I have always enjoyed a good mystery where justice is served and the truth is found. Many times we tell the truth but it has a hint of what we think or feel added to it. We seek to persuade others with the truth but with our understanding of it. However, we need to be like the old show Dragnet. It would begin with the sentence, “The story you are about to see is true.” A phrase associated with the program was “just the facts ma’am,” Paul conveys this sentiment in I Thessalonians chapter 2. He was giving them sound, solid, truth about how to be right with God.
In I Thessalonians 2:1 Paul reminds the church that the preaching they brought to them was not in vain. In vain means to be fruitless, empty, or worthless. Paul says this was not the case in their preaching. In verse 2 he reminds them when they were at Philippi they were treated shamefully. While there a slave girl who was possessed by a demon was being used to tell fortunes. Her owners were using her to make money. When Paul told the demons to depart and she was saved the owners were furious. Their income had been interrupted and they had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown into jail. However, their boldness to present the gospel was not squashed. They sang through the night and God caused an earthquake to break their shackles off and they were freed. Because of their testimony, the guard was saved and his household. Even in horrible circumstances, they gave sound, solid, truth to those who would listen.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”
To further convince the church of their intent Paul reminds them their teaching was to exhort them. There was no deceit, and no words to lead them into error. Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. They were teaching and preaching what God had told them.
In the modern era of preaching, many say what people want to hear. They are seeking popularity and money. Their desire is not to teach to draw people to Christ it is to make people feel good about themselves. They use flattering words to gain the support of the audience. They are covetous and lie about the truth. This is the opposite of what Paul and Silas were teaching and the opposite of what God’s word says.
I Thessalonians 2:3-5 “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be 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 and Silas wanted to avoid any idea that they were there for any gain from the church. They worked and earned a living while there and did not depend on the church for financial support. They were not seeking glory for themselves and refused to be a burden to anyone. I know many preachers who would never seek this pathway to witnessing. If for some reason their church couldn’t pay them they would move on rather than seek other ways to make a living. Don’t get me wrong I believe the man of God should be supported by its members. A good pastor works 24/7 to build the church. They are on call all the time. Dealing with people is hard work. A church that obeys God will do all it can to support the pastor and his family. However, unless God impresses and guides a pastor to move he should stay and figure out a way to support his family and work the ministry.
I Thessalonians 2:6 “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.”
In verses 7-12, Paul shows another side of good solid truth. When the truth is the goal it can be done with love and concern for the hearer. He exhibits this as he treats them as his children. He is gentle with them in verse 7 and in verse 11 he comforts and exhorts them as a father.
I Thessalonians 2:7-12 “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, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”
Paul is doing what all Christians should do. We are to tell the truth to anyone who will listen. We need to do it with love without expecting anything in return. We are to cherish our opportunities and relationships as a gift from God to win others to Him. Everyone we encounter is a soul Jesus died for and we need to be mindful of that wherever we go. We need to pray before we leave home that God would remind us of this truth and give us words to open a conversation that would lead to Him. Paul had taught the truth in love and they had received it. This is why in verse 13 he could say, “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.”
Are you spreading solid, sound, truth wherever you go? If not, pray, ask God to help you, and then be obedient.
