Apostle Paul established a good church in Thessalonica city. The Apostle was very bold in proclaiming the Gospel. He says that it is “The Gospel of God”. He cast out a spirit of python( a huge serpent) from a certain girl. When the demon was cast out in the name of Jesus, it proved that they were of God. The Apostles suffered for the good deed and were shamefully entreated in Philippi.

Notice the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in John 16:33. It is a prophecy about God’s ministers Overcoming the suffering because of the proclamation of the Gospel:” These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world”.

The Greek word for “overcome” is “nicao” which means “conquered”. Since He overcame the world, we can also overcome tribulation. Therefore, we need to be bold to speak the Gospel of God.

The Gospel of God is the Gospel of Peace. It is good tidings of good things. The gospel is God’s revelation to His Ministers. There are 7 things about the manifestation of the Gospel:

1. God’s creation
2. Man’s rebellion
3. God’s love, mercy and grace
4. God’s wrath
5. God’s salvation
6. God’s plan
7. Man’s destiny

“ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” ( Rom.1:1). “Separated’ = set apart= Gr. Aphoridao. Servant= bond slave: one who is the entire property of another= Gr. Doulos.

The Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us through His precious blood which He shed on the cross of Calvary. We are the property of Him. We are set apart to proclaim the Gospel of God.

2. Honesty, Purity and Faithfulness:

“ For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness”.

Paul says: “ Our exhortation”. Three marks of true exhortation are :

1. Without deceit: delusion
2. Without uncleanness: corrupt passions
3. Without guile

God tries our hearts. Ministers of the Gospel must please God. Blessed are the pure in heart. Covetousness is a sin. Desire for things is idol worship. You must be clean. Turn from idols to the life of Almighty. Honesty, Purity and Faithfulness are the characteristics of the Ministers of Christ. Do not use flattering words. Do not be covetous. Trust in the LORD. He will bless you. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD.

“ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: Who can know it? I the LORD search the hearts, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to fruit of his doings”( Jere.17:9,10).

Change my heart oh God! Make it ever true, Change my heart oh God, May I be like You.

3. We were as a Mother feeding her children

“ Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ” . But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, and our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the Gospel of God.(1 Thessalonians 2:6-9).

Paul and his co-workers were the apostles of Christ. Apostle means a person sent by Jesus to preach His Good news. They might have used their position to get wages from them. For they had that right. But the Apostle Paul and his co-workers did not exercise these rights. Paul is saying: “But we were among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children”(v.7). a nurse= Gr. Trophos. It refers to a mother feeding her children.

Paul preached the Gospel of God. It makes you to grow in grace and the knowledge of God. Paul was not like a hospital paid nurse. He was as a mother cherished her spiritual children. Paul protected his spiritual children day and night. He laboured night and day. Some examples are:

1. For labouring night and day,...we preached the gospel of God.v.9
2. Meditate God’s word day and night, Jos.1:8
3. Night and day praying exceedingly,3:10

“ As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”( 1 Pet.2:2). God’s word is like Milk, it makes you to grow spiritually. Our Lord Jesus ministered the Gospel, He gave His life also, just like this example of a good mother. St. Mark 10;45 says:

“ For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many”.

Apostle Paul absolutely followed the example of Jesus Christ. Paul says: “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us”.

4. Father exhorts and Comforts and behaves blameless conduct

“Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe. A s ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged everyone of you, as a father doth his children. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory”( 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

As a Spiritual Father, Apostle Paul did three kinds of Ministry:

1. Exhortation, Gr. Parakaleo
2. Comforting, Gr. Paramutheomai
3. Charging, Gr. Marturomai, testifying to or strictly charging to righteousness.

Note the spirit of pastoral care exercised by Paul and his disciples- gentle as a mother(v.7) and exhorting, comforting, and charging(v.11) everyone as a father does his children. Such a Pastor will succeed with this kind of personal care for each one in his congregation.

The objectives of such a fatherly care are:

1. You would walk worthy of God
2. God has called you unto His kingdom and Glory

God’s kingdom is a lifestyle of righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. God’s glory is God offering us a prospering life. This is the highest calling of all. Let us compare this with Eph. 5:1,2. “ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children”(v.1).

3 Major qualities of Christian living:

1. Holily, Gr. Hosias. Holy in reference to God
2. Justly, Gr. Dikaios. Righteous, just
3. Unblameably, Gr.amemptos. Unblameable, in reference to life and conduct before God and man.

The ministers of Gospel behaved such good life among the believers. Their walk and talk were the same. They lived a holy life, righteous life and error free life.

5.Power of the Gospel effectual in al Believers

“ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe”( 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The Thessalonian believers received the Gospel of God as the word of God. It is not the word of men. The word of God works mightily in you. No matter what the circumstances what you see or hear, the word is working effectually in you. It is doing the job correctly. You believe the word of God, it is producing a new life in you. The word of God has potential power to change your life. I am forever changed by the living word of God. For this cause we thank God without ceasing. Pray without ceasing, for this the will of God.

6. Conflict with Satan and wicked men who oppose the Truth:

In verse 14, Paul reveals about church. Here the name of the church is : “The Church of God” in Judea. Actually, The Churches of God. Paul speaks about sufferings of the believers in Christ Jesus. The unbelieving Jewish people persecuted the true believers.

Apostle Paul mentions seven sins of the Jews here:

1. They killed Jesus Christ
2. They killed their own prophets
3. They persecuted the church
4. They lived contrary to God
5. Contrary to all men
6. Opposed salvation of others
7. Multiplied sins continuously

For the above 7 sins wrath of God comes upon them to the uttermost. In verse 17, Paul had compared himself to a parent and the people his beloved children(v.7,11).Here he represented himself as feeling what an affectionate Father would feel if torn from his children. Because of this he endeavoured to see them all the more(v.17). In fact, he would have seen them time and again if satan had not hindered(v.18).

7.His Reward for Labour

“ 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? For ye are our glory and joy(1 Thessalonians 2:19,20)./p>

This is the 2 nd N.T. Prophecy in 1 Thessalonians, unfulfilled. The joy and rejoicing will happen in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. This refers to His 2nd coming. The believers Paul won were his glory and joy. This speaks about importance of our winning souls for our beloved Lord Jesus. Amen.

Review Questions for Chapter Two

1. Explain: “The Gospel of God’(v.1,2)
2. What are the three marks of true exhortation?(v.3-4)
3. A nursing mother cherishes her children: Explain with reference to Paul as a spiritual mother(v.7-9).
4. How did Paul protect his spiritual children day and night?(v.7).
5. As a spiritual father, Paul did three kinds of ministry. What are they?(v.11)
6. What are the objectives of such fatherly care? (v.12)
7. What are the three major qualities of Christian living? (v.10)
8. What is the power of the word of God in believers?(v.13)
9. What are the seven sins of the Jews? (v.15,16)
10. What is our reward for soul winning? (v.19,20)

Send your Answers for these Questions to :

Pastor. C. Peter Chandran, The Living God Ministries,#46/61, First Floor,Ravi Electronics, East Jones Road, Saidapet, Chennai- 600 015. Tamilnadu.India.
www.thelivinggodministries.org Email: peterchandran@hotmail.com