Some churches are a joy to visit, from the moment you enter the door to the final farewell, the welcome, preaching and fellowship refresh the soul. Let’s look at a joyful church in 1 Thessalonians 2.
Were Paul and his coworkers bold about preaching the Gospel in Thessaloniki?
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result. On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 HCSB)
Were they preaching to please men or God?
For our appeal to you does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery. Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ISV)
Did they come with flattery or other pretext?
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 KJV)
Was their service like motherly love?
But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. In this way, having fond affection for you, we were pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become beloved to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 LSB)
Was their service diligent?
For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship: it was by working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; (1 Thessalonians 2:9-10 NASB)
Was their service like fatherly love?
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV)
Did they imitate other churches of God?
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, (1 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NKJV)
Did some of the Jews persecute them?
For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last. (1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 NLT)
Was Paul pleased with this church? Did it fill him with joy?
But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire, because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? For you are our glory and our joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 WEB)
Some churches are a joy to visit, from the moment you enter the door to the final farewell, the welcome, preaching and fellowship refresh the soul. Is your church like that? You decide!
