CHAPTER 2

1-2
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it
was not in vain:
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.

The presentation of the Gospel was not "in vain" there
at Thessalonica.
Indeed, it was fruitful because many were brought to a
saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Before entering that city, Paul & Silas had been in Phillipi.
(See Acts 16:11-12)
After they had been beaten and put in prison, the Lord sent
an earthquake and caused them to be released.
The jailor brought them out, and asked how he could be saved.

The next day, the majistrates, who had publicly beaten Paul &
Silas, took them out and asked them to leave the city.

Then they went to Amphipolis, Apollonia, and then to
Thessalonica.

There, they preached the Gospel of Jesus, even under much
"contention."

These men preached the Gospel of salvation through Jesus
unashamedly, yet many were saved.
Then, they were again ushered out of the city and went to
Berea.

I pray that preachers, pastors, and Christians all over the
world will do the same!
Many pastors are beaten, houses and churches burned today!
Yet, when Jesus is truthfully and unashamedly preached, there
is FRUIT that remains!!
Some are gloriously saved, and the Gospel goes onward!

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.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor
a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

They were "allowed of God to be put in trust with the" Gospel!
When a person becomes truly saved, that person is ALLOWED
by God to use the Gospel of Jesus truthfully; honestly.

Christians are to utilize their lives and tongues to glorify God
and not just be pleasing to men!

GOD IS WITNESS to what we say and do!!
He knows whether we speak in superfluousness, or hiding
covetousness!

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.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her
children:

They did not allow men to call them gods; but shared
that they were servants of THE Most High God!

As apostles, they had the right to receive monetary reward;
instead they WORKED.
And, they were "gentle" or acted to foster them
into Christ.

As Christians, we should be nuturing when we speak of the
salvation God has offered through Christ's death and
resurrection.
We need not be overly boistrous, but gently sharing the
Word of God with truth.

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 labour and travail: for labouring
night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of
you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

The words "affectionately desirous" speak to the fact that
Paul & Silas genuinely desired to have the people to whom they
spoke join in the family of God through surrender to Jesus.

They worked during the day, and shared the Gospel in the
evenings!

Giving monetarily is taught in the Bible.
Giving of SELF is also taught!!

1John 3:16 says, "We ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren."

Paul and Silas were willing to GIVE themselves to bring
salvation to those in Thessalonica; even if it cost them their
LIVES!
But they were NOT willing to bring danger to those who received
the Gospel.
They willingly left Thessalonica after being shamefully treated.
(See Acts 17:6-11)

Many pastors have been shamefully treated for preaching the
truth of Christ. Some have had rumours circulate that did damage to their
ministry.
Some have been kidnapped, beaten and jailed for just preaching
the truth of Jesus.

But Jesus warned us about this.
He said, in John 15:20, "Remember the word that I said unto you.
The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted
me, they will also persecute you...."

Let others be "witnesses" of your behavior that it is
nourishing and not deceitful!

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and
unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
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.

Act with holiness, with justness and be unblameable in your
behavior as you present the Gospel.
Yes! There are moments in your life that you regret; but God has
graciously forgiven and pardoned.
He has also entrusted you with His Holy Word!

And, know that you (as a Christian) should seek to call others
into the Kingdom of God.

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.

Notice the thanksgiving!
THANK GOD for those who believe and receive the truth of God's
Word; and that Word works continually in them!

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which
in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things
of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

Many Christians in Judaea suffered from a constant barrage
by the orthodox Jews in that day.
Yet, they remained faithful to the Gospel because it was proven
in the Old Testament.
(For instance, see Is. 43:11 and Is. 53:6)

And, these Christians in Thessalonica suffered some of the
same things.

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:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved,
to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the
uttermost.
Gamaliel, "a doctor of law" and a Pharisee, told the
Jewish Council that the Gospel of Christ, "...if it be of God
ye canot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight
against God."

Yet they STILL persecuted Christians, and acted in a
"contrary" way toward all men.
But the Jewish leaders of that day tried to FORBID
Christians to take the Gospel to other nations!

There can be no justice when truth is FORBIDDEN!!!

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in
presence, not in heart, endeavoured 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.

Several times, Paul had a "great desire" to return there
in Thessalonica.
Why did God allow the fact that "Satan hindered us"?

Sometimes Christians are hindered from sharing the
Gospel, simply because others don't want to hear it.
Sometimes, Christians are hindered from sharing the
Gospel because their lives would be endangered, and God
has more work for them to do.

But.....

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.

The Lord Jesus IS coming again!
He will gather His people WITH Him!

And ALL those who have believed and received Christ's Gospel
WILL BE included!

Remember Christian, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of
life; and he that winneth sols is wise."(Prov. 11:30)

Those who you bring to Jesus will be your JOY HERE, and your
CROWN OF REJOICING when Jesus returns!!