1 Thessalonians 2
Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica
1You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2We 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. 3For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4On 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. 5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6We 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, 7but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8We 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. 9Surely 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.
10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.[a]
Paul's Longing to See the Thessalonians
17But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Footnotes:
[a] 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully
5 comments:
20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
It has been a rough week so far, and its only Tuesday. I just found out a good friend of mine and their wife just suffered a miscarriage, yesterday we found out that one of my wife's good friend's brother committed suicide, and on Saturday one of my friend's fiancee lost her father. I can only feel like a child whose Father has brought Him closer, called him inside the house, just before the storm hit. While these things are sad and trying, I can't help but be thankful that I have been moved by the Lord, by you all, and from within to seriously reconnect over the last few months. I don't think I would be able to deal without a more personal relationship. So as Paul said, you are indeed my joy, because while I don't understand His plan all the time if ever, at least I know He's looking out for us.
Father, it's been a tough time trial You're putting us through right now, but we trust You. We need You and we need Your Son to help in these times. Please comfort those who have lost loved ones, and continue to help our band of brothers focus on You and find comfort in Your word and our relationship with You. Father, please let Your will be done,
Amen
crb
CRB - defintiely praying for you and those you mentioned. that's tough stuff. and just because we are Christians, it doesnt always lighten the impact. But, i pray that through these trials, you will find strength and peace and comforting warmth knowign that HE is STILL walking with you.
3For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
this is interesting. Often i wince when i hear of people trying to use religious messages (even Christian messages) to trick and decieve people, to con them out of money, etc. so many times you hear news reports on tv of some faith based organization that went and conned people in some way. Sometimes, i think it's really not that surprising that non believers are indeed non believers after hearing some of these stories. In this verse, it gives me a sense that even in Biblical times, their were con artists. But in this case, i really loved this verse as it flat out says "we arent trying to trick you" and that there are "no impure motives". It helps me have a sense of purity and truth about Christianity. That what i believe in, is Truth.
It's been nice to read how each of you is growing and how this group is impacting each of you. it's been difficult for me, not being face to face, but it is definitely growing on me. it's cool to read prayers about me, from people who (with the exception of cas) really barely even know me. so, i wanted to thank each of you!
crb, you and everyone you mentioned are in our prayers.
Father lift all of these people up and comfort them. Even though we sometimes do not understand things that happen, we know that Your perfect will, will be done.
1 Thes 2
timcd6, i agree and feel the same way sometimes. however, you will never be able to escape those trying to make a buck.
I found this part particularly interesting, v 4....
Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.
Man that's tough for me. How often do I truly examine my motives. How often do I do things that fall in the window of doing the right thing, but are out of convenience or to make me look better???
Father, make our motives pure. Make them all for you.
IN Christ,
cas
crb - i will pray an extra pray tonight.
verse 4 also stood out to me because i also struggle with living to please God with everything that i do. This verse reminds me of how i was living to please people this weekend. Lord i ask for your forgiveness.
LRT
crb- you and all you mentioned are in my family's prayers. It hurts to hear of events like this in anyone's life. May God's comfort come in many forms to these families and to you, brother.
timmcd6, i didn't really think about the passage like you mentioned at first. You are right on target and it is a key reminder today. I just started working in a local church and have avoided doing so for almost 20 years because of the negative experiences I had with people's greed, motives, etc. It is so encouraging to know that Paul and the rest of the early church dealt with the same issues of motives and stuff. Thanks for pointing it out.
For me the verses that hit me were:
vs.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.
How often am I far quicker with my words and conversations than with my time, love, and heart? There is something powerful and beautiful in this short statement by Paul.
vs.10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Another great challenge to each of us in how we interact with others within the Body of Christ. My experience is that within the Body we do a great job of shooting our own wounded rather than encouraging, strengthening, and walking beside each other. Have you all felt this or seen this before? Either way it is a great reminder for us to be men of Grace and Strength.
Also, vs. 19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Paul, as if he hadn't done so already, reminds us of why he is so commited to the people he ministered to...he was investing in eternity...
May we each be investing this day in what will last forever...the lives of men and women who will either stand before God in judgement or stand before God in grace. May those we meet be moved into the camp of grace.
Father, we come to you and declare that you alone are God. Everything else and everyone else in our lives that seeks to take that spot is no friend of ours or yours. Give us discernment and wisdom as we walk in the World as salt and light. Strenghten each of us in areas of struggle. Thank you that when we do sometimes fall down, you are there to lift us up. May we become men that lift each other up for your glory just as Paul did to so many.
In the gracious name of Christ,
amen
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