Calvary
Chapel Bible College
September
15, 2021
START RECORDING
Homework
Let’s share our memory verse – one at a time.
(1
Thessalonians 2:8 NKJV) So, affectionately longing for you,
we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our
own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Did you come up with any nuggets to share as you’ve been chewing on this
verse this week?
In two weeks I’m going to ask you to pick what
passage you want to do your “project” on – your five minute
devotional.
Introduction
Paul and his team had been in Philippi when they got into trouble by
casting a demon out of a fortune-telling slave girl.
They were beaten and thrown into jail overnight before being asked to leave
town.
They made their way west through Macedonia to the city of Thessalonica.
Thessalonica was the capital city of Macedonia – a major trade center and
seaport.
The city of Philippi didn’t have enough Jews to form a synagogue, because
Paul found people praying near a river, not a synagogue.
In contrast, Thessalonica had a large Jewish synagogue.
Paul and Silas preached in the synagogue for three weeks before the Jewish
leaders turned on him.
Paul had seen many come to Christ, especially among the Gentiles, and the
Jewish leaders got angry with Paul. When they couldn’t find him, they took one
of the other believers, and had him beaten.
Paul and his team moved on to the city of Berea where they had fruitful
ministry until some of the Jews from Thessalonica showed up and stirred up
trouble for Paul. Paul then moved on to Athens, and eventually Corinth, where
he would write these letters to the Thessalonians.
The church in Thessalonica was a church birthed in a hostile anti-Christian
environment.
2:1-20 What Ministry is about
Notice the pericope.
Years ago after we had first
started Calvary Fullerton, we had a series of difficulties that resulted
in several church splits.
I know I carried plenty of the blame in these troubles and I made many
mistakes.
I felt like I needed more training, because I was beginning to wonder if I
really understood what “church” was all about.
I enrolled in a program aimed at training business leaders in serving the
Lord, but for me, the program forced me to think about what our church was all
about.
That period of time birthed our “vision
statement”.
That’s a brief description that we believe sums up what our church is all
about.
This is our vision statement:
Win the Lost
Equip the Saints
Send the Servants
It is of first importance that we reach out to those we know who don’t know
Jesus. Those who don’t know Jesus are
truly “lost”.
Once a person finds Jesus, they are “saved”, they are a “saint”, and our
goal changes from “reaching” them, to “equip” them, or give them the tools to
grow.
The mature Christian is not one who knows lots of Bible verses, but one who
has learned to serve. They have learned that Jesus wants to use them, and a
church’s responsibility is to encourage them to find ways of serving God –
whether it’s in doing something at church, serving others in their
neighborhood, or even going to the mission field.
I want you all to know that God has called each of you to ministry. You may not be called to be a pastor, but you
are called to serve.
God wants you to serve Him.
What does ministry look like?
Paul gives us a wonderful peek into what true ministry is all about.
:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in
vain.
coming to you – eisodos – an
entrance; the place or way leading into a place (as a gate); the act of
entering
:1 our coming to you was not in vain
vain – kenos – empty,
fruitless, without effect
Paul’s coming to Thessalonica wasn’t a waste of time.
When Paul came to Thessalonica, something happened and people were saved.
There was lasting fruit.
:2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at
Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of
God in much conflict.
suffered before – propascho – to
suffer before
spitefully treated – hubridzo – to be
insolent, to behave insolently, wantonly, outrageously; to act insolently and
shamefully towards one, to treat shamefully
we were bold – parrhesiazomai –
to use freedom in speaking, be free spoken; to grow confident, have boldness,
show assurance, assume a bold bearing
:2 we were bold in our God
Lesson
Ministry: Don’t quit
After the beating and imprisonment at Philippi, you might think Paul might
think twice before speaking up too much.
But he didn’t.
When you learn to say to God, “I will serve you”, you can expect that you
will be attacked.
True ministry doesn’t quit easily.
Illustration
When a soldier signs up to fight, he has to be
“all in”. That’s a picture of Desmond
Doss, more about him in a second.
A soldier doesn’t come and go on the battlefield for just
any reason.
Imagine what the battlefields of World War II would have
been like if the soldiers decided in the middle of a battle they needed some
“personal time”.
The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” is about Desmond Doss, who
served as a medic on Okinawa during WWII.
He was a conscientious objector, so he didn’t even carry a gun – but he
still was “all in”. His goal on the
battlefield was to rescue the wounded, even after the rest of the company had
abandoned the battle. His goal was “just
one more”.
Video: Hacksaw Ridge – Just One More
https://youtu.be/3oges-zl4rI
Could you imagine Desmond Doss asking for a coffee break
in the middle of the battle?
Are you “all in” when it comes to serving the Lord?
:2 to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict
conflict – agon – the
assembly of the Greeks at their national games; hence the contest for a prize
at their games; generally, any struggle or contest
Paul is describing his ministry in Thessalonica like a wrestling match at
an Olympic competition.
Yet he wasn’t trying to pull off a “take-down” but was wrestling to speak
the good news about Jesus Christ.
What is that “good news”? You can
see it in Luke’s account in Acts 17 of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica:
(Acts 17:2–3 NKJV)
—2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three
Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining
and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead,
and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
The bad news is that our sins separate us from God.
The good news is that God sent Jesus to die on a cross and
pay for our sins.
Jesus didn’t just die, but He also rose from the dead and
proved that He had paid for us.
Jesus is the promised Messiah, the “Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world”.
Paul “wrestled” to get this message out.
:3 For our exhortation did not come from error or
uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
exhortation – paraklesis – a calling near, summons, (esp. for
help); importation, supplication, entreaty; exhortation, admonition,
encouragement; consolation, comfort, solace
error – plane – a
wandering, a straying about; error, wrong opinion relative to morals or
religion
deceit – dolos – craft,
deceit, guile
:3 our exhortation did not come from error …
Lesson
Ministry: Truth
Here’s a “keyword” for your quiz
The Jewish leaders might not have liked what Paul was teaching in their
synagogue.
They may have felt Paul was teaching bad doctrine.
They may have felt that Paul was going to take advantage of the people.
Not true.
Real ministry doesn’t need to resort to tricking people into doing things.
Real ministry deals with truth and honesty.
Some folks feel they need to only show the “positive” benefits about following
Jesus, as if your life will be healthy and wealthy if you follow Jesus.
That’s not the truth.
:3 or uncleanness
uncleanness – akatharsia – uncleanness; in a moral sense: the
impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living
Lesson
Ministry: Purity
I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve seen folks in ministry
disqualified over issues of sexual purity.
It’s not hard to find yourself in a position where you as a person being
used by God can have an influence in someone’s life where some type of
attraction occurs.
It might be that you are attracted to them.
It might be that they are attracted to you.
Some folks get into ministry because they realize they might have an
influence over others and take advantage of it.
We call those wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Others can start off correctly in ministry with purity and find themselves
getting trapped.
I’m grieved over what I’m hearing about allegations from a ministry in
Oregon we all love and cherish.
I’m concerned with what I hear as “excuses” for inappropriate behavior.
There is no excuse for anyone in ministry becoming
sexually involved with a person they are not married to. It doesn’t matter if you’re both single.
Sex outside of marriage is called “immorality”, and we are
not to be a part of it.
Purity is purity.
It can happen to single folks. It
can happen to happily married folks.
Even if you are maintaining a pure life, if you’re not careful and maintain
accountability, if you find yourself meeting regularly with someone one-on-one
without oversight, you can find yourself accused of things that didn’t happen,
and the result is the same.
The Bible says,
(1 John 1:5 NKJV) This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to
you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we serve God, we represent Him. And we need to walk like children of light,
in purity.
:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,
even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
:4 have been approved … who tests
Both “approved” and “tests” are the same Greek word, just in different tenses.
approved – dokimazo – to test, examine, prove, scrutinize
(to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
The word “approved” is in the “perfect tense”, meaning it’s something that
has happened and the results continue on into the
present.
God “tests” to see if our hearts are genuine, and then if we pass the test,
we are “approved”.
entrusted – pisteuo – to think to be true, to be persuaded
of, to credit, place confidence in; of the thing believed; to credit, have
confidence; to be entrusted with a thing.
God put His trust in Paul to give him the gospel, the gospel of putting our
trust in God.
pleasing – aresko – to please; to strive to please
who tests – dokimazo – to test, examine, prove, scrutinize
(to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
Same word translated “approved”
:4 not as pleasing men, but God
Lesson
Ministry: Pleasing God
When you learn to serve others, you can fall into the trap of feeling like
you’re not successful unless everyone is smiling.
The problem with that is that some people will only smile if you tell them
what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.
Pleasing people will only lead to trouble.
(John 12:42–43
NKJV) —42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but
because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be
put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
There are times when God’s servants have
to take a stand for what is right, and that’s not always a popular thing
to do.
:5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a
cloak for covetousness—God is witness.
Flattering words is what you use if you want to “please” people.
flattering – kolakeia – flattery, flattering discourse
cloak – prophasis – a pretext (alleged reason, pretended
cause); show
covetousness – pleonexia –
greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice
:5 nor a cloak for covetousness
Lesson
Ministry: Not about money
Paul wasn’t in the ministry for the money.
He didn’t come to Thessalonica to make money off the people.
Illustration
The first boy says, “My Dad scribbles a few
words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.”
The second boy says, “That’s nothing. My
Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give
him $100.”
The third boy says, “I got you both beat.
My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon... and
it takes eight people to collect all the money!”
I guess it’s possible to make a lot of
money in ministry, but most of the pastors I know don’t make a lot of money. If you want to make money, pick another
profession.
Ministry isn’t about what you are going to get from people, it’s about what
you are going to give to them.
:6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we
might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
might have – dunamai – to be able, have power whether by
virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through
favorable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; to be able to do
something; to be capable, strong and powerful
demands – baros – heaviness, weight, burden, trouble
:6 Nor did we seek glory
seek – zeteo – to seek in order to
find; to seek i.e. require, demand; to crave, demand something from someone
glory – doxa – opinion,
judgment, view; in the NT always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in
praise, honour, and glory; splendour,
brightness; magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace
Lesson
Ministry: Not about attention
For some, the allure of ministry is not in the money, it’s in the glory –
the “attention” that comes from being someone special. There’s something very
enticing about people saying lots of good things about you. It’s not difficult
to start out with the right motives, but once you taste of the “glory”, it’s
kind of hard to not hear it once in a while.
In C.S. Lewis’ Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, the younger brother
Edmund is separated from his siblings and runs into the wicked “White Witch”.
She wants to destroy the four children, and to do this she will use Edmund to
betray his brother and sisters. She tempts him with a treat called “Turkish Delight”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFd0SP_ZiV8
Once Edmund got a taste of Turkish Delight, he was willing to do whatever
the witch asked him, as long as he got more.
“Glory” is like that. Once you’ve got a taste, you can become addicted to
it.
You will find some ministries try to do things simply for attention.
They come up with increasingly bizarre things to keep
people coming.
God doesn’t appreciate people trying to take the glory that should be going
to Him.
(Isaiah 42:8 NKJV) I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory
I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.
The real test of ministry is when you do something for others, and very
few people know about it.
Would you still do it even when nobody knows?
:7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes
her own children.
gentle – epios – affable; mild, gentle
nursing – trophos – a nurse. Don’t think of a hospital.
Think of a mother that is breast-feeding her child.
:8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to
you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become
dear to us.
affectionately longing – himeiromai – to
desire, long for, esp. the longing of love
well pleased – eudokeo – it seems
good to one, is one’s good pleasure; think it good, choose, determine, decide;
to do willingly
dear – agapetos – beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love
:7 as a nursing mother cherishes
cherishes – thalpo – to warm, keep warm; to cherish with
tender love
Paul paints a picture that we see in our family on a
daily basis with our grandchildren.
Lesson
Ministry: Tenderness
Ministry involves the heart.
Isn’t it an interesting analogy?
Paul doesn’t use picture of a gladiator chopping off heads.
He uses a mother’s tender gentleness as the example of ministry.
I would recommend to you the free podcast that
Christianity Today has been putting up called “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/
In it, the journalists track the ministry of Mark
Driscoll, and the abusive culture he developed at the mega-church Mars Hill (a
church that no longer exists)
It is nothing like what Paul describes as his own
ministry.
I’ve heard more than a few of us pastors exclaim, “Ministry would be great
if it weren’t for the people”.
Those in leadership will tend to chuckle over comments like that.
Some leaders are very rough and callous towards the people they work with.
If you don’t care about people, then don’t get involved in doing ministry
until you get your heart fixed.
How can I get my heart for people back if I’ve grown calloused?
Try praying for them.
I find it hard not to start caring for people when I pray regularly and
sincerely for them.
:8 impart … also our own lives
Paul didn’t just share words with them, he shared his life as well.
lives – psuche (psyche, psychology) – breath; life;
the soul; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections (our heart, soul etc.)
This isn’t the word for biological life (bios) or eternal life (zoe), but this is the word for the human “soul”.
You might say he “bared his soul” to them.
:9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and
day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel
of God.
labor – kopos – a beating; a beating of the breast
with grief, sorrow; labor; trouble; to cause one trouble, make work for him;
intense labor united with trouble and toil
toil – mochthos – a hard and difficult labor, toil,
travail, hardship, distress
laboring – ergazomai – to work, labor, do work; to trade, to
make gains by trading, "do business"; to do, work out; exercise,
perform, commit; to work for, earn by working, to acquire
burden – epibareo – to put a burden upon, to load; to be
burdensome
:9 our labor and toil
Lesson
Ministry: Hard work
Paul had a “day job” that he used from time to time to support his
ministry.
He was a “tent-maker” by trade.
While Paul was in Thessalonica, he supported himself
financially by making tents.
He also had some financial support from the little church in Philippi.
When Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he talked about how the
Philippian church had supported him financially from time to time over the
years. It is some twenty years later that he writes…
(Philippians
4:10–16 NKJV) —10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for
me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked
opportunity. 11 Not that I
speak in regard to need, for I have learned in
whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and
in all things I have learned both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you
Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from
Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again
for my necessities.
The Philippians had supported Paul after he left Macedonia
and went on to Achaia (southern Greece, Corinth).
But before that they had even supported him when he first
showed up in Thessalonica.
Yet Paul didn’t tie his preaching of the gospel to whether
or not someone would pay him.
Paul kept his financial support separate from his outreach ministry.
The big picture here in regards to ministry is
this – it’s hard work.
Ministry is not about having people look up to you, but about learning to
lay down your life for others.
(John
15:13 NKJV) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for
his friends.
:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly
and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
witnesses – martus – a witness; one who is a spectator of
anything, e.g. of a contest
devoutly – hosios – piously, holily; from hosios – undefiled by sin, free from
wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious
justly – dikaios – just, agreeably to right; properly,
as is right; uprightly, agreeable to the law of rectitude
blamelessly – amemptos – blameless, so that there is no cause
for censure
These people knew firsthand about Paul’s character.
:11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of
you, as a father does his own children,
exhorted – parakaleo – to call to one’s side, call for,
summon; to admonish, exhort; to beg, entreat, beseech; to strive to appease by
entreaty; to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
comforted – paramutheomai – to speak to, address one, whether by
way of admonition and incentive, or to calm and console; to encourage, console
charged – martureo – to be a witness, to bear witness; to
utter honorable testimony, give a good report; conjure, implore
:12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom
and glory.
worthy – axios – suitably, worthily, in a manner
worthy of
This was Paul’s goal for the people he ministered to.
He wanted them to grow up in the Lord and live lives that honored God.
:11 as a father does his own children
Lesson
Ministry: Tough and Tender
Ministry is not just about being like a “mom”, it’s also like being a
“dad”.
There are more than a few parallels between ministry and parenting.
Sometimes ministry is like being the “tender mom”, but other times it’s
like being the “tough dad”.
Just like in parenting, you grow in ministry in how you learn to deal with
things.
Illustration
How parents handle the Pacifier Falling on Floor
First Child: Mother picks it up, runs to the kitchen and
disinfects it by boiling in water for ten minutes. Then, after it cools down
for ten minutes, she gives it back to the child.
Second Child: Mother picks it up, washes it off in hot
water, blows on it to cool it down, and gives it back to the child
Third Child: Mother picks it up, licks it off, and gives
it back to the child.
Fourth child: Dog picks it up and licks it off. Mother
gives it back to the child.
Just like in parenting, there will be times when you need to be tender, but
there are times when you need to be firm as well. You learn it as you grow in ministry.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians a few years later:
(2
Corinthians 13:10 NLT) I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to
deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord
has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.
That sounds like mom saying, “Just wait until your father
gets home…”
When you serve others, there may be times when you have to say the hard
thing to them.
But not all the time. Some folks feel that you’re not
doing ministry right unless you’re rebuking somebody. Learn Balance.
: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 in you who believe.
thank – eucharisteo – to be grateful, feel thankful; give
thanks
without ceasing – adialeiptos –
without intermission, incessantly, without ceasing
:13 the word of God
word – logos – word, what
someone has said
Lesson
Ministry: God’s Word
Real ministry has a connection between the people and God’s Word.
The Thessalonians didn’t view the things that Paul had spoken to them as
common words of a man, but they recognized that Paul was sharing with them
God’s own Word.
How do you view the things we study in the Bible?
There are times when I will express my opinion about things, which may or
may not be God’s opinion about things.
There are also times when I’m simply explaining to you what the text itself
is clearly saying.
Is this just an interesting idea that Pastor Rich is
telling us?
Or do I sense that God Himself has something to say to me?
Don’t misunderstand me – I’m not claiming to be God’s exclusive
chosen mouthpiece – it’s this book we’re studying that is the Word of God. I’m
just trying my best to explain what’s in the book.
For those of us who teach the Bible, we ought to be trembling in fear when
we speak.
We want to be careful that we’re not just giving our “thoughts” on the
subjects we discuss, but we want to be careful to be as accurate and as close
to what God is saying as possible.
James wrote,
(James
3:1 NKJV) My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we
shall receive a stricter judgment.
Ministry ought to be tied to God’s Word.
If we want people connected to God, we want them connected to His Word.
:13 effectively works in you who believe
effectively works – energeo (“energize”)
– to be operative, be at work, put forth power; to work for one, aid one
Lesson
Believe and Receive
There is a sense in which God’s Word is going to accomplish things whether
we believe it or not.
But there is also a sense that once we recognize it for what it is and
trust it, the Word of God that it takes on new power in our lives.
We don’t receive as much benefit if we don’t recognize it for what it is.
Illustration
Are You Listening?
The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured
long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid
any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try
an experiment. To each person who came down the line and shook his hand, he
murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” The guests responded with
phrases like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless
you, sir.” It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador
from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Not
quite knowing what to say, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure
she had it coming.”
The writer to the Hebrews (in chapters 3&4) was talking about how
important it is that we be sure that we enter in to all that God has for us. We
need to be careful about not getting sidetracked or letting our hearts grow
calloused. We need to be careful that we don’t come short because of some sort
of disobedience in our lives like some of the folks did in the Old Testament.
And how do we keep our lives on track?
(Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)
For
the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
powerful – energes – active
Comes from the same root as the word for “effectively
works”
God’s Word is the thing that helps keep our lives on
track. It helps us figure out what is
going on in our hearts. It guides
us. It protects us.
The power of God’s Word to work in your life will be related to whether you
recognize it and trust it.
Some people will come up to me and tell me how much the message impacted
them. Sometimes I even get notes about it.
I can see some things just bounce off people without affecting them.
Other people avoid me like the plague at the end of a service.
Some people will tell me what was wrong in my message, or about some other
problem they’re having at church.
How can this be? Though I’m willing to carry much of the blame, I’ve
learned that part of the process lies in the heart of the hearer.
I’ve sat under pastors where I’ve been unable to receive, and when I
realized that the problem was in my heart, I was able to get back
to the place where I could receive from the Lord again.
:14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in
Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own
countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
followers – mimetes – an imitator
:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have
persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,
contrary – enantios – over against, opposite; of place,
opposite, contrary (of the wind); metaph.; opposed as an adversary, hostile,
antagonistic in feeling or act; an opponent
:16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as
always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon
them to the uttermost.
forbidding – koluo – to hinder, prevent forbid; to
withhold a thing from anyone; to deny or refuse one a thing
:14 imitators of the churches …which are in Judea
The Thessalonians were finding that they had a lot in common with the
churches back in the land of Israel.
Those churches had been experiencing persecution from Jewish leaders.
Those same Jewish leaders had killed Jesus, as well as the prophets.
Those leaders had also forbidden the apostles to share the good news of
Jesus to the Jews, let alone with those pagan Gentiles.
They were keeping people from hearing about how to go to heaven.
Just like the Judean churches, the folks in Thessalonica were learning to
persevere and follow Jesus, even in difficult times.
Lesson
Ministry: Example
How did the Thessalonians do this?
They imitated others.
I think part of their success had to do with the example of the churches
back in Judea. They saw their example
and “imitated” them.
They also saw Paul’s example.
Paul had just come from Philippi.
I imagine he still bore the scars of being beaten.
They had seen how Paul lived out his life.
Much of ministry is “caught” more than it’s “taught”.
Ministry is not about always knowing the right words, but about knowing how
to live the right life.
People in your ministry will grow in a healthy relationship with Jesus if
you are setting the example.
:17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in
presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great
desire.
endeavored – spoudazo – to hasten, make haste; to exert one’s self, endeavor, give diligence
:17 having been taken away from you
having been taken away – aporphanizo (“from”
+ “orphan”)– to bereave of a parent or parents
Do you see the continuation of the “parenting” theme?
Paul had been grieved because it felt like the Thessalonians had been
“orphaned”, losing their spiritual father.
:17 in presence, not in heart
Literally, “in face, not in heart”.
Paul no longer was able to see their faces, but his heart was still with
them.
:18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but
Satan hindered us.
:18 time and again
Literally, “once and twice”
:18 but Satan hindered us
hindered – egkopto – to cut into, to impede one’s course
by cutting off his way; hinder
Satan had used the Thessalonian Jewish leaders to stop Paul in Thessalonica
the first time.
When Paul went on to Berea, the same Jewish leaders tracked him down and
made life difficult for him.
Again. A second time.
Rather than going back to check on the Thessalonians, Paul had to keep
moving further south until he came to Corinth, where he’s writing this letter
from.
:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it
not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
:20 For you are our glory and joy.
:20 you are our glory and joy
Lesson
Ministry: It’s about people
Here’s the last keyword
Paul got much joy from his ministry.
Ministry is about working with people.
When Paul got to heaven, he wasn’t going to be proud of the buildings he
built or the cars he drove.
Paul was looking forward to introducing the Thessalonians to Jesus when
they got to heaven.
I have to confess that at times I feel like I
failed because I was not able to get Calvary Fullerton
to the point where we had our own building, where we had stability and didn’t
need to worry about a landlord.
But if I should leave this life today, I know that I’ve left some people
behind, men and women that I’ve discipled and loved.
I know I’ve fulfilled my ministry.
There are only two things in our class today that will go into eternity:
The Word of God.
People.
Focus on what lasts.
Pericope Project
Does anyone want to try their hand at creating a pericope about verses 1-20
in chapter two?
Homework
Read both 1&2Thessalonians in ESV
Memorize 1Thess. 3:12
(1
Thessalonians 3:12 NKJV) And may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
Be ready to recite it in class next week.
Memorize it early so you can chew on it during the week.
Go to our class’s “test” section
Share a prayer request
Take the Quick Quiz for you.
In two weeks I’ll ask you to pick your passage to
do your short devotional on.
Keywords
Ministry is all about
a.
Truth
b.
Telling people what they want to
hear
c.
Having a great joke
Ministry is all about
a.
It’s all about people
b.
It’s about building a bigger
building
c.
It’s about getting on the radio
Was there something from today’s lesson that you can apply to your life
TODAY?