Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. (Acts 17:1-4)
Paul did not take his calling lightly. He didn't just help start churches in an area, leave and then hope they survived. He stayed in touch with these churches, left others there often times to help the church become established according to scripture and God's will. Thank God for Paul's commitment, because of these churches, he wrote most of the New Testament epistles, which the apostle Peter validated, "...as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures." (II Peter 3:15-16)
So while in Antioch, Paul took the time to write to the church in Thessalonica:
Paul, Silvanus [Silas], and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. (I Thessalonians 1:1-5)
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (I Thessalonians 1:6-10)
For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 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. (I Thessalonians 2:1-4)
For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 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. 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. (I Thessalonians 2:5-9)
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (I Thessalonians 2:10-12)
What a beautiful way to begin a letter to a new church! First, he greeted them in the name of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Regardless of denomination or church location, we all have to believe in the same God. Style of worship, place of worship deals with personal preferences, but Who we worship is what unites all of us, regardless of race or background.
Secondly, he encouraged them that the other members of the "church" gives thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. We have to pray for one another and encourage one another, all the time, yet again, regardless of denomination. one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (Ephesians 4:5) That is all that matters!
Third, he reassured them that what they turned from, how you turned to God from idols, was so worth it, considering what they turned to, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven. Then he validated his and the other apostles, based on how they behaved when they where with them, by stating, Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
Christ Jesus set the example, and we all should follow it, especially those of us who are leaders in and of the church; for He said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Paul said he and the others with him 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. 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.
It's so frustrating today to see so many leaders in and of churches behaving like "superstars", expecting the people of their ministry to serve them, pay them ridiculous salaries, and support their lifestyles. We will study in a future lesson where Paul will instruct regarding leaders and elders in the church, "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ... Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear." (I Timothy 5:17-20) Yes, leaders should be paid well enough to take care of their personal needs, especially if they have committed themselves full-time to the ministry of Christ, worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
But their labor is more than just preaching. Again, Paul is the example:
- we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children
- we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives
- 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
- how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe
- how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ... Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. ... (Hebrews 13:7-17) This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop [or leader in a church], he desires a good work. (I Timothy 3:1) But Jesus is very clear to these leaders of the account they must give, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" (Matthew 18:6-7) AMEN!
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