Above and Beyond 2

Above and Beyond II - A Guideline for Ministry; nv 8/13/06 (1 Thess. 2:1-13)

OS: 1 THE PREACHER WHO WOULDN’T DO
A church was in need of a preacher. One of the elders was interested in finding out just what kind of a preacher the church wanted. In order to do this he composed a letter as though it had been received from a preacher and read it to the committee selecting a new preacher.
"Gentlemen: Understanding that you need a preacher, I would like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications that I think you would appreciate. I have been blessed to preach with power and have some success as a writer. Some say that I am a good organizer. I have been a leader in most places I have gone.
Some folks, however, have some things against me. I am over fifty years of age. I have never preached in one place for more than three years at a time. In some places I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I have to admit that I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any wrongdoing. My health is not too good, though I still get a good deal done. I have had to work at my trade to help pay my way. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I have not gotten along too well with the religious leaders in different towns where I have preached, and I am sure that they will not recommend me. In fact, some of them have threatened me, taken me to court, and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known even to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you, even if I have to work to help with my support." The elder read this letter to the committee, and asked if they were interested in the applicant. They replied that he would never do for their church. They were not interested in an unhealthy, trouble-making, contentious, ex-jailbird; and were insulted that his application had ever been presented! But one of them did ask the preacher’s name and the elder replied, "The Apostle Paul."

I.       Above and Beyond – Thessalonians

A.     This is but one letter, and one place that Paul had been.

B.     2 He left tracks wherever he went. (Picture – Ignatian Way)

                       1.       Like: Tornado, footprints in the sand, etc.

                       2.       3 Acts 13 – Paul’s missionary journeys begin.

                       3.       Cyprus, Salamis, Paphos, Perga, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, etc.

C.     How did Paul accomplish so much? How was he so successful.

                       1.       Definitely, the salt of the earth – light of the world.

II.    Everyone has this need to matter (Significance, meaning, purpose, etc.)

A.     4 Even if I loose my life today, my life will not have been lost.

                       1.       I will live on in the lives of others. (and all they will influence)  

I.       In our text this morning Paul tells us how he did it.

A.     Remember Last week? (Distractions)

                  1.            1:1-12, Paul thanks God the church at Thessalonica because - model church.

                  2.            work of faith, labor of love, and perseverance of hope.

B.     1:1-10 spoke of the influence of this church, due to the influence of Paul.

                  1.            Paul evidently believed that every person he reached for Christ could and should become an effective Christian worker who could do the same with others.

                  2.            Maybe in a different way, or with a different talent, but each person can have a powerful influence on the lives of people.

                  3.            That is our quest here at Northview!

C.     That is why our text this morning is so important! Here Paul provides the profile of an influential person. ( 3 Characteristics of an occasion for positive change for God)

TS] 5 6 7 8 Text 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13, You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 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 men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 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. And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Here is how Paul was so successful in ministry…

I.       9 Desire to Please God.

A.     Notice the text – 2:2-4,

                       1.       It wasn’t how Paul spoke, but it was what he spoke.

                       2.       Paul was not a man-pleaser. He didn’t try to sell himself, or flatter people.

                       3.       Henry Kissinger - Superstars/Heroes – “Superstars strive for approbation approval; heroes walk alone. Superstars crave consensus; heroes define themselves by the judgment of a future they see it as their task to bring about.”

                       4.       Paul had given his life to Christ and therefore Christ was the only person he sought to please.

B.     Do you want to be this kind of person? Then you totally and completely give your life to Christ.

                       1.       Absolute Commitment to God (let come what may)

                       2.       Notice all of Paul’s hardship.

C.     You may be faced with this dilemma in various ways.

                       1.       You may be asked or expected to do something unethical on the job.

                       2.       Do you speak up when you hear others expressing cultural views that are not according to what is right? (homosexuality – religious views that say Jesus is not the only way to heaven?, etc.)

                       3.       Don’t buy in to compartmentalization – work/home/church – Christian worker, Christian parent, etc.           

TS] Just because Paul wasn’t trying to please men don’t get the idea that he was cold to people.

II.    Share your life with people. 2:6b-8

A.     Paul didn’t just deliver lectures on theology and go home.

                       1.       Deep-seated, lasting spiritual change occurs in the context of close, personal, Christ-centered relationships.

                       2.       That’s the way God made us.

                       3.       That’s a lot of what small groups is all about.

                       4.       “Community means…people who have to learn how to care for each other.”

B.     “I’m just not that kind of person.” Neither was Paul! Jesus changed Him.

                       1.       Ask God to give you a heart for people.

                       2.       Muster the faith to begin one person at a time and see what happens.

                       3.       idea – don’t start with inviting people to church or to study the bible – go to a movie, have them over for supper, go out to eat together, go bowling, play golf, etc.

                       4.       Share life, and then you will find good opportunities to influence their life.

TS] Paul’s involvement with people gave him the opportunity to influence in another way.

III.  11 Be a good example in how you live. 2:9-10

A.     He never said, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

                       1.       Paul taught people how to live for God by being a concrete example.

                       2.       Paul’s example gave him the authority to call others to greater commitment to Christ.

B.     We can inspire people to live for Christ by showing them what it looks like.

                       1.       “You are the only bible many people will ever read”

                       2.       If you stand for what is right you will be watched like a hawk – never think that people don’t take notice!

                       3.       Gerald and the phone call from a co-worker of long ago at the RR.

C.     Small decisions that you make on a daily basis will affect not only your own life, but the lives of others for a long time.

                       1.       Uncle Jack and his moonshine idea – Aunt Alliwill’s appendicitis attack.

                       2.       He became a Christian – without which my Father would have never sought God.

IV.   12 We are all ministers – and we all want our lives to count for something that lasts beyond our days here on this earth.

A.     This is how Paul did it.

                       1.       God is most important

                       2.       Share life with people.

                       3.       Set an example.

B.     This happens only if we allow Jesus to live in us.

                       1.       Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us. We will either influence or we will be influenced.