PAUL

By Rick Mathes

1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

It I were to write a message to the city of New York and sign it, “Rick” all who read it would say, “Rick who?” Now if I signed it “The Donald” they would all be familiar with the Donald Trump I was referring to. Such was the notoriety of the name “Paul.” They know who he was and a contract was put out on his life to kill him on sight.

Paul suffered mistreatment by unbelievers that started the moment he believed. Jesus appeared and gave him his marching orders. What else could he do but obey with the zeal of a saint that had found his Savior?

He had a holy boldness that only the Holy Spirit could provide. And you know what? It is the same Holy Spirit that dwells in you this moment. One match can light a whole universe and one man can change a nation of unbelievers to seek the forgiveness of Jesus. He was in great conflict with those who he loved so deeply he once said he would go to their hell if they would only come to Jesus for their salvation. How deep is your love of neighbor?

Today’s fast-food, fast-track salesmen that are ordained by demons use every deceit their leader ever invented for you to put off to tomorrow anything that will draw you closer to Jesus today. Even those who appear most trustworthy may be a devil with a mask on. Judas was trusted with the primitive church’s treasury and he not only stole from it but sold out Jesus for the price of a lowly slave; how appropriate.

Paul and each Timothy who has ever followed in his foot-steps preached only to please Jesus. Before I ever preach a word I pray to the Lord that if I misspeak the Word to change it to the hearing of my audience. He never used flattering words. C.H. Spurgeon taught new ministers to get into their guts, grab their hearts and point to Jesus. I might add that Jesus never made it easy to be a follower of His. John Calvin remarked that we have made it so easy for someone to be a Christian that we don’t know who isn’t.

No, Paul stood before his Commander-in-Chief and said, “Send me, Lord” and he stood firm. He knew that the gain was worth the pain. So where does that put you and I. Well I’m writing and you are reading. It’s my prayer that we will both stand up now and give Paul a heartfelt ovation, “Amen”, well done!