Prophets for Profit

Micah 3:5-12

If you had a message that you needed to give to a group of people, and you gave that to a messenger to deliver on your behalf because you could not be there yourself, you would naturally want that message delivered, and delivered accurately.  A good messenger won’t distort the message to his own liking, or twist it around to mean something else.  Similarly, if you have something that you want taught to others, you expect that the teacher will bring the proper lesson to the students.  In our Scripture for today, the Prophet Micah had a message from God to the spiritual leaders of his day, who were distorting God’s truth for their own gain and popularity.  Let’s take a look at this often overlooked book in the Bible.

Micah was a prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and ministered during the latter half of the 8th century B.C. during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.  This was a time of great spiritual decline, as the people strayed away from faithfully worshiping Yahweh, including mixing His worship with that of pagan false gods and idols, and their growing lax in their obedience to the Mosaic Law.

Our Scripture begins with God, through the Prophet Micah, condemning the false prophets and religious leaders of the day (vs. 5).  These prophets were guilty of leading God’s people astray.  The phrase “chew with their teeth” suggests that these prophets spoke a favorable message when they were well compensated.  If someone rewarded them, they proclaimed a message of peace and blessing.  But if not, they pronounced judgment and hostility.  Their message was determined by their personal benefit rather than on the truth of the Lord God.

We see something similar today with a lot of preachers.  Those who preach the prosperity gospel speak of personal wealth for the congregation if they only put more money into the offerings and donations to the preacher.  Others preach only messages that the audience wants to hear, only sin-tolerant preaching.  They preach messages centered on self-esteem rather than repentance.  A true preacher must proclaim God’s Word whether it is popular or unpopular (II Timothy 4:2).  God’s messengers are to be stewards of truth, not salesmen of religious comfort.

Because these prophets abused their office, God proclaimed that He would remove His revelation from them (vs. 6-7).  In the Bible, light often symbolizes God’s truth and guidance.  Darkness represents judgment and spiritual blindness.  These false prophets were claiming that they had special insight, but God was going to expose them as frauds, with shame, humiliation, and silence.  They claimed to be spiritual leaders from God, but would come up empty.  God teaches us here that false doctrine may flourish temporarily, but His truth will ultimately prevail.

Next we see the example of a faithful prophet (vs. 8).  The words and ministry of Micah is contrasted with the false prophets.  Micah’s authority came from God.  A true servant of God depends on the Holy Spirit and power of the Lord rather than on personality, popularity, or human wisdom.  Micah could proclaim God’s judgment because he clearly understood the difference between truth and error.  God gave him courage to proclaim difficult truths that others refused to preach for fear of offending their audience.  We see that all too often today when preachers refuse to speak out against sin for fear of offending or getting “canceled”.  It takes spiritual strength to stand against public opinion.  A true Biblical ministry is measured by faithfulness to God’s Word.  We are called to stand for truth despite opposition.

Micah continued by bringing God’s charge against corrupt leadership and the nation’s rulers (vs. 9-11).  Instead of administering justice, they despised it.  They enriched themselves through oppression and corruption.  A society cannot remain strong when its foundations are morally corrupt.  Judah was corrupt on every level - their civil leaders accepted bribes, their priests and prophets performed their duty for personal profit rather than obeying God, yet they all felt God was on their side and they had His blessing.

Many people today assume they are spiritually secure because of their church attendance, their religious traditions, or their denominational affiliation.  Yet God looks beyond appearances and examines the heart.  The religious leaders of Micah’s day had ceremonies but lacked obedience, and because of persistent sin, God proclaimed that judgment was coming (vs. 12).  They wrongly assumed that their religious rituals guaranteed protection regardless of their behavior, just like many today assume, as well.  However, God is holy and will discipline sin.

In closing, this Scripture passage from the Prophet Micah is God’s indictment of the religious leaders who brought false teachings and spiritual manipulations to the people.  We must remember that a preacher’s responsibility is not to entertain or please the crowd, or to follow cultural trends.  His responsibility is to declare God’s truth from His Word, the Bible.  God demands truthful preaching.  He is not impressed by outward religiosity that lacks obedience.  Whether it is individuals, churches, or nations, sin carries consequences.  God is loving and merciful, but He is also holy and just.

Two Foundational Truths

Matthew 22:34-46

Most of us at one time or another have been asked a trick question, that no matter what we answered, we would be wrong or get into some type of trouble.  Throughout His ministry, Jesus had faced opposition, and now, just days before His betrayal and crucifixion, His enemies were desperately trying to trap Him in His words so that they could bring charges of treason or blasphemy against Him. The Pharisees had joined up with the Herodians to try and get Jesus to say words that would bring the Roman officials against Him, or the opposite, by getting nationalistic Jews against Him.  Then the Sadducees tried arguing with Jesus about the resurrection.  Now, once again the Pharisees were trying to trap Him.  Let’s take a look at their disingenuous questions.

As our Scripture opens, the Pharisees sent one of their group, a lawyer who was an expert in the Mosaic Law, to test Jesus (vs. 34-36).  In Jesus’ day, and even today, many Orthodox Jewish men like to discuss and even get into friendly debates about various topics from the Pentateuch and the Talmud.  One thing that was sometimes debated was which of the hundreds of commands found in the Law was the most important.  The lawyer decided to ask Jesus this question, and was likely hoping that His answer would create controversy or provide grounds for accusation.

These Pharisees had a lot of knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures, particularly the five Books of Moses.  However, it was all book-knowledge.  It had never reached their heart.  They knew the Scriptures intellectually, but rejected the One to whom the Scriptures pointed.

Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, that loving God with all of the heart, soul, and mind was the first and great commandment (vs. 37-38).  The heart is our affections and desires.  Loving with the soul is our whole inner being.  And the mind is our thoughts and understanding.  God does not merely desire outward conformity.  He requires wholehearted devotion.  The believer’s first responsibility is not service, ministry, or activity, but loving God supremely.

Jesus then followed this up by giving the second greatest commandment (vs. 39).  He quoted Leviticus 19:18.  When we truly love God, we will treat others according to His standards.  We are to seek another person’s good according to God’s truth.  Modern culture often elevates love while ignoring truth.  Jesus never separated the two.  Biblical love speaks truth, seeks holiness, warns against sin, and points people to Christ.  If we truly care about and love someone, we will be concerned about their eternal welfare.

The Ten Commandments illustrate this (vs. 40).  The first four commandments concern our love towards God.  The last six commandments concern our love towards others.  If a person perfectly loves God and others, he will perfectly fulfill God’s moral law.

Following this, Jesus became the questioner.  He asked them about the Messiah (the Christ), and whose Son was He (vs. 41-42).  Their answer, the son of David, was partially correct.  The Old Testament taught that the Messiah would come from David’s line, and sit upon the throne of David.  Jesus proceeded then to quote Psalm 110:1, where David called the Messiah “Lord” (vs. 43-45).  If the Messiah is merely David’s descendant, why would David call Him “Lord”?  The only answer is that the Messiah is more than David’s son.  He is also David’s divine Lord.

Jesus said that David spoke “in the Spirit”, meaning he was guided by the Holy Spirit when he wrote Scripture.  This supports the doctrine of verbal inspiration of the Bible (II Timothy 3:16).  These verses also show the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus is both fully man (David’s Son), and also fully God (David’s Lord).  Jesus was not merely a prophet and a teacher.  He is also God manifested in the flesh (John 1:14; I Timothy 3:16.  Psalm 110 depicts the Messiah seated at God’s right hand, pointing to His resurrection, ascension, and future victorious reign.

Following this exchange the religious leaders were completely silenced (vs. 46).  Every attack against Jesus collapsed because He is truth itself.  Many critics have challenged Christianity throughout history, but Jesus Christ remains undefeated.

Today’s Scripture presented two foundational truths.  The first is that man’s greatest duty is to love God wholly and love his neighbor as himself.  The second foundational truth is that Jesus Christ is both David’s Son and David’s Lord, proving that He is the divine Messiah.  The first truth reveals our failure and need for salvation.  The second reveals the identity of the Savior who alone can provide that salvation.

God's Approval or Man's Applause?

I Thessalonians 2:1-8

Are you a people-pleaser?  When we first hear that phrase we might think that is a good thing to be, as we should all want to please others and make other people happy.  However, that phrase also tends to imply someone who can never say no when asked to do something, even when it is very inconvenient.  People-pleasers often avoid a conflict at all costs, or they shift their opinions, tastes, or behavior to match whoever they are with.  Unfortunately that last characteristic is something that we sometimes see from the pulpit, where the sermon is crafted to please the congregation, rather than presenting the truth of the Gospel.  That was never the case with the Apostle Paul, as he testified in our Scripture for today.  Let’s see what we can learn as we continue in St. Paul’s letter to the Christians in Thessalonica.

When Paul and his companion Silas arrived in Thessalonica to bring the Gospel message to them, they had just recently been run out of town in Philippi.  Their stay in Thessalonica was quite brief, only a few weeks, as his enemies followed him putting his life in danger again, so they fled once more.  However, despite Paul’s short stay, his stop there was not in vain as he bore much fruit in that city (vs. 1).  Souls were saved and lives were transformed.  Today many people judge a ministry’s success by how long it lasts and how profitable it is.  Three weeks and then being run out of town would look like a failure to them, but Paul’s time there produced real fruit.

Past persecution did not silence Paul’s witness (vs. 2).  Preaching the true Gospel will often bring opposition, but God will supply courage for this ministry.  Paul’s confidence came from the Lord rather than his own personal bravery.  No one wants to be beaten and otherwise attacked, and Paul was no exception, however he remained faithful to God’s call in spite of all hardship.

Paul’s enemies leveled several accusations against him and his ministry, but the Apostle denied them (vs. 3).  They claimed that Paul’s message was filled with error, but he did not preach false doctrine.  They leveled charges of uncleanness or impropriety against him, but Paul’s motives were morally pure.  There was no immorality attached to his ministry.  They also claimed he was deceitful, but Paul used no trickery, manipulation, or dishonest methods.  Today’s preachers need to be the same.  The church should never adopt worldly techniques, deceptive tactics, or entertainment-centered methods that obscure the truth of the Gospel.

The Apostle viewed the Gospel as a sacred trust committed to him by God (vs. 4). His goal was God’s approval, not man’s applause.  Many preachers and believers compromise Biblical truth for acceptance.  Paul’s example should remind us that truth must never be sacrificed to gain popularity.  Jesus was not a “people-pleaser”.  He only cared about what one “Person” thought, and that was His Heavenly Father.  We should be more concerned about pleasing God rather than pleasing anyone else.

False teachers will often use flattery or other manipulations to gain followers and large donations (vs. 5-6).  Paul’s ministry was not motivated by money, greed, fame, or popularity, but instead was for God’s glory.  The faithful preacher will seek to exalt Jesus rather than build a personal following, sell more books, or seek more donations to purchase another private jet for themselves.

Instead of being like those false teachers, Paul was like a loving mother to her newborn baby (vs. 7-8).  He was gracious, compassionate, thoughtful, and tactful to his new converts.  He was not abrasive or judgmental, just like a loving parent.  He spoke the truth firmly, but also with genuine love and concern.  This reflected the model of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for His people.  Christian service should not merely transmit information.  Effective ministry requires investing one’s life in others.

Looking over our Scripture, we see that opposition is not a sign that God is absent.  Often it is evidence that the Gospel is advancing.  We must always be sure that our ministry is pure in God’s sight.  In addition, we must also be careful to seek God’s approval rather than human praise.

As we take a look at ourselves, are we seeking God’s approval or man’s applause?  Are we willing to stand for truth when it is unpopular?  Do we genuinely love others enough to invest our lives in helping them grow spiritually?  Let us strive to follow Paul’s example by faithfully proclaiming the Gospel, maintaining pure motives, standing boldly for Biblical truth, and serving others with Christlike tenderness and sacrificial love.

Which Path Will You Choose?

Psalm 1

Today’s psalm is one that places in my top five psalms.  It opens the Book of Psalms with some very profound and important truths that believers should take special heed to if they wish to have a close walk with the Lord.  This psalm speaks of two ways one can choose to walk in their life, and highlights the way a believer should choose.  Let’s take a look at this short, but important psalm.

The main theme of this first of the psalms is that true blessing comes from a a life centered upon God’s Word, while destruction awaits those who reject God’s ways.  We first look at the person who is blessed by the Lord, what he will avoid in his life, and what he loves.  The Hebrew word for “blessed” here, “eser”, carries the idea of happiness, fulfillment, and divine favor.  This is not worldly happiness based on circumstances, but instead a deep joy resulting from a right relationship with God.

We read first what this blessed man will avoid in his life, and that centers around who he associates with (vs. 1).  He will not walk with the ungodly, listening to their counsel.  Nor will he stand with sinners, participating with the way of their lifestyle, and he will not sit with the scornful.  The godly man refuses to shape his life according to the world’s philosophy.  The “counsel of the ungodly” includes humanism, secularism, false religions, godless morality, and anti-biblical thinking.  The blessed man refuses to build his life upon them.

If one begins to listen to the ungodly, walking with them, very quickly he will start standing with them, and participate in their ways, their lifestyle, and conduct.  Sin rarely begins with open rebellion.  It starts with accepting wrong ideas.  Many believers have fallen spiritually because they underestimated the danger of wrong influences.  And the final stage is sitting with scoffers.  The person has become comfortable among those who openly mock God, making light of that which is sacred, the blasphemous crowd.  Scorners do not merely practice sin, they are proud of it, and mock righteousness.

The blessed man refuses to join in the company of any of these three groups.  Verse 1 teaches separation from sinful influences and from false doctrine.  It teaches separation unto God.  Separation is not isolation.  Jesus ate with sinners, but He never adopted their beliefs or practices.  As believers, we are to be in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-18).

Next we read what the blessed man loves (vs. 2).  This believer is not merely separated from sin, he is devoted to Scripture.  God calls His people away from evil so they can walk closely with Him.  He delights in God’s Word.  It is not a burden but a joy because he knows and loves the Author.  He doesn’t just casually read the Bible, he meditates on it, filling his mind with Scripture and thoughtfully considering its meaning and application.  The strength of the believer’s life is directly connected to his relationship with God’s Word.  Meditating on God’s Word will develop a Biblical worldview, where decisions, priorities, relationships, and attitudes become shaped by divine truth rather than worldly thinking.

Continuing on, we read of the prosperity of the blessed man (vs. 3).  He is compared to a tree planted by a river where it can receive plenty of water, bringing forth fruit.  God sovereignly places His people where they can grow.  Water in Scripture often symbolizes life, blessing, refreshment, and the ministry of God’s Word.  The believer’s strength does not originate within himself, but comes from continual nourishment supplied by God.  Drought, trials, and difficult seasons may come, but this blessed person remains spiritually alive because his roots extend into God’s provisions.

However, the ungodly are like chaff, the dry, worthless husk separated from grain during threshing (vs. 4).  They have no spiritual roots, but are carried by false doctrine, human philosophy, and public opinion.  Because the wicked are like chaff, judgment is inevitable and certain (vs. 5).  No defense of theirs will succeed, no excuse will prevail.  Every mouth will be stopped before a holy God.

As the psalm concludes we see two eternal destinies (vs. 6).  God knows those who belong to Him.  They will have an intimate relationship, enjoy His loving care, and covenant knowledge.  The way of the ungodly may appear successful for a time.  They may seem prosperous, influential, and powerful, but their path ultimately ends in destruction.

In closing this first of the psalms instructs us to guard our influences.  We should evaluate what we read, what we watch or listen to, and especially who is influencing our thinking.  The strongest Christians are those who consistently delight in God’s Word.  A life rooted in God’s Word leads to blessing, stability, fruitfulness, and eternal fellowship with God.  A life that rejects God’s truth ultimately ends in judgment and destruction.

Jochebed's Faith

Exodus 2:1-10

When a terrible catastrophe has happened in our life, one that we have no control over, we might give in to despair.  Sometimes, during these times a believer’s faith may falter.  They might wonder if God knows, if He cares, and if He does, how can He possibly remedy this situation, as this trouble is so huge and impossible.  This is the predicament the Hebrew woman Jochebed and her husband Amram found themselves in.  However, instead of throwing her hands up, Jochebed trusted in the Lord and got to work.  Let’s look into our Scripture to see the Lord’s deliverance from the  seemingly hopeless situation that Jochebed was in.

First, let’s quickly look at the setting that this Scripture is in.  Jacob, along with his twelve sons and grandchildren had come into Egypt because of a severe famine.  His son Joseph was Pharaoh’s prime minister, and they were treated well.  However, after Joseph and his siblings died, the new Pharaoh feared that the Hebrews might gain power, and so enslaved them, even making a law that every male Hebrew baby was to be cast into the river (Exodus 1:22).  Satan was attempting to destroy God’s covenant people and thwart God’s redemptive plan.  Now Jochebed had just given birth to a baby boy.  She loved him, and did not want to have him killed (vs. 1-2).  What was she going to do?  As we read, God was going to give her a plan and deliver her child, and ultimately the whole people of Israel.  God has a purpose for every life He creates.  No child is an accident.  He forms and knows every person before birth (Psalm 139:14-16).

Instead of giving in to despair, Jochebed was determined to save her son, and trusted that God would deliver her child from death (Hebrews 11:23).  There was no way she could continue to hide her baby, as his cries would soon become loud enough for the neighbors to hear.  So she did what she could.  God had given her the ability to weave baskets, and so she used that God-given talent and made a basket and waterproofed it (vs. 3).  Jochabed trusted God rather than obeying Pharaoh’s wicked command.

Scripture calls what Jochebed placed Moses in an “ark”, the Hebrew word “teba”.  That particular word is only used in Scripture for Noah’s ark and of the basket that Moses was placed in.  Just as Noah was saved through the ark from judgment, Moses was saved through an ark from certain death.  After Jochebed placed Moses in the basket, and placed it in the river, she instructed her daughter to watch what would happen (vs. 4).  She watched carefully because faith does not exclude wise action.  Faith trusts God while responsibly using the means He provides.

Shortly after Jochebed left, Pharaoh’s daughter came to that location (vs. 5-6).  She saw the basket, and at that moment Moses began to cry.  Her heart was moved with compassion, and she decided to keep the baby.  From God’s perspective, none of these events were accidental.  The very royal family who ordered that the Hebrew boys were to die became the instrument of preserving the future deliverer.  God can move the hearts of rulers, princes, and nations to fulfill His purposes (Proverbs 21:1).  Pharaoh wanted to kill off the Hebrew boys, but instead Moses survived and was educated in his own household.  The enemy’s plan ultimately advanced God’s purposes.  What evil intends for destruction God will use for His glory.

Moses’ sister asked whether she could get a woman to nurse the baby, and she then brought Jochebed (vs. 7-10).  Moses was saved from death and Jochebed received her son back, becoming his nurse, and even getting paid for it.  Only God could arrange such circumstances.  During those next 3-4 years, she had the opportunity to teach him about the God of Abraham and the promised covenant.  Though Moses later lived in Egypt’s palace, those early years were significant in shaping him to become the man he grew to be (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).  God was preparing His servant long before He would use him.

Looking over this Scripture passage, we see that every detail of Moses’ preservation demonstrates God’s control over history.  Nothing is random.  God’s plans cannot be thwarted.  Moses was precious to God even as an infant.  This passage supports the Biblical truth that life is sacred and worthy of protection.  Amram and Jochebed trusted God in a dangerous situation, and their faith influenced the future of an entire nation.  Even when circumstances seem impossible, God is working.

While the Hebrews were suffering under bondage, God was already preserving and preparing Moses.  Likewise, when believers cannot see what God is doing, He is still faithfully accomplishing His purposes behind the scenes.  Just as God preserved Moses to deliver Israel from physical bondage, He sent Jesus Christ, the greater Deliverer, to rescue sinners from the bondage of sin and bring them into the freedom of salvation.

A Question of Taxes

Matthew 22:15-22

How many of you like to pay taxes?  If I could peek through the computer right now, I don’t think I would see too many hands raised.  No one enjoys paying income tax every year, nor the taxes on the items we buy.  However, most of us enjoy the various benefits and services of the countries we live in which those taxes provide.  Our Scripture today looks into a question that was asked to the Lord Jesus about paying taxes.  Let’s take a look and see what His answer was, what He has to say about taxes, and what a believer’s relationship to civil government should be.

The events in our Scripture took place a few days after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and shortly before His betrayal and crucifixion.  The religious leaders had been challenging Jesus all week, and they were actively looking for a way to discredit Him before the people, and if possible, before the Roman authorities.  On this day the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus.  When they came to Him they were not seeking truth (vs. 15).  Their hearts were hardened in unbelief, despite having seen His miracles and hearing His teaching, and they sought His destruction.  People often reject Christ, not because evidence is lacking, but because their hearts are unwilling to submit to Him.

These Pharisees joined up with the Herodians to entrap Jesus (vs. 16).  This was a very unusual pairing, but because they both hated Jesus, and desired to destroy Him, they came together.  The Pharisees were strongly nationalistic, were meticulous in keeping the Law, and deeply resented Roman rule.  The Herodians, on the other hand, supported the Herodian dynasty, and generally cooperated with Rome.  They came with hypocritical flattery.  While everything they said was accurate, it was insincere.  It is possible to say true things about Jesus without truly trusting Him.

They asked Jesus whether He felt it was right to pay taxes or tribute money to Caesar or not (vs. 17).  Though a normal question, it was carefully designed to trap Jesus.  If He said yes, it would alienate Him from many Jews, thinking He supported Roman oppression.  But if He answered no, the Romans could accuse Him of rebellion.  No one can outwit God, though!  Jesus saw through their deception (vs. 18).  Their outward politeness concealed an inward hatred.  We must remember, God sees beyond outward appearances to the motives of the heart (I Samuel 16:7).

Jesus requested a coin used in paying these taxes, and when they brought Him one, He asked whose face was on the coin (vs. 19-20).  The coin bore the image of Tiberius Caesar.  The fact that they possessed and used Roman currency revealed something important.  They were benefiting from the Roman system they claimed to oppose.  Jesus responded with a significant statement (vs. 21).  His answer acknowledged that civil government has legitimate authority.  Caesar had a rightful sphere of authority.  The coin bore Caesar’s image and circulated under his government, therefore certain obligations, such as taxes, should be paid.  We see similar statements in several epistles - Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-17.  Government is an institution ordained by God for maintaining civil order.

Jesus then balanced that statement with an even greater truth, that everything ultimately belongs to God.  While the coin bears Caesar’s image, human beings bear God’s image.  Taxes may belong to Caesar, but worship belongs only to God.  Allegiance to government is limited, but allegiance to God is absolute.  Jesus was not teaching blind obedience to rulers.  When the government orders something that is explicitly contrary to what the Bible says, we are to obey God (Acts 5:29).  This passage supports both lawful citizenship and unwavering obedience to God when the two come into conflict.  These enemies of Jesus were left speechless.  Man’s wisdom cannot overcome God’s wisdom.

Our Scripture teaches that believers should generally pay taxes, respect lawful authority, and be good citizens, as long as obedience does not require disobedience to God.  The government may claim our taxes, but God claims our worship, our allegiance, our hearts, and our lives.  The coin belonged to Caesar because it carried his image.  We belong to God because we bear His image.  Every person owes God worship, obedience, and surrender.  Jesus’ perfect answer demonstrated His divine wisdom, and exposed the hypocrisy of those who opposed Him.  The Christian is to be a good citizen of his earthly nation while remaining first and foremost a citizen of God’s kingdom.

An Example of True Faith

I Thessalonians 1:1-10

Our New Testament reading this week from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer opens up St. Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica.  For the next several weeks, up until the beginning of Advent, the New Testament readings will be from this beloved Epistle.  Shortly before coming to Thessalonica, Paul and his missionary companion Silas had been in the city of Philippi where they had been unjustly scourged and jailed.  After being released they were told to leave that city, and they traveled west just under 100 miles to Thessalonica, about a three to four days journey on foot.  As was Paul’s custom, he spoke in the local synagogue about how Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah, and they could receive salvation through His Name and shed Blood.  This angered the Jews who did not believe.  Within three weeks they started a violent riot, and Paul’s life was seriously threatened again.  Again, he and his companions fled to the nearby city of Berea, and then were forced to leave, traveling further south to Athens (Acts 17:1-15).  This letter to the brand new church in Thessalonica was written by Paul within a few months of his fleeing the city for his life, to encourage them as they also were experiencing persecution and opposition.

Paul began his letter with his usual greeting and blessing of God’s grace and peace (vs. 1).  Grace always comes first, and then peace follows.  A person cannot experience true peace with God until he first experiences God’s saving grace.  Paul also affirmed, right from the start, the deity of Christ, and also the distinct personhood of the Father and the Son.  He also stated that the Church, including these new believers in Thessalonica, are “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  They are united with Him through salvation.  The church is not merely a social organization, but a spiritual body rooted in God Himself.

As Paul continued on, he gave thanks for their good example of Christian living, highlighting three characteristics or evidences of the spiritual life they, and all Christians should have (vs. 2-3).  First was their work of faith.  True faith will show forth works.  Paul was not teaching salvation by works.  Rather, genuine faith will produce works (James 2:17).  Faith that never affects one's conduct is questionable faith.  The second was their labor of love.  The Thessalonians served Jesus not out of obligation but out of love.  Love for Him will motivate us to service and sacrifice.  The third evidence was their patience of hope.  Biblical hope is a confident expectation.  Their confidence in Jesus’ return enabled them to endure persecution and hardship.  A mature Christian will possess all three of these characteristics.

Paul knew that they were genuine believers by looking at their repentance, their faith, and their transformed lives (vs. 4-5).  These demonstrated the fruits of salvation.  When the Gospel is preached, it is more than just information.  It is God’s power to save sinners.  When they received the Gospel, accepting God’s salvation through faith, they followed the godly examples of Paul and Silas (vs. 6).  They received the Word, which brought both affliction and Spirit-producing joy.  The natural response to suffering is discouragement, but with the Holy Spirit, they had joy.

The Thessalonians became examples to other churches (vs. 7-8).  Their testimony rang throughout the region, and they became known for their faithfulness and evangelism.  A healthy church does not merely preserve truth, it proclaims truth.  Their witness extended beyond their city.

The last couple of verses of this Scripture passage give strong evidence of their conversion (vs.9-10).  Salvation involves turning toward God.  It is not merely intellectual agreement, but also a coming to God through Jesus.  Repentance involves turning from sin and false worship, abandoning any type of idol.  Salvation produces service.  Believers are not saved by works, but unto works.  The Thessalonians also lived in expectation of Christ’s return, which was a dominant theme throughout this letter.

The Thessalonian believers were excited about their faith, and told everyone they could, despite persecution.  How many believers today get extremely excited about their faith?  How often do you proclaim the saving truth of Jesus as loudly as a sports fan proclaims their allegiance to their favorite team?  Are we anxious when our favorite team loses, but indifferent about the spiritually lost?  Are we passionate about politics but quiet about the Lord?  We have the responsibility of sharing with the world who Jesus is and what He has done for us.  We should display the same reality of transformed lives and steadfast hope in the Lord Jesus as the Thessalonian Church did.