1 Thessalonians 2 (2)

Pray Psalm 146.1, 2.
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2.3-6.

Reflect.
1. Who, besides Paul, is “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel”? What does that mean?

2. Does God test your heart? When? 

Meditate.
Paul felt it necessary to remind the Thessalonians of his conduct and demeanor among them, how he served the Lord and sought nothing for himself. He had been “approved” of God to be “entrusted with the gospel,” and he was not about to do anything that would compromise that trust.

Paul’s motives were pure and honest, and his method was straightforward and truthful. He and his team weren’t seeking anything material from the Thessalonians, and they didn’t resort to man-pleasing and flattering ways to win converts. Paul let the Gospel do the work of converting; his task was to represent the truth of God by his life and words, and he is reminding the Thessalonians that this is precisely what he did.

When Paul says they “might have made demands as apostles of Christ” (v. 6), he refers to the right of those who preach the Gospel to expect those they serve to help meet their material needs (cf. Gal. 6.9; 1 Cor. 9.11-14). But he and his team did not make use of that right. They focused on serving the people of Thessalonica by every means, until they were driven out of town by opponents to the Gospel (Acts 17.10). Paul knew that if he was faithful in serving the Lord, the Lord would faithfully supply all his needs.

Prepare.
1. All believers have been “entrusted with the gospel.” What are we supposed to do with that trust? How can believers encourage one another to be faithful in this trust?

2. Paul says that God “tests our hearts.” What is He looking for (Ps. 139.23, 24)? What can we do to keep our hearts always ready for the Lord’s tests?

3. Can we be faithful to our Kingdom-and-glory calling (1 Thess. 2.12) and seek glory from men at the same time? Explain.

…a man must be irreproachable in conduct, prudent and discreet in his dealings with others, regardless of the dangers involved, and apt to teach. These were the qualifications that enabled Paul to reach his goal.  John Chrysostom (344-407 AD), Homilies on Ephesians 6

Lord, help me to be faithful today with the Gospel that You have entrusted to my care, so that I…

Pray Psalm 146.3-10.
Where will you need the Lord’s help today? Have you committed your plans to Him? Are you ready to serve others so as to please and glorify Him? Use this psalm to help you prepare for serving the Lord in the day ahead.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 146.3-10 (Hallelujah! What a Savior!: Man of Sorrows)
Trust we not in prince or man – no salvation’s in their hand; 
Death shall take them, breath and plans – God forever reigns in Zion!

Blessed are they whose hope resides in the Lord, Christ at His side. 
By Him heav’n and earth abide – God forever reigns in Zion!

He is faithful evermore; He gives justice to the poor, 
feeds the hungry from His store – God forever reigns in Zion!

Jesus sets the pris’ner free, heals blind eyes that they may see, 
lifts those burdened painfully – God forever reigns in Zion!

T. M. Moore

Where do 1 and 2 Thessalonians fit in the unfolding of God’s covenant? Order our workbook, God’s Covenant, and find out how all Scripture fits within this redemptive framework (click here).

Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).