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Father, we give thanks to you always for your sons and daughters. We thank you for their work of believing, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ and in the hope of his return. Father, thank you for your Word, which tells us your Will concerning the hope of Christ's return. Father, thank you for your Word, which is our strength and endurance in this day and time. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the September 2019 teaching, we reviewed 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 in detail. Thessalonians was the first revelation given to the Apostle Paul and focuses on the truths concerning the hope of the Lord Jesus Christ's return. The Apostle Paul admonishes believers to stand, to walk, to serve, to believe, to love, and to work together as a household! 1 Thessalonians gives the born-again believers the motivation to prevail with believing action and to impact the adversary's realm, as we rightly divide the Word of truth concerning the hope of Christ's return.

This month's teaching continues in 1 Thessalonians and focuses on Chapter 2:1-20. Let's start with 1 Thessalonians 2:1:

For yourselves, brethren, know [Greek word "oida" - clear mental image or picture], our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain [void].

Paul, Silas, and Timothy's visit with the Thessalonians was not in vain; it had a purpose and was not void in contexts. The word "brethren" is used in the East to refer to a fully committed brother who is in one accord or consensus with you. A "brethren" is a person who is salted together or committed to you. In the idiom of the Eastern culture of the time, you would never call someone your brother or brethren if you could not trust them in all dealings. The word "brethren" is used 17 times in 1 Thessalonians when referring to the household of believers. Seventeen (17) is the seventh-prime number. In the numerology of the Bible, the number 17 represents spiritual perfection!

Let's continue with 1 Thessalonians 2:2:

But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated, as ye know ["oida" - clear mental image or picture], at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel [of the mystery] of God with much contention.

Paul shared with the Thessalonians about how they were shamefully treated in Philippi (refer to Acts 16) and how God delivered them.

1 Thessalonians 2:3:

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor uncleanness, nor in guile.

The word "exhortation" means a calling near, a summons to one's side, or counsel. Paul, Silas, and Timothy did not call or summon or counsel the Thessalonians for deceit, uncleanness, or guile. Their only motive was to teach well God's Word because they loved God.

1 Thessalonians 2:4:

But as we [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] were allowed [approved] of [from under] God to be put in trust with [the Greek word "pistis" - believing] the gospel [good news of the Grace Administration], even so, we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth [proves] our hearts.

The word "but" which starts this verse is the emphatic injunction in contrast to what was previously stated in verse 3 above. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had a gift ministry referenced in Ephesians 4:11. They were approved of God who trusted in Paul, Silas, and Timothy to rightly divide His word and teach it well to others. They did not seek to please men, but God who proves their hearts. Acts 5:29 says, ". . .we ought to obey God rather than men." We must always do the Will of God which is His Word! No matter the circumstances we face, we must consistently share and live God's Word.

"Gospel" in this verse refers to the good news of the Grace Administration. The word "speak" is the Greek word "laleo," which means speaking by inspiration. God inspired Peter by His gift of holy spirit that was in him to speak by inspiration on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:14-47). Peter did not have a prepared text to speak from; he spoke by inspiration from God on the day of Pentecost. In this verse, Paul is telling the Thessalonians that he is speaking from inspiration of God, not to please men, but to please God.

In our times, we are to hold forth or speak the Word of God with boldness and love for God our Father who has entrusted His Word to us. God's Word tells us in 2 Corinthians 5: 19-20:

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us [the born-again believers] the Word of Reconciliation.

Now then we [the born-again believers] are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

The next verses in 1 Thessalonians (verses 5-11) explain how Paul, Silas, and Timothy were speaking God's Word to the Thessalonians. Continuing with 1 Thessalonians 2:5:

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know [the Greek word "ginosko" - to know by experience], nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness.

Paul, Silas and Timothy did not use flattering words just to sound good or say what they thought the Thessalonians wanted to hear. The Thessalonians believers knew based on their past experience with them that they spoke God's Word. Nor did Paul, Silas, and Timothy speak from a cloak of covetousness or materialism. Who was their witness? God!

If we are out to please men and women, we use flattering words! A great example of this is politicians. Their whole purpose is to win the favor of the voting public by flattering words. They base their responses on what demographic is asking the questions. Their speech is focused on manipulating people to vote for them! A true minster speaks the Word of God in love and does the Will of God!

1 Thessalonians 2:6:

Nor of men sought we glory [the influential men in the area], neither of you [this refers to verse 9 of 1 Thessalonians 1:9] nor yet of others [the believers already born-again in the area], when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy did not seek the approval of the influential men in the area to speak God's Word. They did not need approval from the new believers in Thessalonica. The word "other" in this verse is the Greek word "allos" which means when more than two are involved. The "others" left in the area are the believers already born-again in the area; Paul, Silas, and Timothy did not seek their approval. In addition, they were not "burdensome" to the Thessalonians. They worked with their own hands and did not accept any money from them. Their sole purpose was to please God, which proved their hearts by speaking the Word of God!

1 Thessalonians 2:7:

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherished [to incubate by love] her children.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were gentle as a nursing mother among the Thessalonian believers. When people see us, they should see gentleness, tenderness, meekness and the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation in all we say and do.

1 Thessalonians 2:8:

So being affectionately desirous of you, we [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were [became] dear [the Greek word "agapeetos" - which means beloved] unto us.

Look how Paul, Silas, and Timothy put their own souls into sharing God's Word with the Thessalonians because the people of Thessalonica had become beloved to them. They saw how they believed and acted on the Word of God which they were taught! We can fellowship with those who have not endeared themselves to us, but we do not impart our souls to them. We thank God always for the doors of utterance to share His Word with others. But we are to impart our souls to the faithful in the household.

1 Thessalonians 2:9:

For ye [Thessalonians that believed God's Word] remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable [they were not a burden] unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel [the good news of the Grace Administration] of God.

Paul asked the Thessalonica believers to remember their laboring in fatigue both mentally and physically to preach the gospel to them. "Labor" is the Greek word "kopos" which means laboring in mental and physical fatigue. "Travail" in this verse is the Greek word "mochthos" which means laboring in mental and emotional distress.

Our knowledge of the hope of the return of Christ is so important in a man or woman's life. The understanding of the hope helps us endure the mental, physical and emotional distresses we face in this life! The knowledge we gain from reading God's Word about our new body and the future rewards for our faithfulness to God's Word on this earth gives us endurance to stand!

1 Thessalonians 2:10:

Ye [Thessalonians that believed God's Word] are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably [without reproach] we behaved ourselves among you that believe.

The Thessalonica believers and God were witnesses of how Paul, Silas and Timothy walked among the Thessalonica believers, "holily and justly and unblameably" according to the Grace Administration. The figure of speech polysyndeton is used in this phrase. It denotes the equal importance of each word, so that, "holily," "justly," and "unblameably" equally describe the actions of Paul, Silas, and Timothy when they were with the Thessalonians. This is a reminder to us to walk in a similar manner as we share the Word with the born-again believers.

1 Thessalonians 2:11:

As ye know [Greek word "oida" - clear mental perception] how [practical side] we exhorted [called people near] and comforted [to pacify, to speak tenderly] and charged [witnessed] every one of you, as a father doth his children.

Again, the figure of speech polysyndeton is used in this verse to stress the equal importance of each word in the phrase "exhorted and comforted and charged." This is what we should expect from a minster of God. Paul, Silas, and Timothy modeled the behaviors they expected from the born-again believers in Thessalonica. They walked among the believers "holily and justly and unblameably" according to the Grace Administration. The expectation is that the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers call people near and speak tenderly and witness "as a father doth his children."

1 Thessalonians 2:12:

That ye [Thessalonians that believed God's Word] would walk worthy of God, who hath [past tense] called you [the born-again believers] unto his kingdom and glory [magnificence].

We are to walk worthy of God our Father, as loving children, who have called us to His kingdom and glory!

1 Thessalonians 2:13:

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received [Greek word " lambano" which means to receive into manifestation] the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [Greek word "dechomai" which means to receive to you] it not as the word [logos] of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Paul stated his thankfulness to God our Father for the believers of Thessalonica. He was thankful that when they heard him teach God's Word, they didn't simply think, "Oh that's just Paul, he's just a man." The Thessalonians heard Paul speak and they believed it to be God's Word. They acted on what Paul spoke with believing action and received the desired results. As the believers at Thessalonica used their free will to make God's Word their standard for living, they were examples to follow. We are what we are because of the words we believe and act upon! God's Word must be our doctrine for living! God is our Father, and we are His children. And our Father's will for His children is to receive His Word, believe it and act upon it!

When we choose to align our thoughts with God's Word, we have a clear standard that enables us to discern between right believing and wrong believing. We do not have to wonder or ask ourselves, "Is it God's will?" We can go to the Bible and know what the Word says it is.

I thank God without ceasing because, you receive the Word of God when you read these monthly teachings. I know you received it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe. Believe God's Word and act upon it and you shall receive the results. God has prepared us to take on any challenge in life by way of His Word.

1 Thessalonians 2:14:

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 [Judeans].

The Thessalonians became imitators of the churches of God which in Judaea were based on Christ Jesus (the name Christ Jesus stated in this manner means the now glorified one who was once humbled). Paul acknowledges that the born-again believers of Thessalonica suffered mental pressures and physical distress by their own countrymen.

1 Thessalonians 2:15:

Who [Judeans] both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men.

While it was the Romans who carried out the method in which the Lord Jesus was killed, it was the Judean religious leaders who planned and acted to have the Lord Jesus killed. The Judeans also killed their own prophets that stood for God and this did not please God! Here is one of the many records documented in the Word of God where the people of the Jewish synagogue, the house of worship, violently opposed the men of God. The man of God documented here is Stephen in Acts 6:9:

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

Acts 6:11-15:

Then they suborned men [instigate, put forward by collusion], which said, we have heard him [Stephen] speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him [Stephen], and caught [violently seized] him, and brought him to the council [Sanhedrin],

and set up false witnesses, which said, this man ceases not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

For we have heard him say, that this Jesus [the one who humbled himself and became obedient unto death] of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him [Stephen], saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Who were they motivated by? "Suborned men" working for their father the devil. These were men born of the seed of the devil behind the scenes working to halt and impede Stephen's preaching and teaching of God's Word. But God stood with Stephen. These verses tell us that all, who sat in the council, saw Stephen's face as it had been the face of an angel!

In Acts 7:51-53, Stephen said:

Ye stiff-necked [Judeans rulers of the synagogue and others] and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit]: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just [righteousness] One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels and have not kept it.

This enumerates the major response of Israel's religious rulers to God's Word over the years. They didn't please God by killing Stephen, because he stood for God. They were the betrayers and murderers of the Lord Jesus Christ! And they did not keep God's Word! In our teaching of 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, we see how the born-again believers continued to endure mental and physical stresses for their adherence to God's Word.

Back to 1 Thessalonians 2:16-19:

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

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?

God wishes us to know and receive our legal rights about our hope. This knowledge produces great rejoicing and helps us stand faithfully in our daily walk in fellowship with God our Father. We have seen that our hope is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through his accomplishments we shall have complete triumph. Colossians 3:4 tells us, "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory."

1 Thessalonians 2:20:

For ye [everyone led to Christ] is our glory and joy.

Leading men and women into the new birth and providing them a standard to live by in a loving atmosphere is our goal as born-again believers. We want these new born-again believers to be able to study and show themselves approved to God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (see 2 Timothy 2:15).

God, our Father's goal is to "have all men [people] to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us:

For all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine [the true standard], for reproof [when not adhering to the true standard], for correction [back to the true standard], for instruction in righteousness:

That the man [or woman] of God may be perfect [mature], thoroughly furnished [from the inside out] unto all good works.

The impact of God's deliverance begins with our eagerness to share His Word in any situation. We must be willing to care enough to invest time and energy to help others mature in Christ Jesus! Born-again believers can follow the ways Paul, Silas and Timothy spoke (laleo) God's Word to transform people's lives.

We understand that as we walk among the believers our actions are to be "holily and justly and unblameably." When we share God's Word, we call people near and speak tenderly and witness with the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation. We let them see how to walk worthy of God, who has called us to His kingdom and glory. God gives us rewards now and in the future for leading people into the new birth!

Father, thank you for Your Word. Thank you for showing us how to walk holily and justly and unblameably among our brothers and sisters in Your household. Father, thank you for each of us to walk worthy of You, who has called us to Your kingdom and glory. Father, thank you for those who receive these monthly teachings, as it is in truth, the Word of God!

Next month's teaching: 1 Thessalonians 3.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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