1 Thess 2:1-8 Fail Proof Spiritual Character

Steven Eisen reads scripture

Read 1 Thess 2:1-4

Transition

Have you heard about the revivals happening on college campuses?

Colleges like Ohio State and Texas A&M are seeing thousands of students attend revivals and worship concerts

It is leading to thousands getting saved and getting baptised

This is incredible considering the Woke agendas that permeate the classrooms

God can raise up people to proclaim his name in the midst of the darkest places

Paul came into Thessalonica and turned the world upside down

This caused a lot of drama and personal attacks

Part of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians is a defense of his character and a reminder of how he was with them

Today we are going to look at 4 keys to Fail-Proof Spiritual Character

Confidence in God’s Power vs. 1-2

The first key to fail-proof spiritual leadership is that the leader has confidence in God’s Power

This begins a section where Paul defended his own character and ministry before the Thessalonians.

This wasn’t because Paul was insecure about his ministry, but because he had many enemies in Thessalonica

Paul’s enemies said he left town quickly because he was a self-serving coward.

Some of the charges:

“Paul is delusional” 1 Thess 2:3

· “Paul’s ministry is based on impure motives” 1 Thess 2:3

· “Paul deliberately deceives others” 1 Thess 2:3,

· “Paul preaches to please others, not God” 1 Thess 2:4

· “Paul is in the ministry to get what he can out of it materially” 1 Thess 2:5, 2:9.

· “Paul only wants personal glory”

Paul is defending his ministry, not to the Thessalonians, but against his critics

vs. 1 Not in Vain

Paul was treated shamefully in Philippi and went from there to Thessalonica

When he got there and the ministry started to have an impact the Jews from Philippi came and stirred things ups

Acts 17:13 ESV

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

He had to leave suddenly and for that his critics called him a coward

Paul wanted to defend his character and so he tells them his coming was not in vain

Vain = “Not for Nothing”

It was evident to everyone that Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica was a success.

His coming was not empty or hollow, as if he were a mere salesman or marketer.

vs. 2 Boldness in the Gospel

If you remember, Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl who possessed a spirit of divination

This upset the owners because they lost their source of money

They were drug to the market place and beaten with rods and threw them into prison

This all happened even though he was a Roman citizen

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his sufferings in the ministry.

Through this, he made the point that he would not carry on in the face of beatings and conflict if he were in it only for himself.

In fact he did the opposite

He was bold in Thessalonica preaching the Gospel in the face of conflict

When someone who has suffered and still preaches the Gospel, they are more confident in God’s power than they are in man’s threats

Commitment to God’s Truth Vs. 3-4

The second key to fail-proof spiritual character is to have a commitment to God’s Truth

Your character has to be based on something

So many people’s character has been called into question because their views on issues changed

You can’t keep the applause of the crowd and maintain your character

They will demand you acquiesce to the flavor of the month

Remember the accusations against Paul?

“Paul is delusional”

“Paul has impure motives”

“Paul deliberately deceives others”

“Paul preaches to please others, not God”

Paul sets the record straight

vs. 3 No Attempt to Deceive

Paul wanted to make it clear that he made no attempt to deceive them

In the first century world Paul lived in, there were many competing religions, and many ministers of those religions were motivated by greed and gain.

He tells them several times that he worked hard amongst them

His appeal was based upon the truth of God’s Word

There wasn’t any error, impure motives or attempt to deceive

These three issues: Error, impurity, & deception are three silent killers of your character

vs. 4 Speak to Please God

Paul wasn’t trying to impress anyone

He was approved by God to be the missionary to the Gentiles and everything they did was to please God

Why?

Because God tested their hearts

How many people have sacrificed their character in order to please people?

You can please some of the people some of the time but you can never please all of the people all of the time

This is what Paul had to tell the Galatians

Galatians 1:10 ESV

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul makes a great point

It is impossible please man and serve Christ

Men are sinful creatures

Jesus is pulling us towards holiness

When you are committed to God’s truth it puts you at odds with people

Facebook Memories

Almost everyday I look through facebook memories and see people, only a few years ago, singing my praises who would never speak to me today

A Clear Conscience vs. 5-6

The third key to fail-proof spiritual Character is that Paul had a clear conscience

Paul was accused of doing ministry for personal gain and was seeking glory for himself

Even though he was entitled to compensation he didn’t take any of it

Instead he worked supporting himself and recieved support from the Philippians

vs. 5 Not for Personal Gain

Paul didn’t use flattery for greed

You often see this with polished preachers

They woo the masses with flattering words in order to get them to give

Paul wasn’t there for his personal gain

And he was willing to claim God as his witness

vs. 6 Didn’t Seek Glory

Cared for You Like Family vs. 7-8

The final key to fail-proof Spiritual Character is that Paul cared for them like family

vs. 7 Gentle like a Mother

vs. 8 Shared Our Lives