When Paul arrived in Thessalonica, his body showed the shameful treatment he had received at Philippi. He and Silas had just been dragged into the marketplace, brought before the magistrates who ripped their garments off of them and publicly beaten them with rods, and they received many stripes. They were thrown into jail where they could hardly move because their feet were securely fastened in stocks. At midnight they were singing praises to God!
The next day, they left Philippi and arrived in Thessalonica—their bodies showing the beating they had just received. These two men immediately began teaching the lost. They were there for only three weeks before severe persecution arose, and the new Christians there helped them escape by night. Read all the details in Acts chapters sixteen and seventeen.
Paul did not forget them, and shortly afterwards wrote his first letter to them. While he mentions what had happened in Philippi, he did not have to give details of what those babes in Christ had actually seen. He devotes an entire chapter of the epistle to describe his attitude in preaching. Every soul winner and preacher should read 1 Thessalonians 2 to have his own life changed by seeing the heart each of us should have. Read this chapter often and meditate on it.
Note the great faith and spirituality we all should have as we teach others. Prayerfully consider the following:
· He boldly spoke the gospel (v. 2).
· He boldly spoke the gospel surrounded by conflict (v. 2).
· He was not deceitful with hidden motives (v. 3).
· He understood God had entrusted him with the gospel.
· He spoke only the message entrusted to him (v. 4).
· He spoke not to please men, but his Judge (v. 4).
· He did not use flattering words (v. 5).
· He was not doing this to gain money (v. 5).
· He sought no glory from any man (v. 6).
· He was gentle like a mother in dealing with them.
· He cherished them like they were his children (v. 7).
· He affectionally longed to save them (v. 8).
· He was not lazy, but labored day and night (v. 9).
· He was devout, just and blameless (v. 10).
· He exhorted and comforted like a father (v. 11).
· His goal was to lead them to walk in a new way in the new kingdom (v. 12).
· He prayed for them without ceasing (v. 13).
….to be continued