1 Thessalonians 2 Part 5 Living By The Gospel Is a Praiseworthy Discipline

1 Thessalonians 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 

In our last post we fully examined this verse and the beautiful truths that come with it. 

We must receive the gospel as it truly is, the very Word of God. Therefore, we should have hearts overflowing with joy because of the glorious gospel of Christ.

The Word is ministered into our hearts by the Holy Spirit of God. The Word and the Spirit do a mighty work in us, seeking to transform each Christian more into the image of Jesus Christ, day by day.

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15)  Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 ) Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 

Paul presents the Jerusalem church as a pattern for other Churches and he viewed the church at Thessalonica as a model New Testament church.

The Churches of Jerusalem and Judea is where the gospel was first preached, where the first Christian was martyred and where the first vicious persecution began. 

Jesus warned about persecution and told us how to respond.

Matthew 10:16 -24 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17)  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18)  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19)  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20)  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21)  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22)  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23)  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 24)  The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 

When the first church was persecuted, many Christians left Jerusalem and spread the gospel out from there. 

During His earthly ministry, Jesus instructed His disciples about gospel ministry. He would send them out and said that the Jews would generally reject their preaching.

The apostles and other Christians would suffer harsh treatment, endure vile reproach, and have false charge made against them.

Jesus promised that the Spirit of God would teach them what to say in those circumstances. We have a Spirit guided record of the glorious sermons preached by Peter, James, Paul and Stephen in the book of Acts.

Then, when the apostles and disciples suffered persecution in one city, they were to flee to the next place and preach the gospel there. 

They did not murmur or complain. They just lived out the Great Commission and from Jerusalem they moved out through Judah, Samaria and other places (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

1 Thessalonians 1:5-8  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7)  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8)  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 

Paul did not have to push or exhort the Thessalonians to live by the gospel and to preach it to other people. 

The indwelling Spirit of God led them to fulfill the Great Commission and the Christians simply obeyed. 

They followed hard after the Lord by adhering to the apostolic doctrine. They spread the gospel from Thessalonica to Macedonia and into Achaia.

In like manner, the Thessalonians also suffered many things from unbelieving pagans and Gentiles at Thessalonica. 

In addition, the Jews created a hostile environment for the church. Yet, the Christians at Thessalonica were faithful to preach the gospel to their neighbors.

Then they shared the gospel with travelers who came through the city, such that the gospel spread out far from their home 

The same hardened unbelief and hatred of Jesus Christ that was manifested by the religious leaders at Jerusalem, was evident at Thessalonica.

How bad was the Jewish hatred of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul says that they killed their own Messiah, Jesus Christ, just as they previously killed the prophets that God graciously sent to them. 

The unbelieving Jews did not please God and were contrary or against all others. Instead of loving God and man as the law taught, they hated God and man.  

They viewed non Jewish people as scavenging dogs, a most hateful insult to hurl at anyone.  

They refused the gospel of Christ and did everything in their power to keep Paul from preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. 

It is worthy to note that in almost every case, unbelieving Jews incited persecutions against the apostles and the Church. 

When they could not do it themselves, they instigated others to do by recruiting common thugs and criminals from among the Gentiles. 

Thus, they caused frequent uprisings at Thessalonica, where opposition to the Gospel was high, and persecution of Christians was intense.

Yet, in spite of intense opposition, the Thessalonians remained faithful and did the work God had for them to do. They served as a model New Testament church. 

This is why Paul loved them so much.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20  But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 18)  Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 19)  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20)  For ye are our glory and joy. 

In writing to this church whom he loved greatly, Paul noted that due to persecution he was not able to stay with them as long as he wanted to stay. 

He really wanted to visit with them and see those Christians face to face because their hearts were knit together in gospel ministry.

Paul let them know that the Devil hindered his efforts to make a return visit to Thessalonica. 

He also let them know that they were a source of great joy, comfort and blessing to the aging apostle. 

The evidence of the fruit of God's Spirit in the hearts of the Thessalonians gave Paul great hope and highlighted the glory of the gospel.

Both Paul and those Christians had great anticipation for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to take them home to heaven.

May we lean on the Lord when persecution comes our way because of the gospel.

May we count it all joy to suffer for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

May we live in accord with the truth of the gospel and be faithful to share it with others. 

May we have a moment by moment anticipation of Christ's return, such that we are waiting, watching for Him to come. 

May we be motivated to worship God in Spirit and in truth, working for our Lord as long as we live.

Bob