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Paul's Work in Thessalonica
1 Thessalonians 2.9-13
Good News Translation (GNT)
9 Surely you remember, our friends, how we
worked and toiled! We worked day and night
so that we would not be any trouble to you as
we preached to you the Good News from God.
10 You are our witnesses, and so is God, that
our conduct toward you who believe was pure,
right, and without fault.
11 You know that we treated each one of you just
as parents treat their own children.
12 We encouraged you, we comforted you, and
we kept urging you to live the kind of life that
pleases God, who calls you to share in his
own Kingdom and glory.
13 And there is another reason why we always
give thanks to God. When we brought you
God's message, you heard it and accepted it,
not as a message from human beings but as
God's message, which indeed it is. For God is
at work in you who believe.
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Taken from 'word-on-the-web' supplied by the
Scripture Union
Paul's Work in Thessalonica
Most of us will go into a hostile world for work.
As Paul reminds us, he did this himself - toiling as a tentmaker and evangelist.
If chapter 1 is a great introduction to the Christian faith, chapter 2 gives us an excellent introduction to evangelism.
Paul stresses the inevitability of resistance and suffering - he himself experienced this
These insights are vital to mission in today's neo-pagan Western world, so similar in some ways to that confronting Paul and his companions as they brought the gospel to complex Thessalonian culture.
Local Jews were antagonistic, but some Gentiles proved receptive to the gospel, founding a new Christian community
Those of us who preach or teach (on matters of faith or otherwise) have a difficult line to tread.
We want to persuade our congregations or audiences, and so use language and techniques that will make our message appealing - but is there a danger that we slide into trying to impress our listeners mainly because it makes us feel good?
Persuading others can be addictive. It seems that Paul himself may have been accused of preaching to the Thessalonians in order to bolster his status.
He repeatedly defends himself from suggestions that he has been trying to please them, trick them, use flattery, or look for praise.
What's the antidote to this temptation?
It comes in two parts.
First, focusing on serving and loving others for their sake can shift our attention away from our own desire for glory - or, in Paul's case, demonstrate that we are not self motivated.
Paul delightfully uses idealised images of parenthood to describe how he cared for the Thessalonians, nurturing them like a nursing mother and training them up like a father 'encouraging, comforting and urging [his children] to live lives worthy of God'.
He completes the family portrait in saying that he also acted like an infant among them, in refraining from asserting his authority.
(Note that some manuscripts replace 'young children' with 'gentle' - there is only one letter between them in the Greek.)
Second, remember that God knows our innermost desires, more closely than we know them ourselves.
Coming daily before God, who 'tests our hearts', is the best way to uncover those self-serving motivations that subtly creep into our lives.
God is the only audience that we rightly seek to please. May we ever seek to glorify him, not ourselves.
Are you trying to please God in your life, or people?
Ask the Holy Spirit to uncover what is in your heart.
Paul gives a rich array of virtues that should shine from us at all times.
Boldness: despite opposition yet always with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), we will not be bullied into silence; we will not lose our voice.
Integrity: the gospel is offered without deception or manipulation, without strings attached.
Although its essence is not violated, it comes from pure motives and with authenticity.
Humility: we offer the gospel as Jesus offered himself: in service, not self-glorification.
Gentleness: the gospel is offered with tenderness, a desire to nurture; like that of a mother with her infant child or a father with his children.
Affection: the gospel is held forth with deep love for those we encounter.
This love leads us to share words and our very lives with others.
Holiness: the gospel comes from lives characterised by holiness and righteousness.
We don't just talk the talk, but walk the walk.
Many of us live in societies which are deeply suspicious of the Christian story; many have heard the gospel and rejected it.
Such people need to hear the gospel and to see it in us.
Often it is only as they see authentic Christian lives that their interest is piqued, their resistance is disarmed and they consider following Jesus.
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