1 Thessalonians 2 part 2 It Is A Privilege To Share The Gospel With Others.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2)  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 

In our last post, Paul expressed his love for the Christians at Thessalonica. 

Their profession of faith was genuine because they immediately began serving the One,True Living God after turning away from idolatry.

The apostle reminded them of terrible treatment that he endured at Philippi. 

He also reminded them of the fierce opposition against the gospel that was stirred up by the Jews at Thessalonica.

Paul referred to persecution he suffered as a way to prepare them when they experience suffering for the sake of the gospel.

True pastors preach the gospel seeking to help people come to Christ. 

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4)  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

The word "exhortation" has an extensive meaning. It includes exhortation and teaching in general as well as encouragement and consolation.  

Apostolic exhortation was done with the intent that sinners should turn from evil to good, from misery to happiness, from Satan to God, and from hell to heaven. 

Since gospel preaching and exhortation was designed by God to be a great benefit to fallen mankind, the words they preached were consoling.  

Pure truth preached by the apostles was God's truth and their ministry pointed sinners to the Savior, Jesus Christ. 

The apostles preached Divine Truth and deceived no one. 

Christ's apostles never enriched themselves as false teachers do. False teachers are deceivers and lead people into grave error and heresy. 

Idolatry and pagan practices typically promoted sexual perversion, infanticide and unclean living. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is pure and holy because it comes from a pure and holy God.

Paul could say with all confidence that the gospel he preached was without guile. It is pure, unadulterated truth from God to mankind.

Paul considered himself to be the least of all the apostles. 

Ephesians 3:7-9  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8)  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 

Paul was always very humbled that the Lord Jesus called him to be an apostle, because before his conversion he relentlessly persecuted the church. 

He considered himself to be the chief of sinners who was not worthy to be an apostle, yet Jesus chose to use Paul in a profound way.

Paul was profoundly grateful that Jesus put him into the ministry. 

1 Timothy 1:12-13  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13)  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 

Notice the humility of Paul as he expresses his deep thankfulness to Jesus Christ. The Lord enabled Paul and counted him as a faithful servant for the ministry. 

As Saul, he was a blasphemer who sought to destroy the New Testament church. On the road to Damascus Saul found mercy when Jesus stopped him in his tracks.

Saul's conversion to Christ resulted in total commitment to Jesus. 

Acts 9:4-6  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5)  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6)  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 

Remember the first things that Saul said after the glory of Jesus blinded him and he heard the Savior's voice.

He asked "Who art thou Lord" by which he acknowledged that Jesus was indeed Lord of lords and King of kings.

Then he asked "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" The former church persecutor was now under the power of God and was ready to obey.

Paul's life was never the same after that moment. He lived the rest of his life serving Jesus Christ day and night. 

Humility comes when we know what God knows about us. 

Psalm 139:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2)  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3)  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4)  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 

The words of the Psalmist were ever before the apostle Paul. Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus and He spoke to Paul on other occasions (See Acts 18:9; 23:11).

Thus, Paul was keenly aware that the Lord Jesus knew his thoughts and words and that He searched his heart.

Thus, the apostle served Jesus with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength, until the Lord called him home to heaven.

Paul never got over the fact that Jesus would use a sinner like he used to be, to be one of His apostles, spreading the gospel throughout the Roman empire. 

False teachers twist the truth into a lie like the Devil did.

1 Thessalonians 2:5-6  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: 6)  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 

While Paul strongly and consistently proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he also showed that without holiness no one would see the Lord.

There can be no compromising the truth of God or else it ceases to be the gospel. 

This of course, is a monumental problem in many churches today. The gospel has been twisted into the lie of a prosperity, health, wealth and happiness gospel. 

Of course it is immensely popular because our fleshly lust covets wealth, good things, exciting experiences and happiness.

When corrupt "pastors" no longer preach about sin, the need to repent and be born again, they have changed the gospel into a lie. 

Satan spoke through the serpent to Eve in the garden of Eden. He added to what God said. 

God said in the day that they ate of the forbidden fruit, "thou shalt surely die." 

Satan added one simple three letter word "Ye shall not surely die." 

In like manner, corrupt pastors who seek riches for themselves, have created a false gospel, a man centered one that appeals to fleshly lusts.

Paul could say with a pure heart that he never used flattering words to entice sinners to believe the gospel. He never was covetous and seeking to become wealthy. 

He did not preach in order to receive the praise of men, for he sought only the praise of God (See John 12:42-43).

Paul never imposed a financial burden on the churches he planted, especially a church like the Thessalonians. Those people were mostly poor, yet they readily gave such as they had to minister to others.

Paul would rather do manual labor and make tents instead of asking them to support his needs for food, clothing shelter and traveling expenses. 

Christians should support pastors according to their ability.

Matthew 10:6-10  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7)  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8)  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9)  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10)  Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 

Jesus instructed His disciples to go forth preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven and not to take money, clothing or shoes when they traveled. 

Those to whom they preached were to support their needs in each town that they entered. This became the pattern for apostolic ministry. 

Yet, Paul would never ask a church to support him if he knew that it would place a heavy burden upon them.

Paul is teaching us a lot of truths in this chapter.

Each Christian is called to teach or make disciples of Christ one by one. 

Let us do so with happy hearts, even if we encounter indifference, resistance or suffer persecution.

Let us remember that all sin is grievous to God and that none of us deserve anything better than eternal condemnation in Hell.

Yet, when we exercise repentant faith in Jesus Christ, the Father gives us everything! 

He gives us eternal life and a home in heaven. 

He gives us a new heart and a new spirit so that we can walk in newness of life. 

He gives us the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us and lead us through this life.

We must seek to serve God as Paul did, with all of our heart, strength, soul, mind and energies. 

Bob