Scripture

As apostles of Christ, we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. We were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children.

Observation

Paul, Silas, and Timothy had been badly treated in Philippi. They were beaten and thrown into jail (Acts 16:19-40). Despite this, they came to Thessalonica and preached the gospel boldly.

They do not preach to win favour or from any impure motives. They are messengers approved by God and entrusted with the Good News. They did not flatter the Thessalonians or pretend to be their friends in order to get their money.

No, it was the opposite. They came as apostles of God, with gentleness. They were like a mother feeding her children. They loved them not just with the gospel, but they shared their lives with them also.

Application

With the rise in awareness of the ministry of apostles in recent years, many people have falsely taken the title of apostle.

People want to be the”big man” in control and able to push people around. Some take advantage of ordinary Christians in order to gain power, money, or status.

This is not the way of Jesus.

The apostles came to Thessalonica in gentleness and with a servant heart. They preached with boldness, but not with impure motives.

Rather than seeking gain from the converts, they gave themselves to them, like a mother who feeds her children.

When assessing christian leaders, we we must look beyond their words, their style and the content of their message, to see how their actions line up with the example of Jesus or the apostles.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to serve your people rather than looking to be served. Amen

Scripture

They spoke of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven – Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgement.

Observation

Paul, Silas, and Timothy are writing to the church in Thessalonica. They thank God for this faithful group of believers. The Thessalonians are faithful in their work, deeds of love, and enduring hope.

God loves them and has chosen them to be His people. When Paul and the others took the Good News to them, it was not just with words, but with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Thessalonians responded with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

The word of the Lord is going out from them to people everywhere. People are talking about how they turned from idols to serve the living God how they look forward to the return of Christ.

Application

There is a judgement coming that every person must face. For those who live separately from God, it will be a time of terror. They will suddenly realise their sin as they are thrown into the fires of Hell.

There is a God who is alive. He is the one who created all things for His glory. He created every single person that has ever lived. We rebelled against him and worshipped false gods – whether literal idols or things such as wealth, success, and glory.

On the Day of Judgement, the Lord will divide everybody into two groups – sheep and goats. The sheep will enter eternal joy and fellowship with God. The goats will be separated from God for all eternity.

The only way into salvation is through faith in Jesus, whom God raised from the dead.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for saving me from Hell. You lifted me out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of your dear Son. I pray that everybody reading this reflection will give their hearts to you. Amen.