1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

In this section of Scripture, Paul is calling on the Thessalonians to remember their work among them.

Paul no doubt faced many accusations about his life and ministry, and he defends himself by appealing to the Thessalonians to remember the facts about his time among them.

Zig Ziglar

With integrity you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt. With fear and guilt removed you are free to be and do your best. — Zig Ziglar

There were those who sought to discredit Paul. They sought to discredit his message, his character, and his intentions.

Paul simply reminds the Thessalonians of what they already know to be true based on their experience with Paul when he was there.

“I’m going to remind you how we behaved among you, so that you may be confident of our genuine love for you.”

OPENING ILLUSTRATION/QUESTION

Story of me telling payroll I had been overpaid.

Story of me smuggling Jessica’s rings.

CAN YOU THINK OF A TIME WHEN YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE DID THE RIGHT THING? OR MAYBE THEY GOT CAUGHT BECAUSE THEY DID THE WRONG THING?

As we begin looking at Paul’s defense of his ministry, the first thing we will see is…

The Desired Motivation of the Gospel

If we want to be faithful, approved servants of God, we need to have the right motivation.

BACKGROUND INFO

1 Thessalonians 2:1 “For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.”

Paul has already shown how there was discernable fruit from their visit to the Thessalonians, which they were well aware of.

We talked about the evidence of the fact that God had been working among them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 2:2 “But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.”

We still came to you, despite suffering and being shamefully treated, because we have boldness and confidence in our God and His gospel.

They had suffered in Philippi...

They were beaten with rods, and thrown in prison.

They had been shamefully treated...

They had their garments torn off, and were treated as foreigners.

EVEN STILL, they willingly came to preach the gospel in Thessalonica, despite facing opposition there as well.

Why? How was it they were willing to endure suffering and continue?

They had the right motivation.

They desired to be faithful messengers.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 “For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

God’s gospel message was one of truth.

Free from error, impurity, or deception.

Since it comes from God who cannot lie, we know it is true.

Likewise, Paul says that they did not attempt to change the message in any way in order to manipulate the Thessalonians.

They remained true to the message.

Paul then states that they had been considered worthy messengers of the gospel of God.

They had been “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,”

God had set them apart as His ambassadors to bring His message to the Gentiles.

They rightly considered it a great honour and privilege to be God’s messenger boys.

Therefore, they desired to speak in such a way that they would be pleasing to God.

God’s message was one of truth, and they were not going to modify it to please men, because ultimately God will hold them accountable… and He knows their hearts.

They were not in it for money.

1 Thessalonians 2:5 “For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.”

Flattery is used in order to gain favour with someone, or gain power over them.

Flattery is also used when there is an underlying desire for money.

The word used here for pretext means cloak. Paul is saying they did not come to Thessalonica, claiming to be there for God, meanwhile, hiding their secret desire to get their money.

We think of that shady person in an alley trying to sell some stolen watches or jewelry. They have a long cloak, lure you in, look around to make sure nobody’s looking, and then open it up and show you the goods.

This IS NOT what Paul was doing!

They did not have to hide anything, since their desire was to be faithful messengers to God.

They were not in it for their own glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:6 “Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy did not have any desire to become famous.

The desire to become famous brings with it the potential for the message to become distorted, since your aim becomes people-pleasing.

They also did not have a desire to take advantage of their status and position for personal gain or pleasure.

Their desire was to be pleasing to God.

Paul, SIlvanus, and Timothy had the right motivation.

Their main desire was to be pleasing to God.

That was the only gauge they used to measure their success.

W. A. Criswell tells the story of a train master, who was responsible for the smooth operation of a busy depot in the heart of a crowded city.

A passerby commended him for his obvious display of grace and tact as he juggled his many responsibilities, including answering passenger’s queries, giving directions, and maintaining the smooth operation of the depot.

“How do you do it?" the passerby asked. "With so many hurried people, disgruntled, and angry… how do you maintain your composure?"

The train master replied, “Why, it is no big deal. I do not have all these people to please. I only have to please just one man." He pointed to an office and to a window on the second floor, and he said, “My master sits in that office, and it is he alone that I have to please.”

Mark, Howell, speaking on this story, says,

“Nothing is more liberating in ministry than to recognize that God is the only one whom you and I must please. Such a conviction not only frees us from the tyranny of people pleasing, but it also emboldens us to speak God’s truth with power and conviction.” — Mark Howell

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Why do many people view Christians as phony or fake?

They think they claim to be perfect… they don’t make any mistakes;

They think the church is a scam just trying to take your money;

They think faith is a cop-out.

Do we ever give them reason to think we are fake? How so?

If we act inconsistently with what we say we believe;

Do Christians have to be perfect/sinless?

No, but there should be distinguishing marks of authenticity.

This is Paul’s whole point. Remember how I acted among you.

We should look different from others.

As we continue looking at Paul’s defense of his ministry, we see…

The Desired Example of the Gospel

If we want to be faithful, approved servants of God, then we need to be the right example to others.

The first example we see from Paul is…

The example of a mother.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.”

A nursing mother is attentive to every single detail of her baby. She notices even the slightest change.

I remember experiencing this watching Jessica take care of all of our children. Even now, nothing escapes her notice. This is something that I as a father cannot understand.

A mother takes care of the baby, feeds it, washes it, makes sure its warm enough… but not too warm, gives it belly time, changes the scenery so the baby can look around, takes it outside to get some fresh air.

A mother hears even the slightest sound, and is ready to tend to it at a moments notice.

This is how Paul says that they acted among the Thessalonians.

They were gentle, and caring, just as a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”

There was such a deep affection for them, that Paul and his companions were willing to give of themselves.

They did not come as emotionally removed people, who wanted to come in, give their message, and get out. They were invested!

So much so that they were willing to spend themselves for the growth and advancement of the Thessalonians.

This is the example of how a mother takes care of her baby. She gives of every part of herself for the growth and well-being of a baby, in hopes that it will grow into a mature, fully-grown adult.

It is this example of love, care, and nurture that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had among the Thessalonians.

The next example we see is…

The example of hard work.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.”

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy worked hard while in Thessalonica to provide for their own needs.

Their desire was not to be a burden to them financially.

Paul gave up his right to be compensated for his work so as not to put any stumbling block in the way of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:12 “If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.”

Paul wanted to separate himself from others who went around “serving the Lord” asking for money.

His hope was that this would express his sincerity.

He wanted to be known as a hard worker, who was genuine in his desire to preach the truth of God.

This was a hill he was willing to die on.

1 Corinthians 9:15 “But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.”

The next example we see is…

The example of purity.

1 Thessalonians 2:10 “You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.”

Paul speaks of the purity with which they walked before the Thessalonians.

He uses three words to describe their purity:

Holy — Free from sin in his own personal life.

Righteous — Just and fair in his actions and decisions.

Blameless — No accusation against him will stand.

Blameless: “Free from glaring reproach in the world, with a more or less mature habit of keeping short accounts by confessing sin, and walking in significant victory over temptation.” — John Piper

Paul and his companions walked in purity before the Thessalonians.

They had nothing to fear, because they had nothing to hide.

They acted with complete holiness, righteousness, and blamelessness before them.

The final example we see is…

The example of a father.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

A father is personally invested in the lives of his children. He is free from any false motives. There is nothing really to be gained by lovingly guiding, and directing your children. It only costs you time, money, and effort.

Paul uses the example of a godly father to desribe how they were among the Thessalonians.

We see the loving guidance of a godly father described in three ways:

Exhortated each one of you

literally, “to call alongside,” and is related to the noun which refers to the Holy Spirit, which means, “one who comes alongside.”

Just like a father comes alongside a child to teach, Paul called the Thessalonians to come alongside him as he instructed them.

Encouraged you

this word refers to comfort and consolation.

A father has to lovingly comfort and console his children because they face many disappointments, discouragements, and failures.

In this same way, Paul was patient as he instructed the new believers in Thessalonica.

Charged you

charge; implore; to beg.

Here we think of a father who desperately desires his children to walk in obedience, or else there will be consequences.

Paul, like a father, was begging the Thessalonians to walk in a manner worthy of God, so that they wouldn’t experience His discipline.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Paul sought to build a relationship with the Thessalonians. Why is his example so important to the church today?

“People don’t care how much you know, till they know how much you care.”

This shows we are truly invested in the person, and not in it for ourselves.

We must help one another “walk in a manner worthy of God”

Why do we struggle to build these sort of close relationships with others in the church?

We don’t want to be vulnerable for fear of being exposed.

It is uncomfortable for us.

How can we do a better job “sharing our very selves” (v. 8) with others?

No, but there should be distinguishing marks of authenticity.

This is Paul’s whole point. Remember how I acted among you.

We should look different from others.

As we continue looking at Paul’s defense of his ministry, we see…

The Desired Result of the Gospel

No matter how faithful we are as servants of God, we cannot change people’s hearts.

We long for the truth of God to penetrate their hearts, but we cannot bring about that transformation. It is a work of God. Which is why Paul thanks God for the way He worked in the hearts of the Thessalonians.

The Thessalonians accepted God’s Word as authoritative.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”

We remember that Thessalonica was a hot-bed for different religions and idol-worship.

This makes their change of heart all the more miraculous!

They had turned away from a belief in many religions, to belief in One God, based on their belief that the Bible was truly the Word of God.

As the Word of God, it was far superior to human wisdom/testimony.

Every two years, Ligonier Ministries, together with LifeWay Research, partner together to find out what Americans believe about God, salvation, ethics, and the Bible.

Their goal in doing this is to help Christians better understand today’s culture and to equip the church better insights for discipleship.

One of the statements they asked for opinions on was…

“The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.”

- 53% US Adults Agreed

- 26% US Christians Agreed

53% of the general population of US Adults believed that statement to be true.

Over half of US Adults do not believe God’s Word is true.

26% of evangelical Christians believed that statement to be true as well.

More than every 1 out of 4 evangelical Christians do not believe God’s Word to be true.

As Christians, we must believe in the authority of God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Scripture is not man’s word, but God’s Word.

It has been breathed out by Him, and is profitable to us.

Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We need God’s Word to keep us from being conformed to this world.

It is what God uses, by the power of His Spirit to transform and renew our minds.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

If we were to look at the amount of time the average Christian spends in God’s Word, what would that say we believe about the Bible?

It would seem inconsistent. If it’s truly God’s inspired Word, we should be spending more time in it.

Why is it so important for us to be in God’s Word as Christians?

We are so easily distracted by the things of this world.

The Thessalonians proved their faith through suffering.

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 “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, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 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!”

The Jews had a history of opposing God.

They killed His prophets all through history, and ultimately killed Jesus, the Son of God;

Now they are driving out the church of God, and trying to stop them from preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.

They do not want them to saved.

The churches of Christ had been experiencing this suffering at the hand of the Jews.

Paul commends the Thessalonians for suffering like them, except at the hands of their own countrymen.

This proves that they are true disciples of Christ.

Matthew 13:20-21 “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.”

The Thessalonians were not like that. They endured the suffering, and so proved to be genuine believers.

Therefore Paul rejoiced with them.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Why is suffering a necessary part of life?

Because it helps us see who true believers are.

Satan and the story of Job. He assumes we only serve God for what He gives us.