Speak to Please God

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June 13, 2010

Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–13

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:4

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Introduction

By the authority of Christ, the King and Head of the Church, our Lord has commissioned us to be discipled and to disciple the nations in the Word and Gospel: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:18–20). Our Lord’s commission reveals that Christ alone is the power and substance of the Commission. The power or authority of the Commission is in Christ who is the sovereign ruler of all heaven and earth. King Jesus, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells, is the hope of the Gospel which is to be preached to every creature, teaching all nations to observe all things which are commanded by him.

The risen Lord, who had paid the ransom price of eternal death (punishment for the sins of His people), who had conquered physical death and its sting, stood before his disciples and commissioned them to go into the entire world with his gospel. He also promised that he would be with them always. Paul was also confronted with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and commissioned to preach the gospel. It is therefore no wonder that Paul, and others, could claim boldness in their preaching, saying, “we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention” (1 Thess. 2:2); and in 2:4 Paul says they were entrusted with the Gospel, “even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God.”

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Not in Vain—1 Thessalonians 2:1–2

In the first chapter of Thessalonica, we noted that Paul wrote of the church of Thessalonica “which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.” He remembered their “work of faith, and labour of love;” for the gospel which, they preached, was accompanied with power in the Holy Spirit. They became followers of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, “and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction.” They had received the word with much joy in the Holy Spirit, and became examples to all the believers “in Macedonia and Achaia.”

Therefore, Paul could say, “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain.” Paul and his companions had faithfully preached and taught the gospel. They had not only shared the gospel, but they remained in Thessalonica to disciple the new born converts in the truth of the Word of God. Unless our witness to the good news of Jesus Christ is accompanied by the willingness to sit down with new Christians and teach them the glorious doctrines of grace as revealed in God’s written Word, then our entrance into their lives may be in vain.

The preaching of the gospel by Paul was sharpened through suffering. Paul testified, saying that they “were bold in our God to speak unto the gospel of God with much contention.” Gordon Clark wrote: “It must always be kept in mind that the proclamation of the Gospel is part of a spiritual struggle against the supernatural power of the Evil one, and victory comes only through the omnipotent grace of God …so we today must expound and explain the Scripture in all its fullness to all sorts of men; and we can then be assured that our Father in heaven will reveal His truth to some of them” (God’s Hammer).

Discussion: Why was Paul’s entrance into Thessalonica not in vain?

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Pleasing to God—1 Thessalonians 2:3–6

Not only did Paul faithfully speak the gospel of God as he struggled with evil men, but the exhortation of the gospel was “not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.” This implies that there are those who would influence others through words which would benefit their own self esteem and pockets. But the solid food of the word belongs to “those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14). It was God who allowed his disciples to be trusted “with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing to men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” As God was Paul’s witness, they sought not the glory of men but of God, “as apostles of Christ.”

Our witness to Christ and his gospel must first and foremost to be pleasing to God, glorifying him only. Much of the preaching today is given to please men, to tickle their ears, rather than the Word which pierces the heart for their salvation. There is also the question as to whether one truly believes that Scripture is efficacious in and of itself; because it is The Word of God, or that we need to add to the Word our own charisma or appeal to man’s self-interest.

Discussion: When we speak, who are we to please, and why?

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Our Own Souls—1 Thessalonians 2:7–9

Paul and his companions came with a gentle spirit to the church at Thessalonica, as a nurse who cherishes her children. Because of their love for them they were willing, not only to impart the Gospel, but to give of their own souls. Their preaching of the gospel came through a labor which brought about much weariness. They gave of themselves in their preaching of the gospel of God so that they would not be charged with any laxity in their desire for the salvation of their souls. They could not be charged with being lazy in their heart’s concern for each of them.

Discussion: How much do we love the people of God, willing to give all for the sake of their soul’s interest in Christ?

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Word of God—1 Thessalonians 2:10–13

Paul is not hesitant to bring before the people of God their preaching of the Gospel. Those with whom Paul and his companions labored are witnesses to Christ. Before God they learn to serve God, to conduct themselves, behaving themselves honorably among the believers. Paul came to the believers as a father comes to his children. His purpose in coming, in accord with the commission he received from the risen Lord, was that they “would walk worthy of God,” who had called them to his Kingdom, and his glory. This implies that the Great Commission not only includes the preaching of the Gospel to the saving of souls, but the teaching of the Word of God that men and nations may walk therein.

Paul gives thanks to God because the saints “received the word of God” which they heard through his servants. Paul claims, as did the prophets through whom God spoke, that He spoke the words of truth, “the word of God, which effectually” worked in those who believe. We are to walk worthy of God our Father, who has called us into his kingdom. Paul’s “commendation of the grace of God” is contained in the expression, “who hath called us into his kingdom.” For, as our salvation is founded upon God’s gracious adoption, every blessing that Christ has brought us is comprehended in this one term. It now remains that we answer God’s call, that is, that we shew ourselves to be such children to him as he is a Father to us. For he who lives otherwise than as becomes a child of God, deserves to be cut off from God’s household” (Calvin).

Discussion: What is our motivation to walk worthy of our Father in heaven?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.