3. Testing if our service is genuine - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (Sunday January 19, 2025)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
If you buy items from Amazon, you probably have looked at their reviews before purchasing. How do we tell genuine reviews from fake ones? We look at evidence. Was the review verified? Do others report similar experiences? Are they dated over a long time period, or are most made on the same date with similar words?
In Paul’s days, there were many travelling teachers. Some taught philosophy, some taught religion. They would travel from town to town, trying to drum up a crowd who would be willing to pay to hear them. A bit like youtube videos today.
The majority were simply in it for the money. They didn’t mind bending the truth a bit to say what people wanted to hear. They didn’t really care for their audiences. They were soon on to another town.
But how could people in Thessalonica tell Paul’s service was genuine in contrast to these insincere travelling teachers?
In chapter 2:1-12, Paul reminds the Thessalonians of what he was like with them. He called them to examine the evidence to see whether his service was genuine.
Power
Power
Effective despite opposition
Effective despite opposition
1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
Paul’s service was powerful because it was effective. As we saw last week, as Paul shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Thessalonica, many believed and trusted in Christ.
And as a result their lives showed clear signs of new life they had in Christ. Because of their faith, they turned from idols to the living God. They began to serve one another in love. And the faced the difficulties of being counter culture as Christians with joy because of their new hope in Christ.
And this impact on the people was despite the conflict they faced from those who didn’t want to hear about Jesus. Remember the mob breaking the door down of the house to try to get at Paul and his companions. And how they had to leave the city after only a few weeks.
Their visit to the city was not in vain - it was not a waste of time. Their service was powerful. It produced visible results. It was effective in changing lives in the city of Thessalonica.
Bold despite persecution
Bold despite persecution
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.
Paul highlights how he and Silas and Timothy boldly shared the gospel with the people. They knew the likely result was violent persecution - they had experienced it at the last place they had visited. We read about it in
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Despite the persection they knew they would face, they boldly told the people of Thessalonica the good news of how Christ had died for their sins, and rose again. And how they needed to turn in faith to Christ.
The reason for the power
The reason for the power
The success of Paul and his companions’ service is not measured in people’s applause. But by its power to change lives and endure difficulties.
His effectiveness was not something Paul had achieved through his oratory skill. Rather, God Himself, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, worked through him.
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.
His boldness was not something that came from his bravery or stoic obstinancy. In verse 2, he stresses he and his companions were bold in God.
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.
The boldness and effectivness of Paul was evidence that his service for Christ was genuine and that God at work through him. He prayed
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
A school teacher might face a particularly difficult class. But through persisting with genuine care through many challenges, they eventually see real change in their pupil’s lives. Their genuineness as a teacher is not measured by how easy a time they had. But by how effective they were in transforming their class.
Often as Christians we face difficulties in serving others. But having an easy life is not a measure of success. The test is whether God is working through is to make a difference in people’s lives.
God’s power working through Paul was evidence tht his service was genuine.
Character
Character
3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 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. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
Human examination
Human examination
Paul now describes how the character of those serving is evidence of whether the service is genuine.
He lists some things that the Thessalonians would know because they saw it in the actions and words of Paul and his companions. The phrase “you know” is used repeatedly through this whole passage.
When he appealed to them to accept the message of the gospel and trust Christ, his words were not based on error. There was no uncleanness in his words or manner. This may include immoral inuendo. He didn’t try to mislead or deceive them.
He didn’t use words of flattery to cover up wrong ulterior motives. The Thessalonians knew that from watching and listening.
God’s examination
God’s examination
But there are other aspects of character that we cannot see. We cannot see the intent and motives of a person’s heart. Only God can see that.
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
God saw what Paul and his companions were like on the inside.
They chose in their heart to only tell the truth of the gospel to please God, not to please the people. God had entrusted them with the gospel message. He actively tested their hearts as they spoke it.
God was a witness that they did not serve out of covetousness or greed. They had no ulterior motives to try and make money out of their service.
Testing our character
Testing our character
When you get a bottle of water, you can see if it is clear by looking through it. But ven if it looks clear, you would probably likely to know the source of the water to trust there are no hidden impurities in it.
The character of Paul’s service, like that of Christ, passed human examination on the outside, and God’s examination on the inside. It proved to be pure in action, words, and motives.
The fact God that was willing to powerfully bless Paul’s service to make it effective was a pointer that its character was right in God’s eyes.
David asked God to:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
It is good to be like David and stop and check that our hearts are right in the things we do in service.
We might see impurities. We should confess them and trust God’s promise.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The amazing hope we have as Christians is that God in His grace is working to purify our heart.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Love
Love
The last place to examine for evidence genuine service is the heart.
Paul has already said in verse 1 that they have a place in his heart as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Now he uses the relationship of parents to describe the depth of the love in in his heart towards them.
A good baby sitter will try to keep the children in his or her care safe, fed, and happy. But a good parent will do all those same tasks, but from a love deep in their heart.
Paul says he is …
Gentle Like a nursing mother
Gentle Like a nursing mother
7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 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. 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.
Paul and his team were gentle towards them, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. A nursing mother is usually committed to care for her baby. Night and day, whether tired or not, she is willing to feed her baby. She does not expect the baby to pay. She does not keep a record of how much the child should repay. The child is dear to her and with great affection she unselfishly gives her life for it.
In the same way, the people of Thessaloica were dear in Paul and his team’s heart.
In verse 6, Paul writes that he and his team could rightfully have asked the Thessalonians to support them financially. At the very least, they could have expected to be treated as VIPs with a high place of honour.
But out of love and affection, they did not want to put a financial burden on these new converts. Some would be facing financial difficulties from choosing to follow Christ. They were willing to work night and day to earn their own keep.
Perhaps he made tents to support himself and the team, as he did in other cities such as Corinth.
3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
This would mean they would need to rise early and stay up late to make tents and to teach about Christ.
This willingness to unselfishly serve the Thessalonians with gentle affection his heart.
Encouraging Like a devoted father
Encouraging Like a devoted father
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Second, he, Silas, and Timothy were like a devoted father, who makes evey effort to train his children to live wisely. Paul says that was an evidence that they and God, could see.
The training included strong appeals to do right (exhorted), soothing encouragement (comforted) to inspire correct behaviour. And solemn, earnest urging.
Paul had a end vision of what their lives should become. They should walk worthy of God who calls them.
This does not mean that his readers should learn to behave so well that they become worthy of God’s love. But that their behaviour should be appropriate for the new relationship they found themselves in with the One who loved them and gave Himself for them. They are now part of God’s kingdom, God’s special people.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
The essential ingredient
The essential ingredient
Service must come from a heart of love to be genuine. It is the greatest evidence of genuine service.
When Jesus served his disciples by washing their feet, John begins his account with:
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
Paul writes
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Application Summary
Application Summary
Paul’s account of his service provides evidence that we can test our own lives against.
Genuine service is powerful, being effective and bold in the face of opposition.
It has a pure character, seen in its words and actions by others, and its invisible motives are seen by God.
Genuine service is not just doing the thing we know needs done, but flows from a heart of unselfish love that is willing to give without counting the cost; like a gentle nursing mother and a devoted father.
This genuine service is not something exceptional or extraordinary for a few special Christians. It is normal Christian service for every person who follows Christ.
Paul said
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
We cannot imitate Paul through willpower, but by allowing God’s Spirit to transform us.
In Christ, God gives us a new heart and a new spirit that is free to love.
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
God’s Holy Spirit in us transforms us to love one another as a gentle mother and a devoted father.
The same Holy Spirit who empowered Paul works in us.
Because the genuineness of our service depends on the Holy Spirit, we must walk in the Spirit - be willing to follow His leading.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
And ask God’s help daily to be willing to be led by the Spirit, and to confess those wrong things we do that might grieve Him and damage our walk with Him.
Then our lives for Christ will be effective through God working through us, of pure character before men and God, and flow from love.
