Why Repetition Is a Vital Need for Godly Spiritual Growth

Repetition is a key tool for spiritual growth and development. the same can be said for natural growth as well. Last week, we closed out our look at Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. But, did you know that shortly after Paul, Silas, and Timothy co-wrote the first letter, this dynamic trio wrote a second? Are you also aware that in the second letter, these marvelous missionaries both repeat and expand on the contents of the first letter? Why did they repeat themselves? Wasn’t one letter enough to get the job done? You may have heard a parent sternly express to their child, ‘I told you to do so and so and I am not in the habit of repeating myself.’ If this approach has some traction in the area of child development, why didn’t the Spirit of God use this same approach? Well, employing sternness is not the best learning method. Developmental growth takes patient repetition. This is a vital tool in helping Jesus followers grow into the image of God which is why we are focusing on this theme in this podcast. Why Repetition Is a Vital Need for Godly Spiritual Growth. That’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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Be a patient and repetitive teacher of God’s Word so that others might have the opportunity to grow spiritually.

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Question: Share a testimony about how after having heard a Bible truth multiple times, the truth of that passage finally dawned on your hearth. Share your story in the comments section below.

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We are currently teaching in the book of First Thessalonians. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

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Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 47 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. He and his wife Sharon of 40 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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Prayer

Father God, how wonderful you truly are. Grant unto us today insight and revelation by your Holy Spirit into the depth of your faithfulness. Help us to understand what it is and to know it in such a way that we can relax in simple and basic trust. We thank you for that in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Podcast Notes

Father God, we thank you for this opportunity to jump back into your Word this week. Your words are life to those who find them. We so desire to find truths that will help us be all that you desire us to be in Jesus. Thank you for helping us to mature into the full expression of sonship in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: Introduction to Second Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—

Notice, who authored this letter.
It’s the same three fellas that wrote the first letter.
And, they wrote it shortly after the first —approximately one year after in 52 AD.
So, First Thessalonians 51 AD — Second Thessalonians 52 AD.
What you will see in Second Thessalonians is a repetitive amplification of what was covered in the first letter.
With this repetition, comes an intensification of the subject matter.
Paul talks about being faithful in difficult circumstances, and talks about End Times, idleness, and holiness, among other subjects.
This letter is much shorter than the first, three chapters in length.
The stats? — Second Thessalonians is 45% shorter than 1 Thessalonians.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: Major Versus Minor Bible Themes

Now, let’s just jump over and talk generally about the use of repetition in God’s Word.
There is something powerful about this repetition in scripture.
Repetition means emphasis.
You should stand up and take notice when God repeats a thing multiple times.
It means a major theme is being discussed.
So, everything in the Bible is true — but everything in God’s Word is not the same weight.
There are some truths that are referenced only a little while other Bible truths are repeated over and over.
For example, the concept of faith is mentioned over 500 times in the Bible.
That’s what I mean by a major theme.
Faith transcends both Covenants.
It’s an area Jesus’ followers should take note of.
But now, the concept of hair coverings for women is only mentioned once.
You will find that admonition in First Corinthians eleven.
Again, repetition means importance and since head coverings have such little coverage, it’s a minor theme.
People make the great mistake of overemphasizing minor themes.
A good rule of thumb to keep you balanced and safe is to major on the majors and to minor on the minors.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth:

If you take a gander at the Old Testament, you will easily see the principle of repetition.
And, with that thought here is the Quote of the Day.

Repetition is undoubtedly the most common stylistic feature [in the biblical story]. It ranges from the repetition of words to that of entire speeches. It is so much a part of the Hebrew storyline that even the slightest variations or partial omissions of a repetitive scheme is significant. Therefore, understanding how the inspired writers of the Old Testament utilized the mechanism of repetition is an indispensable tool for grasping the meaning of the narrative.¹

Repetition is significant.
Variations are scripturally noteworthy.
Did you hear that?
Here is one such use of repetition in the Bible, the repetition of names.
And with that thought, here is the Historical Background of the Day.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: Name Repetition in the Old Testament

In the Hebrew culture, repeating a person’s name is an expression of intimacy.²

Genesis 22:11 (ESV) — 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Why did God repeat Abraham’s name instead of just saying Abraham?
Was Abraham hard of hearing or was he distracted or something?
No, calling ‘Abraham, Abraham’ was a sign of endearment.
You can see that in this next account where Jacob is asleep.

Genesis 46:2 (ESV) — 2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

Same thing here — you have the repetition of names.
Jacob is asleep in his bed.
While sleeping, he has a night vision.
In the vision/dream, God repeats his name.
So it’s not about Jacob being hard of hearing or being distracted because he’s asleep.
Have you ever noticed this before?
I hadn’t.
God did a similar thing with Moses and Samuel.

Exodus 3:4 (ESV) — 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) — 10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

Pretty cool, don’t you think?

Name Repetition in the New Testament

Jesus loved Martha.
John told us so.

John 11:5 (ESV) — 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

Now jump over to Luke and see how Jesus used repetition in an endearing way.

Luke 10:41 (ESV) — 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

Jesus is trying to help Martha to cast her care over on the Lord 1 Peter 5:7 style.
You know He is trying to help you do the same as well.
He doesn’t want you to worry — He’s quite fond of you.
Jesus loved Peter the same way.
Listen to it.

Luke 22:31 (ESV) — 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

Simon, Simon — how Jesus loved this impetuous man.
How many times did Peter just jump out there without thinking and make a mess of the whole thing?
Yet, Jesus talks to Him so tenderly — Simon, Simon.
Jesus not only spoke fondly of people He rubbed shoulders with but also entire cities of people as well.

Matthew 23:37 (ESV) — 37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Look how He loved these people.
Repetition means importance — these people were important to Jesus — and still are!
Look at the language — why does a hen gather her brood under her wings?
One reason — protection.
Jesus is saying, I wanted to protect you – meaning all of the inhabitants of the city.
If the chicks are gathered underneath the hen, the enemy does not see them.
If the enemy can’t see them, he can’t attack them.
So, the hen gets attacked in place of the chicks.

Matthew 26:31 (ESV) — 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Strike the shepherd, the sheep will scatter.
Strike the hen and the chicks will scatter but at least they will live.

John 10:11 (ESV) — 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The good shepherd lays His life down for the sheep.
The good hen lays her life down for the chicks.
Despite Jesus’ love for Jerusalem, Jerusalem, they didn’t want to engage.
They refused to connect to the love Jesus showed nor did they reciprocate.
The result?
Jerusalem was overrun in 70 AD.
The city was left desolate and the Jewish people were scattered for almost 1900 years.
They survived but what a tremendous cost.
The example of name repetition we want to look at is in Matthew twenty-seven.
See if you hear the tender tone in this.

Matthew 27:46 (ESV) — 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus calls the Father twice — Eli, Eli — my God, my God.
Tender tones despite the pain.
Some lash out in anger because they’re in pain — not so Jesus.
Aren’t you impressed with Him?
I know I am.
With what you now know about the repetition of names what do you think about this next passage?

Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV) — 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Insightful isn’t it?

Some pretend to have a deep relationship with Christ, but this claim is not borne out in their lives. There are many who say, “Lord, Lord,” while in fact, they live in contempt for Christ’s commandments. “If you love me, you will obey what I command,” said Jesus (John 14:15).³

So, this claim of a close relationship via the use of the name repetition ‘Lord, Lord’ is nothing but a sham.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: The Just Shall Live by Faith

Faith is the language of heaven and since it is there are many verses that encourage a trusting lifestyle-type relationship between you and your heavenly Father.
There is specific encouragement to live by faith repeated multiple times in scripture.

Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV 1900) — Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: But the just shall live by his faith.

Romans 1:17 (KJV 1900) — 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:11 (KJV 1900) — 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 10:38 (KJV 1900) — 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

‘The just shall live by faith’ — repetition means importance.
Why do you think the Spirit of God keeps emphasizing this?
There are over 500 passages that use the term faith, believe, trust, or any of its synonyms.
Over and over again comes this message from heaven: ‘If you love me, trust me.
If you say that we’re friends, believe me.
Jesus said this about friendship one day.

John 15:13–15 (ESV) — Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Bill Johnson said this about friendship with God.
We could easily call this another ‘Quote of the Day’ but we won’t since we already have one on ‘repetition.’
But, listen to this.

When Jesus gave His disciples this promotion (servants to friends) He did so by describing the difference between the two positions. Servants don’t know what their master is doing. They don’t have access to the personal, intimate realm of their master. They are task-oriented. Obedience is their primary focus—and rightly so, for their lives depend on success in that area. But friends have a different focus. It almost sounds blasphemous to say that obedience is not the top concern for the friend, but it is true. Obedience will always be important, as the previous verse highlights, “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). But friends are less concerned about disobeying than they are about disappointing. The disciples’ focus shifted from the commandments to the presence, from the assignment to the relationship, from “what I do for Him” to “how my choices affect Him.” This bestowal of friendship made the revolution we continue to experience possible.⁴

The Greeks of Jesus Day had their own concept of friendship.

In a battle against the Persians, Alexander demonstrated the genius that so endeared him to his men. He always led from the front, being the first to gallop headlong into the face of danger. At a place called Granicus, he personally engaged the Persians in hand-to-hand combat. His willingness to be the first to die in battle garnered intense loyalty from his soldiers. In this way, Alexander intentionally cultivated a small group of specially trained “Friends” that came to serve as his war cabinet. These men were friends in the specialized Greek sense—for the Greeks, a true friend was so close that he was considered to be a “Second Self” ⁵

Can we now say this in this way — you say that ‘Jesus is your Lord and friend, have faith in me?’
Now, let’s tie this idea of repetition back to Second Thessalonians.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: Suffering Persecution

We will do this tie-in by looking at what Paul talked about in First Thessalonians and see how he repetitively covered it in 2 Thessalonians.
Let’s look at enduring suffering and persecution for Jesus’ sake.

1 Thessalonians 2:14–16 (ESV) — 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

Here is the repeated concept in Second Thessalonians.
Paul hits it right out of the gate.

2 Thessalonians 1:4–8 (ESV) — 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering — 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: Holiness

Despite the oppression coming from people who either do not understand the gospel of Jesus or do not care about it at all, the standard to live a careful and holy life dies not change.
The Lord does not say, ‘Oh, you poor thing, you’re having such a bad time, go out and sin a little bit so your flesh will feel better.
No, this is the message.

1 Thessalonians 4:3–7 (ESV) — 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Paul is back at it in 2 Thessalonians.

2 Thessalonians 3:13–14 (ESV) – 13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: Idleness

If you recall, we did a podcast where we covered the words ‘admonish the idle.’
We talked about admonishment — we talked about idleness.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV) — 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Paul hits the idleness piece even stronger in his second letter to this church.

2 Thessalonians 3:6–11 (ESV) 6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

In First Thessalonians, we have three words on the subject.
In Second Thessalonians, we have an entire paragraph.
Repetition and amplification.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: Imitation

Let’s move on to the concept of ‘imitation’ — expressed in other words — ‘follow me as I follow Jesus.
Here it is in the first letter.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (ESV) — 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Bang, he hits this again in the second letter.

2 Thessalonians 3:7–9 (ESV) — 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

Repetition for Spiritual Growth: The Rapture and the Second Coming

You know that Paul addressed the Rapture and the Second Coming in the first letter.
This church had a lot of questions about this as we do today.

1 Thessalonians 4:15–16 (ESV) — 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

There is a great deal more coverage in the second installment.
I’ll just give you a brief snippet to prove the point of repetition.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 (ESV) — 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

So there we have it.
Why Repetition Is a Vital Need for Godly Spiritual Growth.

Now, Father God, you’re so good — so lovely — so patient to repeat — to teach — to help us develop and grow. Thank you for all of this in Jesus Name, Amen.

You guys have a great God week and we will see you next time for another edition of Light on Life.

One Necessary Component You Need for Spiritual Growth in God

__________

References:

Joe Linares, Proclaiming God’s Stories: How to Preach Old Testament Historical Narrative (Greenville, SC: Bob Jones University Press, 2009), 69. ↩
Tabletalk, April 1990, p. 18. ↩
Tabletalk, April, 1990, p.18, Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002). ↩
Johnson, Bill. Dreaming With God: Co-laboring With God for Cultural Transformation (pp. 23–24). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. ↩
(Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 7.23). William Simmons, “Alexander the Great,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). ↩

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Why Repetition Is a Vital Need for Godly Spiritual Growth

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Forty-Six

by Emery Horvath

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