1 Thessalonians 2:1-7 / Building a successful ministry 101.
Thessalonians: A Prayer of Thanksgiving • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 32:33
0 ratings
· 29 viewsFiles
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.
6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
Context:
Acknowledged how they had “Turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God.”
end of chapter 1
Notes the measured success:
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.
“...coming to you was not in vain.”
Goes on to say how they chose to have “...Boldness in our God.” (verse 2)
I’m blown away at Paul defines success...
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
“We had already suffered and ... shamefully treated...”
(Acts 16:22-24) They were stripped, beaten with rods, thrown into prison, and bond into stocks.”
“We were shamefully treated.”
“Well at least we weren’t beating half to death and thrown into prison. And some of you actually got saved’
I count it as a win!
Imagine being a member of the 1st century church in Thessalonica!
“You’re going to complain to Paul about what?”
I love that Paul is interacting with these stories in order to measure success and encourage this church!
Why can’t we do that today?
The treatment here happened in another town with another church.
If we truly believe we are one body in Christ...
Why can’t we look at how or brothers and sisters are treated in Burma, Middle East, or 1st Century Philippi..
Someone will say:
“But I’m not Paul!”
Paul’s reason was not, “Because I am Paul the apostle.” He said...
Here is what Paul is saying....
You know God has blessed our work in your church, but been hard victories sometimes and here is is how we press on...
"We had boldness in OUR GOD to declare the gospel of God to you in the midst of conflict.”
We have opportunity … EVEN THE RIGHT … to look at our challenges and claim, “I choose to be bold in our God!
The same God who...
He will be with me!
So I will proclaim the Gospel with BOLDNESS!!!
Our Message was pure
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
We’re not wrong.
You can say that when you are simply but carefully sharing God’s word.
It’t really up to YOU to know when that is true.
But when your heart is right...
it’s not coming from impurity.
it’s not an attempt to deceive.
Our Objective was honorable.
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
We have been approved by God.
We have been entrusted with the Gospel
Holy Spirit has revealed the truth to us!!!!
So what do we do with that?
We speak..
but not please man
build an audience
maintain a status among outsiders
to be trendy or cool
I’m NOT saying we don’t try to appeal to the lost (those in the world)
If we desire to please man, we are headed down a path that leads to a departure from God.
Bible tells us that they be drawn to what “their itching ears want to hear.”
We will become willing to sooth their desire.
Our Methods were sincere.
5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.
Have you ever been around a person is OVERLY flattering.
It’s really off putting
“Ok what are you selling?”
“Pretext”
Giving a false reason for your actions.
Churches can be had at this.
Making our mission all about numbers.
Our Motives were humble
6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
We don’t desire to be rock stars.
We didn’t measure our success by how popular we are among people.