1 Thessalonians 2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. Twelve times he called attention to the Thessalonians, showing what they knew about truth: Know what manner of men we were (1Th. 1:5) Know our entrance unto you (1Th. 2:1) Know how shamefully we were treated (1Th. 2:2) Know we did not use flattering language and were not covetous (1Th. 2:5) Know how we exhorted, comforted, and charged you (1Th. 2:11) Know that we were appointed afflictions for the gospel (1Th. 3:3-4) Know what commandments we gave you by Jesus Christ (1Th. 4:2) Know how to possess your vessels in sanctification and honor (1Th. 4:4) Know perfectly about the day of the Lord (1Th. 5:2) Know your true teachers (1Th. 5:12) Know what is withholding that the Antichrist might be revealed (2Th. 2:6-8) Know how you ought to follow us (2Th. 3:7)

Our coming to you was NOT in vain. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. Our coming to you was NOT in vain. Paul’s ministry among the Thessalonians was so fruitful that not only were people saved and a vibrant, reproducing church planted, but the church also grew and flourished even after Paul left (cf. 1:5–8). When the church works, the results are very evident. When every member does it’s share [Ephesians 4:16], then fruits will be very visible. The Thessalonians were working and doing the will of God. Same with us here at Northside; the word of God will not be in us in vain, if we become doers and not hearers only.

Mistreated in Philippi. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. Mistreated in Philippi. Paul and Silas had been brutalized in Philippi before coming to Thessalonica ( Ac 16:19–24, 37). They suffered physically when beaten (Ac 16:22, 23) and incarcerated (Ac 16:24). They were arrogantly mistreated with false accusations (Ac 16:20, 21) and illegally punished in spite of their Roman citizenship (Ac 16:37). Faced much opposition. Like their treatment in Philippi, Paul’s team was falsely accused of civil treason in Thessalonica (Ac 17:7), and suffered physical intimidation (Ac 17:5, 6).

The strong minister preaches a pure gospel The strong minister preaches a pure gospel. The word deceit (planes) means error. Paul did not add to nor take away from the Word of God. He did not tiptoe around or bypass controversial subjects because of opposition. He did not attempt to tickle the ears of people by preaching only the subjects that they liked; he did not neglect the whole counsel of God’s Word. He did not concentrate on pleasing subjects in order to win the approval of people; he did not neglect the subjects of sin and judgment. He did not preach in order to secure personal acceptance and support, nor to gain a personal following. Galatians 1:11. He did not preach to secure his livelihood, nor to strengthen his position as preacher. 1 Cor 9:11-12. He did not preach his own ideas, nor the novel ideas of others. He did not follow the latest theological fashions, in order to appear up-to-date and well-read. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. The real preacher that does not please anyone, has been approved by God. Paul was approved by Jesus and he was very sure about that. For that reason, he always used boldness in his preaching. 1 Cor 9:16-17 He was entrusted with the gospel. When we know that the gospel is in our hands, then we will not worry like many do, in order to please men. Gal 1:10; John 5:44. Paul says: my worry is to please God who tests our hearts. Rev 2:23; Hebrews 4:13. They preached unto them only the message that they received from God. They did not change it to please men! 2 Tim 4:3-4

This verse is super important! It teaches us a few things. Let’s see: It is not nice to use flattering speech just to take advantage of people. They did not use flattering speech to condone the sin and error of others. He did not please those who had itching ears, who wanted to hear nice and “good things.” 2 Tim 4:3 He was not like the false shepherds described by Jesus in John 10:12-13. He did not make merchandise of God’s Word. 2 Cor 2:17 The brethren at Thessalonica were witnesses of that. If Paul was using flattering words, he wouldn’t have had any enemies. People love lies and hypocrisy. Preachers that use flattering speech are welcomed, loved, and invited by everyone, because they minimize sin and judgement. People love to hear that in this day in age. 1 Thes2:5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness-God is witness.

I don’t want glory from men. Either from you… Who is the “you”? When the preacher preaches to please God, then he is not concerned about the glory of men. Paul was not concerned about that, like many today. John 5:41, 44, 12:42, 43; Gal 1:10. I don’t want glory from men. Either from you… Who is the “you”? Or from others… anyone else that will come and ask us to change the Gospel of Jesus. When we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. In this sense, Paul is saying yes, we had the right to ask and make demands- But we didn’t! 1 Cor 9:1-15. Paul had the right to receive support. 1 Cor 9:14-15. He told the elders at Ephesus. Acts 20:34-35. He was very proud of his ministry, and that is exactly what he explains to the brethren here. 1 Thes 2:6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

A mother that loves her children will take care of them. Paul and his companion have treated the brethren at Thessalonica very good. This is the treatment that must exist among brothers in Christ. Phil 2:1-4; John 13:34; Romans 12:9-10 Christians must take care one another, knowing that we are the family of God. (Ephesians 2:19). A mother that loves her children will take care of them. Paul says that in the same manner, he worried for his brethren in Christ. In Christianity, there are not only admonishments, rebukes, etc., but also: love, compassion, care, and all that that motivates us to continue doing the will of God. How much do you love your brothers in Christ? 1 Thes 2:7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

These brethren in Thessalonica had become very loved and dear to Paul. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. These brethren in Thessalonica had become very loved and dear to Paul. It got to the point that for this reason, they not only presented the gospel to them, but would also willingly give their own lives in service to them. Paul is showing us the true fraternal love that must exist among us! Are we willing to give our lives in service for the brethren? 1 John 3:16. The phrase “we were well pleased” indicates, that what they were doing for the brethren was from the heart, and with a willful heart.

1 Thes 2:9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. Paul and his companions (according to verse 9), had proclaimed the gospel, without being a burden to any of the brethren in Thessalonica. The work and fatigue they experienced was big, but they did it all for the love of the church. Jesus also worked in such a great manner, in order to spread the good news of salvation for all men. Mark 3:20 The proclamation of the gospel of Christ carried sacrifices on behalf of the person that proclaimed it. For this reason, everyone that takes this task and responsibility must know and recognize the sacrifices that they must experience.

“God is also my witness” “You are witnesses” Paul emphasized the character and example that he had projected to the brethren in Thessalonica This must be the attitude and example that must govern the life of every Christian. It is about time that we dress ourselves with holiness, Godliness, and of all that will help us enter heaven on the last day. Hebrews 12:14. The Bible exhorts us to be good examples. 3 John 11; 1 Cor 11:1; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Tim 4:12; Matthew 5:16. “God is also my witness” This was an honest man, doing an honest job for the Lord, and also, for the church. He was not hiding anything for his own benefit! 1 Thes 2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;

Verse 7 emphasized the care of a mother toward her children. Paul and his companions encouraged, exhorted, and also implored the Thessalonians, to continue ahead in the race they had. Verse 7 emphasized the care of a mother toward her children. In this verse, he emphasizes the care of a father to his own children. The father protects his children, and this is exactly what Paul and his companions were doing with the brethren. This is a very sweet comparison of what the family of God is all about! Ephesians 2:19 1 Thes 2:11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,

God has called us to be a part of his kingdom. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 It was Paul and his companions purpose to help, motivate, exhort, and to encourage the brethren, so that they could walk worthy of the God that had called them to His Kingdom, and glory. It is essential for Christians to understand that God has called us through the gospel of Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 2:14. God has called us to be a part of the body of His Son. Colossians 3:15. God has called us to be a part of his kingdom. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 God has rescued us from the power of darkness, and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of his love. Colossians 1:13-14. 1 Thes 2:12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

“when you received the word of God which you heard from us”: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV[13] For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. “when you received the word of God which you heard from us”: Both Paul and the Thessalonians recognized that the Word he preached to them was the Word of God (“a word spoken by God). In this context, Paul is boldly asserting the divine inspiration of his gospel (2 Tim. 3:16). “works in you”: The work of God’s Word includes: saving (Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23); teaching and training (2 Tim. 3:16-17); guiding (Psalm 119:105); counseling (Psalm 119:24); reviving (Psalm 119:154); restoring (Psalm 19:7); warning and rewarding (Psalm 19:11); nourishing (1 Pet. 2:2); judging (Heb. 4:12); sanctifying (John 17:17); freeing (John 8:31-32); enriching (Col. 3:16); protecting (Psalm 119:11); strengthening (Psalm 119:28); making wise (Psalm 119:97-100); rejoicing the heart (Psalm 19:8); and prospering (Joshua 1:8-9).

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV[13] For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. Paul is like a proud father who is bragging on his children. Paul was proud that God had called them to His kingdom, but he was even more proud that they realized that his message was not his own, but was the message God had sent him with. The Word of God is the One we call Jesus. It is also the Bible. John 1:1 For thousands of years, men have tried to prove that the Bible was just like any other book. They cannot do it. The Bible stands alone in the fact that it is alive. It is just as current today as it was two thousand years ago. It is our instruction for living victorious lives. It was the instruction for our great grandparents living victorious lives as well. It is ageless. The Bible is inspired (God breathed). When I look into the Bible, I see the face of Jesus. All other books, besides the Bible, are of men. The Bible is of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, imitators. Not only were the Thessalonians imitators of Paul and the Lord (cf. 1:6), but also of the churches in Judea in the sense that they both were persecuted for Christ’s sake (cf. Acts 4:1–4; 5:26; 8:1). They drank Christ’s cup of suffering (Matt. 26:39) and walked in the way of the OT prophets (Matt. 21:33–46; Luke 13:34). Let us never think that we are the opposite from all of them, the way this world is going for sure it will bring hard days for true Christians. Paul suffered. Christ suffered. The prophets suffered. How about us?

who killed…the Lord Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, who killed…the Lord Jesus. There is no question that the Jews were responsible for the death of their Messiah, though the Romans carried out the execution. Many are trying to be nice with the Jews by saying that the Romans did it. Paul says NO: It was them and they are and will be responsible forever! Matthew 27:24-25 It was the Jews who brought the case against Him and demanded His death (cf. Luke 23:1–24, 34–38), just as they had killed the prophets (cf. Matt. 22:37; Mark 5:1–8; Acts 7:51, 52). “They do not please God” It was never their intention to please God, they were never interested, but in keeping their ego and prestige! Jn 1:11

wrath has come upon them. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. wrath has come upon them. God’s wrath (1:10; 5:9) on the Jews who “pile up their sins to the maximum limit” (cf. Matt. 23:32; Rom. 2:5), thus filling up the cup of wrath, can be understood: 1) historically of the Babylonian exile (Ezek. 8–11); 2) prophetically of Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70; 3) eschatologically of Christ’s second coming in judgment (Rev. 19); or 4) soteriologically in the sense that God’s promised eternal wrath for unbelievers is so certain that it is spoken of as having come already as does the Apostle John (cf. John 3:18, 36). This context relates to the fourth option.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-16 NKJV[11] as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, [12] that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. [13] For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. [14] For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, [15] who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, [16] forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Memory verse from last week. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 NKJV[2] and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

“Being taken away from you”: 1 Thessalonians 2:17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. “Being taken away from you”: The Greek term (aporphanizo) is intensely passionate. It is related to our word “orphan,” and could be translated “since we have been torn apart.” Paul had been forcedly separated from his spiritual children (Acts 17:5-9). His motherly (verse 7), and fatherly instincts (verse 11), had been dealt a severe blow. Literally the Thessalonians had been orphaned by Paul’s forced departure. We remember that Paul was in Corinth when he wrote this letter to the Thessalonians. He loved these people and desired to be with him. They were his friends, but Paul thought of them as his children in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was their founding father, and he thought of them as his spiritual children.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that we do not ignore his devices. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Therefore we wanted to come to you-even I, Paul, time and again-but Satan hindered us. Satan hindered us. Satan, which means “adversary,” continually attempted to tear down the church that Christ promised to build (cf. Matt. 16:18). He was said to be present at the churches of Jerusalem (Acts 5:1–10), Smyrna (Rev. 2:9, 10), Pergamum (Rev. 2:13), Thyatira (Rev. 2:24), Philadelphia (Rev. 3:9), Ephesus (1 Tim. 3:6, 7), and Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1–11). He thwarted Paul in the sense that a military foe would hinder the advance of his enemy. This could very possibly refer to the pledge that Jason made (Acts 17:9), if that pledge was a promise that Paul would not return to Thessalonica. Satan is still opposing Christians nowadays in many way, we must be careful. We know how he works, we know how he attacks. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that we do not ignore his devices.

It is spoken of in terms of: 1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? crown of rejoicing. The Bible speaks of eternal life like a crown awarded for an athletic victory. It is spoken of in terms of: the imperishable crown that celebrates salvation’s victory over corruption (1 Cor. 9:25); the righteous crown that celebrates salvation’s victory over unrighteousness (2 Tim. 4:8); the unfading crown of glory that celebrates salvation’s victory over defilement (1 Pet. 5:4); the crown of life that celebrates salvation’s victory over death (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10); and here the crown of exaltation which celebrates salvation’s victory over Satan and mankind’s persecution of believers.

“Coming” or parousia, lit. means “to be present.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? at His coming. “Coming” or parousia, lit. means “to be present.” Paul referred directly to Christ’s coming 4 times in 1 Thess. (see also 3:13; 4:15; 5:23) and once indirectly (1:10). Context indicates Paul most likely refers here to Christ’s coming for the second time and coming for His church.

1 Thessalonians 2:20 NKJV[20] For you are our glory and joy. This statement should challenge us.   For Paul is saying that these Christians brought him more joy and made him prouder than any material object.   Are our brethren more important to us? Do they give us more happiness and pride than--our cars, homes, jobs, recreational activities, and hobbies? And am I living in such a way that my brethren could be proud of me? It will be very nice to hear from Paul: “for you Northside are my glory and joy”!