1. Faith For The Fight -- 1 Thess. 3:1-8 Thessalonica

2. “Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith.” --I Thessalonians 3:1-2

3. What are Paul’s primary concerns? How they are doing under persecution. The condition of their faith. What does he not ask about? Numbers Contribution Building status

4.  1 Thessalonians 3:3 – “…so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.”

5. What Are We Fighting For? “Better to fight for something than live for nothing.” -- George S. Patton

6.  Word in Greek is THLIPSIS – persecutions, afflictions (45 times in NT)  Word for destined is KEIMAI – set for, destined for

7.  Matthew 24:9 – “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”

8.  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

9.  Romans 5:3-5 --And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

10.  2 Corinthians 4:17 -- “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison…”

11.  Afflictions are not accidents, but rather appointments.

12.  Paul wanted to know about their FAITH  3:2 – “…sent Timothy…to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith…”

13.  “For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

14.  “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith…”

16.  1 John 5:4 – “…this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”  Jude 1:20 – “…building yourselves up on your most holy faith…”  Matthew 17:20 – “…if you have faith the size of this mustard seed….”  Romans 3:28 – “…man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

17.  1 Timothy 6:12 -- Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.