Christian ministry (chap2)
Paul’s past trip to Thessalonica: (2:1-16): Apostle Paul overviews 2-factors concerning his past trip.
The Gospel affected the believers: (2:1-12):
- Persecution: (2:1-2): He speaks of his suffering at Philippi before his coming to Thessalonica. Thessalonians knew that Paul had been imprisoned in Philippi before coming to Thessalonica (Acts.16:11-17). But the fear of imprisonment did not keep Paul from preaching the Gospel. If God wants us to do something, He will give us the strength and courage to do it despite any obstacles that may come on our way.
- Pattern: (2:3-6, 9-10): He became a role model to the church.
His preaching was bold, truthful, straightforward and sincere. He didn’t encourage people making flattery or butlers. His preaching was out genuine interest with no selfish motives that people may be converted and strengthened in the faith. He never encouraged anyone praising him or his team. Paul and Silas completely focussed their efforts on presenting God’s message of salvation to Thessalonians.
- He laboured hard by not becoming a burden to the church. He spent long hours working as a tent maker (Acts.18:3) and at the same time propagating the Gospel although he had the right to receive financial support. He didn’t use salesman tricks to sell the Gospel, rather he gave simple Gospel with full honesty and integrity without any ego.
- He was a like a parent to them. He fed them and cared for them as a loving mother and encouraged and comforted them as a loving father.
It takes time and energy to care for children. Paul did not turn His converts over to baby-sitters. He made sacrifices and cared for them himself. He did not tell them to “read a book” as a substitute for His own personal ministry (though good Christian literature can help young believers to grow).
The Gospel received by the believers: (2:13-16):
Paul says: “you received the word of God which you hard from us,.. (2:13) is nothing but the Lord Jesus Christ because Christ Himself is the Word (1 Jn.1:1). 1 The Word of God has the creative power of God behind it and in it (Gen 1:3). Paul credited the changes in the Thessalonians to this spoken Word of God. Not only had it effected changes in them in the past, but also it was continuing to change them since they continued to believe it. Paul gives encouragement tips.
- Thessalonians were facing persecution just as the believers in Judea by Jews. Persecution tends to discourage the people especially when it comes from within because when you take a stand for Christ, opposition comes from our very neighbours. Frequently when Christians suffer persecution they are tempted to think God’s blessing has departed. Paul countered this lie of Satan by reminding his readers that their experience of persecution is similar to the believers of Judea who also suffered from their neighbours who were also Jews.
- The believers of Thessalonica are not alone in the trials and persecutions but they had abundant and worthy company. Their persecutors had killed the Lord Jesus Himself and the Old Testament prophets and they drove out their father in the faith and missionaries. Those who persecute believers in Christ antagonize both God and other men. Paul knew once he himself was the persecutor of the church, but God had revealed that he was fighting against the Lord (Acts 26:14-15). Those who set themselves against God’s people also set themselves against God. And they also hurt other non-Christians. The worst thing about unbelief is not that it damns the unbeliever, but that it hinders the salvation of others.
- The people who put hindrances to the Gospel, God would allow such individuals or groups to heap up their sins to the limit and ultimately God judges them and pours on His wrath upon them. Apostle Paul was referring to Thessalonians not to get disheartened God’s judgement will come upon the mankind when their sins have heaped to the limit. This is one way we can look forward to the speed of Second Coming of the Lord Jesus. During the last days, sinners will be more vile, believer will be more righteous. So this is a warning for every believer then and now to be alert and faithful meet the Lord Jesus.