For nation (ethnos) shall rise against nation (ethnos), and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. But all these things are merely the beginning of Birth Pains – Matthew 24:7-8 (KJV & NASU)
“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. …were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, …”Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. ” Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. – Matthew 24:37-41 (NASB)
While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child – 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NASB)
Paul’s Audience:
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. – Acts 17:4
… you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, – 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (NIV)
True Ministry/Ministers:
Results in (v.1)
Requires from God because of (v.2)
… wicked men, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; – Acts 17:5 (NASB)
Seeks to (vv.3-4)
Simply (vv.5-6)
For we never came with flattering speech (v.5)
Is never (v.6)
Cares like a (vv.7-8)
Is led by people not religious (v.8)
To the church he was at for three weeks: (v.9)
For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
To the church Paul was at for a year and a half:
I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, – 2 Corinthians 11:8-9 (NASB)
Sets the example as a (vv.10-12)
…encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God (v.11) (NIV)
…they came to Thessalonica, …went into the synagogue, and he reasoned (dialegomai) with them from the Scriptures, – Acts 17:1-2
Recognizes that they (v.12)
Trusts that the Word of God Believers (v.13)
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works (energeo) in you who believe. – 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
They said to each other, “It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us.” – Luke 24:32 (NCV)