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"Good news of your faith and love..."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:6

THE MISSION OF TIMOTHY

Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to check up on the well-being of the Thessalonians. His task was not without risks. Timothy was not afraid to undertake this task assigned to him.

THE RETURN OF TIMOTHY

The visit of Timothy was not meant to be a prolonged one. He knew that Paul and Silas were anxious about the spiritual state of the Thessalonians. Timothy was soon back with Paul and this prompted the apostle to write the following text.

“But now that Timothy has come to us from you,
and brought us good news of your faith and love,
and that you always have good remembrance of us,
greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you-”

1 Thessalonians 3:6

1. “But now that Timothy has come to us from you”

a) Timothy had a successful visit in Thessalonica.

b) He had returned to Paul and Silas after this short visit.

2. The news that Timothy brought back

He had good news to report! He reported on two counts:

a) On the faith front

i) The Thessalonians had not succumbed to the testing of Satan.

ii) The believers in Thessalonica had persevered.

iii) Their faith had remained intact.

iv) The fruit of love was still very evident.

b) On the personal front

i) The Thessalonians had good memories of Paul and Silas.

ii) Their labour had not been in vain.

iii) They were fondly remembered by the Thessalonians.

3. “As we also to see you”

a) Paul now writes to thank the Thessalonians for thinking of them.

b) He wants them to know that the feeling was mutual.

c) He had fond memories of the Thessalonians despite the fact that they had known them so briefly.

d) The genuineness of Christian love prevails.

e) Paul was more than happy to write to them an epistle to encourage their hearts.