Jesus Is Coming- Part 4

First Thessalonians, Chapter three.

Introduction

Sermon Title: “Jesus Is Coming – Part 4”

Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu

Text: First Thessalonians chapter 3 (KJV). In this message Dr. LeQuieu unfolds “our insurance of one another” — the biblical responsibilities believers carry to encourage, establish, and protect the faith of the church family while they wait for the Lord’s return. He traces three movements in the chapter: Paul’s endorsement, Timothy’s encouragement, and God’s establishment. The sermon presses us to examine how our faith is displayed in trials, how our fellowship refreshes and matures, and how love and holiness prepare us for the coming of Christ.

Sometimes the trials we go through aren’t for us. Sometimes that’s a hard pill to swallow. But that’s truth and that’s a reality. Sometimes God wants to be able to allow a trial to happen in our lives because he knows who will give him the glory for it. And he knows who can handle these things.

Outline

Endorsement by Paul — Concern, Anticipation, and a Charge to Stay Faithful
1. Concern: the frailty of man and the fear of labor in vain.
  Paul speaks honestly: even the godly can be anxious about whether their investment in souls will last. He acknowledges the reality of falling away and the devil’s work to snatch the seed before it takes root (compare Matthew 13). For the young adult, this means ministry is costly and often uncertain, but Scripture still calls us to faithful sowing.
2. Anticipation: tribulation is expected.
  “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation” — trials are not a surprise to the Christian; they are anticipated. Knowing trials will come prepares us to respond with faith rather than despair.
3. Charge: do not be moved by afflictions; stay faithful.
  Paul’s practical message is simple and piercing: remain steadfast. The test of temptation often becomes an attack on confidence in God’s word. Faith is displayed in the choices we make—attending worship, praying, reading Scripture, and loving others even when life is hard.
Encouragement by Timothy — Results, Refreshing, and Rejoicing of Fellowship
1. Results: faith and charity observed.
  Timothy brought back “good tidings of your faith and charity.” Faith toward God always accompanies love toward people. A healthy Christian life shows both devotion to the Lord and practical love for others.
2. Refreshing: comfort by their faith.
  Paul says, “we were comforted … by your faith.” Our fidelity in trials refreshes leaders and fellow believers. A godly testimony amid hardship is like cool water to a weary soul. Believers, especially younger Christians, should see this as an opportunity to encourage by enduring well.
3. Rejoicing: prayerful longing for growth and perfecting what is lacking.
  Paul and his companions prayed “night and day” that they might see the Thessalonians and help “perfect that which is lacking in your faith.” True fellowship includes persistent prayer and patient discipleship so that weak areas of faith are strengthened.
Establishment by God — Path, Passion, and Perfecting
1. Path: direct our way to you, O God.
  Prayer is always the first step: asking God to guide evangelistic efforts, pastoral care, and personal discipleship. Our direction in ministry and personal living must be determined by our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Passion: increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men.
  The Christian life overflows in love — first for fellow believers, then for all people. Love is not merely sentiment; it is action, sacrifice, and a passionate pursuit of others’ good for Christ’s sake.
3. Perfecting: establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God at the coming of Christ.
  The end goal is practical holiness and blamelessness — a life separated from the world and ready for the Lord’s return. This is not sinless perfection but a consistent pattern of separation, accountability, and obedience that makes our testimony credible when Christ comes.
Practical principles woven through the chapter
1. Faith is revealed by works: faithfulness or unfaithfulness makes faith visible.
  Paul’s repeated appeals make clear: what we do shows what we believe. Regular attendance, prayer, Scripture reading, service, and love are the visible fruit of genuine faith.
2. Fellowship is mutual: encouragement flows both ways.
  A healthy church is not a spectator sport. We uplift leaders and one another; our faithfulness encourages those who labor in the Word.
3. Prayer is persistent and strategic.
  “Night and day” praying for others and for growth demonstrates the urgency and priority of intercession in strengthening the church’s faith.

Summary

First Thessalonians 3 shows us a biblical process for “insuring” one another in the faith. Paul, concerned for the permanence of the work among the Thessalonians, sends Timothy to establish and comfort them. Timothy reports faith and love, which refresh and encourage the laborers. The chapter ends with a prayer that God would guide, increase love, and make hearts blameless at the coming of Christ. The message is simple and urgent: trials will come, but our response must be steadfast faith, mutual encouragement, persistent prayer, growing love, and practical holiness. That is how a church insures its people for the return of Jesus.

Stay faithful. Stay faithful.

Application for the Week

Make the sermon practical. Below are actionable steps to live out “our insurance of one another” in your daily life. Pick one or more and commit to them this week.

Pray night and day for three people
1. Choose three names — one in your household, one in church, and one outside the church. Pray for them every day this week, morning and night. Ask God to strengthen their faith and to use you to encourage them.
Be a visible witness in trials
1. When you face a difficulty, tell one mature believer about it and ask for prayer. Don’t hide the struggle; let your faith be seen so others are comforted by your endurance (1 Thessalonians 3:7).
Encourage a leader or a teacher
1. Send a note or speak a word of thanks to a pastor, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, or Bible study leader this week. Let them know their faithful labor has not been in vain.
Work on one area of holiness
1. Identify a weakness in your life (e.g., time with Scripture, chastity, speech, social media use) and set a concrete plan to strengthen that area this week. Ask an accountability partner to check in with you.
Practice simple acts of charity
1. Love in action: do one tangible kindness for a neighbor or fellow believer — a meal, a phone call, a ride, a practical errand. Let your love be visible.
Study First Thessalonians 3 with a friend
1. Read the chapter together (KJV) and discuss: where are we strong? Where do we need to grow? Pray together and plan one joint step to strengthen your faith this month.

God desires a church that builds each other up, prays without ceasing for one another, and lives in practical holiness. Let us commit to being that kind of people — steady in trial, faithful in fellowship, and ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.