Conduct by their Character

Conduct by their Character – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, 17-20 The character of the man allows us to mention his personality and temperament. It is a psychological scheme, with the dynamic particularities of an individual. Character is not something that is brought from the mother's womb, but is strongly affected by the environment, culture, and social environment where each person is formed. Your character speaks of you by your conduct, "the one who records."

I. In verse 5 of the previous chapter, it is Paul's character.

A. As you well know, how we went among you for "our sake".

1. Now undertake a more in-depth review of his ministry, message, and lifestyle.

2. The primary ministry of a Christian is the ministry of character.

3. What we are is far more important "than what we can ever say."

4. James Denney said: The character of a Christian is all the capital he has to carry on his activity. In most other vocations, a man can continue, no matter what his character, as long as his balance sheet in the bank is good. But a Christian who has lost his character has lost everything.

5. Paul went to Thessalonica and lived a life that more than enlightened (clarified, gave light to understanding) what he preached.

6. He went beyond illustration, to convincing proof.

7. It is not surprising that so much work of the Kingdom is deficient only by looking at the moral character of the worker.

8. (1) They knew that their visit "was not in vain."

9. They themselves had been converted and became a congregation.

10. (2) The bitter opposition and insulting treatment received at Philippi, including his imprisonment there with Silas, did not alienate him or discourage or intimidate him.

11. Get to Thessalonica.

12. There with the courage that only God can give, he preached the gospel in the face of great opposition.

13. He preached the message fearlessly in spite of great opposition, as a direct result of the filling of the Spirit.

14. (3) Paul's exhortation to believe the gospel was genuine at its source, pure in its motives, and reliable in its method.

15. As to its source, it did not arise from false doctrines but from the truth of God; As to motives, the apostle contemplated the Thessalonians diligently in seeking good even at the expense of his own; as to his method, there was no cunning plan to deceive them.

16. (4) To God, who tests our hearts and rewards accordingly.

17. An administrator is obliged to please the one who pays him.

18. Someone may think he pays the Pastor. For this reason, to think that I may remain silent for fear of repercussions from those who think "they pay".

19. But God is the Master, and He takes into account when the message is diluted or suppressed (to cease, to omit, to disappear).

20. (5-12) First, he never stoops to flattery or insincerity to achieve results.

21. His words were sincere and transparent, and his motives were free from hypocrisy.

22. He never used the word of the Lord as a pretext to hide desires to enrich himself.

23. His service was not a false appearance for greed.

24. (17) God leads in the footsteps of the one He chooses.

25. Not from the heart does man (Paul) forget his own.

26. Whoever God chooses puts His character (purity, love, surrender) on it.

27. Therefore, it is not wanting to be the Pastor or to be called Pastor because God forms his character in such a calling.

28. Everyone thinks according to his heart or a sharp tongue: some spoke about what was happening to Paul and from there they would begin their speech, perhaps out of cowardice.

29. The separation was only physical: with "much desire" to see your face.

30. (18) Twice he had tried to return to Thessalonica, but both times "Satan hindered him."

31. I cannot know exactly the nature of Satan's opposition.

32. How can I know when it is the Spirit and when it is the devil who got in the way?

33. Perhaps one way is this: when we know that we are in the will of God, any hindrance that arises is not the work of the Spirit but of the devil.

34. Likewise, Satan is always expected to seek to hinder when God is blessing.

35. But God always dominates over Satan's opposition.

36. In this case, Paul's inability to go to Thessalonica resulted in the writing of this letter.

37. This letter, in turn, has redounded to the glory of God for our blessing.

38. (19) Paul's reason for wanting so "interested" in returning to the Thessalonian believers: "they were his children" in the Lord.

39. He had taught Christ and felt "responsible for his spiritual growth."

40. He knew that he would give an account of them on the day to come.

41. They were his "hope" of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

42. He wanted to be able to rejoice about them.

43. They would be his "crown" of rejoicing before our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.

44. The saints were "his glory and joy."

45. He had invested in human personality and his reward was spiritual sons and daughters who would worship the Lamb of God for all eternity. Amen.