1 Thessalonians 2:1-9
Do you remember how it feels when someone says something about you that isn't true? It creates unbelievable churn! As Paul continues writing to the Thessalonian church we can sense a Pauline churn of unbelievable proportions.
2:1-2 = Paul, Timothy, and Silas were accused of being quitters - their ministry would die
2:3-6 = They were accused of being first-century con artists
- "from error" - source was deceit
- "impure motives" - moral impurity
- "trickery" - a fishing term; church had been lured and hooked
- "flattery" - smooth talkers
- "masking" - hiding their real motives
- "looking for praise" - glory hounds
WOW! Can you imagine the emotions when Paul, Timothy, and Silas hear this stuff? What would you feel? More importantly, what would you do? How did Paul respond?
(1) Remember the truth
Examine the number of times Paul used the phrase, "you know" or something similar (see vss 1,2,5,9,10,11). Paul is reminding them - since they were there and involved - to remember the truth!
(2) What is the truth they were to remember?
- vs 2 = "with the help of our God" - dependence on God
- vs 4 = "...but God who tests our hearts..." - test your motives
- vs 8 = "we loved you" - hold nothing back
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1) What are others saying about your faith?
(2) Consider this phrase: "If people don't see anything, they won't say anything." Is this true?
(3) In 2:3 Paul wrote, "...we dared to" or "we had the courage to." What is courage? What do you need courage for? What causes a person to wrestle with faith and courage?
