10ESV

        • Philippians 2:5–8ESV

        • Ephesians 4:15–16ESV

        • Philippians 2:3–4ESV

          • 1 Thessalonians 3:6–8ESV

          • Revelation 3:15–17ESV

          • Colossians 3:9–10ESV

          • Hebrews 4:12ESV

          • Matthew 28:19–20ESV

          • 1 Thessalonians 3:7–8ESV

          • 2 Corinthians 7:4ESV

          • 1 Thessalonians 3:9ESV

          • Romans 16:19ESV

          • 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20ESV

          • Mark 3:14ESV

          • Colossians 3:16ESV

          • 1 Corinthians 11:1ESV

          • 1 Thessalonians 3:6ESV

        First Baptist Church
        howardcitybaptist@gmail.com
        2319374809
        https://fbcohc-howard-city.faithlifesites.com
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