October 24, 2023 - 1 Thessalonians 2

Paul was always writing to the churches, sending messengers to them, or visiting them himself, as he did the church at Thessalonica. The description of his ministry to the church is quite amazing. Paul writes:

“Our coming to you was not in vain” (1).

He proclaimed the gospel to them boldly (2).

He spoke in order to please God, not man (3-4).

Paul did not speak with words of flattery or out of greed or the desire for personal glory (5-6).

He was gentle among them, “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (7).

With deep affection, Paul loved the people (8).

Paul labored hard on their behalf, always conducting himself righteously (9-10).

Like a father to his children, so Paul was to the Thessalonians (11).

He faithfully exhorted them to live in a manner worthy of God (12).

And the chapter ends with Paul’s declaration: “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy” (19-20. Here are the labors and the heart of a good shepherd!

Go, labor on; spend, and be spent,

thy joy to do the Father’s will;

it is the way the Master went;

should not the servant tread it still?

Toil on, and in thy toil rejoice;

for toil comes rest, for exile home;

soon shalt thou hear the Bridegroom’s voice,

the midnight peal, “Behold, I come.” --Horatius Bonar (1843)