I THESSALONIANS
Chapter 2
The Christian's Walk And Hope

Paul preached the message of God's redeeming love in Christ and it bore the fruit of changed lives in these Thessalonian believers. When the Word of God is presented in the power of the Holy Spirit, people's lives are changed. Isaiah 55:11 declares, "So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

The evident transformation of their lives was living proof that Paul's ministry was not in vain. The trademark of the true servant of God should be the bold proclamation of the gospel of Christ. "Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ." (II Corinthians 5:20.) This leads to the question, how do we represent our wonderful Lord Jesus as His spokesman? Trial and hardship must not be allowed to distract the child of God from his or her mission of proclaiming Christ. Paul had just come from Philip where he had been beaten and thrown in prison, Acts 16:19-24. This experience just made Paul more bold for God. We must ask ourselves if trial and hardship weakens our resolve or do we stand as good soldiers in the spiritual warfare of life. Paul asked the people to pray that he might be bold for God, and we need to pray the same for one another.

The earmark of true Christian service is outlined in I Thessalonians 2:3-7. Honesty is to be the label of all Godly preaching and witnessing. Paul in no way tried to deceive or hide his intentions. Paul's motives were pure, and there was no trickery involved. How sad, we must confess, that this is widespread in so many ministries that flood the airways of our day where money and popularity reign. The word guile denotes that service must not be done with wrong methods or personal gain in view. In I Corinthians 4:1 Paul wrote, "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." As you serve God, do so with proper methods and motives. Since the gospel is a sacred trust, every child of God is called upon to do his or her best.

Privilege throughout the Word of God always brings responsibility. True Christian service seeks to please God and not men. In Colossians 3:23 we are challenged, "And whatever we do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men." The Bible records many who sold out for love of money. Balaam in Jude 1, Judas in Matthew 26:47-50, Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11, to mention a few. I think the question naturally follows, whom do you seek to please in your service? Love is expressed in dedicated service; and if we love God, then we are going to seek to please Him and not some person or group of people. The time comes in every Christian's life when one makes this choice. This is living Matthew 6:33 which states, "But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Paul did not come with flattering words but preached to them the clear, plain truth from the Word of God. Paul goes on in I Thesselonians 2:5 to say that God was his witness and that his purpose was not personal gain. In II Corinthians 2:17 Paul again states, "For we are not as many who corrupt the word of God; But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." The tragedy of our day is the number of so called ministries, like some singers and ministers, who grow rich in so called service to God while fleecing the flock of God.  The judgment seat of Christ (Bema) is coming, and the Lord Jesus will burn with fire all service done with impure motives.

Paul was not interested in self glory and praise for his work because he did it unto the Lord Jesus. Are you walking around serving in your Church feeling sorry for yourself because nobody appreciates your labor? Maybe it is time for a gut check as to why you are doing what you are doing and if you have the right motives which is not glory from men. Now Paul challenges us to consider how we serve. He was gentle and sought to treat them with the tenderest love. The thought in I Thessalonians 2:7 is of a mother caring for her own children as opposed to a hired nurse. Love and devotion are simply the earmark of Christianity as expressed in John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." This love that Paul is talking about in I Thessalonians 2:8 is not an emotional love or one that he worked up on his own but one given by God produced in his heart by the Holy Spirit. In I Corinthians 13 we read, "If I had the gift of being able to speak in other languages without learning them and could speak in every language there is in all heaven and earth, but did not love others, I would only be making noise." This leads us to the walk or life -style of the true servant of God. He is a willing worker, and that makes it clear that real labor is involved. The work of God down through the ages has gone forward as people followed the example of Nehemiah 4:6, "For the people had a mind to work." The question becomes whether one is willing to work for God and see His work move forward as in I Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Travail emphasized the toil that is involved in the work of God. I Timothy 2:3 says, "Endure hardship with us, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ." To show Paul was not out for the money the month he preached there and founded the Church, he took no money. This does not mean that the servant of God should not be supported by those under his ministry and care, but it does mean he should not be fleecing the flock of God. Many television personalities and mega Church workers who live as CEO's will find the judgment seat of Christ does not overlook those who have taken advantage. Paul carefully stated that he preached the gospel or good news of God. It seems in some Christian circles everything but the good news of salvation is proclaimed, but we need to keep our focus on what changes lives for time and eternity. As the gospel is presented, the conduct of the servant of God is of vital importance. The behavior that is pointed out in I Thessalonians 2:10 is holy, righteous and unblameable. These characteristics should be found in every child of God. Titus 2:12 declares, "Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present age."

Our conduct in view of the return of Christ is viewed in I Thessalonians 2:11-13. Paul in speaking of his love for them used the example of a mother's love in verse seven, but in verse eleven, he uses the sterner love of a father. God is the father of every true child of God, and nothing escapes His attention. To walk worthy of God should be the goal of every member of God's family. We are called upon to be imitators of God since we are His beloved children. Notice this call is in the present tense in greek, "who hath called," and indicates we should be working now. In II Corinthians 6:12 we read, "We, then as worker together with Him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain." As they listened to Paul and Silas, preach they took the message as from God and not the words of men. Hebrews 4:12 declares, "For the Word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Paul was thankful they had received the Word of God and its power was demonstrated in their lives. We are called upon to look within to see what changes God has worked in our lives. Going to Church, being baptized, joining a Church or any other exterior religious experience does not make you a member of God's family. It takes the life changing power of God in Christ to bring about entrance into the family of God. This power of God changes a person from the inside out and is not a process of socialization.

As I Thessalonians 2:14 and 15 unfold, we see the suffering of these new Christians for their faith. The Churches in Judea had suffered greatly for their faith, and many of these new Christians were now going through the same trials. As the return of Christ draws near, we should remember the Church was born in a bath of blood; and indications are it may end this era in the same manner. The spread of terror and violence may be the forerunner of persecution just before the Church is caught away to heaven. When those whom God has favored reject His message and His messengers there sets in a dullness of soul and spirit which results in rejection of God and his messengers. The purpose of opposition is to silence the message of God's Word. To keep the message of God's Word from being proclaimed is the goal of Satan. Paul mentions how these unbelieving Jews kept the gospel from being preached. God's word and the principles of God's word are under attack in our day; and if we do not take a stand against such forces, the freedom of worship on which our country is built will be stripped away. Paul lets them know of his desire to see them and gives them encouragement under trial in I Thessalonians 2:17. When someone you love is in trouble, you naturally want to go and help him or her. The desire is to come and be a source of courage and strength. In Romans 1:11 we read, "I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gifts, to the purpose you may grow strong in the Lord." Satan hindered Paul as he does today in the lives of God's children. Satan is out to destroy the testimony and service of the child of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 reveals the warfare of the Christian life. How we are to approach this battle is covered in I Peter 5:8,9 which states, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; who resist steadfast in the faith." Remember in the Old Testament that Satan opposed Job, Daniel, Michael the archangel to mention just a few. Satan is out to keep us from living a happy, joyful life, if we let him. I encourage you to memorize I Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Satan puts temptation in our path, to ruin our testimony and take away our joy, but God promises victory. In I Corinthians 10:13 we read, "There is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bare it." As a child of God beware of getting too busy to pray, read God's word or to fellowship with other Christians. This pitfall has claimed many busy Christians who have faultlessly equated being busy with spirituality.

Our Hope is the return of Christ and to live in His presence forever. In I Corinthians 15:51,52 we read, "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." When we get to I Thessalonians 4:13-18, we will cover this subject in more detail. Our attention is now directed to the "Crown of Rejoicing." There are at least five crowns that can be won and will be given out at the judgment seat of Christ. The "Crown of Rejoicing" is the soul winner' crown. In Philippians 4:1 Paul makes it clear that those we lead to Christ are, "My joy and crown." As we go home to be with the Lord those whom we have had some part in leading to Christ will be our joy and crown.

Sunday school teacher, do not give up. Discouraged pastor, keep preaching the Word of God. To those who sing, do not give up on your song that glorifies Christ. To prayer warriors keep that person God has laid on your heart before Him in prayer. To be handed the Crown of Rejoicing at the Judgment Seat of Christ by the Lord of the universe will be worth it all.