Introduction: Acts 17:1-4 The door is opened to go unto Thessalonica, and they followed the leading of the Spirit of God in obedience. Because of it, Paul, Silas, and Timothy were able to accomplish the preaching of the gospel with effectiveness, with boldness, with sincerity, and pleasing God.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus, went in unto the Thessalonians with the express purpose of taking them the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was a leading of the Holy Spirit. All of us will get opportunities just like this, because of it, we need to keep our eyes open at work, with family, friends, and classmates.
I Thessalonians 2:1 “our entrance in unto you”
Paul’s entrance unto the Thessalonians was:
I. Effective– Vs 1 “that it was not in vain”. The entrance of Paul and the gospel to the Thessalonians turned out to be effective, it was not in vain, it accomplished something. The reason for that was because: the gospel was preached, it was considered, and believed by those in Thessalonica.
– People were saved- Acts 17:4 “and some of them believed”. God is in the business of leading lost people to himself. The Bible says that the Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”.
– People were helped – I Thessalonians 1:7 “so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia”. ILLUSTRATION- Gospel Brunch
– People were changed – I Thessalonians 1:9 “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”. Only God can do such a work.
Those things that happened in Thessalonica through the entrance of Paul and the gospel unto them would be considered something effective. The reason why the entrance of the gospel unto the Thessalonians was effective and not in vain was because like Paul said “when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe”. God was effectually working in those that believed, there was a moving of the Holy Spirit of God, and it was not in vain.
II. Bold– Vs 2 “we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God”. This boldness that Paul, Silas, and Timothy had was not their own, that boldness can only take you so far before it ends. But when you are relying on God for boldness, you will have all you need.
– In our God- I Thessalonians 1:5 “in the Holy Ghost”. Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness”. The boldness that Paul had came from our God, the Spirit of God.
– In the Gospel- II Corinthians 4:5 – “for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord”. Paul had power in proclaiming the gospel, not himself.
– During persecution, Paul, and those with him were bold to preach the gospel and everything else in the Bible.
– Acts 5:27-29 & 40-42, this is not defiance, this is Boldness in God and in the Gospel, to do what God has commanded us to do.
III. Sincere– Vs 3 “not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile”. This entrance of Paul and the gospel to the Thessalonians was in sincerity. It was pure, honest, genuine, it wasn’t connected to any ulterior motives. Not adding or taking away from the word of God.
– Paul didn’t neglect the whole counsel of God. It was the good, bad and ugly.
– I Corinthians 2:4 “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power”
– Paul didn’t please men by trying to win their approval.
– Vs 5- “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:”
– Paul’s entrance unto them was sincere because he wanted people to trust in Christ not in them, or the church, or a religion. Paul was pure and righteous before God and people.
IV. God Pleasing– Vs 4-6 “not as pleasing men, but God”. Paul didn’t try to have personal acceptance or following. The truth sometimes hurts and is not pleasing to hear. People today don’t want to hear about sin and judgment yet this is what pleases God.
– Galatians 1:10-12 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ”
• Paul knew that it was God the one that called him to proclaim the gospel, not men.
• Paul knew that God is the judge of things done on this earth, not men.
– John 7:18 “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him”
– Because of it, Paul sought always to please God and not men.
Conclusion: When Paul was led to go by the Spirit of God to Thessalonica, he saw it as a great door and effectual, Paul seized the moment and went through that opened door of opportunity, because of it the gospel was effective, bold, sincere, and most importantly, pleasing to God.
Who is that person in your own life, in which you have an entrance unto the gospel with. You have an opportunity with friends, co-workers, family members unlike any other person in this church has.
Be like Paul, respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit, watch how the Spirit of God works through you in the lives of those whom God has placed around you. Be effective, be bold, be sincere, and please God. Paul was, will you ?