Verse: But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time … 1 Thess 2:17 

History: History of the church of Thessalonica, Paul and Silas traveled to Thessalonica from Phillipi on Paul’s second missionary journey to preach the news about Jesus. He spent three weeks teaching in the Jewish synagogue, but most of the Thessalonian Jews became indignant and formed a mob to drive the men out of the city. However, “some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women” (Acts 17:4). That was the beginning of the church at Thessalonica.

Not long after his initial visit to Thessalonica, Paul was in Corinth, where he wrote two letters that we now call 1 and 2 Thessalonians, addressed to the newfound church in Thessalonica

Lesson: Paul as the minister to this church, what can we learn from Paul as a minister?

• Minister’s Intentional: On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thes 2:4 – Any time we minister make sure it is to please God and all glory should be on Jesus, and the spotlight should be on Jesus alone.
• Minister’s Desire: You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 1 Thes 2:5-6 – What a pure heart, no praise needed from people, and never asserted any authority.
• Heart of Minister: Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we care for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 1 Thes 2:7-8 – The Minister has to treat believers as children and Paul says we loved you so much.
• Minister’s Heart: For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thes 2:11-12 – Paul had the Father’s heart
• Minister’s Longing: But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.  1 Thess 2:17 – Paul was sad when he was forcibly separated from the church.

If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away Mat 21:3

Background: Scripture shares that before entering Jerusalem for Passover week, Jesus and his disciples stopped at Bethphage, near the Mount of Olives. Jesus gave specific and detailed instructions to two disciples. He told them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” (Matthew 21:1-3).

When Jesus requested a donkey to be brought to Him, Jesus was preparing to fulfill the prophecy. Donkeys were portrayed in Scripture as symbols of service, humility, suffering, and peace. Therefore, riding a donkey symbolized the arrival of peace.

Lesson: What are the stages of the Christian life? – we all start with the call from the Lord, which leads to transformation, a transformed life through witnessing, witness always brings glory to Jesus, and in the journey of transformed witnessing, the Lord provides.

• Call: The Lord needed a donkey, and the donkey and colt were let go, when disciples said the Lord needed them. Do we realize our savior needs us? 
• Transformation: The donkey had a glorious walk to Jerusalem on olive branches and cloaks because Jesus was on the donkey. The donkey did not become a horse to walk in glory, the only difference was, that the untied donkey had Jesus on top. Once Jesus has come down, it is the old unnoticed donkey.
• Witness: Jesus needed only the donkey, but the colt was also untied. It does not matter who you are, all that matters; is that the world sees Jesus who you are carrying. 
• Glory: Is the spotlight on Jesus? People sang for Jesus, not for the donkey, and never took the glory. Jesus is looking for an available donkey not the ability of the donkey. We need to be His donkey.
• Provision: Jesus knew where the donkey was, what was the state, who was with the donkey, and who would stop the deliverance. The donkey had no clue of any of these things. Why are we worrying, when our Lord knows every minute detail about us?

“When God wants to do an impossible task, he takes an impossible man, and crushes him.”  – Alan Redpath

Verse: “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. Hosea 14:4

Background: The northern kingdom of Israel sinned, and the Lord sent Hosea the prophet to correct, rebuke, exhort, and pass information of the coming judgment. Whole of the kingdom during the last phase of Hosea’s life in BC 722 went into captivity under the Assyrian empire. The future hope of Israel was also shared, chapter 14 is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible regarding restoration.

Invitation: Chapter 14, first 2 verses is a beautiful invitation from a loving Father – Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!  Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Hosea 14:1-2

Return, remember the impact of sins, and plead mercy to the Lord to forgive. As a result of genuine conversion, the Lord’s response

Greatest Promise

1. Heal: I will heal their waywardness, in one translation it says, I will treat and heal their backsliding. Our spiritual restoration and healing is the act of the Lord,
2. Love: love them freely, – There is nothing else in life than to be loved by the Lord Almighty. Oh Lord have mercy, please do love me freely, let not my rebellion 

Mercy: for my anger has turned away from them. – Lord is great in holiness, and the Lord’s judgment is the highest standard. Any sins that will be dwelled or forgiven will lead to wrath from the Lord unless we run to Jesus for mercy. How beautiful it is when we hear the Lord saying, “For my anger has turned away from them.”

Verse: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. Hosea 14:4

The northern kingdom of Israel sinned, The Lord sends a prophet Hosea, and explains how the Lord sees their actions through the life of Hosea. Lord warns them about the fierce judgment that is coming upon them. All this ended up with Israel being conquered by Assyria and they went through terrible suffering, during all these warnings from the Lord, there were future promises for His people when they returned to the Lord, 

Let us examine if we have really returned to the Lord, if so the promises mentioned below are our portion

Change In Identity: “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; Hosea 2:19 – Our identity changes and we belong to Jesus, our sins are forgiven. Our primary desire has changed that is to be like Jesus and lead a righteous life a dress rehearsal for eternity.

Change In Position: Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’  Hosea 2:23 – Lord’s longing for us to be His people and we have our Father as Our God. If this is reality, we will hate sin and pursue righteousness as our Father is Holy.

Change In Attitude: Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days. Hosea 3:5 – When we truly seek the Lord and spend quality time in his presence, we will truly know the goodness of the Lord and our hearts will fear the Lord.

Change In Relationship: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. Hosea 14:4 – Oh! this will be our longing; the Lord will heal us. Lord will no longer be angry at us and love us freely.

Verse: Someday it will be impossible to count the people of Israel because there will be as many of them as there are grains of sand along the seashore. They are now called “Not My People,” but in the future they will be called “Children of the Living God.” Hosea 1:10

Background: The northern kingdom sinned, The Lord sends a prophet Hosea, and explains how the Lord sees their actions through the life of Hosea. Lord called Israel His people, people who received mercy, now due to their sins, immorality, sexual sins, ignorance, and idol worship. Lord calls his people the following.

1. Stubborn heifer: The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. Hosea 4:16
2. Adulterers, Hot Oven: They are all adulterers, burning like an oven Hosea 7:4
3. Half-baked Cake: “Ephraim mixes with the nations; Ephraim is a flat loaf not turned over. Hosea 7:8
4. Silly and senseless dove: “Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless— Hosea 7:11
5. Crooked bow: They do not turn to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Hosea 7:16
6. Broken Pot: Israel is swallowed up; now she is among the nations like something no one wants. Hosea 8:8
7. Wandering wild donkey: For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has sold herself to lovers. Hosea 8:9
8. Dried Up root: Ephraim is blighted, their root is withered, and they yield no fruit. Hosea 9:16
9. Empty Vine: Israel empties his vine; He brings forth fruit for himself. Hosea 10:1

Lord is on a mission to redeem His people, but when they intentionally kept sinning, above are the examples the Lord used to describe His people, it might look tough but when we realize our Lord is a loving father and righteous judge. It becomes a reality, what sin can do to us and how our Lord sees it. Oh, I wish we could see how the Lord sees the sinner, and when we sin if we for a moment think what will the Lord call us. Let us be very careful not to sin as it caused the death of Jesus on the cross.