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 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 . (9) For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to 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, even Jesus Who delivers us from the wrath to come.

The first letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul to encourage the faithful there who were being persecuted for the gospel. According to Luke in Acts of the Apostles, Paul preached the gospel for three sabbaths in the synagogue at Thessalonica until he was rejected by the Jews. There is some evidence that Paul didn’t remain much longer but the results were remarkable – and the converts who believed were mostly Gentile. Thessalonica was an important trading city with a pagan and worldly “sophisticated” culture. Before Paul’s gospel these people hoped their idols would save them but God opened their hearts and minds and the many faithful turned to God alone in Christ alone; turning is another way to say repented which is mention in Luke 24:47 and all through Acts.

We can’t separate saving faith from repentance as the two concepts are intertwined and both are used in reference to salvation. We can’t just turn aside at the moment of faith, we have to rewind. (Much like a mathematical problem).
In our verses today Paul continues to spell out the reasons he knew God had chosen the Thessalonian believers for salvation. Paul has already mentioned the significant life change evidenced; they turned to God from idols; they served God, welcomed the gospel and proclaimed it to others; they waited for God’s Son from heaven: The Lord’s visible return, in boldness, is a characteristic of a true believer. The doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ occupied a much more prominent place in the early church. The Old Testament believed in the coming of the Messiah and the faithful in Jesus who came to purchase salvation and will, when He comes again, bring salvation with him – full and final deliverance from sin and death and hell, from the wrath which is yet to come upon unbelievers. Wrath and judgments are not popular concepts today but the truth of it is essential to the gospel. If God does not punish sin He is neither holy or just.

In Jesus we are forgiven. I always go back to Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…….” The great theme of this letter is the second coming of Christ; this was of such importance that every chapter of this letter ends with reference to it and we should live as if this will take place imminently.

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Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) We give thanks always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, (3) remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. (5) 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 .

The letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul to encourage the faithful there in their steadfastness in the gospel in the face of persecution. In our verses today Paul omits mention of his being chosen to be an apostle by the will of God indicating that despite the shortness of time he spent with them the faithful Thessalonians never questioned the authority of Paul or the truth of the gospel. Paul was assured that they were beloved of God as he founded the church there and was able to compare their present condition to their past lifestyle; all evidence indicated their faith in Christ was real. The testimony of Paul was that the powerful movement of God accomplished the saving of souls

Verse 3 addresses the doctrine of election; that God has chosen men, not the other way around – a frequent theme in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Election is a mystery hidden in the secret counsel of God and we can see the elect in the powerful way God has changed their lives. The doctrine of sin is that in our sinful nature we are not free and not able to choose God. Salvation is always and only of the Lord.

The only answer in Scripture as to election is that God does what He does; including the salvation of His elect and the judgment of other sinners to display His glory. He chose us to hear His gospel and respond in faith and gratitude.

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (14) Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. (19) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (20) Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul while under arrest in Rome for preaching the gospel. Our verses today were written as instruction to contentment and to the path to peace of mind. The Philippians had delivered a financial gift to Paul while he was in chains in Rome and he wants them to know he greatly loves and appreciates the effort but also wants them to know that he is persuaded that his lot – and ours – is regulated by God’s providence and will. Paul writes that he has “learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need”. This condition of contentment is not something that comes naturally or instantly – it’s a training in faith and a process of sanctification. The point being that if we live for ourselves and our own pleasure we will not know God’s contentment or peace. Paul has found his sufficiency in Christ and he is using himself as a pattern of how to live.

Paul learned to be equally content with little or much materially because he was rich spiritually. He knew that both poverty and wealth bring temptations. The secret of Paul’s independence was His depending on another; his self sufficiency in this present world came from being in union with Christ who is all sufficient. We live in a fallen world and IN this world contentment is unattainable. Contentment is not what we have but what we are. We are to have patient confidence in the sovereignty of God in our lives – to be satisfied with both little and much in life and to learn to live gratefully and in peace with our circumstances. What contentment is not is complacency.

All things work together for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). For where our treasure is there will our hearts be also. (Matthew 6:21)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. (9) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome for preaching the gospel. Our verses today exhort the Philippians to cast their cares on the Lord – to use prayer to fight anxiety which proceeds from distrust of divine help. The peace of God – mentioned only here in the New Testament – does not depend on the present aspect of things or on the shifting of the world but on confidence in the sovereignty of God; that the good will of God will be the grand sum of our desires. Paul advises prayer with thanks for every concern and peace is what we are promised. In God’s peace, in this joy, we are effective witnesses to Christ Jesus. Because of Christ we can go directly to God – prayer is not for God’s sake but for ours.
Our prayer must be in line with God’s purpose and will; if something makes us anxious it’s not trivial and prayer with thanksgiving makes us calm until we get through crisis. Verses 8 and 9 are connected as our thought life forms the basis for our behavior. Our conduct flows from genuine conversion and rebirth in faith in Christ as we begin our process of sanctification. The emotional result of this process is that the peace of God will be with us. This is not a modification of our thoughts and our will is not merely adding something to our lives but it is change at the core of our being. It is not mere intellectual understanding. It a change of heart – true biblical change. We must respond with our will as the lordship of Christ enters every aspect of our lives. Without Christ we have only our stubborn self will which never gives us peace.
To maintain tranquility rather than becoming distraught, we should take our worries to God and replace worry with prayer. Paul is talking in our verses of peace FROM God, not peace WITH God which acts as a sort of sentry to guard (and guide) our hearts and minds. The promise here is that if we pray, with thanksgiving rather than worry, God will give us peace. I’m reminded of how we close many meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous when we say “keep coming back; it works if you work it”. Make Prayer your substitution for worry.