Walking the Talk
We’ve all been under pressure to do the wrong thing. The pressure gets to our heads and sometimes even convinces us that the wrong this is the right thing. When we face this kind of pressure, it’s useful to draw on the passage for this week’s sermon, because we see the great apostle, Paul standing firm under the most intense pressure. Despite beatings, imprisonment and exile, he stayed true to God’s word and preached it boldly. He believed in what he was doing and it changed him. He loved God’s word, but he made it count by the way he lived his life, and his example brought so many people to the Lord!
Scripture Reading
1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 ESV For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. (2) But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. (3) For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, (4) but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Bible Study Questions
In the last few weeks, Pete explained to us how Paul had to leave the Thessalonian’s post-haste and how the Thessalonians felt as though they had been abandoned. How does this help you to understand the opening verse of 2 Thessalonians? (1Th 2:1)
Paul says he had already suffered and been shamefully treated in Philippi. What was he referring to? (1Th 2:2, Acts 16:22-23, Acts 16:39)
So despite what happened in Philippi, Paul continued to declare the Gospel boldly. Many of us in this situation would be tempted to either give in or vehemently resist our oppressors. Yet Paul takes the middle road and boldly preached. Can you think of other examples of this in the Bible? (1Th 2:2, Dan 3:16-18)
Daniel and his friends followed the commands given by Jeremiah 29:4-7, to be loyal to the rulers but pray to the Lord. When they are captive in Babylon, they apply this ruling, which is a sort of loyal subversion. Do you see similarities in Paul’s approach? (Jer 29:4-7)
In verse 3, Paul says that their appeal did not come from error, impurity or any attempt to deceive. Why was it so important for Paul to emphasise this? Do you think there is something for modern teachers of the word to learn from this? (1Thes 2:3)
Verse 4 tells us that Paul and his team had been approved by God and entrusted with the Gospel. Peter also tells us that we are all entrusted with the Gospel and that we are all priests. How do we apply this to our lives? (1Th 2:4, 1Pet 2:4-5)
Part 2 of verse 4 says that we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests hearts. Think about this statement and your own heart. Are your motives to please man, or God? (1Thes 2:)
Prayer
Father, thank you for your word and your teaching today. Thank you for your servant Paul who, despite much suffering and shame, worked tirelessly as an example for us to preach in boldness. When the pressure is on to do the wrong thing, it is so easy to give in. Help us too, Father, to have boldness like Paul, so that no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in, we do what you require of us. Help us to have a conviction for your work like no other, so that we may seek after you and get to know you more. May our beliefs impact every area of our lives and how we live them. In Jesus’s precious name we pray.
Worship
Lord Give Us Boldness
Lord give us boldness Lord give us strength
To preach Your word to the ends of the earth
That the world may know Your name
Lord give us boldness Lord give us strength
To stand against the devil’s schemes
And the powers that rule this darkened world
In the midst of struggles and temptations
Help us stand our ground
With the armor of our God
We know we are heaven bound
Though flaming darts surround us
From the devils wicked hand
With the armor of our God
We will reach the Promised Land
Evil powers rule this darkened world
With the help of Christ
On the Spirit's wings
We will overcome this darkened world
Lord give us boldness
Serving
Have you got a story of how you gave in to the pressure to do the wrong thing? How did that experience affect your life? If it is still affecting your life, ask God to help you to grow closer to Him. Ask Him what He wants from you and ask fellow congregants to help you with your difficulty, so that they may pray with and strengthen you. If you have overcome the weakness with God’s help, share your experience. Identify someone who is having the same struggles, pray for them and ask for the Holy Spirit to help you to engage that person and strengthen them with your testimony.