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The Gospel According to Paul

First Thessalonians

Lesson 3“It is likely that there were…”

1 Thessalonians 2:1:12Page 12

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Today’s Lesson… Chapter Two

Paul now defends his manner of preaching and his conduct among the Thessalonians

He needed to bring these matters to their attention to repudiate any charges made by Paul’s adversaries– A public display of animosity toward Paul, and some

of the other brethren, had caused him to leave their city

– The Thessalonian brethren were also being attacked by the same false teachers

– The adversaries were diminishing Paul’s apostleship and motives

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Today’s Lesson… Chapter Two

A false teacher who is being persecuted would stop the teaching rather than suffer needlessly– He knows that his doctrines are his own

A true teacher will suffer persecution knowing the wrath of God should he alter the word to avoid the wrath of man

So – Paul spends much of this chapter to show his pure motives and the sacrificial work he did on their behalf

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Our Coming Was Not In Vain

Their obedience to God’s word proved that his work among them was not in vain [wasted]– They had:

Joy in the Holy Spirit Become examples to other, even in far away places Sounded forth the gospel of others

They did these things while suffering afflictions

1Th 2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

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Our Coming Was Not In Vain

The Lord says in Isa 55:11

…”so shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall certainly do what I sent it to do.”

Regardless of beatings, stonings, humiliations, jails, chains, mobs, and ridicules, Paul preached the word of God and left a trail of Christians everywhere he went

1Th 2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

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Paul Was Confident Among Them

They knew Paul was spitefully used at Philippi They knew he had suffered earlier for

preaching the truth They knew he had conflicts [contentions] with

some in their own city But, he boldly proclaimed the gospel of God to

them– The first proof of Paul’s apostleship of the living and

true God was his reaction to being persecuted for the things he preached

1Th 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.

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Paul’s Motives Were Pure

Next, Paul answers some charges made against him (assumed based on the answers he gives in verses 3-6)– That he was a crafty (clever) preacher who knew

tricks to persuade men to obey the gospel– That he preached in such a way as to tickle the ears

of the hearers and tried to please men– That he was highly educated and spoke with flattery

and was really covetous, desiring gain– That he loved the spotlight of praise and desired to

be “the big man” in the church

1Th 2:3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

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Paul’s Motives Were Pure

Things that played no part in his preaching– Error [fables, wandering, deceit], – Uncleanness [impure carnal motives], – Deceit [guile, a bait, snare, trick]

He had not abandoned the Thessalonians because his doctrine was flawed and could not be defended

He had not cared for his personal safety over the importance of the gospel

1Th 2:3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

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Paul’s Motives Were Pure

God entrusted him with the gospel God would tests his heart He was approved by God, not men He spoke to please God, not men

Paul says in Gal. 1:10 –

“For now do I persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I would not be a

servant of Christ.”

1Th 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.

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Paul’s Motives Were Pure

He never used flattering words– Evil men entice their listeners with “great swelling

words” (Jude 16) Paul was not preaching for money

– He toiled daily to help support himself– The Philippians had sent him gifts while he was

among the Thessalonians He said that God was his witness

– What better witness than the One who knows all the hearts of men

1Th 2:5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.

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Paul’s Was Not Greedy

He did not we seek the glory [financial support] from men– Personal glory was lost in the glory he sought for the

cross of Jesus (Gal. 6:14)– Paul included Silas and Timothy in the use of “we”

and “our” in verses 1-12 As an apostle he might have exerted his

authority for financial support, but he chose to do nothing that would be a burden

1Th 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.

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The Thessalonians Knew…

He was gentle among them as a nursing mother caring for her own children– How could he possibly say this if it were not so

Paul was always set for the defense of the gospel, but showed love and gentleness

Paul was always attacked personally, but he always responded in love and gentleness

1Th 2:7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

Paul Was A Servant

Like Jesus, he did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life following Christ– This proved the sincerity of his love for them

In the short time he was with them, they had “become dear” to him– Paul was dedicated to improving their spiritual

condition in God’s kingdom because of his love for the brethren

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1Th 2:8 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…

Night and day these preachers worked [labored and toiled] to provide their own support– Paul did not want to burden them for support– The Thessalonians were already burdened with being

poor and with being persecuted We preached to you the gospel of God

– Paul never preached more than the pure, straightforward word that was provided to him by God

– Likewise, he never preached anything less, else they might miss out

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1Th 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.

You Are Witnesses, and God Also…

The Thessalonian saints knew first hand that Paul’s behavior had been above criticism

He had behaved devoutly [holy, pious, solemn] – He had practiced what he preached

He had conducted his affairs with justice– Paul had dealt impartially with everyone

He had acted blamelessly [faultless, faithful]– Paul had tried to do his best to manifest the character

of Christ to all men

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1Th 2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;

As A Father Does His Own Children…

He had exhorted [admonished] those who needed to be en couraged– These new converts were in a difficult environment

He had comforted [soothed, consoled] those who were in the throes of heartbreak and personal tragedy

He had charged [testified, bore witness] those who had strayed into sin to correct their course

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1Th 2:11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,

God Calls You…

Paul’s behavior (exhorting, comforting, charging) among them had one overriding goal:

“…that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”

His greatest challenge was to persuade them that the rewards and the glory of His kingdom was worth any cost

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1Th 2:12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

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Questions – Chapter One1. Paul had been ___________________ treated at

__________ but continued to be _____________ in speaking the ___________________ in much ___________________.

2. His ______________ was not in _______________, ______________________, or ________________.

3. One ____________ with the ______________ would not speak so as to ____________________ men but __________ who _________________ the heart.

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Questions – Chapter One4. What did Paul never do when he preached the gospel?

a. ___________________________________b. ___________________________________c. ___________________________________

5. Paul had given the Thessalonians the ___________ and his ________ ___________.

6. He had ________ ______________ and _________ that he might not be a ___________________ while he _________________ the ___________________.

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Questions – Chapter One7. He had behaved ___________, _______________,

and ___________ as he _____________, ____________ and ____________.

8. Paul’s goal for the Thessalonians was a _____________ worthy of ___________.