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The Compassion and Character of a God's Man 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 by Cooper Abrams |
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The Compassion and Character of a God's Man 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 by Cooper Abrams |
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Paul began to preach in Philippi, but was pestered by a damsel who was possessed by a demon. She taunted Paul and he commanded the demon to come out of her. Her owners were making money with her in the same way other use demons and claim to be contacting people's dead relatives. With the demon gone they lost their income and they attacked Paul and he was put in prison. In Acts 16:23-40 records how that God sent a great earthquake and broke open the jail and their bounds. The Philippian jailer coming and finding the prison open and thinking the prisoners were escaped was going to commit suicide, but Paul stopped him. The jailer ask in verse 31, Sirs what must I do to be saved? Paul replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." He believed and was saved and baptized.
After leaving Philippi and establishing a church there Paul headed south to Thessalonica and began preaching the Gospel there. He was literally ran out of the city by the devout Jews who rejected the message of Jesus Christ. However, some were saved and the assembly in this city was founded.
Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2 recounts his ministry, calling and trials in writing this letter to encourage them. They were going through trials and persecutions and Paul wanted them to know that in spite of all this God was working.
I. Paul Proclaims His Dedication and Resulting Success in Face of Trials. 1 Thess. 2:1-4
2. Mentioned being treated badly at Philippi also, but in spite of the persecution and the contention, Paul says he was undeterred and boldly preached the Gospel.
2. When Jesus called Saul who was called Paul He told Ananias Paul's commission.
"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." (Acts 9:15-16)
3. Paul states that Jesus put him in trust to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. He states his determination to follow his calling no matter what.
4. Paul states that his ministry was not one to please men but to obey the Lord to whom he was responsible.
5. He did not seek the praise of men, but the approval of the Lord. Untold preachers have dishonored the Lord by becoming man pleasers.
On another occasion while in our first church in Beaver, Utah a couple in the church came with lots of critizism demanding that I change the name of the church a number of other unbiblical things they wanted done. I refused to give in to them and from that day forward they many times caused me and the church a great deal of trouble. As Paul wrote to Timothy about Alexander the coppersmith, may the Lord reward them according to their works.
God states, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12)
2. James says "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." (James 1:23-24)
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:17)
3. Many people say the desire to serve the Lord, but are not willing to pay the costs or the bear difficulties that may come. In Luke 9:57-62 the Lord Jesus called several men who aspired to be His disciples. Each had other priorities and they would not immediately follow Christ. Each gave a good excuse, but there was no faith in their seeking to be Christ's disciple.
The first one was concerned about having a place to stay and physical needs. He turned away. The second man had an ailing father and would not consent to follow Christ till his father had pasted away and buried. The third -want a be- disciple said he would come after he went home and bid his family good-bye.
Jesus said, "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)
Think with me. They seemed like good excuses to not immediately follow the Lord...but were they? Do you think that each would have had his need fulfilled if he had first obeyed the Lord and followed Him? You see the had a desire, but without faith or commitment. That is not saving or faith to live by. It is dead.
Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
Could there be things in your life that you put before the serving the Lord and being faithful to Him? What keeps you from church, from witnessing, from being faithful in giving, in being the example your spouse and family needs?
2. Paul also did not use his ministry as a "cloak of covetousness." The word "cloak" refers to trying to cover one's true intend. Paul had no other agenda than to preach God's word and see souls saved.
3. He did not preach for money. While with them He labored with his on hands to support himself. He reiterates this truth in Verse 9.
2. As an apostle Christ had given him authority to preach and establish the truth. He was to be believed and when Paul the apostle directed the churches they were to obey his instruction as it was coming from the Lord.
3. However, Paul did not emphasize his authority as an apostle but rather taught men God's truth giving them to opportunity to believe and follow him willingly in love. God never approves of a preacher that tires to be a dictator over God's people. He says His ministers are not to "lord over the people."
4. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Paul beseeched the congregation to "know them" and follow them who were put over them in the Lord. This means to respect and acknowledge them as God's leaders. He further said to esteem them very highly in the Lord for the sake of God's work. He also gives warning to the "unruly" or those who rebelled about the pastor's leadership.
5. Paul was gentle and considerate with them in the same way a nurse looks after children. Think with me a moment. Are there people in churches who are not truly faithful to the Lord and to their local church? The answer is... "of course." How then is the pastor to handle this. Should he attack them, or attack them in his messages? Should he bitterly condemn them for their sins and failures? (v7)
2. The phrase "being affectionately desirous" is actually one word in the Greek language. This is the only place in the Bible where the word is used. It tells us that Paul was so strongly attached to them that he would give his life for them.
3. His statement that he was not only willing to impart the Gospel, but also to his own soul, meaning he would lay down his life for them.
2. A true witness is one that shows caring and compassion. People are not interested in some mechanical and logical presentation of the Gospel. A true witness does more than show the unsaved the need in their lives. Salvation should be presented as not just simply a ticket to get our of hell. A true witness shows the love of God and shows how God's love has been given to them. Further it shows that same love to others that Christ showed to us.
3. Our preaching and teaching should be show the compassion of God towards us and we should show that we are appreciative of God's love. Many people are not strong witnesses for the Lord and to not show God's love to others, because they are not truly grateful to the Lord.
4. Paul was only with less than a month, yet he tells them they were dear to him. One thing that is the result of receiving God's love is we have the ability to show it to others and genuinely feel close to other people.
2. He proclaims that he preached the Gospel to them. People are not always happy to hear the Gospel and the word of God.
3. Paul describes preaching in his second letter to Timothy. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2)
4. Biblical preaching involves reproof, rebuke as well as exhortation. To reprove means to admonish and tell a fault. Rebuke, means to forbid and charge the commission of sin.
5. To exhort means to invite, compel and beseech people to accept God's truth, turn from sin in repentance and to live godly lives.
6. The preaching is to be done with "longsuffering" and "doctrine." We are to preach having patience. A pastor would have to be blind not to see the failures in the lives of his congregation. He is in a difficult situation. He knows the truth and how that obedience to God's word can and will cure the sinful ills in people's lives. He knows the blessing of God that believers could have if they were to believe God and submit themselves wholly to Him.
He preaches God's word to the unsaved, compassionately and deeply wishing to see the lost believe and be saved. Yet, most times he has to bare the heartache in seeing people refuse to let the Lord in their lives and receive salvation.
He sees members of his church missing the blessing of God because of disobedience. Some preachers lash out and preach messages attacking those that sin. But that is not God's way. Some preach message to bring strong guilt to the disobedient, but that too is not God's way.
Paul gives us the example to follow....preach God's truth with compassion and love. Pray earnestly for them.
2. The qualification of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 are clear and set the minimum standards for God's preachers. It is summed in saying they must be blameless. If they are not...they are not qualified. No matter how brilliant, talented, or liked God's standards are not to be violated.
3. Paul said he exhorted, meaning challenged them to live for the Lord and live obedient lives. He also comforted them and charged them as a father would his child. He did not overlook their failures...but sought to help them overcome them. He did not compromise with sin or let his converts do so.
4. He compelled them to walk worthy of God who has called or saved you to be a part of His kingdom. The kingdom of God is to reflect the character of God. The members of that kingdom should live according to the standards of that kingdom and be a testimony of what God's wants the kingdom to be.
2. Are you living a life that lets God's bless you. Do you realize that God's blessing in your life show your true testimony of living for the Lord. That means that when others see God blessing you it is a testimony to the faithfulness of God and witness to His love for man.
3. Is there an area of your life that you know you are not truly faithful to the Lord in? Would you finally admit, repent of it and be reconciled to the Lord?
4. Dear Friends, if a pastor longs to see people believing and living for the Lord and compassionately seek to point people to the Lord in love....how much more does the Lord?
5. Would this morning believe Colossians 1:18. "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18)
Will you give him the preeminence? The answer is either Yes or No. What is your answer to the Lord?
Introduction: In taking the Gospel to Europe, Paul first went to Philippi, then to Thessalonica, to Berea, Athens and then to the island of Corinth. With Paul was Silas, and Timothy. This was Paul's second missionary journey. He began his trip planning to go to the churches in Asia, but was forbidden of the Holy Spirit twice to preach there. (Acts 16:6) Paul however continued moving across Asia northward and to the west. When he came to Troas God gave him a vision of a man from Macedonia who prayed him saying "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Now having God's direction, Paul immediate took his little band, left Troas in Mysia, and crossed the Aegean Sea arriving in Neapolis, in Trace. He then proceed west and came to Philippi where on the Sabbath day met Lydia, a woman who was in business selling purple. Lydia was a saved Jew, from Thyatira, and when Paul preached Jesus was the Christ she believed and was baptized.
A. Paul ministry in Thessalonica was fruitful. vs1-2
II. Paul Set the Example in having a Godly Character. (vs5-9)
1. Paul was says he was there three Sabbaths which mean he was there less than a month. He seems concerned about having been forced to leave. His statements here seem to indicate that even though forced to leave and being there only a short time the Lord has worked among them and a church was firmly established.
B. Paul was accused of being deceitful, violating Jewish law and guile. He was charged with teaching against God and being a rebel stirring up the Jews. (vs3-4)
1. He proclaims that he was given the call by the Lord Jesus to proclaim the Gospel.
C. How does Paul's example relate to us today? In spite of the difficulties and of being severely hindered, even to putting his life in danger, he was faithful to his calling. This reveals Paul's true faith and belief in Almighty God.
ILLUS: It happened to me in 1996. The mission board I was with for ten years began to unbiblically interfere in the ministry of our church in Price, Utah. They tried to force me to accept their unbiblical procedures and teachings. I could not in good conscience deny the Word of God and I refused to obey them. They gave me a mandate to either accept and obey them or they would fire me. I tried so very hard to show them what the Bible teaches, but they would not hear it. They attacked and lied to me. It would have been easy just to give in and avoid the trouble it was causing. But I could not deny the Lord, so they fired me. It caused a lot of trouble for a time, but in the end their actions caused them great harm. God continued to bless our ministry, but their ministry has steadily declined the past ten years. God took care of us and blessed us because we put our trust in Him and not a mission board of men who gave lip service to God's word. (In July, 1996 I was fired from Northwest Baptist Missions, of Salt Lake City, by Wallace Higgins and his board)
1. True biblical faith produces action in the life of the believer. If faith is present it will effect the life of the Christian. Faith that does not direct our actions is not true faith.
A. Paul mentions several attributes of character that made his ministry honorable before the Lord. (v5)
Conclusion:
1. He did not use flattering words nor was and as verse 4 states did not seek to please men to avoid contention, but was faithful to God's truth.
B. Paul did not seek the praise of men. (v6-7)
1. Paul was truly an apostle called personally by the Lord Jesus Christ. An apostle in the early church was a position of respect and they were given special talents and gifts not given to everyone.
C. Paul expresses not only dedication to his responsibility as the Apostle to the Gentile, but also his sincere affection for them.
1. It is one thing to serve people because you have the position and responsibility, but it is another when you do it also out of love and affection.
D. Many witness, preach and teach without compassion. Thank the Lord that His word is given to others, but there is a lesson here. The Gospel should be spread not simply as a duty, or to fulfill a responsibility, but with deep caring for souls.
1. Much evangelism today is done without emotion. Many present the Gospel in a 1-2-3 mechanical approach. That is one reason so many converts show no evidence of salvation. They accepted the concept of salvation, but not the person of Christ.
E. Paul honestly states what they knew to be true... that they witnessed his devotion to the Lord and them in his short stay.
1. We also see here the truth that we are responsible to the Lord for our lives and out testimony. Paul says he did not want to be "chargeable" to them. That means that he could be charged with neglecting his ministry and service to them.
F. God's man must be above reproach. (v10-12)
1. As I was studying this passage the thought came to my mind..... "Why did Paul say these things?" I believe there are several reasons. One and most important is that he was setting the example for all preachers of the Gospel. God was using Paul to show us what our "Master" has called us to do!
1. In light of what God has revealed to us in showing us what both pastor and church member should be....how do you stack up?
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