“Lord Jesus, we need to be as Apostle Paul and the team as they shared the Gospel in Thessalonica. Lord Jesus, help us understand that our lives cannot be separated from the Gospel and we are part of the message. We are bridges over whom people cross over to the habitat of God. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Acts 2:40-41 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” (41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Praise God for His mighty move that took place as Peter shared the message. About three thousand people came into the fellowship of God, into His habitat. His Holy Spirit was powerfully at work at that time.
We need to be conscious that there is power in the Gospel to reconcile people and creation to God. We also need to be mindful that we are the bridges over whom people will cross over and enter the habitat of God. We are not only messengers of the Gospel, but we also become a part of the message.
We must keep in mind that the work of God to bring about His great move takes place over a period. We must work along with His Holy Spirit in this process. We see a delightful example of the work of His Holy Spirit through His disciples, in the lives of the Thessalonians.
Paul and the team reasoned with the people in Thessalonica for three Sabbaths that Jesus was the Christ. What was the kind of life that they demonstrated as they preached Christ?
Here are some of the practical applications of the Gospel in the lives of the disciples.
I Thessalonians 2:3-13 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. There was integrity in the content of the gospel that they preached.
(4) But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. They saw themselves as those whom God had approved and entrusted with the Gospel. They were always conscious that God tests the hearts.
(5) For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. They did not flatter nor did they harbour any hidden agenda for any personal benefit from the Thessalonians. This was a matter that was before God, who knows the hearts of men.
(6) Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. They did not seek praise or glory from people and they made no demands from them.
Till this point, Paul, discusses the matter of the heart, in sharing the Gospel. From this point onwards, Paul explains matters concerning how they related to the people in Thessalonica.
(7) But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. (8) So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. The picture of a nursing mother, cherishing her own children, powerfully conveys to us the way they related with the Thessalonians. They were sacrificial in their relationship.
(As we look at these attributes, let us keep asking ourselves if we are being this kind of people as we share the Gospel with different audiences.)
(9) For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil; for labouring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. (10) You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; They were hardworking and impeccable in their behaviour.
(11) as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, (12) that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (13) For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
They were fathers to the people at Thessalonica. The Gospel was witnessed in the lives of the disciples. The Gospel was not separate from them.
What was the outcome because of the preaching of the Gospel through the lives of the disciples?
I Thessalonians 1:5-8 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. (6) And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, (7) so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. (8) For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
The Lord desires for us to follow the same Thessalonian model of sharing the Gospel.