"Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians — Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica and Its Eternal Fruit”

We continue in our study of First Thessalonians today.  Chapter 2, verses 1-12 will be our focus.  The second chapter begins with a simple request:  “Just remember how I came unto you!”  As Paul knew so well by now, persecution has a way of following the bold proclamation of the gospel of Christ.  Verses 2-4 are so very compelling:  “We were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention . . . But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” These words are so memorable and so powerful.  He continues with the analogies of a mother and child and a father and his children.  These words closed our teaching, verses 7 & 8:  “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”  May they grip our souls as well as the apostle intended, even today!