1 Thessalonians 2 | Facing Trials with Faith

Why is sincerity important in Christian ministry? 

In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul continues his letter by emphasizing his genuine motives and deep love for the believers in Thessalonica. He recalls how he and his companions did not rely on flattery, greed, or seek human approval when they first preached the gospel. Instead, they approached them with the sincerity and tenderness of a nursing mother, caring deeply for their spiritual well-being. Paul underscores that they shared not just the message of the gospel but also their very lives, reinforcing the authenticity of their ministry and commitment to God’s work.

Paul further commends the Thessalonian believers for their response to the gospel, acknowledging that they received it not as mere words from men, but as the true Word of God. He highlights their perseverance under persecution, drawing parallels between their sufferings and those of other churches in Judea. This mutual endurance in the face of opposition underscores their genuine faith and deep-rooted commitment to Christ. Paul’s words serve as an encouragement, reminding them that their faith is firmly anchored in God's truth.

He also expresses his longing to see them again, recounting how he was torn away from them due to sudden persecution. Despite being physically absent, Paul's heart remained with them, and he constantly prayed for them. His desire to return and encourage them face-to-face is a testimony to his deep pastoral care and commitment. Paul’s letters aim to strengthen the believers, reassure them of their faith, and guide them in their spiritual journey.

Paul uses this chapter to call the believers to remain focused on God's mission, avoiding the temptations of self-glorification or loyalty to human leaders rather than to God. He applauds the Thessalonians for their steadfastness and faithfulness, encouraging them to keep their eyes on Christ amid trials and tribulations. He draws attention to their need to remember why they first believed and to continue living in a manner worthy of God.

Overall, 1 Thessalonians 2 serves as both a reflection of Paul’s pastoral heart and an exhortation to the Thessalonian church to remain firm in their faith, even in the face of adversity. His words remind believers of the importance of sincerity in ministry, a commitment to God over people, and the value of enduring faithfulness.

#BibleStudy #Thessalonians #ApostlePaul #FaithJourney #ChristianLiving #Perseverance #ChurchLeadership #GospelTruth #SpiritualGrowth #NewTestament

Transcript

 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2

[00:00:00] Hey everyone. Welcome to God's plan. Your part year two, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire new Testament one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's plan and your part in it. Today, we were looking at first Thessalonians chapter two, and Paul here, I think is just continuing to build a strong, Uh, case and a strong, I guess, foundation for who he is and what he's doing and the work that he was laying out in Thessalonica slash Thessalonica, depending on who you want to listen to.

Yeah, I, I'll go with the latter. But anyway, uh, I do appreciate again, Paul's intro. It seems like a little bit more of an extended introduction to, um, because he's, he's kind of like going back to how they originally came to faith and it was not necessarily because of, um, anything grand or fantastic that happened on the parts of what Paul and his message was, but that they genuinely understood that God was calling them to something different.[00:01:00]

So I do appreciate that in this chapter. Um, he does talk again after he's kind of Like, given that fluffier intro about wanting to see them again, he's very encouraged by what the church is up to. Right? Is that what you, I mean, that's kind of the vibe I'm getting. And so it's. I don't know. This just seems like another church that he's kind of like wearing that, that proud dad badge for.

All right. So one of the verses that stuck out to me the most, and it just gives me a lot of food for thought. It's where Paul's speaking about his own motivations. And I think by extension, the motivations of the guys that were with him and sharing the gospel with him. Uh, it says, For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with the pretext for greed God is witness.

Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. You could say proud. [00:02:00] Dad, I guess, like Jenny likes to say. Um, so being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, uh, because you had become very dear to us.

So this little segment sticks out to me because it, it does seem, uh, very sincere and I think it. Probably is like a great foundation for any of our motivations in serving Christ. And, and as we serve Christ serving other people, I think this is a good, um, I don't know, like, like almost like a rubric maybe, or like a, A guidebook on what it looks like to care well for others and to represent Christ.

Well, we have to be careful that we're not being full of flattery, uh, that we are not being greedy and not seeking glory from people. And I can tell you, um, from, you know, working in as a pastor and working ministries and all those kinds of things, like those are very clear temptations. Um, especially when you're like, uh, when you're like, Leading something like when if you're leading a [00:03:00] large church or you're leading a large Bible study or if you're the I don't know Like the the lead person of a small Bible study like all these things are gonna be tempting to you And and I think it's pretty cool that Paul's laying out as a defense that he did not fall for any of these He also does talk about And like a little bit of the same section, but a little bit further into the chapter and Verse 9, he talks about toiling for them, working day and night, um, so that they might not burden any of you while we proclaim the gospel to you.

So he's saying, like, they meant so much to him that he was not, I guess, in a place where he was expectant of them supporting him because they were, um, just so important to him. So again, I, I think that this group of people, um, Really has like a soft spot in Paul's heart because he's like, essentially saying, I didn't expect anything from you because I just wanted to make sure that you were growing in this newfound faith that you have.

Um, [00:04:00] I think as you continue on throughout this chapter, you're going to see a lot more of that kind of language. I don't know. Well, um, I don't know if this fits exactly with what you're saying, but if you look at verse 13, and we also thank God constantly for this, that when you receive the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Um, again, another, uh, Current temptation in the, in the church today or in ministries today, um, is to become like really loyal to a person or personality, uh, rather than to God himself. So I think it's pretty cool again, that Paul is calling out, Hey, I noticed that when I came and preached the gospel to you.

You accepted it as though it was from God and not from me. Um, you know, I could compare this to, I think it's, I think it's first Corinthians one or [00:05:00] two, um, where a problem in the Corinthian church was every single member of that church had their favorite pastor and they wanted to be loyal only to that pastor and Paul was like, Hey.

What are you doing? Like, like none of us are, none of us accomplished your salvation. Only God can do that. So, and again, um, just like it can be very tempting to preach the word because you're being greedy or you're looking for your own glory, like verse five and six, um, it's very tempting to, uh, follow a personality or a pastor rather than to follow God.

I think a huge piece of evidence for that is, um, it's, it's, it's, it's Luckily, it seems like it has subsided recently, I suppose. Uh, but we just came through a period of like significantly influential mega church, large church pastors, um, committing sins and being thrown out of their churches essentially.

And those churches don't seem to last for very long. Um, they, they seem [00:06:00] to struggle pretty significantly after an influential pastor leaves. And I mean, I guess, you I guess you could look at that and be like, man, that's because that leader was like so anointed or something. But I think that's nonsense. I think it's because, um, a lot of people were drawn to that personality and were committed to that personality.

And when that personality is gone, they fall away. So it's cool that Paul is complimenting this church for being committed, not to him, not to any one of the missionaries, uh, but to God. And he also mentions that same language in verse 14 of being imitators again of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea.

Um, because I guess that would have been a pretty big deal simply because it says in the remainder of that verse, For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets. So he's admiring them for their faith, although they were also being persecuted.

So again, I just, I think this is just a fluff up of yesterday's [00:07:00] of yesterday's chapter. Remember his motivations here. It seems like they have come on. And there have been some significant challenges in their lives, and it seems very likely that there were some unexpected deaths that had occurred. Um, so he probably is encouraging them because they are, in fact, very discouraged.

Uh, but it, it, it. It is, you know, I think it's nice here to see Paul encouraging them and continuing to move to continue to walk in Christ and to embrace the identity that they have in Christ. Even though they are very clearly dealing with persecution and trials and struggles. Um, he is encouraging them to keep their eye on the ball and stay committed to the mission, uh, which I think can be encouraging to all of us.

Well, the last part of the chapter 2, I originally thought of it as just being Paul saying, I can't wait to see you again. It's going to be so wonderful. But it's more of an encouragement as well. Uh, because the, if you read verse 17, but since we were torn away from you brothers for a short time in person, not in heart, [00:08:00] we endured, or excuse me, we endeavor the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.

Um, so I think, It actually, it might have been like a really tumultuous time in that they had to be up and out like pretty quickly. And so if they're like very young in their faith or very new to faith, that would be not only are they dealing with these things, they also like don't have their, their leader face to face, which would probably, I don't know, for me, I think that'd be pretty scary.

It's interesting that he's also encouraging them in that. I can't wait to come back to you. Don't worry. I can't wait to see you face to face and I'll encourage you in that way as well. Um, outside of just the obvious like praying for the church and um, sending his letters and whatever. But he is encouraging them with that as well.

Um, I think, you know, we talked about act 17 for context yesterday. Um, I think it's very possible. He's talking about being ripped away from them because of [00:09:00] that sudden persecution that erupted. And so they had to, they had to evacuate quickly and that is on his mind. So, you know, I think. Chapter two here, there obviously there's, there's always something that we can glean from God's word.

That's what we believe here at God's plan your part, but this is a shorter chapter and it does feel like recapping some of what's already been stated in chapter one. So I think one of the things that's sticking out to me is. Being that this is a letter to people going through significantly trying times or, or dealing with trials and struggles, um, In all forms, like physical, spiritual, all of it.

I think it's pretty cool that Paul is reminding them one of the authenticity of his message. He's saying, hey, I didn't come to you to be greedy. I didn't come to you to be famous. Like I came to you to just preach the gospel, uh, two of their own motivations. Like, Hey, you, you believe the word because you believed it was from God.

You are loyal to God, [00:10:00] not to me. And three, he's encouraging them to press on. So I think. You know, we are not dealing with the same things that the people were dealing with in this church. Um, but of course we go through periods of time where maybe you do take your eye off the ball and maybe you are dealing with significant struggles and maybe you are having hard times.

Um, recently I have been encouraged by being reminded of the mission, like being reminded of what God has called us to do, uh, and you know, stay focused on what God has called you to do. Don't forget. That when you became a believer, it wasn't because of some fancy person or, or all the, the benefits package that came with it.

Like you wanted to honor God and you wanted to be committed to God's mission. Um, just be encouraged in what I would say is recommitting to God's mission. Like, remember why you came to Christ. Remember what Christ has done for you and be encouraged as you live that out and also offer that kind of, um, Grace, that [00:11:00] kind of forgiveness, that kind of new life to other people.

It is an incredible thing to be a servant of Christ and, you know, peace and prosperity is not promised. Um, but it is very rewarding to follow Christ and be committed to what he's doing. And I think that was true for this church in Thessalonica and also true for us today. You have to get better at that.

Anyway, uh, thanks for joining us for first Thessalonians chapter two today. We will be back again tomorrow with a very, very short chapter, uh, chapter three. So I'll see you then. Hey guys, if you enjoyed the episode today and are enjoying God's plan, your part, we would love it if you could help us in two ways.

First, if you would. Give us a rating and review for our podcast. We would really appreciate that. And second, tell your friends, tell all your people that you rub shoulders with every day, uh, to listen to the podcast and also give us ratings and reviews as well. That being said, here is the reading for today.

First Thessalonians chapter two. [00:12:00] For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impunity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.

you So we speak not to please man, but to please God, who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed. God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil. [00:13:00] We worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

You are witnesses, and God also. How holy, and righteous, and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you, and encouraged you, and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the Word of men, but as what it really is, the Word of God, which is at work in you believers.

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displeased God and opposed all mankind, by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles, that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the [00:14:00] measure of their sins.

But wrath has come upon them at last. But since we were torn away from you brothers for a short time, in person, not in heart, we endeavored All the more eagerly, and with great desire, to see you face to face. Because we wanted to come to you, I, Paul, again and again, but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or our joy, or crown, or boasting, before our Lord Jesus at His coming?

Is it not you? For you are our glory and our joy. Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's Plan, Your Part. Don't forget, you can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube. Let us know what you thought of today's episode, and if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there.

You can also reach out to us directly at godsplanyourpartatgmail. com As always, If you don't have a Bible, or if you'd like to use the one that we use, reach out to us via email, and we'll be happy to send one to you. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again [00:15:00] tomorrow.