Day 36
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 NIV
1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed–God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you,7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
God-Pleasers!!!
Paul expresses the love that he has for these believers in our reading today. Paul lists the many ways they have tried to present the gospel without offense to the Thessalonian church. Paul first mentions that during the time he preached their that he encountered serious opposition. Many places the Apostle traveled he was met with those who would try and prevent the preaching of God's Word. Paul mentions this opposition to remind his readers of the significance of the gospel he was preaching around the world. He goes on to say that in spite of this resistance they will continue to preach because they are seeking to please God and not man. What a valid point for us today. We should also be seeking to please God, sometimes this is difficult but especially when you are ministering God's Word. Some of the teachings of the bible both today and in Paul's day are out of favor with society. This is why God's Word tells us that we are strangers and aliens that we are separate because we have been reborn into Jesus Christ. Paul continues by pointing out that they didn't come as a burden demanding money or support but they came and preached the gospel without strings in order to convince these people of the relevance of their message. This was apparently a great contradiction to what some other ministers of the day were doing. Obviously we can see from the text that some were preaching for financial gain and out of greed. Some were deceiving these believers and trying to preach a gospel that brought them gain rather than God. Paul then reminds them of not only his work, and enduring opposition but also of the love they demonstrated while ministering in Thessalonica. What a powerful lesson for us to learn. Paul said he didn't preach with big words or exciting messages, he didn't have capture an audience with his charisma, or promises, he didn't alter the Word of God in order to entice these people to glorify him rather than God. But he rather preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Paul preached for God and not for man. Paul was not known for compromising on the truth of the Word and because of his faithful preaching the truth in love God blessed him with a great and fruitful ministry. Many were saved because Paul was a God Please, are you? I truly want to be a God pleaser and I'm sure you do as well. What a challenge this can be when we all want to be well thought of. Sometimes sharing the truth is difficult, sometimes it hurts us to present these truths, sometimes when reading God's Word we ourselves are hurt by what we read. God Word is a "two-edged sword" it doesn't just cut and change the listener but it should also change the preacher. Are you being changed by God's Word? I know if you are reading it with sincerity of heart that God is changing you just as He is me.
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
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