1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Background
Background
This book is written sometime following Paul’s second missionary trip to Thessalonica which you can read about in Acts 17- Cool to be able to read about some of Paul’s trips to get some insight on his epistles
This is also the spot where when the Jews were hunting for Paul, Silas, and Timothy they accused them of turning the world upside down- an encouraging way to look at how Christianity affects the world- people don’t like their worlds to be turned upside down
This chapter has a lot of encouragement as Paul reflects on when he, Timothy and Silas were able to visit the Christians in Thessalonica
It’s a very personal letter
The apostles did their best to live by example for the Thessalonians and Paul is doing what Warren Wiersbe calls his “Follow-up Program” where he reveals how their time with them pointed them to righteous living
*Read and Pray*
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 impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, 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: 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 how, 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 displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the 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 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 joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
There is a lot in this section that I won’t be able to hit in such a small amount of time, but I have two take-aways for us
The Apostles Show us How to:
The Apostles Show us How to:
1. Rightly Sharing the Gospel
1. Rightly Sharing the Gospel
Preaching the Gospel regardless of what conflict it may bring about (v. 2)
The apostles faced opposition from the Jews in the synagogue- the temple where the Gospel should be shared. How much more are we going to face opposition in a world that hates us?
Not only does preaching the Gospel often make others uncomfortable, but it may even make you uncomfortable, but this is something you genuinely need to press through
Preaching the Gospel not to please man, but to please God (v. 4)
God tests all hearts- He knows our hearts and motives- we should preach the gospel from pure motives- some preach it from impure (v. 3-6)
Paul tells them that they didn’t preach to them out of greed or desire to impress
They even proved to them this by working a job- they stayed above reproach
This good news is not simply words of men but from God (v. 13)
If we’re preaching to serve God then we need to keep His command of when Jesus calls us not to hide our light Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
We should have boldness in our God to deliver the message of Jesus Christ
(expound) If our hope and faith are placed in Christ and eternity with Him, then we can have confidence to preach the gospel regardless of what others say
Voldemort illustration- He placed parts of himself in other places and that was his hope for victory. We have placed all of ourselves with Christ and we have placed our hope in Him for victory
Where is your heart at with sharing the Gospel? Is it set on Christ?
2. Rightly Show Love for One Another
2. Rightly Show Love for One Another
Minister to one another out of love
You know what kind of love I’m talking about here- not lovey, touchy, feely love- especially not lust which is what the world is typically talking about when it talks about love- BUT I mean love that is respectful, love that puts action to words, love that is not a feeling, this love does what is right regardless of how you feel- it’s self-sacrificial
Paul compares their ministering to that of a mother nursing a child- gentle, nourishing, and comforting
there’s an intimate relationship between them where they know one another well. It doesn’t have to be weird.
MB and I have been watching the British Baking Show- I love that show because I like to make fun of how they talk, but I also appreciate the encouragement they have for one another- sometimes it can be too touchey, feely, but sometimes they call out some of the bakers when they mess up and do something stupid
Paul also compares their ministering to that of a father challenging and encouraging his child
Holding one another accountable
Calling out sin with gentleness
Paul calls their conduct in this holy and blameless- not hateful and prideful
Challenging one another to walk in a manner worthy of God
Plug D-groups
The apostles had a geat love for the Thessalonians that ran deep
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
jumping down to
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
They had this fellowship and care for one another that ran deep enough to drive Christians to sell possessions or things they didn’t need to help other Christians who might have been in great debt or struggling to eat
There is a great dedication to one another rooted in love
I’m not saying we need to be selling our xbox’s or AirPods unless for some reason, you really feel the Lord drawing you to do that for a friend who can’t pay medical bills or something
How are you rightly loving on your peers here at GSM? How are you devoting yourself to the local body of believers. Many of you come here to hang out and see friends and that’s cool, but at the end of the day, we’re a ministry and a collection of like-minded believers all here for the same reason- Christ.
That’s why when we see you Cinderellas and Prince Charmings hugging and hanging on one another we break y’all up because news flash! You’re not the main character! Jesus is, and we’re here to worship Him
I also want to add that reading verse 8 shows how much Justin and I care about you all
We have the pleasure to shepherd each of you. I view you guys as like my own children and I desire to see you all grow in your faith.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Rightly share the Gospel and rightly show love for one another
Follow after the example that is given us in scripture- These men weren’t perfect- not be any means- Peter showed favoritism to the Jews, Paul got into an argument with Barnabas and split paths with him because they disagreed on who they should bring with them in their evangelism
But they were godly men who made disciples
Jesus isn’t concerned with having perfect, holier than thou, prudes in His churches, but imperfect, genuine believers coming together to dedicate themselves to furthering the Kingdom of God and walking through this life together keeping one another from stumbling.
