1 THESSALONIANS Chapter TWO

Paul’s Ministry

Theme: The Coming of Christ Is a Working Hope

 By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Please consider reading the entire second Chapter of 1 Thessalonians sometime during each day of the week. This will help you absorb the content of the chapter as well as gain spiritual truths from this marvelous book of the Bible. You will be amazed at the insights that will come from such consistent readings, as well as the growth of your spiritual knowledge. You will also notice how God’s Word will impact your life in the way you relate to your Heavenly Father as well as think, act and treat others around you.

 

In order for this devotional to help you learn and apply what is beneficial to your spiritual growth, I would encourage you to approach this devotional study with a commitment to observe these five steps each day.

 

First, pray before you read the scripture, that you will seek to both understand and apply what you learn.

(Psalms 119)

 

Second, read the scripture passage with a passion and a desire to be convicted by what you read.

(Psalms 37:29-31)

 

Thirdly, seek to meditate and absorb what you read and respond to how the Holy Spirit will convict you to act.

(John 16:13-15)

 

Fourthly, challenge yourself how you might apply the convictions that come from the scripture and the Spirit.

(Psalms 1:1-3)

 

Fifthly, pray once again, that you will consistently act upon what the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do.

(James 1:22-25)

 

Below each portion of scripture I may at times present additional information helpful to understanding the passage. I will always give you questions for your consideration and to stimulate action on your part. You may not wish to explore each question, but I would challenge you to seek to address most if not all of the points I lay before you to gain the most from the devotional.

 

DAY ONE

 

“1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, 2 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.”

 

Truth always faces resistance in this world and Paul was persecuted in both Philippi and Thessalonica. After he left Thesssalonica, Jewish religious leaders continued to lie about Paul’s motives for sharing the gospel. One reason for Paul writing Thessalonians was to remind the followers of Christ that his motives for sharing the gospel were godly. The Greek word for “mistreated” in verse 2 means “expresses insulting and outrageous treatment and especially treatment which is calculated publicly to insult and openly humiliate the person who suffers from it.” The Greek word for “opposition” is “agoni” and means conflict or agony. Because of persecution and resistance to the gospel, there was a tremendous amount of inward agony Paul went through as he came to Thessalonica and even after he left to escape threats on his life.

 

* Have you ever faced persecution because you are a follower of Christ? If so, how did you respond?

* How do the Holy Spirit and God’s Word help you face such persecution?

 

Suffering is never pleasant, but often God uses it to refine our faith and cause us to draw nearer to Him. Max Lucado states in his devotion on 1 & 2 Thessalonians the following; “Time on God’s anvil should…clarify our mission and define our purpose. When a tool emerges from a blacksmith’s anvil, there is no question as to what it is for. There is no question as to why it was made…As a human being emerges from the anvil of God, the same should be true. Being tested by God reminds us that our function and task is to be about His business, that our purpose is to be an extension of His nature, an ambassador of His throne room, and a proclaimer of His message. We should exit the shop with no question as to why God made us.”

 

“3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;”

 

There were some people in Thessalonica that were attempting to cast evil lies around about Paul’s character and his preaching. Paul never perverted the gospel in any way, shape or form. Paul shares that his loving and truthful exhortation of the gospel of Jesus was always done in truth and love. He goes on to list three perversions in verse 3 that were being stated about him by twisted and selfish individuals.

 

* First he mentions error. How do some misrepresent the gospel out of error today?

* Secondly he mentions impure motives. How do some people share the gospel with impure motives in their ministry?

* Lastly he mentions deceitful ways. How are some individuals deceitful in the way they preach the Word of God?

* How can you deal with those who have been offended and/or led astray by such misrepresentation of the Gospel of Christ?

 

Paul greatest sermons were both in what he preached in words, but also in the way he lived as Jesus did.

 

* Do you live in such a manner? Is your talk of the gospel verified by your walking it out in everyday life? If not, pray right now that God will cause a work to happen in your life to make this so.

 

“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.”

 

God entrusted and approved Paul to share the gospel with others. God entrusts and approves you to do the same.

 

* Have you considered the privilege you have as a follower of Christ to share the gospel with others? Do you? If not, why not? How can you seek to be bolder in sharing the gospel with others?

Paul shares in verse 4 another inappropriate manner in which some individuals share the gospel, that of seeking to please people.

* How can the God’s truth be changed or watered down if we speak it to please people? Why do people do this?

* The temptation to be a “people pleaser” can be strong. How can you realistically avoid the pressure to be a “people pleaser?”

* If you have any questionable motives in how you live as a follower of Christ, read 1 John 1:9 and ask for God’s forgiveness? Thank Him for His promise to forgive and cleanse your heart.

* How does the knowledge that God examines our hearts when we share the gospel help us share the gospel in an appropriate manner?

 

DAY TWO

 

“5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed — God is witness”

 

Paul continues to list false accusations that have been made against him and to verify his pure motives. He now shares that he, Silas and Timothy never came with “flattering speech.”

 

* Have you ever witnessed someone preaching with “flattering speech” which seemed to indicate they were out for your attention, approval, money or possessions? How does such behavior degrade the gospel?

 

“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.”

 

Finally Paul mentions the final lie that has been said about him by those who would seek to cast aspersions on his ministry. He states that his motives were not to seek glory from those in Thessalonica. Sometimes those who are in leadership will seek glory for themselves and will exert their authority for personal power or gain. While Paul had every right to claim apostolic authority, he did not do so in this case and therefore did not take advantage of his position. It should also be said though, that those in authority in the local church will sometimes find it necessary at times, to exert their authority to fulfill their role of responsibility in a Biblical fashion. This should always be done with humility and love, but with God-directed firmness based on Holy Scripture and for the best interest of the person or persons involved.

 

* Have you experienced a situation when someone in authority in a church acted in an abusive inappropriate authoritarian manner? If so, how did this make you feel? Did it alter your reception of what they were saying?

* How can we discern when our offense to those in authority in the church is due to their handling of the situation inappropriately or if it is really a case of us not getting our own selfish way or desires? How can this disagreement among followers of Christ be resolved?

* Have you experienced a situation when someone in authority in a church acted in a very responsible and loving manner when addressing a very tense and controversial matter? How did their godliness and wisdom reflect a servant attitude and also a godly source of wisdom?

* How did this serve as an example of how you should respond to a similar tense situation that might occur in your own life?

 

“7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

 

Paul now moves to sharing the manner in which he, Silas and Timothy came to the followers of Christ at Thessalonica. He wanted to communicate to the Christians at Thessalonica that he as well as Timothy and Silas were loving “servant-leaders.” He uses an analogy of how a mother tends to her precious babies and children. God also demonstrates this kind of love for us in many ways.

 

* How can a loving, gentle, kind person have more impact on your life when it comes to instructing you in what you need to do?

* Are you this type of person? If not, what can you do to allow God to mold you into this Christ-like type of individual?

 

DAY THREE

 

“8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”

 

Paul opens his tender heart and shares how much affection he had for the followers of Christ at Thessalonica. He demonstrated his affection for them by not only sharing the gospel with them, but also his very life because he valued them highly.

 

* Do you demonstrate such affection and care for most Christians you know?

* Do you show your affection for non-believers by sharing the gospel with them? If not, why not?

* Do you understand that sharing the life of Christ as well as His gospel means sharing your life with others, spending time with them and investing in a relationship? If not, can you start this doing so this week? It will bring great glory to God and nourish your spirit.

 

“9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.”

 

Paul set a godly example as a leader. He did not live off of other followers of Christ, but instead was a common laborer and tentmaker.

 

* Does it offend you at times that many television evangelists and pastors often plead for money and donations?

* We know that any ministry requires funds and resources to function. How can you discern responsible ministries from charlatans who are greedy for money?

 

DAY FOUR

 

“10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;”

 

Paul reminds the Thessalonian Christians that they witnessed the godly examples that Paul, Silas and Timothy expressed when they were in Thessalonica. He also mentions that God was a witness to their actions and behavior as well.

 

* Do you live a quality life of godliness before others? If not, what areas of your life need improvement so your witness of Christ can be blameless? Will you commit to working with the Holy Spirit this next week on these areas?

 

We can always muster up some form of good behavior when in front of other people but how do you think and act when no one is looking.

 

* Do you realize that God is always aware of not only your actions, but also your thoughts and feelings?

* Knowing that God loves you and wants to assist you in living as Jesus did, how can you relax, pursue a deep relationship with God and seek to live so others would witness devoutness, uprightness and a blameless lifestyle like Paul’s?

 

“11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,”

 

Earlier in verse 7 Paul spoke of his gentle and tender motherly love for the Thessalonians. Now he speaks of his role as their spiritual father. He describes this role as threefold; exhortation, encouragement and imploring. Paul’s spiritual exhortation is his attempt to urge and advise with caution as to how to walk as Jesus Christ walked. As followers of Christ the Holy Spirit often will exhort us through the use of scripture. Pastors and teachers of scripture will also exhort us. The word for “exhort” in the Greek is “parakaleo” which means Paul came alongside of them to help, convict and encourage them to live for Christ. The same word is used to describe the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

 

* Can you think of how 1 Thessalonians is exhorting you to walk more consistently in your Christian life? Are you following through with these exhortations? If not, why?

 

Paul also encouraged followers of Christ at Thessalonica to continue walk as He had taught them. Encouragement is giving someone support, confidence or hope.

 

* In what ways has your devotional study of 1 Thessalonians supported you in your walk with Christ, more confidence to face trials and hope that Christ will one day return?

 

Paul also implored the Christians in Thessalonica to continue to live as they were taught by Him. The Greek word for “implore” in this verse means “to persuade.” There is always urgency in how the gospel should be affecting our lives. We only have one brief life to serve God and grow in holiness. When someone implores us, they are earnestly and desperately begging us to do something. Paul was expressing himself in this manner to impress upon the followers of Christ at Thessalonica the extreme importance of keeping in step with the Spirit by walking in step with the Spirit and living as Jesus Christ would.

 

* If Jesus were to personally implore you to model your life after His, would you? Do you realize when you read scripture or hear it preached to you that God is often imploring you to make changes in your life? Do you always respond to God’s teaching by making changes in your thought patterns, lifestyle, habits and the ways you treat others? If not, why not?

 

“12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”

 

In verse 12 Paul explains why he has been exhorting, encouraging and imploring the Thessalonian Christians. He does so in order that they will seek to walk wisely in their faith; in order that they walk in a manner worthy of their Heavenly Father. The word “walk” is a regular Pauline word for “behavior.” Our behavior is basically how we place one foot in front of another as we walk in life. Good behavior, keeping in step with the Spirit and walking according to the teachings of Jesus, is taking care of the direction we walk and how we take our daily steps in life.

 

* Why don’t we just naturally walk worthy according to how God calls us to walk spiritually?

* What benefits do you receive if you walk in a manner according to Holy Scripture and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

 

Verse 12 tells us that God calls us “into His own kingdom and glory.” This calling by God is both an honor and a privilege.

 

* Describe ways you can live up to the holy calling God has called you to?

* What resources does God give us to live up to this holy calling?

 

DAY FIVE

 

“13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

 

Paul used two Greek words to describe the Thessalonians’ response to the Gospel: “paralambano” for “received” and “dechomai” for “accepted.” “Paralambano” denotes an objective, outward receiving. “Dechomai” denotes a subjective reception, a reception that involves welcome and approval, such as receiving a guest into your home. This twofold description of receiving God’s Word is important. It means we must sit under the teaching of God’s Word to us, but we must also receive it personally into our lives and apply it to how we think, feel and act upon it.

 

* Do you both “receive” and “accept” God’s Word? Do you receive it as ultimate truth which can change your life? Do you accept its transforming power and let it settle down in your heart and mind? If you do, what evidence in your life could you share that would prove you have done so?

 

Paul states that the words he spoke to the Thessalonians were not his own words but the words of God. There is a spiritual power that the Holy Spirit possesses that He uses with Holy Scripture in order that He can penetrate your heart and mind, to convict you of sin and motivate you to take action to live holy and pure.

 

* Do you regularly, when reading scripture or hearing it preached to you, recognize God speaking to you in a personal manner? If so, do you follow through with the godly instruction and conviction? If not, why not?

* Can you list a few instances when you felt the power of God while reading scripture or while sharing it with others?

 

The Christians in Thessalonica appreciated the gospel as the Word of God. They appropriated it into their hearts and minds and applied the Word of God to the way they lived.

 

* Are you appreciating Holy Scripture as living words from the Lord? How does this affect the way you read and comprehend it?

* Are you appropriating the Word of God by allowing it to permeate your heart and mind? How does this affect the way you think and feel?

* Are you applying the Bible to your everyday life? In what ways can you put into practice what you read in God’s Word?

* Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and list how you are appropriately allowing the Word of God to work in your life. If there are areas you are not allowing it to work, seek this next week to allow the Holy Spirit to change these hindrances to your spiritual growth and obedience to God.

 

DAY SIX

 

“14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, 16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.”

 

Unfortunately some of the Jews not only killed our Savior, they also persecuted Christians for their faith in Him. Short-sighted members of the Jewish Priesthood regarded themselves as chosen by God for privilege, when in reality they were chosen by God to serve the world through His Son Jesus Christ. They misinterpreted their calling and failed to respond to their true godly ministry in the world. Paul informs the Thessalonians that they have kindred brothers and sisters in Judea, for they were enduring persecutions and hardships for their faith, just as those Christians in Judea.

 

* What are some hardships or persecutions you have endured and gone through because you were known to be a Christian?

 

Paul mentions that the followers of Christ at Thessalonica were experiencing sufferings at the hands of their own countrymen because of their faith.

 

* Why does persecution by those close to you seem to be more difficult to endure or more harsh than persecution by strangers?

* How do suffering and trials draw followers of Christ together and deepen their closeness of fellowship?

 

Paul tells us in verse 15 that those who rebel against God will always be around us while we are on this earth. They were present in the Old and New Testament times and they continue to be with us today. They crucified Jesus on the cross and they will persecute us at times as well.

 

* Do you struggle with why God allows such rebellious people to remain on the earth and why He allows them to mistreat followers of Christ? Why do you think God allows this?

* While you may not have mistreated Christians before you came to Christ, wasn’t it merciful for God to allow you to rebel against Him until you became a follower of Christ? How are you thankful for this mercy?

* Other than prayer, how can you express your thanks to God for His patience and mercy?

 

DAY SEVEN

 

“17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while — in person, not in spirit — were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.”

 

Paul expresses his love and concern for the followers of Christ at Thessalonica by stating that while he, Silas and Timothy were removed from their presence physically, they still felt a very close bond to them in spirit.

 

* Do you have this same spiritual bond with Christians who are members of your fellowship or who are Christian friends of yours? If so, how has this bond been formed over the years?

* If you do not have this type of deep bond with other Christians, what hinders you from this type of deep friendship? How can this change? Does it require more on your part to facilitate this type of bond with other Christians? Usually it does. What steps can you take to build deeper relationships with other Believers?

 

“18 For we wanted to come to you — I, Paul, more than once — and yet Satan hindered us.”

 

Here Paul shares a most curious statement, “Satan hindered us.” While Satan did not physically appear in front of them to hinder them, Paul was convinced that Satan was the cause of the hindrances that prevented them from returning to Thessalonica. The word for hindered in the Greek is “egkoptein” and is a technical word for putting up a road-block calculated to stop an expedition on the march. Satan and his demons seek to throw road-blocks in our path to hinder us from growing spiritually and expressing our spiritual gifts in ministry.

 

* Have you had situations that have occurred in your life that seemed to be very obvious that Satan was hindering your path or causing things to happen to hinder what God wanted you to do?

* How can we know when negative events are satanic hindrances or when they are just due to the fact that we live in a fallen evil world?

* How did you handle these situations? Did you pray? Seek counsel from wise Christian counselors? How does walking moment by moment with the Holy Spirit while you are immersed in God’s Word help you deal with these situations? Compare Ephesians 5:18 and Colossians 3:16 with one another. How does letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly encourage us to be filled with the Spirit?

 

“19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.”

 

Paul states that he, Silas and Timothy consider the Christians at Thessalonica; their hope, joy and crown of exultation, because when Christ returns they will all be in the presence of the Lord. Paul shares a similar thought in 2 Corinthians 2:14. When we go to Heaven and see all those we ministered to and shared the gospel with, we will take great joy in seeing them there. Paul uses the word crown in this verse which in the Greek is “stephanos” which is in reference to the victor’s crown in some contest, especially an athletic event. The prize Paul valued most was seeing those he shared the gospel with grow spiritually and in their faith.

 

* How will your hope be fulfilled when you see people you shared the gospel with in Heaven?

* How will those you brought to the Lord and ministered to be a crown upon your head, your glory and joy?

 

John MacArthur states in his commentary on this verse that, “Paul understood that when believers reach heaven, they do not receive literal crowns to place on their glorified heads. Instead, the Lord will crown all believers with life, righteousness, glory, perfection, and joy. A great part of heaven’s bliss for the redeemed will be the joyful presence of those whom they have been used to reach.”

 

As followers of Christ we face many hardships and trials, much like the Christians at Thessalonica. Warren W. Wiersbe states in his book on 1 & 2 Thessalonians, “Be Ready,” “Don’t give up! Lay hold of the spiritual resources you have in Jesus Christ. You have the Word of God within you, the people of God around you, and the glory of God before you. There is no need to give up.”