Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(1Th 2:3) “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:….”   There is a tendency to “water down” the gospel to make it more inviting to the lost. We speak of the great love of God, which is indeed part of the gospel, yet do not mention the need of repentance (the desire to turn away from our sinful ways). Such a tendency is “guile” – deceit. It is not truth. We may get a “convert”, but are they truly converted? It is God that bestows the gift of salvation, responding to the heart of the lost. Salvation is not received by a prayer as if it were magic or automatic. It is a gift given by Almighty God. Be honest and sincere, giving a full gospel so that men and women, boys and girls can make a heart’s decision, a true and right response.

(1Th 2:3) “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:….”  The context of the word “exhortation” – to build one up – is giving the gospel to the lost. Interesting, for they would hear the message, and their soul would say, “They are asking me to give up my life”. That is, give up their sinful lifestyle. From their point of view this is a negative. But the truth is, it is just the opposite. We are offering them a positive, a lifting up. In Jesus’ Own Words, “life, and that more abundantly”! 

(1Th 2:2) “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”  There will always be those who will resist the gospel. They love their sinful lives too much. The thought of “giving up” the things they love and desire is just too high a price. We are to be steadfast, unmovable in such situations, yet not contentious. We are to be bold in the Lord yet, (2Ti_2:25)  “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”   Such restraint and perseverance goes against our old nature. It can only be accomplished by our willingness to yield to the Spirit of God.

(1Th 2:1) “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:”  We are always looking for “results” when we give out the gospel. What are the results we are seeking? Rightly we are seeking the salvation of souls. Yet, that is not the only result of giving forth the gospel. There is the blessing of obedience upon ourselves. There is also the witness into this world of what God has done: light shining in darkness. And there is the witness that shall be called forth at the Great White Throne Judgment against those who chose darkness over light. The Word of God is always true: (Isa_55:11) “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”   We may not be around to see a positive result later on. Remember, we are sowing. The reaping may be someone else’s privilege.

 (1Th 1:10)  “And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”  There are two ways a person might find themselves looking at this verse.  One: “the wrath to come” referring to the judgment of hell for eternity or “the wrath to come” referring to the seven years of tribulation. Since we know this Book tells us the Son of God is coming to take us away, Rapture us away, then we know it is referring to the Tribulation Period. This Rapture could very well be within the lifetime of you who are reading this! Praise His Name!   

(1Th 1:10)  “And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” I could not imagine what it would be like to know that because of me God’s Son still laid in a grave today. It is hard enough to know that my old sinful nature, my willful acts of sin and those I am ignorant of to this day, are responsible for His sufferings and death. Thank God He raised my precious Lord from death’s hold! Thank God He sits now in heaven awaiting the time to come and call the Christian dead to life, and those alive to immortality!     

(1Th 1:9) “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”  This living in separation from the norm, was something the lost and the saved could both recognize. This world has its idols still: the idols of pleasure; the idols of money; the idols of things; the idols of achievement. Yes, Christians enjoy things, earn money, accumulate things, and achieve  – yet they guard their hearts and thus their actions for the glory of He Who saved them.  

(1Th 1:7) “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. (8)  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia,..” It is evident that when one truly lives for the Lord according to the revealed Word of God, they will stand out from the world as different. They will respond differently; they will live differently; they will think differently.