“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” (1 Thessalonians 2:2).
Paul, Silas, and Timothy “SUFFERED” as they were “SHAMEFULLY ENTREATED” at Philippi. They were stripped, whipped, beaten, and jailed with their feet placed in stocks. (See Acts 16 for details).
“EVEN AFTER” that they were “BOLD” in the Lord. They were confident in God! Their attitude was “God called us, God saved us, God sealed us, God sent us, God supplies for us, God satisfies us, God sanctifies us, and we believe that God will strengthen us and give us the safety we need!”
They were “BOLD TO SPEAK.” If you are saved you need to OPEN YOUR MOUTH and tell people about it! But don’t just tell SOMETHING.
Notice: “to speak unto you THE GOSPEL OF GOD.” They were “bold to speak the GOSPEL!” Christ died, was buried, and rose again! That is the Gospel! That is “the power of God unto salvation unto every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).
Cute stories, tear-jerker tales, plans, programs, promotions, pushes , and psychology won’t get the job done. You need POWER and the Gospel is the POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION!!!!! NOBODY WAS EVER BORN AGAIN WITHOUT HEARING AND UNDERSTANDING THAT JESUS DIED FOR THEIR SINS AND ROSE AGAIN! THAT IS BIBLE FACT.
I want you to notice that Paul, Silas, Timothy kept STANDING, SERVING, STRIVING, SUFFERING, AND SPEAKING EVEN AFTER.
You can actually see a pattern in the Bible of people who lived by faith and how they kept on “EVEN AFTER” they suffered at the hands of others. They were HURT BY OTHER PEOPLE, but “EVEN AFTER” they kept on with the Lord.
Even after Lot didn’t really treat Abraham with respect and took the first choice, Abraham helped Lot in his time of need and Abraham prayed for Lot’s deliverance from destruction.
Even after Joseph was mistreated, he resisted temptation by considering God and he delivered those that hurt him when they came to him for help.
Even after Joseph was misrepresented he did not become bitter.
Even after Eli disappointed him, Samuel was still faithful to God.
Even after Saul sought to destroy him, David passed up an opportunity to kill Saul.
Even after Jeremiah was put in stocks, he preached the truth again.
Even after Jeremiah saw the Scripture that he penned cut and burned, he picked up his pen and wrote it again at the command of the LORD.
Even after Jeremiah was thrown in the dungeon and sunk in the mire, he came out and boldly declared the truth to a wicked king.
Even after Daniel was carried captive to Babylon, he faithfully served the one that had captured him and pointed Nebuchadnezzar to God.
Even after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were told that it was “bow or burn,” they had an attitude of “We may burn if that is what God allows, but we will not bow!”
Even after Daniel knew that the decree of the king demanded that he not pray and threatened him with the lions’ den, Daniel bowed on his knees and prayed three times daily toward Jerusalem just like he did before.
Even after Nehemiah was threatened by Sanballat and Tobiah and told “come down from building,” he stayed focused on the task at hand and did the work God had called him to do.
Even after blind Bartimaeus was told to be quiet by thoughtless, insensitive people, he cried “the more a great deal” calling “Jesus, have mercy on me” and Jesus gave him his sight!
Even after the four friends were hindered from getting their paralyzed companion to the Lord by the selfish crowd that would not make way, they climbed up on the roof, broke up the tiles, and lowered him down to Jesus— and their paralyzed loved one walked away with his bed under his arms!
Even after the Syrophoenician woman was ridiculed by the disciples and tested by Jesus, she begged for him to help her daughter and her girl was delivered by the power of God.
Even after John saw Judas betray the Lord, and Peter deny the Lord, he kept on serving as he cared for Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Even after Peter miserably failed and denied the Lord Jesus, the other disciples forgave him, loved him, followed him, and got over his failure.
Even after Peter and John were threatened and told to cease and desist from preaching in the name of Jesus, they prayed with the church, were filled with the Holy Ghost, and “spake the word of God with boldness” throwing out the lifeline to the very people who threatened them.
Even after Stephen was lied about, cast out of the city, and stoned, he exhibited Holy Spirit produced compassion as he said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
Even after he quit and lost the confidence of Paul, John Mark got back in the battle and later it was recorded that the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:11 “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
Even after Paul and Silas were publicly stripped and beaten, even after they were thrown into jail and held fast to the floor in stocks, they prayed and sang praises unto God and God freed them and saved the jailor and his family!
Even after they were hunted, hounded, harmed, and hurt by wicked men for preaching the Word, proclaiming the Gospel, planting churches, and practicing Christ’s commands, they went to Thessalonica and preached the word without fear or favor, but with boldness “not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
Even after they were treated with callousness, they ministered with kindness.—Notice “gentle” (First Thessalonians 1:1), “affectionately” (1:8), “comforted” (1:11).
EVEN AFTER HE CREATED YOU, AND YOU SINNED AGAINST HIM, AND YOU HAVE LIVED IN REBELLION TO HIM, The Lord Jesus still cries out, “COME UNTO ME—WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME!” AND HE STRETCHES OUT HIS HAND TO SAVE YOU IF YOU WILL BUT REPENT AND BELIEVE ON HIM.
Christian, have an even after attitude. Keep on in the will of God!