“Faith Under Fire” 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

TRANSCRIPT

Date: November 5, 2025 Author: Wayne J. Edwards

The hymn writer wrote: When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine. Would you believe God puts his people through the fires of persecution and suffering to awaken them to their need for earnest prayer? According to today’s shallow and superficial concept of God, certainly He would not do such a thing. However, according to Zechariah 13:9, He has already done it. “ I will bring the one-third through the fire, and refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ “ Beloved, as one theologian said, regarding this verse, it is therefore necessary that we be subject, from first to last, to the scourges of God . So, when we find ourselves in the Refiner’s fire, or when we see our loved ones going through the fires of persecution, or the crucible of physical, mental, or emotional suffering, how should we then pray? Wednesday at 6:00 PM, we will continue our sermons on “ Paul’s Passionate Prayers.” In our next sermon, we will study 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 under the heading of: “Faith Under Fire.” Please forward this study guide to those you think might be interested.

The hymn writer wrote:

Would you believe God puts his people through the fires of persecution and suffering to awaken them to their need for earnest prayer? According to today’s shallow and superficial concept of God, certainly He would not do such a thing. However, according to Zechariah 13:9, He has already done it.

“ I will bring the one-third through the fire, and refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ “

Beloved, as one theologian said, regarding this verse, it is therefore necessary that we be subject, from first to last, to the scourges of God . So, when we find ourselves in the Refiner’s fire, or when we see our loved ones going through the fires of persecution, or the crucible of physical, mental, or emotional suffering, how should we then pray?

Wednesday at 6:00 PM, we will continue our sermons on “ Paul’s Passionate Prayers.” In our next sermon, we will study 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 under the heading of: “Faith Under Fire.”

Please forward this study guide to those you think might be interested.

Download the following translated Sermon guides:

Thessalonica was a prominent port city in Macedonia, known for its commerce, cultural diversity, and strategic location along Roman roads.

When the persecution became so severe, Paul and his companions moved on to Berea, and later Paul traveled to Athens, Greece.

From 1 Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:13, Paul’s letter sounds like a pastor’s journal, for while Paul’s words are urgent and grounded in doctrine, they are also tender and based in his love for the Lord Jesus, and for those who receive Him as their Savior and Lord.

Two Timeless Truths:

First, Paul begins with the positive – Verse 9-10 – “ For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?”

Second, Paul avoids fault-finding in his prayer –

Third, Paul distinguishes concern from responsibility.

Fourth, Paul prays corporately, i.e., he speaks for those who are a part of his mission team.

Fifth, Paul keeps his written prayers short and simple.

Even in this short prayer, Paul gives us a model for our prayers for others:

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