Message 2 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2 - Paul Recounts His Time In Thessalonica And Satan’s Opposition Series

MESSAGE 2 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 2 - PAUL RECOUNTS HIS TIME IN THESSALONICA AND SATAN’S OPPOSITION

THE PERSONAL RECALL

{{1Thessalonians 2:1-2 “You yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.”}}

“Once bitten, twice shy,” is a well-known statement that could have been applied to Paul at that time, but it did not! As he reminded the Thessalonians, Paul and Silas had suffered and had been mistreated in Philippi as these verses record - {{Acts 16:19-24 “When her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them, and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods, and when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely, and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks.”}}

After that treatment, you would understand if Paul was reluctant to be so bold in the gospel, but that would be cowardice and the Holy Spirit does not stand for cowardice. In boldness, motivated by the boldness of God, Paul pushed on with the enthusiasm only God can give. Much opposition is what Paul endured everywhere he went.

ENTRUSTED WITH THE GOSPEL

{{1Thessalonians 2:3 “for our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit, 1Thess 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be Entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God who examines our hearts. 1Thess 2:5 We never came with flattering speech as you know, nor with a pretext for greed - God is witness - 1Thess 2:6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority, 1Thess 2:7 but we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”}}

To be entrusted with responsibility is not a light thing. It can mean hardship and opposition. Paul calls it opposition in verse 2, where he also uses the words suffering and mistreatment, but it is also known as persecution. Christians must endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Christian jellyfish – a total contradiction. Paul had much hardship and here he reminded them of Philippi.

In the olden days in Australia the postmen were entrusted with the mail and rode horses and travelled by coaches to deliver her majesty’s mail (Queen Victoria). It took them through dangers of bushrangers and flooded streams but the mail had to get through. The USA had a similar scheme of its own.

To be entrusted with mail by the King of Kings means nothing less. We are entrusted with the gospel but so many throw that entrustment in the sorting room at the back, and forget about it. Many Christians act as if they are unworthy of belonging to Christ.

Entrustment means the following – full commitment (no part time Christians); endurance (run with patience the race before you); boldness (speak out and not fear man); and determination (Looking unto Jesus the Author of our faith).

** In verse 3 – the calling is honest and open (no deceit). It is a pure calling with no ulterior motives.

** In verse 4 – all actions of the ambassador of the gospel, are open to God’s examination. It is like you are continually giving account to God. There is a day of accountability before the Judgement Seat of Christ, but this one mentioned by Paul, is a continual one. It is like a daily reckoning.

** In verse 5 – God’s servant is not to be a man-pleaser (flattering words – don’t rock the boat, be flexible, tolerate devious opinions). This is the sorry state of too many churches. They have become politically correct, even adopting the WOKE agenda.

ALL motives must be pure, especially with regards to greed and materialism. Ministers in churches today are able to make ministry a “career move” and use worldly means and worldly principles. It is not a calling from God and there is no sense of being entrusted with the gospel.

** In verse 6 – not seeking vainglory or praise. Sinners saved by grace. Not thinking of yourself as someone important in your robes or position. As an apostle, Paul had the honour, but he did not lean on it at all. I always come back to the apostle John – “I who am your brother.”