1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
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Communication
Communication
equally important what is said and how it’s heard and received
effective and clear communication matters as does other things we’ll see.
Paul, in this section will call upon the memory of the church in Thessalonica a couple of times to prove his point.
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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.
Why does Paul point out that their coming to Thessalonica was not in vain, not a failure? Pointing out the obvious, this was a thriving church, clearly ordained by God to exist. Remember and Paul being blocked from going to Asia and the vision of the Macedonian man.
What would compel these men to continue, to push on from one town to the next? Look at verse 2, where does this boldness and courage come from?
Would we be able to continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ knowing that we would eventually be chased out of town, possibly beaten beforehand?
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. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 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.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-8
First lets look at verse 4, the word appeal—earnest and urgent request, this is not just the recital of theological information.
What’s at the heart of an appeal? Care and concern for others, a desire for God to be known and others to know and experience God. A fear of what’s to come.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Second the word entrust—to put something in the care of another. When do we use this word? This is something of tremendous value to us, our child, or guard a meaningful possession, not used whimsically.
Is there anything of more value than the Gospel? Do we regard the fact that we know it and “possess” it as something we’ve been entrusted with?
In these verses, 3-8, Paul gives us a list of what his ministry among them was not like, false accusations. In the process he also gives us a compare and contrast.
Who is Paul comparing and contrasting his ministry team with? The Judaizers or the other false teachers of his day.
So what else is Paul giving us here? A way to identify false teachers and bad churches.
Their appeal…
does not spring from error—the idea here is deceptive belief, wrong and misleading information. Do we know the truth and can we communicate it?
or impurity—filth, impure, and unclean things, unholy. The implication here has a sexual connotation. As if they were trying to get women to have sex with them.
or any attempt to deceive—to intentionally mislead, no trickery, no bait and switch.
Pause button
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.
—they have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel,
—because they have been approved by God, He has entrusted the Gospel to them.
Because God entrusted the Gospel to them, clearly they have been approved by God.
What does this say to us?
Their desire is to please Him who tests hearts.
Back to the contrast list
not to please men—not saying what others with influence or power want to hear, to accommodate their false beliefs or ignorance, to serve the whims and fancy of people
never came with words of flattery—tickling the ears, false insincere and excessive praise to satisfy ones vanity
nor with a pretext for greed—excessive desire for money, veiled desire for money and using their ministry influence to get it, profiting off of God
nor did we seek glory from people—honor and praise, to be elevated by the people to positions worthy of praise and honor.
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But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 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.
But rather, we were gentle, not rough, considerate and not pushy,
How does a nursing mother treat her child? Attentive, caring, wanting the best, ready to serve and provide what’s needed. Sacrificially placing the needs of the child above her own.
Paul says they were “affectionately desirous” of them? What does this mean? They had grown to love these people so much that they desired so strongly for them to truly understand the gospel.
Isn’t the gospel a one time share?
Does it take time to understand the gospel? It takes time to understand and work out the implications of the gospel, to apply all that it means to our lives.
We can make the transaction, give Jesus our rap sheet and take on His perfect record, justification, and we can await glorification, but it’s the sanctification that takes time.
Knowing who we are and Who’s we are matters.
How we view life, biblical God centered worldview, how I view myself in this world, my purpose, my desires, what I long for, strive for, want for others, am willing to do for others and why etc.
How we live out our success and failure, how we deal with difficult circumstances, all point to our belief and trust in the Gospel and the God who orchestrated it.
“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.”
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
How we live and treat others matters. What people see in us, feel from us, matters. Listen to verses 9-12
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. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 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.
Our labor and toil: we worked night and day, hard word matters. Living lives of work and community matters.
Why? That we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed the gospel of God. Don’t give the opportunity for any negative opinion. Not a free loader, not any impure motives.
You remember, you are witnesses, and God also—who’s watching? This is not for the praise of people, it’s for the honor of God.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
But it does matter to men, that they see something in us that draws them closer and does not push them further away.
This clearly matters to Paul and matters to the people we are ministering to.
Holy (in a devout manner, religiously and morally right), righteous (upright and just, mostly in his dealings with the people) and blameless (without reproach or fault) our conduct was,
Like a father with his children, another relational term, mother and her child, now father and his children, love, care, intimacy, relationship, etc.
Exhorted—to beg and plead with them to walk in a manner worthy of God
Encouraged—to console, comfort, motivate to walk in a manner worthy of God
Charged—to insist on and urge to walk in a manner worthy of God
Walk in a manner worthy of God—walking is the daily life we live, over time, devoted to God. Worthy of the sacrifice of Christ for us, so we can now live and be used by Him. Lives suited and reflecting the character of God
Who calls you into His own kingdom and glory—this is what has happened and also the motivation for us to live rightly. This is also ongoing, He keeps calling for us to become more, to do more now while in this world, but also forward looking to the ultimate glory to which we’ve been called and will one day enjoy.
