Outline 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
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The Faithfulness of God’s Servants
The Faithfulness of God’s Servants
The Faithfulness of God’s Servants
1st Thessalonians 2:1-12
“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (NKJV)
Faithfulness means: Consistent, loyal, dependable, devoted, bound by a pledge, duty, or obligation.
Faithfulness is required in our faith.
From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God is faithful to us:
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;”
1 Thess 5:24 “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
The results of being faithful.
1. THE MESSAGE WAS NOT WITHOUT RESULTS V1.
a. Salvation
b. Imitators 1:7
c. Walking worthy of God v12
2. THE MESSAGE WAS SUCCESSFUL EVEN THROUGH GREAT PERSECUTION V2.
a. Their faithfulness did not change because of how others treated them.
b. They suffered. They were arrested in Philippi for the Gospel.
c. They were spitefully (nasty, cruelness, hate, to hurt) treated.
d. There was much conflict.
3. THE MESSAGE WAS APPROVED BY GOD V3-5.
a. Paul used three words that depicted false teachers in verse 3, error, uncleanness, and deceit. (Not approved by God).
b. The “entrusted” means to assign responsibility to someone.
c. The message of the Gospel was not only approved by God, but assigned to Paul, given to Him to reach the world.
d. God tests the heart (Psalm 17:3, 139:23)
e. Therefore God is the witness to the truth of the message. (v5).
4. THE CHURCH IS ABOUT TRANSFORMING PEOPLE V6-12
a. Transformation is always clear.
b. The Church is to:
1. Not seek the glory of men/ world v6
2. Gentle v7
3. Affectionate v8
4. Preaching the Gospel v9
5. Well behaved v10
6. Comforting v11
7. Encouraging those to walk worthy of God v12
c. Many people will not turn to God because they are too comfortable serving idols.
Biblical Application: When we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ we are entrusted with the Gospel and as the Church we are to be welcoming to all.
We are to be faithful to God in whatever He calls us to do, no matter the opposition.