1 and 2 Thessalonians

• 1Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

When someone goes into a place to preach the gospel for the first time, they are going to face much difficulty, persecution and hard labor. We can really thank God for those that went on before us in the Lord. Many had to die in order to bring the gospel throughout the middle ages and to us today.

We have proof of the truth of God's word by just having a copy of it in our homes. Somehow after the 1st century, the main body of the church went into apostasy. They didn't have the whole bible like we have to fight against this apostasy. Many did faithfully fight against serious heresy but did not have the scriptures all in one place, only a few letters scattered here and there, serious errors that led to complete apostasy later had crept into the church. When they finally were able to have a bible, the leaders of the church had so much power and hierarchy in the church that they were not willing to give that up so they kept the errors and used the teachings of the gnostics after the apostles died off to support their theories and claims. Some of the church fathers were good but some where really getting into weird things that the bible does not support.

In spite of all that mess, some were able to preserve the scriptures without the errors in it. It was a miracle in itself. Every time we look at a bible, we have proof that God is real. The Roman church errors are not in the bible itself. God always has a remnant that stays true to Him. While some went into apostasy, God had His faithful believers scattered in different places.

When I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, I had supernatural proof that God existed. Even if that had not occurred, all I would need to see is the preserved word of God. knowing church history, and how the bible was kept hidden and out of sight yet unchanged, is one proof of God's existence. God gave that to us in this modern day still intact.

When some tried to translate the bible in English, they were burned to the stake. Yet we have an English bible. God meant for us to have it and we have it now in every bookstore. It is free over the Internet also. For those that have a hard time reading books, e-sword on the Internet has bible software for free. When someone works hard on software to give it away for free, it gives us hope that not all are out for profit.

• 1Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

They did not preach the gospel as some do as a cloak to sneak in a false doctrine or to make merchandise of people and be greedy of gain. They were willing to risk their very lives to preach the truth of the gospel. A pastor who will preach the truth even if it means losing some tithes are the ones who are faithful to the Lord.

• 1Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

God trusted them with the gospel as he does some of us. We have such a responsibility to tell the truth without the fear of man.

• 1Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:

Hear again seems to be a warning of what is to come. There are those that preach just to gain riches and fleece the flock of God. Some preach words that tickle the ear and make people feel happy so they will keep giving and keep attending. The true word of God will give warnings as well as the good things.

• 1Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

This is hard even for the good preachers. We must be very careful not to give glory to ourselves and puff ourselves up above others. We have absolutely nothing that we have not received and we have nothing that God can't give to the least one among us. The smallest child has access to whatever we have.

Paul even refused to receive support for himself but worked as a tent maker for a living. Yet he is careful to admonish us to give to support our pastors. It is better for a pastor not to have to work in a secular job. Those who pastor small churches some times have to do that. Paul the apostle worked as a tent maker outside the church so he wouldn't have to be paid but that doesn't mean all laborers for the Lord have to do the same. To be able to give the whole time to the work of a pastor is best but in all things follow where God leads.

• 1Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

This is a sign of a good pastor. He is like a nurse, not a dictator who uses fear and intimidation to control others. He also recognizes that there is no difference between the lay people and the clergy. He will welcome tongues, interpretations and prophesy in the right order even if it is by someone other than himself. A pastor is to lead gently, not to have an authority complex.

• 1Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
• 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

How many are willing to labor for the gospel and take no reward or offering for it?

• 1Thessalonians 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

It is so important that preachers of the gospel, live lives that reflect what they preach. Sooner or later those that do not live what they preach will be found out. Nothing is hid from the Lord.

• 1Thessalonians 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
• 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Not only are the leaders to walk worthy but all of us who believe must be careful to maintain holiness without which no man will see the Lord.

To walk worthy is to be in obedience to the word of God and the Holy Spirit who is in our midst. The Holy Spirit will never contradict the written word. Church tradition, should never take be taken above the written word. That is God's gift to us to check up on what is being taught so that we are not deceived. We must never cast away the written word. Treasure it, consult it and place it higher than any opinion of men or even our own experiences. 

Experiences never should replace the written word. We never should neglect the Holy Spirit though. Like I've said before if we neglect the Holy Spirit, we may have a form of godliness but no power. It will be boring. This may be why some churches have had to have a lot of entertainment, because they do not allow the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, so their services are boring without the entertainment. We need the working of the Holy Spirit; the real Holy Spirit leads us to Christ, exalts Jesus Christ and is centered on Christ. He will never contradict the written word. He does not exalt some man or woman above someone else. Sometimes we tend to exalt them higher than we should but the Holy Spirit working among us will cause us to be humble, not cause us to lord over others. 

The true spiritual manifestations of the Holy Spirit should convict of sin, glorify God, lead us to holiness and cause us to love God with all our hearts. Saying this though, let us remember the words I heard from pastor Carter of Times Square Church, have discernment but with the heart of God. We still are flesh and make mistakes. Be slow to judge brothers and sisters in the Lord that are struggling and trying to live for God. Not all know how to react to the Holy Spirit's presence and they may at times act strange. That does not mean that they are "of the devil".  Let's be careful and patient. Perfect love casts out all fear.

• 1Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

We need the word. We need the Holy Spirit. They work together to bring us to the place that we are fruitful. If we neglect the teaching of the word, we will get back into the same mess they had in the middle ages. If we neglect praise and worship in the Holy Spirit (not entertainment), we will become dead and boring. We need both.

• 1Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
• 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

The first persecutors were the religious Jewish leaders, the second persecutors were the Romans, and saddest of all the third persecutors were the apostate church, the so-called Holy Roman Empire. The reason I mention this so much is because I don't want the same thing to happen again and if we get so big and powerful politically, and leave off preaching the true gospel, that is exactly what will happen.

If we are worried about abortion, preach the gospel. Preach the word, preach holiness. Avoid trusting in politics. Legislation is too slow. We must preach the gospel under the power of the Holy Spirit. We can't legislate holiness and godly living. That has to come by getting people "born again" by the spirit of God. It will never come by forced conversions or legislation. Abortion though is murder and if we can legislate against that it is a good thing but the power of the gospel is better. The sad thing is not everyone receives the gospel so we do need law and order.

• 1Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

There were some Jewish sects that were believers in Christ but they thought it was only for Jews and not Gentiles. If Gentiles received Christ they tried to force them to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. This caused problems and it took away salvation by grace and faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

Later the Roman church did the same thing. The things that Jesus died to free us from, the Roman church put back.

Through faith in Jesus, we are free from the condemnation of the law. We are free to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Our salvation is dependent upon our faith in Him alone without the rituals of the law. The moral law has been placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We still need to be taught the word but we are free from Old Testament ordinances. Some Jewish believers insisted on pushing this on the Gentile believers. In church history we find the Roman church doing the exact same things and making the same errors. They started the priesthood, prayers to Mary, prayers to the saints, sacraments, and other rituals that cannot save anyone. All it did was cover up the real gospel and that is simple faith in Jesus Christ and being saved from sin.

If our pastors preach the way of salvation that is dependent upon a priest, pastor, prophet, ritual, ordinance or any act of man, it is not the gospel.

Faith in Jesus and His power to save is the source of true salvation. Adding to this our own religious rituals will cover up this truth and replace the gospel with just a religion. We have enough religion in the world, we need Jesus and then we need the Holy Spirit living within us. The Holy Spirit is given to all who obey the Lord. In other words, the gospel changes our lives from within. That is why being "born again" by the spirit of God can never be forced. How can we force something that is done by the Holy Spirit? God has to save someone, we can't.

• 1Thessalonians 2:17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
• 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Sometimes when we endeavor to so some task for the Lord, obstacles will get in our way. Satan does try to hinder a true work of God but sometimes the hindrance may be from God. When we are hindered we must give ourselves to prayer and make sure we are going at the right time, in God's will and doing things God's way. Everything we think to do may not be from the Lord and then it may not be the right time.

See how much we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

• 1Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
• 20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Won't it be wonderful when we are standing around God's throne, we look and see those we taught, witnessed to or won to the Lord Jesus Christ. To see someone else saved because we were faithful, would be a reward in itself.   DC

1 Thessalonians 3