To Perfect That Which Is Lacking In Your Faith

SERMON OUTLINE

• I. It Must Be Of Our Utmost Concern
• II. It Must Be Prayerfully Considered
• III. It Must Be Our Continuous Commitment

TRANSCRIPT

Please keep your Bibles open to the text for our consideration this morning, though we may not be reading it again, I want us to keep our Bibles open so we can follow carefully the flow of today’s message and meditation, as well as our study. As I have said, today’s message is titled ‘To Perfect That Which Is Lacking In Your Faith’.

Though not often considered, though not often studied, I want us to realise that it is one that is so important for every believer — that their faith be perfected — that they will be grounded and established in all that they believed in and in all that the Bible says. As you can see, it is one that so burdened the Apostle Paul in view of his ministry of the Gospel, as we later on can see for ourselves, as we go through this morning's message. And so, as we look into this subject this morning, I want us to understand, even to realise, that this burden of Paul must also be of utmost importance to our churches today. Not just for pastors. Not just for preachers. But even so, for individual members of the church.

It is for the purpose of personal edification, if not equipping the church. As in the words of the Apostle Paul in our scripture reading earlier, particularly in verse 12 where it says, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). By way of introduction, the church in Thessalonica is one that has been commended by the Apostle Paul. And they were commended by the Apostle Paul mainly because of their “work of faith”, their “labour of love, and patience [in] hope” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

If you can turn your Bibles for a while to chapter 1 of First Thessalonians, I'd like to bring you through the commendations that Paul gave for the church. Look with me, beginning in verse 2 of chapter 1. Paul here says, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3). There you go: your “work of faith”, your “labour of love, and patience of hope”. Then it goes on, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God” (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

Somehow, as we look at the words of Paul here, it would give us that impression that, indeed, the Thessalonian church is a commendable church. They possess these three-fold qualities where Paul thought about their “work of faith”, their “labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. Somehow, you would agree with me that these are the attributes or the characteristics — if not the qualities — that a Bible-believing church must have: “work of faith”, “labour of love, and patience of hope”.

In addition to it, you would also find how the Apostle Paul commended them. In the same chapter, looking now at verse 6. In verse 6 of chapter 1, Paul here continued to commend the church by saying, “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-9).

And look carefully at their witness and testimony, verse 9, “and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10). Again, Paul here expresses his commendation of how, indeed, the church in Thessalonica have become a follower of the Lord Jesus.

As you can see, carefully in verse 6, the manner in which they have received the Word. It is not in a very comfortable condition that they have heard and received the Word. As you can see in verse 6, it there says, “having received the word in much affliction”. In other words, it was in the most uncomfortable, it was in the most difficult, if not, it was in the most distressful time of their lives that they have heard the Word and thereafter received the Word.

And for that testimony and witness of the church, Paul goes on to say in verse 7, “So that ye were ensamples”. They became living testimonies — a blessing to others — because of how they got converted and how they have received the Gospel of the Lord. Not only that they have received the Word in the midst of affliction, they also have become a powerful witness unto the Lord, that even when they may not be preaching the Word per se, yet they have become a powerful witness and testimony.

You look with me now in verse 8, “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord”. For sure, they were not preaching the Word, but by their testimony and witness, the Word has been proclaimed powerfully from them. Reflecting upon how the Apostle Paul had commended the church, somehow you would agree with me that the church in Thessalonica is a commendable church, a kind of a church that we all must emulate, a kind of a church that we all must follow, a kind of a church that is commendable both in the eyes of God and in the eyes of men.

Moving on, I want to bring you another verse. This time in chapter 2, and looking at verse 13. Another commendation of the Apostle Paul for the church in Thessalonica. Come with me to chapter 2, and verse 13. And there we find the words of the Apostle Paul, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is [the] truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

However, despite such commendation, you know, as we reflect upon all the words that Paul had expressed commending the church, you'll be tempted to think that, indeed, the Thessalonian church has already arrived, the Thessalonian church has fully been established, that the Thessalonian church, indeed, is a church to be. But despite such commendation, the Apostle Paul was mindful of their spiritual condition. Despite the commendation, Paul was mindful of their spiritual condition, knowing so well that most of them were actually new converts in the faith.

In fact, if you can look at the history of the church back in the Book of Acts 17, you would find there that the Apostle Paul has had only three weeks to minister among these people. And by the grace and mercies of God, ‘many got converted’. But the thing is, the Apostle Paul was only able to spend and minister unto them for so short a time of merely ‘three Sabbaths’, that means three weeks. And there came a great persecution. There were ‘unbelieving Jews there at that time who rose up to go and find the Apostle Paul’. And sensing that their lives were in great danger, ‘Paul and Silas left Thessalonica’ for their safety (Acts 17:1-10).

So, as we think about that briefness of time — a matter of three weeks — Paul was so concerned of them being so new and young in the faith that they might be discouraged. After all, they were in the midst of great affliction. Paul was mindful that perhaps they may be discouraged and may give up the faith, knowing so well how short a time he had spent with them, knowing of how there’s still needs to be done to have them grounded and established in the faith. It is for that reason that the Apostle Paul expresses his great burden for the church.

As we have read earlier on, we come down to verse 1 of chapter 3, where we find the Apostle Paul so greatly burden in his heart, that he ‘sent Timotheus, that they might be established and be comforted in the faith’. Come with me to chapter 3, verse 1 and 2, “Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel… to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

I want us to notice, carefully, the burden of the Apostle Paul — he was so mindful both of the spiritual condition of the church, as well as the individual condition of the believers — that he could not afford to just leave them in such a situation, that he thought of sending Timothy, in order for Timothy to follow up on them, to check how they have been doing in their walk with the Lord. In fact, before he thought of sending Timotheus to the church in Thessalonica, if you come down quickly with me in chapter 2, beginning in verse 17 and 18, we see there for ourselves how Paul himself wanted to go; how Paul himself wanted to visit them.

Come with me to verse 17, “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence”. ‘In presence’ because they have to run away for their life, right. And look at the next part, “not in heart”. Yes, separated “in presence” meaning physically distant, but “not in heart”. And look on, “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire” (1 Thessalonians 2:17).

You look at the burden of Paul, the longing of his heart, looking forward to a time that he can go and visit and be with the brethren in Thessalonica. But as you can see, he goes on in verse 18, “Wherefore we [could] have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Yes, he was mindful — that as he had that longing and that burden to go to visit the church, to encourage the people, even to establish them in the faith — he was mindful that he was being hindered.

My dear brothers and sisters, there are just times in our walk with the Lord, even in our service unto Him, that we will also encounter such hindrances. But the good thing that we can see from the Apostle Paul is that while on one hand, he was mindful to acknowledge that there were hindrance, at times disruptions, obstacles. But a good thing worth noticing here is that while Paul was longing, desiring to see the brethren, on one hand, the enemy, the Devil, on the other, was determined to hinder him and the work of the ministry. “Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

But as you can see, even when Paul was mindful to recognise hindrances from the enemy — from the adversary — it did not in any way hinder him, if not diminish, his longing and resolve to go to “perfect that which is lacking in [the] faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:10) among the believers in Thessalonica, that he thought of sending Timotheus on his behalf to accomplish the same purpose.

And as we look at this passage before us this morning, I want us to consider for ourselves, even for us to realise that just as the Apostle Paul has this great burden for the church in Thessalonica, this is something that we ought to consider also for our respective churches, even so for our own selves. And so, this morning, going through this message, I want to submit to you three main thoughts on the subject ‘To Perfect That Which Is Lacking In Your Faith'.

I. It Must Be Of Our Utmost Concern

Firstly, that it must be of our utmost concern. Notice carefully — having gone through the burden of the Apostle Paul — I want us to realise that the Apostle Paul as far as he is concerned, he had that one single concern for the Thessalonian church. And it is the spiritual condition of the faith of the believers in Thessalonica. His longing to go and visit the church in Thessalonica is not much about going to Thessalonica to see places. It is not much about going to see what are the new things that he can find or he may find in Thessalonica. His burden to go and see the church in Thessalonica is, first and foremost, to see for himself the spiritual condition of the church. It has to be that utmost concern that we also must consider for ourselves.

Of course, this is not to say that Paul doesn't have any concern or could not be bothered with other matters and issues of life. As you can see, he was also concerned because they were in the midst of affliction; he was so concerned because they were in the midst of persecution. But on top of it all, I want us to see in here the priority, the primacy of Paul's purpose of going to the church in Thessalonica, and that is mainly for the purpose of perfecting them in the faith.

In fact, when he wrote that he could not make it because he was hindered by the enemy, he thought of sending Timotheus instead. And as you can see in verse 2, earlier on we read, “[For the purpose of] to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:2). Again, it is all about perfecting the faith, comforting the believers, establishing them in the faith. Again, we read about it in verse 5. In verse 5, this is what we read, “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

The Apostle Paul continued to write of how much he was comforted, when upon sending Timotheus, and for a brief time when Timothy have returned, bringing with him good news. As we read in verse 6 and 7, it reads, “and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you”. Look on, “Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:6-7).

A while ago, we have established the fact of how the church in Thessalonica have received the Word in the midst of much affliction. Here, notice how Paul acknowledges also how the church in Thessalonica have been comforting the Apostle Paul. Look with me in verse 7, “Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith”. I want us to see here how the Apostle Paul and the church has had that mutual edification. Paul, on his part, longed and desired to comfort the church.

And as we have learned, he was being hindered. So, he thought of sending Timotheus instead. And Timotheus, having gone to Thessalonica, have returned bringing with him good report about the church in Thessalonica. Paul, hearing of such good report, he was also comforted in the midst of their “affliction and distress”. My dear brethren, here is something that is worth considering for pastors of and ministers of the Gospel. Realise that there is no greater joy than to see the church being comforted, being established. More so, growing and enduring in the faith.

The beloved Apostle John expressed the same as we read in 3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth”. Indeed, there is “no greater joy” than to see the church being established in the faith, growing and enduring in the faith. On the part of the congregation, on the part of the church — realise also how you and I — how we can bring much encouragement to our pastor if we all but commit ourselves to walking by faith and in truth.

Conversely, think of how we can bring much trouble and pain to our pastors and to the church in general if we fall by the wayside. And often times, we see this happening when we go through difficult times in our lives, trials, tribulations, difficulties, hardship. These are the usual background where we see fellow believers, brethren, getting cold in their walk and service to the Lord. And even at times, leaving and abandoning the church.

I want us to understand this morning that while yes, we look up to our pastors for our spiritual nurture and care, but realise also that it is our sacred duty to our own selves to build ourselves up in the faith. And building ourselves up in the faith, we also go further to build one another up in the faith. Think of how we can bring joy, encouragement, and comfort if we, indeed, “walk in truth” — and endure in the faith — persevere. And think of how we can bring much trouble, heartache, pain to the church, and even to our pastors if we fail to do our part.

Thank God that churches, like-minded churches, churches like Bethel BP Church and other like-minded churches, have many opportunities open whereby the members are being fed and nourished in the Word. Perhaps there may be home Bible studies, fellowship meetings, add to it prayer meetings, care group meetings, and other church activities which are actually avenues for every member of certain age brackets can be ministered unto; can be instructed soundly and systematically in the Word of God. These are aimed and purposed to “perfect that which is lacking” in our individual faith.

But you know what? No matter how the church would strive to go and consider more activities for such purpose, if you yourself would not avail, you benefit nothing. Thank God for the many opportunities open to you whereby you can be fed and nourished in the faithful teaching and preaching of the Word. Avail yourself to it, join, attend, participate, be part of the body of believers. For while pastors and the leaders of the church are mindful to go about all these ministries, it would be of no avail if the church are not participating.

Sad as it may be, many pastors and churches are quite familiar with such a situation whereby we have put in much effort to nourish and nurture the flock. Come to think of it, starting later and the next four days, we would have a special meeting for the young people of the church. I pray that all the young people of the church will be able to join because this particular activity is aimed and geared up towards the perfecting of the faith, having them established and grounded in the Word.

And so it is with children's ministry and other activities that the church may have. Perhaps like we think of Daily Vacation Bible School, we think of our regular Sunday School, we think of our Basic Bible Knowledge Catechism classes. These are but the very first step — the initial steps — and just because you are done with it, it doesn't mean that you have arrived already.

Think of the Apostle Paul's burden for the church in Thessalonica. “I sent to know your faith” as he said in verse 5, “lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:5). My dear brothers and sisters, looking at the words of Paul, I want us to realise that just as he is concerned of the spiritual condition of the church, so are we. We should be concerned. Firstly, of our own spiritual condition. And collectively as a church, to “perfect that which is lacking in [our] faith” must be of our utmost concern. Not just for pastors. Not just for the leaders of the church. But corporately, every member of the church. It has to be of utmost concern.

II. It Must Be Prayerfully Considered

Secondly, it must be prayerfully considered. Just when you think that Paul would settle down and be satisfied. Remember, he already has sent Timotheus and Timotheus has gone back and returned bringing with him good news to Paul, in which Paul was also comforted. And just when you think that Paul would settle down and be satisfied — after all, he had heard good report from Timothy — it all the more moved him to pray. As we read in our text, particularly in verse 10. How Paul here said, look with me now in verse 10, “Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?” (1 Thessalonians 3:10).

Indeed, it is interesting because it did not stop Paul's burden and desire to go. In fact, it even moved him to pray even more. And look with me at Paul's prayer here, “Night and day praying exceedingly”. If we are to carefully consider the words of Paul in verse 10, particularly the first part of the verse, “Night and day praying exceedingly” — it speaks much of the manner that the Apostle Paul prayed — “Night and day praying exceedingly”.

Firstly, I want us to notice how the Apostle Paul prayed earnestly. He prayed earnestly, meaning Paul sincerely and seriously prayed for this one particular burden. Remember, he already has heard good report from Timothy. And just when you think that he would cease and you would think that he would be satisfied, that he would no longer consider going to visit the church in Thessalonica, you are wrong. Because it even encouraged him to pray earnestly. He prayed for this one great desire to see the brethren, to “perfect that which is lacking”, to supply, to complete that which he had started, to finish it, and to have the brethren established in the faith. Yes, all the more, he prayed earnestly. Paul's prayer was, indeed, serious and sincere, an earnest prayer.

Add to it, notice also that Paul prayed constantly. He did not just pray earnestly, he also prayed constantly. Paul's prayer was not an occasional, sporadic prayer that he would do once in a while or pray every now and then. For as you would see in verse 10, it was frequent and constant coming before the Lord. Frequent and constant. Why do I say frequent and constant? Because he said here, ‘night and day’. We see not only Paul's discipline here in prayer, we also see his determination to call upon the Lord and commit his heart's desire to the Lord. Because he prayed for the particular item ‘night and day’.

When was the last time that you prayed for a particular item ‘night and day’? And if it so happened that you, indeed, have prayed for a particular prayer ‘night and day’ recently that means you are so greatly burdened for that particular prayer, that you have been asking and presenting unto the Lord, that you have prayed for it earnestly and constantly. But then again, my question is ‘When was the last time that we prayed such a kind of prayer?’ For Paul, that is what we read, “Night and day praying”. So, he prayed earnestly, he prayed constantly.

And then thirdly, he said there 'night and day', he prayed “exceedingly”. 'Exceedingly' would give us that impression that he prayed for this particular burden, over and above, more than his usual manner of prayer. Because he prayed for it “exceedingly”. It’s not just the usual typical prayer that the Apostle Paul would pray. For he emphasised there, ‘I prayed for this burden, I prayed for this matter, I prayed for this one particular item’. How did he pray for that one particular item? ‘Exceedingly’. And somehow, looking at these words of Paul here — how he prayed earnestly, constantly, and exceedingly — the word here means super abundantly. ‘Exceedingly’ beyond all measure.

I'm sure it would give us the impression that this must have been so heavy and great a burden in the heart of the Apostle Paul. And what is that so heavy and great burden in the heart of the Apostle Paul? To go and to “perfect that which [was] lacking in [the] faith” among the believers in Thessalonica. Think about it. Paul's prayer was not a kind of half-hearted, a mechanical, template, or a ritual kind of prayer, offered up out of a habit or out of obligation. It was a kind of prayer that really is from the heart. Paul prayed with intensity — no doubt about it — as he prayed earnestly, constantly, “exceedingly”.

I know that the church here gathers together for prayer every Friday night. And may you be encouraged to come regularly. And to pray together as a church. And to pray together as a church earnestly, constantly, “exceedingly”. At times, I have this fear that we all come because we have been so used to it. ‘Oh, it's Friday. Come, let’s go for prayer meeting'. Well and good, praise God. But you don't just go just because you are so used to it. Engage yourself in such a manner of prayer. When was the last time that you have engaged yourself in such an intense prayer?

Yes, I am thankful to the Lord for I know that we in the Philippines are constantly in your prayer list. And all this time, yes, we are thankful. You may not know it, but some of our brethren there are following your prayer meetings online. May this also encourage your heart that, all the more, we don't just engage ourselves in prayer out of duty, out of obligation. Let it be that we engage ourselves in prayer out of devotion, worship. Let's go a little further in our commitment. Let us not just be committed to come for prayer meeting. Let's commit ourselves to really praying, engaging ourselves in intense, earnest, sincere prayer.

Even as we remember to pray for everybody in the church, the ministries of the church, even as we think of the outreaches, we thank God that Bethel also is actively engaged in the work of the Gospel. Your partnership with us all these years, we are very much thankful to the Lord. But add to it. I know how Bethel also has been engaged in stablishing mission churches in other parts of the world, particularly in Myanmar. While you are committed to pray, even to support establishing Gospel outreaches and mission churches, may I encourage you to go a little further?

May you also be equally committed to pray for the establishing of the brethren in the faith. Yes, I know we have all been praying that churches be established in this place, in that place. Good. But let me encourage you a little bit further. In addition to praying for establishing of more mission stations, let's continue to pray for those brethren — in the churches that have already been established — that their faith may be perfected. Yes, this is not just about stablishing churches, but it's also about stablishing the faith of our brethren in those mission churches. The more we pray for pastors, the more we pray for the church leaders, and the more we pray for the individual members of the church.

The Apostle Paul set us an example. Yes, he established mission churches in all his missionary journeys. But you know what? He did not stop there. If you are familiar with all his missionary journeys, there was the first missionary journey after which he said, ‘Come. Let us go, and visit them again, and see how they are doing’ (Acts 15:36). That we read in the Book of Acts. So it was not a one-time act on the part of the Apostle Paul. And you would realise that it is not just about establishing mission churches or Gospel outreaches, for it is all about establishing the believers in those places in the faith.

Yes, oftentimes like the mission work in the Philippines, we — by God's grace — have been reaching out to as many. But God-willing, we look forward to stablishing more mission churches or outreaches in the southern part of the Philippines. We are more in the central part. Visayas region, Cebu City, Bohol, Bogo is in the central part, and then the mission church in Pangasinan is in Luzon. God-willing, either later part of this year or next year, we are jumping off to this Gospel outreach towards the south; the southern part of the Philippines.

And everyone in the church is excited because we are but a small church. Yet, we trust that the Lord would help us and enable us to venture out, and dare go out, and go down south, and establish the church there. But I have to remind our church members: ‘Yes, it is our prayer that we can start and stablish a mission church there. But let’s not just focus mainly on that. As early as now, we might as well pray that whoever be part of that Gospel station that we will establish, may we also be able to establish them in the faith. Then, of course, not forgetting the local church’.

Looking at Paul's prayer, we move on to consider Paul's petition. Still in verse 10, Paul's prayer, “Night and day praying exceedingly” and notice his petition, “that we might see your face” (1 Thessalonians 3:10). More often, some people are burdened to go for missions, not much to see people, but to see places. In our time — with all these social media platforms — every corner they go, stop, [camera shutter sound], and then they post in their individual accounts, and then they put it in the guise of mission trip. We need to be mindful and be fully aware that while it is a privilege to go and see places, set your priorities right. Paul here says, ‘I long to see your’, “face”. It is more on people, not places.

Of course, it is a bonus, it is always a joy to be able to visit Melbourne, because not everyone is able to come. But I am mindful that every time I come, it has always been the brethren, the church, the ministries of the church. Yes, I am thankful for the opportunities, brethren would bring us around. Yes, I thank God for it because these are, privileges. But personally, I am mindful and I am careful not to fall into snare, not to fall into temptation. God forbid that I would come, not just here in Bethel, but in other places that I may go, that my preoccupation would be the place and not the people.

Look with me again in verse 10, “Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face”. That’s the very purpose, that’s the very objective, that’s the very goal of Paul's petition and Paul's desire to go to the church in Thessalonica. We have heard earlier of how Paul's ministry among the Thessalonian believers was cut short, because of that great ‘uproar caused by unbelieving Jews’. Paul was having a great time ministering, ‘preaching the Gospel to the church there’, there were people added into the church, ‘many believed’ under the ministry of the Apostle Paul. But there were ‘unbelieving Jews’, who thought about chasing Paul, if not trying to kill him, that ‘Paul would have to leave in haste’ for his own safety (Acts 17:1-14).

And as I have said, in a matter of three Sabbaths only, three weeks, it is just amazing how the Apostle Paul was able to bring these people to faith, and establish them also in the faith. With all the commendations that we have heard — you may have thought that the believers there have been a believer for a number of years — “work of faith”, “labour of love”, “patience [in] hope”. But in reality, the Apostle Paul only have spent so short a time.

Now, turn with me for a while so you can really see it for yourself in the Book of Acts 17. And look with me, just to save time, a few verses from here. Chapter 17, verse 1 to 4, “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the [Scripture]” (Acts 17:1-3). So, “three sabbath days”, that would tell us three weeks.

“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of [a great] chief women not a few” (Acts 17:4). So, there was, indeed, a great work, and a conversion happening, taking place, saving of souls taking place in Thessalonica.

But look with me in verse 5, “But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also”. So, that was the background.

Indeed, new converts, new believers, right there and then, facing the great persecution, that Paul really was mindful. Perhaps they could be so discouraged and just abandon the faith. Perhaps they could give in to pressure and be overcome with fear, that they might just return to their old lives. Yes, Paul had preached, and many had believed. And Paul must have taught them the Scripture. Perhaps laid down on them some of the fundamental truths of the faith. But because it was just so short, because of the incident, he thought that he owed it to the brethren to teach them more about God; to teach them more of the weightier matters of the Christian faith. And thus, his longing to see them and to teach them the Scripture.

So, it should be with us, today. The perfecting of the faith must be of utmost concern. It must be prayerfully considered.

III. It Must Be Our Continuous Commitment

Thirdly, it must be our continuous commitment. Look with me again in verse 10, “Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face”. And here, “and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”. Yes, that's the one reason behind Paul's longing, he longed to see the Thessalonians again, as he is committed to “perfect that which [was] lacking in [their] faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:10).

Now, of course, the word there — “perfect” — does not refer to sinless perfection. Sinless in a sense that what he had started he’d be able to complete, to fully furnish. The idea here is that of fixing or aligning something that has not been established fully and completely, to fit together. It can also mean to repair or to make it functional. It is a term used to describe fixing or aligning a dislocated bone. The idea of the word ‘perfecting’. Paul wanted to see the Thessalonians again so that he could supply or complete what “[was] lacking in [their] faith”.

A while ago, we've laboured to look into the commendations of Paul — in chapter 1 and chapter 2 of his letter — that you’d be tempted to think that the Thessalonian church already has arrived with all the commendations that Paul has given to them. But no, as you can see in here, it is so obvious, that there's still more to be done, as far as their spiritual condition is concerned. Paul thought that there are still many things that the church must learn and know, that, yes, at some point, the Thessalonian church may have been a commendable church, a church worth emulating. But one thing sure is that they are not a perfect church, be it in doctrine and in faith.

And in fact, it becomes very obvious because — as you come to chapter 4 and chapter 5 of his first letter — you would know how Paul discussed to them matters concerning the Lord's Return, concerning those that are dead in Christ, concerning of how we should conduct ourselves as we await for the Lord's Second Coming. I’m sure you’re familiar with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, ‘I would not have you ignorant, brethren… those that are dead in Christ’. What happens to them? ‘They will rise first’. ‘And those that are alive in Christ when He so come again’. What happens to them? ‘They shall be caught up in the air’.

He is actually perfecting, in a sense, establishing them, because there came a time when some believers in the Thessalonian church have ceased to work. They don't want to work because they look forward to the Coming of the Lord. While others have been anxious and mindful of what would happen to our dearly beloved dear ones who have gone ahead of us. ‘Will they remain dead when the Lord so comes’? So, it is for that reason that there has been some confusion among the believers, that Paul, once and for all, would settle the matter by writing, ‘I would not have you ignorant, brethren’.

In other words, he is establishing them — in their doctrine — pertaining to the End Times, pertaining to the intermediate stage, perhaps, pertaining to ‘those that are dead in Christ’. And he wants to establish them by telling them what's going to happen. And we know very well, right? “[The] dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It must have been a great comfort to the church, especially unto those who have been greatly affected, because they are not stablished and are unsettled in this particular doctrine and teaching, regarding ‘those that are dead in Christ’.

I'm sure you cannot miss 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. It's a classic passage, whenever we talk about ‘those that are dead in Christ’ and even about the Lord's Return, talking about the resurrection of the “dead in Christ” and the rapture of the saints. “[The] dead in Christ shall rise”, ‘those that are alive in Christ shall be raptured’. That pertains to doctrine. In fact, the establishing and the work of establishing and ‘perfecting that which is lacking in the faith’ goes on up until his second letter. In the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, we are introduced to one particular person — the Antichrist — the apostasy of the End Times. That was the burden of Paul for the church in Thessalonica. That is pertaining to doctrine.

Then what about practice? Yes, as far as practice is concerned, there are many in the Thessalonian church who’ve been struggling in their sanctification, in their walk. That, as you can take a quick look in chapter 4, particularly in verse 1 to verse 8, he did write something regarding sanctification. To save time, I bring you straight to verse 3, “[This] is the will of God, even your sanctification, that [you] should abstain from fornication” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). That in itself would tell you now, that there are still believers in the church, who are engaged in such immoral practice. They have not been fully stablished.

Then, come with me, to verse 4, “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:4-7). It is so clear that, indeed, on matters concerning this, Paul may have learned that there are some who are struggling in their personal walk, even in their sanctification.

And the exhortation pertaining to practice goes on even until chapter 5. You can see it for yourself, how the Apostle Paul wrote addressing matters concerning to relationships with one another in the church and with those who are serving in the church. That you will find in the middle part of chapter 5. Like when you read in verse 12, “[Beseech] you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you… and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 4:12-13). That is in relation to the church leaders and those who “labour among [them]”.

And then, verse 14, in relation to one another, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that [not] render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and [unto] all men” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-15). It's actually his way of ‘perfecting that which is lacking in them’ — in relation to leaders, in relation to one another — and, later on, of how they would conduct themselves and how they should conduct and behave themselves. And that is where are these popular and famous verses, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Somehow, it gives us a clearer picture now. That in the midst of all the commendations that Paul gave to the church in Thessalonica, they were not a perfect church after all. That there’s still needs for them to be perfected, to be established, to be grounded in the faith. And if Paul saw the need to “perfect that which [was] lacking in [the] faith” among the believers in Thessalonica, how much more — we — in our time? Leaders and the members of the church, we all, must be of one heart, and of one mind, and of one accord, committing ourselves to the perfecting of our faith.

Think for a moment. Every generation would have to face issues and controversies, worse, false teachings. Maybe back in Paul's time, they dealt with heresies which, by God's grace, they were able to really establish us in the faith. But notice, that we also have our share of battles and controversies, in which we need to be established, so that we will not be influenced by it. We think of controversies involving false teachings, cultic groups, Progressive Christianity, perversions of the Gospel. I am sure you have it also here in Australia. Social Gospel, Health & Wealth Prosperity Gospel, the Word of Faith Movement, and many others. Then, there is what they call now as Progressive Christianity. Then, the postmodernism.

The church cannot just close her eyes on this regard, or else we would lose the next generation to the world. There has to be an ongoing, continuing perfecting of that which is lacking — having the church strongly grounded in the Word — that no matter what the world presents to the church, the church could not be bothered. Why? Because it's fully established, grounded in the Truth of God's Word. Realise the need for continuous commitment to “perfect that which is lacking in [the] faith”. And the church must know the dangers, and must be established, and be equipped, to face such dangers.

In our responsive Scripture reading a while ago, we read, particularly beginning in verse 11, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). Verse 12, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). Come with me to verse 14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).

Dear brethren, realise that it is our solemn duty and responsibility to ourselves, to “perfect that which is lacking”. Yes, we may have that understanding that it's the work of, as Paul mentioned, ‘Apostles; prophets; evangelists; pastors and teachers’. But please know also, that we have this sacred and solemn duty and responsibility to ourselves, that we commit ourselves to every avenue, opportunities, in which we shall receive sound biblical instruction. That as Paul said, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine”.

Yes, as we think of our time — we are in the Last Days, and we know very well how the Scripture describes the Last Days — the more, we prayerfully and carefully consider the perfecting of our faith.

Let us pray. Lord, we give Thee thanks, for Thou hast allowed us to consider for our meditation, this very relevant subject pertaining to our spiritual condition and even our conviction. O Lord, thank You for bringing this to our attention and allowing us to carefully look into this matter, with prayer, that we all be convinced and be convicted in our hearts that it is no light matter that we can so easily ignore and disregard, but something that we must prayerfully consider, for the welfare and condition of the church and its individual members.

Continue, Lord, to bless the church here in Bethel. Bless the leaders of the church and the general membership, together with the regular worshippers that have been coming to be partakers together with Thy people of manifold spiritual blessing that You have showered and reserved, O Lord, for everyone, especially to those who come in all sincerity to worship You. O Lord, continue to prosper the work and the labours of the ministry. All this we commit to You with thanksgiving. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

THE BOOK OF 1 THESSALONIANS

To Perfect That Which Is Lacking In Your Faith

To Perfect That Which Is Lacking In Your Faith

1 Thessalonians 3:1-10

Wherefore Comfort One Another With These Words

Wherefore Comfort One Another With These Words

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Significance of Christ’s Death and Resurrection

The Significance of Christ’s Death and Resurrection

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Morning Devotion 1

Morning Devotion 1

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Unceasing Three

The Unceasing Three

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Essential Attitudes for the New Year

Essential Attitudes for the New Year

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #3: The Church and the Sacraments

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #3: The Church and the Sacraments

1 Thessalonians 5:17

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #4: The Church and the Prayers

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #4: The Church and the Prayers

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Morning Devotion 2

Morning Devotion 2

1 Thessalonians 5:19

The Believer’s Relationship with God & His Word

The Believer’s Relationship with God & His Word

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Morning Devotion 3

Morning Devotion 3

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22

A Prayer for the Fellow Believers

A Prayer for the Fellow Believers

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

The Things Every Church Needs

The Things Every Church Needs

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28