1 Thessalonians 2 - "In The Church We Don't Shoot Our Wounded!"
Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica
2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.
Paul constantly faced opposition, even violence, as he sought to spread the gospel. He always trusted God with the results. His only job was to preach the gospel purely and faithfully. And, sure enough as we talked about yesterday, the Thessalonian church not only received the gospel but were a light that spread the gospel to other churches near and far.
Note when we preach the gospel, we are not relying on any trickery or manipulation. The gospel speaks and acts for itself. There is power in God's Word, as the Holy Spirit convicts someone of their need for Christ. Paul was blameless in his ministry of preaching the gospel and never did anything which would be a stain on it. I.e Take money lest it appear he was profiting from his preaching.
Paul knew he was ultimately not responsible to any man but only to God. God would test and approve His work. Only God knows the true motives in our hearts. Importantly Paul was not looking for praise from others.
Do you see how Paul's strategy kept him from being discouraged? One, he realized the gospel is the only thing that can transform a human life. Two, he didn't evaluate himself on numbers or what people thought of him. Three, he focused solely on being faithful to his call to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. To preach in areas where no other man had preached.
Paul had to right to assert authority as God's chosen apostle, but instead like Jesus humbled himself and used his authority to serve.
Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Instead of using an authoritative model and creating an environment of legalism, Paul uses a metaphor of a caring mother. Paul and his colleagues loved them and they not only shared the gospel with them in word but also in deed. They developed relationships with them where they incarnated the love of Christ.
How we treat and serve others often speaks more loudly than our preaching. This is not to minimize preaching, but to say our lives need to be alignment with the gospel we preach. If we are not willing, like Jesus, to get down on our feet and wash feet, then something is missing.
Paul didn't have an attitude of entitlement with the Thessalonians. He and his companions worked hard day and night, so that they would have to ask them for money. Again Paul wanted to steer clear of any "optics" that might insinuate he was doing this for monetary gain. Paul mentions three specifically qualities of their pastoring of the church.
Encouraging - This is a huge gift in the church. We all need encouragement all the time. That is why each of us need to encourage one another. We need to encourage one another to live a life worthy of our calling in Christ.
Comforting - We all go through hard times, trial, and disappointments. There are times in our Christian life of great discouragment. We need the comfort of brothers and sisters in Christ who truly care about us.
Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burden and so fulfill the law of Christ!"
In the church we don't, "Shoot our wounded!"
Urging - Another word for this is "exhorting", or I like the word "challenging". Just like any good athlete needs a challenge, so do we as Christians. Paul compares his life to a runner who is going for the gold medal. He strives with everything he has to win the prize of the heavenly calling of Jesus.
Do you comfort, encourage, and challenge others to live a life worthy of their calling? Do you have someone that does this for you?
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Paul was deeply encouraged by the fact that when he preached the gospel, they received it into their hearts. This was an affirmation that God was at work in them. Every minister of the gospel needs time where we see the fruits of our labor. It can be just one person who has gone from death to life, because of our ministry of preaching and teaching the gospel.
One of the test of anyone's faith is when they are persecuted and threatened for it. Just like the Christian Jews in Judea suffered at the hands of unbelieving Jews. who tried to persecute them, so the Thessalonians stood steadfast in their faith. Paul shows that in his case when they drove him out of Jerusalem, it led him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles in the surrounding provinces.
This illustrates what Paul says in Romans 8:28, "God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose!"
God will handle these persecutors in time. We should continue to pray for them lest they incur the wrath of God. There is a great saying, "Justice delayed is not justice denied!"
Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians
17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
As we talk about encouraging, comforting and challenging each other, we know that someone hates this when it happens. His name is Satan. He knows this type of Christian is dangerous and could do much damage to his dark kingdom. Satan blocked Paul and his companions from getting to Thessalonica, because he know how much impact this church would have on the kingdom.
This is why we always need to pray for all pastors, leaders, missionaries, and all those who are bring the gospel to the unreached parts of the world for protection from the evil one. Satan hates in when a village or city receives the gospel. and people are filled with the Holy Spirit. He no longer has power over them and they can do much damage to him and his minions.
Finally, Paul says that the Thessalonians are part of the crown that he will wear one day in heaven. When we come into Jesus' presence, we will be rewarded for everything we have done in Jesus' name. Every person we have led to Christ, every person. every person we have helped in Jesus' name, and every gift and talent we have given for God's use will be revealed at the judgment seat of Christ.
Are you living for earthly crowns that will only fade away and rust when you die. Or, are you giving up your life for the heavenly crown that will never fade away?
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