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I was truly blessed by this week's bible study at my church. I was therefore moved to share some of the lessons and wisdoms that the Lord laid on my heart this week via the listening of his Word. We've been studying the book of first Thessalonians at my church and the studies have been a great challenge to live up to a godly and inspirational church, ministers, and members of the church in Thessalonica. This week we considered 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9.
What I learned...
1. Gentleness is a crucial and Christ-like virtue: 1 thess. 2:7 "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children;" Paul the apostle was the one proclaiming the above statement. This was the same man that was once violent, 'injurious', and viscously persecuting the people of God. Now due to conversion via an unforgettable encounter with the Savior Jesus Christ, he had totally become a new person. He had been transformed by Jesus Christ the life changer, who had turned him into a gentle and patient man comparable to a mother who tenderly tends to the needs of her newborn and patiently nurtures him or her into a mature adult. In Christendom new converts have need of being fed with the wholesome bread of life; thus, leaders and preachers of the gospel must desire, pray and demonstrate this gentle and tender spirit of Christ that will encourage growth in new converts which Paul and the other apostles also exhibited. "...learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Mat 11: 29)
2. Love must be reciprocated: "So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us"-1 Thess. 2:8 The lives of the people were so precious to Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus that they were willing to also give of their time, talent, and resources, their very lives to ensure that those souls received the gospel and grew in it! It was revealed to us that Paul and his fellow minsters were so passionately committed to the work of God in spreading the gospel that such passion directly influenced the people they ministered to, and the love was reciprocated! "But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity (love), and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you"- 1 these 3: 6. This was an encouragement to Paul that the love and affection toward the souls they were laboring over were not worthless, but that it was taking root in their hearts, becoming effective and what a joy it was for them to also reciprocate it! Even though our pastors and leaders in the household of faith know the bible very well, they are still human. Therefore seasons in the work force may present with unique challenges and discouragement. As a result, I pray the Lord will give us members wisdom in how to practically appreciate our minsters who feed us with His word in a way that will encourage them in the work that God has given them - to watch over our souls.
3. "Night and day": "For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day,"- 1 Thess 2:9. Paul, Silvanus and Timotheus were such dedicated ministers. They totally gave themselves up for the labour, proclamation and spread of the gospel of Christ night and day. Nothing hindered their work. They prioritized the work of God so much that not even their secular work (as Paul was a tent maker - Acts 18:3) could diminish their commitment to their God appointed duty - oh how we need to learn from them! We also saw Anna, a Prophetess who also prayed and fasted "night and day"(Luke 2:36, 37). If there is going to be a turn around in our world, we Christians must turn the world right side up with the gospel of Christ through fervent prayers. Passion and compassion moves us to the feet of Christ to plead for change in the world and circumstances, but importantly for souls to receive Christ. I pray the Lord will give us this passion and compassion and raise up mighty men and women of prayer in our generation starting with me!
You may listen to the Bible Study in its entirety here: Message starts at 2:00
I pray you are blessed as you listen!
-Charity
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