Teams are important in God's work. But they need to be led strategically under God's authority. That was Paul's job. Yes, he was an apostle, an evangelist, a pastor and a trainer, but he was also a passionate, dedicated and God-appointed team leader. With Silas, Paul had brought the gospel to Thessalonica; and Timothy had also taught what it meant (perhaps he was left there when Paul and Silas had to flee to Berea).
Despite the brief time Paul and his team spent in Thessalonica, the gospel had taken root in the hearts of new believers. Some Jews, many Gentiles and influential people put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and a church had been formed (Acts 17:4). And so Paul, Silas and Timothy praised God for those new brothers and sisters. They were cherished because they were examples of God's grace.
Paul and his team had no doubt about the authenticity of the church in Thessalonica. They were brothers and sisters because they had been born again into the family of God through faith in Christ. That was the result of them welcoming the gospel message which brought conviction of sin – a mark of the Holy Spirit's activity on the people God is calling (John 16:8).
The church in Thessalonica had come to Christ through the gospel message about Jesus, who rescues people from God's wrath. Paul and his team brought the gospel to the city. As people believed, their transformed lives and joy propelled the news about Jesus throughout the whole region. It was organic evangelism: good news spreading like wildfire as the seed of truth was being scattered widely by those who had received it.
Paul's gospel mission was dangerous. Before arriving in Thessalonica, he and Silas had commanded an evil spirit to leave a disturbed slave girl, in Philippi. Her owners made money out of her occult predictions, and were very angry that their source of income had gone. They dragged Paul and Silas to the market place accusing them of practising an illegal religion.
When circumstances are difficult, some believers are tempted to think that they, or their leaders, are not in God's will. When a rioting mob forced Paul and Silas to leave Thessalonica secretly by night, and not return (Acts 17:5-10), the new church wondered if the apostle did not really care about them: perhaps he had come with selfish motives (like so many travelling philosophers at that time).
Gospel ministers are, at times, characterised as strident and harsh propagandists who promote their cause but do not care for people. That is not true gospel ministry. The apostle used his own example to demonstrate the normal way in which God's servants should treat the people they are sent to serve (1 Peter 5:1-3).
Paul had just likened his care of the church to a mother who sacrificially cares for her children (1 Thessalonians 2:7-9). Now he uses a father-analogy; starting by saying that Father God knows everything about him. Paul had learned the art of spiritual fatherhood from understanding the character of God. As children learn to model their lives on their fathers, so Paul modelled his life on the Lord.
Although Paul and Silas were only in Thessalonica for a short time, the gospel message was received by many people (Acts 17:1-12). The message was God's and not Paul's, although he had the responsibility of presenting God's Word (Gk Logos) which is much more than mere words. It is the essence of the gospel, God's love, Christ's sacrifice and the Holy Spirit's power, expressed in words the people could understand.
Paul had previously commended the Thessalonians for allowing God's Word to work in their lives (1 Thessalonians 2:13). That was particularly demonstrated when they were under persecution. God's Word sustained them when they were pursued and harassed by religious people who hated Jesus. Opposition did not stop them from believing, instead it affirmed their faith; as it did for the churches in Judea.
