1 Thessalonians 2 Part 1 (Thomas and Joel)

by Opcomm · Published September 4, 2012 · Updated March 17, 2016

Movements: May 4, slavery, women’s right to vote

Now: Kony, Wall street, YOLO- stupid & insignificant. Don’t really care
about these movements too much
What if there was a revolution today worth fighting for?
That really could change your lives?
Claim of the Bible: Revolution of love & caring for other people!
1 Thes. 2:1 “For you yourselves know, brethren, that our [a]coming to
you was not in vain,” We came to you w/ this revolution & it works! It
changed you!
Paul trying to go to Ephesus, but Holy Spirit keeps blocking the road. Vision
from man to go to Philipi & this is what goes down:
Acts 16:16-18 “It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a
slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters
much profit by fortune-telling. 17 Following after Paul and us, she kept crying
out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are
proclaiming to you [g]the way of salvation.” 18 She continued doing this
for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the
spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And
it came out at that very [h]moment.
(girl had a demonic spirit) Paul’s living the revolution of love!
19-21. Paul loved the little girl enough to cast demon out of her, then
he gets beaten for it! Paul’s own life radically changed from persecuting
Christianity to go out & risk his life to help a little girl.
1 Thes. 2:3-4 “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity
or [c]by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to
be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God
who [d]examines our hearts”
We didn’t come here to trick you or lie to you, we came here to tell you good
news! What is good news? Reconciliation
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of
God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the
Greek.”
When you come into relationship w/. Ever done something & felt bad for it &
felt guilty about it: basically describes sin.
Good news applicable to you! If you buy into it, your life will change! Like
Paul & like the girl. It all starts with knowing & believing good news.
Paul was willing to be hurt for this little girl because he had that joy! He was
reconciled from sin!
Buy into, I mean just talk with Jesus, talk with God. Change your world.
More loving, excited, joyful, filled with compassion. Not just some fad, it’s
powerful
1 Thes. 2:5-6 “For we never came [e]with flattering speech, as you know,
nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— 6 nor did we seek glory from
men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ [f]we

might have [g]asserted our authority”
Why should we listen to what the Bible says?
How do you know you’re not being brain washed?
How to not being brain washed:
Vs. 3 weren’t lying. Is there evidence for it? Prophecy in scripture to prove
validity & tons more evidence for it. Make sure it’s not an opinion. How do
you know it’s true? Based on evidence.
Vs. 4 Not to please people. Some of you don’t believe me, don’t believe the
truth & that’s the way it is. Not going to change the truth for you.
Vs. 5a Flattery. Not what Paul was doing. Not trying to sugar coat it
Vs. 5b Not for money. Televangelists. We don’t want your money. Paul
wasn’t in it for greed.
Vs. 6 Praise/glory/egotistical. Want you to believe in Jesus more than what
I’m saying or me.
Revolution of love that turned city upside down.

Joel
2 Thes. 2:7-12
Not coming here to dominate. Children don’t dominate. Also: he comes like
a mother. Demonstration of how selfless you have to be (absolutely have to
give yourself away.) Badass mo-fo Paul said I care so much I’m like a mom.
Vs. 8 you’re very dear to us
Vs. 17 I want to come to you, we were torn from you!
He goes on & on bc he really gave him his heart.
What does it mean to share your life?
Share your problems, give up your time to help them, ex: give each other
old cars.
If you really start to sacrifice; give up American dream bc it takes a lot of
energy to get car & house & work.
When you give up your life, you pour into someone else.
Working hard: vs 9. No reason to be completely lazy. Not let go & let God.
Slackers really selfish, all about themselves & whatever video game you
have.
Good conduct vs. 10 I treated you right.
As a father: tough, protective, push you, vs. 11. >sounds harsh & mean, but
everyone wants own personal Yoda.
Paul says: I’m your mom, loving, and your dad, pushing.
1 Thes. 2:13-14 “For this reason we also constantly thank God that
when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you
accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word
of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. 14 For you,
brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in
Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own
countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,”

3 imp ideas:
• accepted word as it really is the word of God. Spark that started the
fire of this revolution is actually true.
• Acts 2: kind of church that’s living together & sharing lives. All
started with this freedom
• Tell the truth & be nurturing & loving when we do it.