Caring for Souls - April 20 Readings: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8

Today’s Readings

Context

Remembering the books that Paul wrote on his missionary journeys is easier than you think.

• On his first journey, Paul wrote ONE letter. Galatians. 
• On his second journey, Paul wrote TWO letters. First and Second Thessalonians. 
• On his third journey, Paul wrote (guess) THREE letters. Romans. First and Second Corinthians. 
• On his fourth journey (the prison trip), Paul wrong FOUR letters. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. 
• After his release, during his second imprisonment, and just before his execution, Paul wrote three more letters to individuals. Titus, First and Second Timothy. 

That's thirteen in all. I am convinced that Paul did not write Hebrews. Though I am no Greek scholar, the style of the Greek in Hebrews is not that which Paul wrote. It is more formal - I suspect it might be Apollos, but no one knows for sure. I'm only sure it's NOT Paul.

Paul visited Thessalonica after he left Philippi, and was there only a brief time. His desire to write them these two letters was because he had not had the time to disciple them before persecution drove them away. Paul was not satisfied that his converts just make an initial decision, but that they follow Christ on the path of righteousness. We can pinpoint to a fair degree of precision when he wrote 1 Thessalonians. Acts 18:5 references Timothy joining Paul in Corinth and 1 Thessalonians 3:6 speaks of that same moment as a trigger for Paul's writing of the book.

The book is very personal; an effort by Paul to disciple in writing those young Christians who were suffering such dire persecution.

Devotional - Caring for Souls

Imagine a father driven away from his children  when they are still young and you see the attitude that Paul has toward the Thessalonians. He entered their city and led them to Christ but within little more than three weeks the persecution exploded and he had to flee. He left Timothy and Silas there to lead them in the ways of Christ, but Paul still felt a deep burden for the believers of this city, and so he sent them this letter to continue his ministry.

It is a passionate and personal letter, one that expresses deep feelings of gratitude and love for them, and a desire that they would continue in the ways of Christ. In the introductory section that we read today, Paul makes some strong statements about himself, his attitude toward the Thessalonicans and his approach to ministering to them. These statements speak to how we should treat one another as we minister and serve.

1. In 1:2-3, he made it clear he was a man of prayer, praying regularly for the church at Thessalonica, as well as for all those churches he had planted. 
2. Verse 5 asserts that there was more than mere words in their ministry, but also a demonstration of the power of God at work. 
3. Paul describes, in 2:2, how that in spite of their suffering in Philippi they entered Thessalonica with boldness, determined to declare the gospel regardless of any hindrance or obstacle. 
4. They completely, according to 2:5, rejected flatter and greed of any sort among the Thessalonians, since they were serving God and not their own purposes. 
5. Verse 7 goes on to say they did not seek the glory and honor of people, but only the pleasure of serving God. 
6. The final statement, in verse 8, is perhaps the oddest. Paul says that he treated them like a nursing mother treats her baby. If you've ever seen the care a mother gives her newborn, you realize what a startling illustration this is. Paul treated his spiritual chldren with that kind of compassion, love, and spiritual concern. 

Paul wasn't about money or building his brand or growing his own kingdom. He was about glorifying God by caring for others in Christ!

Father, may the love and care Paul showed for others mark my life as well. 

Think and Pray

Do you live your life for yourself, or in the complete unselfishness and servant heart that Paul showed according to these chapters?