Giving More Than the Gospel

5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.  
(I Thessalonians 2)
Two things happen to us when we have been transformed by the Gospel of Christ.  First, we want to tell others, so they can receive what we have. That was the ultimate goal of Paul, Silas and Timothy as they traveled around the Roman world teaching Jews and Gentiles alike.  But something also happens to us relationally and emotionally: a loving concern for fellow believers. People with whom we share the gospel are much more than a project, source of income, means of self-fulfillment or adoration; they are family for whom we would do anything.  When Christ changes us within, He tranforms our motives and way of thinking, as well as our attitudes and actions.  God has given us the good news to share, and many other good things as well. 

What People Are Really About

For you yourselves know, brothers,[a] 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. (I Thessalonians 2)
In chapter 1 Paul talked about how well they knew what was going on with the beleivers at Thessalonica. Now he turns to what they knew about them (Paul, Silas and Timothy).  They did not come there because it was easy. They had been ridiculed and persecuted, questioned and opposed.  It would have been easiest to pack up and go to the next province. But they were not looking for easiest. They were looking to please God. They were not out to merely "gain a following" or to take advantage of people like a travelling salesman for a quick buck. They were there to share the Good News and see people receive salvation. They were there to see exactly what happened: lives changed forever by Christ.  People can tell what we are really about by what we put up with, what we say and how we live.  What would people say you are really about?

Word Gets Around...

8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (I Thessalonians 1)
In a day of internet, Facebook, Twitter and texting, it is hard for us to realize how "slowly" word used to travel back in the days of Paul, Silas and Timothy. It was mostly "on foot" by courier.  It had not been that long since these three had been in Thessalonica telling them about Jesus, then moved on to another city to preach and plant a church.  There they often would hear from other travellers testimonies of what had and was going on backin Thessalonica. They heard reports about themselves, the messages they had shared, and the changed lives of the people. They heard about the atmosphere - that people were living life in anticipation of Christ's return.  They were hearing the Gospel of Christ reverbing from city to city: "He is Risen indeed, and coming back again."  Is that what people take away from time spent with us? That we have new life which is lived for a new purpose: waiting for our Savior while living the way He taught us to live? What kind of word is getting around about me?

What We Know About People

 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
(I Thessalonians 1)
Paul and his two assistants were very personal with the members of this church they were writing to. They all knew each other.  These missionaries had seen how the people there had responded to the Gospel: fully receptive to the Word of God and responsivfe to the Spirit of God. Their lives had begun to change. These people also knew what kind of people Paul, Silas and Timothy were: they were sincere servants who loved God and them.  They all were examples to others of what believers in Christ ought to be.  Could this be written about us? Can others point to us and say: "I know them.  I know what they are like.  They are not perfect, but God is definitely doing something in and through their lives."?  It is good to be known, especially if we are known for being good. 

How Will We Be Remembered?

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,  3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  (I Thessalonians)
Paul couldn't find enough good to say about the people of this church.  This long paragraph is full of good things, but even this first sentence gives us a glimpse. They rose to the top in his thoughts and prayers. They were "rememberable".  Why? What were the characteristics that made them so memorable? They had a faith that worked: they did not just say they believed; they acted like it. Their trust in God was evident. They also loved, doing things for others sacrificially, like Christ, without any expectation of payment or return.  And they kept hoping, looking ahead, both in this life and toward the life to come, waiting for sightings of Jesus, doing things in the world today, as they watched for Him to return at any moment.  Is this the way we come of to people. Are they glad they know us?  How will we be remembered by those who cross our paths today?

He is my Refuge

27 Those who are far from you will perish;
    you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds.
(Psalm 73:27,28)
Asaph, helped by a renewed perspective from God, has made his way through this stuggle with another episode of "Why do the Wicked Prosper, while God's people seem to suffer?"  He boils it down to two simple facts that help keep us from tripping up over it again: First, those who refuse to trust God and His ways will bring ruin on themselves; it's not our place to judge and take care of them; God will.  Second, our hope is found in drawing closer to God, putting our full trust in Him, and reminding one another of how Great and Good He really is. It's your choice.  What will you do? 

Put your hand in The Hand

23 Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart    and my portion forever.
(Psalm 73:23-26)
He is here - right now, all the time. Notice the trust Asaph describes. God holds his right hand.  This is an expression of absolute trust in God's power and not his own; Asaph has turned over control to God, putting his not-so-powerful hand into God's hand.  He realized that God was guiding him in life, and that heaven - the presence of God - is something a believer walks right into. When the LORD has our hand, He walks us to and through death into glory.  Who really matters? Everyone, but especially, in comparison to all others, God does.  Our physical strength and determination of spirit not only may, but will, fail us often, but God gives us the strength to go on this whole life long, and forever. May we put our hand in His today, and leave it there.