April 17, 2016
Evening Service

Tonight we continue with the first letter Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica.  He was concerned with their well-being after his visit had been cut short by a riot that had been started by a group of jealous Jews.  After a period of time he had sent Timothy to check on their spiritual growth and how they were holding up against the persecution they were facing.  Timothy brought word that all was well and the church was flourishing.  Chapter one was Paul affirming the church and giving them a huge “Atta boy.”  He also briefly touched on the subject of personal character in verse 5.  He will expound upon that in more detail here in chapter 2.

  1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 For, my brothers, you yourselves know our coming in to you, that it was not in vain.  (2)  But also suffering before, being insulted in Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much agony.

·         Paul reminds them of the suffering he and Silas had endured in Philippi right before coming to them in Thessalonica.  They had been beaten and imprisoned for sharing their faith.  This did not hinder Paul from boldly speaking the gospel to them.

·         How do we handle troubles, trials, failures and setbacks?  Do we allow them drag us down?  Do we wear them like a scar for others to feel sorry for us?  Paul didn’t, he had a single minded goal that he always kept him moving forward.

 

Philippians 3:13-14  My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

·         He had a short memory and a drive to press on toward the prize of the high calling he had been given on that road to Damascus.

·         The church in Thessalonica was happy that Paul did not quit after his troubles at Philippi.  We all need to work on our “never quit” attitude because the message is far too important and there are many who still need to hear it.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4  For our exhortation to you was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile,  (4)  but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries our hearts.

·         As Paul mentions the traits he displayed while he was among them it is not to build himself up, but to give strength to his message.  His actions (character) gave them confidence that his words truly were approved by God.

·         How do we distinguish if someone is being truthful with us or not?  Do they have ulterior motives or are they trying to deceive us?  An easy answer is also a question; do their actions match their words?

·           It becomes a matter of trust and because of the character Paul displayed the people in Thessalonica trusted him and believed his message.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor with pretense of covetousness; God is witness.  (6)  Nor did we seek glory from men, neither from you nor from others, being able to be so with heaviness, as apostles of Christ.

·         Paul never preached anything to elevate himself or receive the praises of men, nor did he speak to gain anything from them.   He also did not invoke the burden of helping him financially as it was his right as an apostle. (Character)

 

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 But we were gentle among you, even as a nursing mother warmly cherishes her children.  (8)  So affectionately longing for you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because you have become beloved to us.

·         Rather than being strong and demanding of these new converts, he was acted as a loving mother with her infant.  Just as a mother places the baby’s needs above her own, so it was with Paul and the Thessalonians.

·         Following Christ is not an easy journey.  There are times we must sacrifice our own needs and desires to fulfill the calling God has laid out before us.  Jesus, Himself said this in Luke:

Luke 9:23-24  And He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  (24) For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for My sake, he shall save it.”

·         The character we are to possess is one of self-denial and serving others.   We all have been given a cross to bear, a ministry to fulfill, a family to care for or any of the many other things we have been called into action to do. 

·         The world will tell you to put your own happiness first and do whatever makes you feel good.  God asks us to follow Him and put Him first in our lives.  True happiness and contentment only come from the latter scenario.  We have not been created to please ourselves, but God.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:9-10 For, brothers, you remember our labor and toil. For laboring night and day in order not to put a burden on any one of you, we preached the gospel of God to you.  (10)  You and God are witnesses how holily and justly and blamelessly we were to you, who believe,

·         Paul “labored and toiled” night and day at his “day job” of tent making so that those he was ministering to would not have to carry the burden of supporting him financially.  This speaks volumes of the character that Paul possessed.  The Thessalonian church received the gospel message at no cost to them, but Paul certainly paid a high price for it.

·         He had every right to ask for and even demand financial support for his efforts, yet his desire to preach far outweighed his desire for money.  Far too many churches and Christian ministries limit their effectiveness with their never ending pleas for financial support.

·         Paul went to great personal effort to keep this from being a problem in Thessalonica.  We also try to avoid that same area of concern by not passing the offering plate in our services.

·         Paul’s character of self- sacrifice made his words much more powerful. 

·         What does our character do for our witness for Christ?   Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonian church is the same exhortation he now gives to us tonight.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12  (11)  even as you know how we exhorted and comforted and testified to each one of you, as a father to his children,  (12)  that you should walk worthy of God, who has called you to His kingdom and glory.

·         Paul speaks as a father to his children to have a walk, live a life, that is worthy of our calling.  In ourselves, we will always be found unworthy, but as we submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s control and do our best to follow Christ we are made complete in Him.

·         Our desire to walk worthy of our calling is what God is after.  He wants us to live a life that reflects what we believe.

·          Paul’s character was defined by how his actions supported his words when he told the Galatian church this:

 

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.

 

Lord may You build our character in such a manner that our words are given the power of a life crucified with Christ.