Gospel Leadership

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Now we’ve been in this series in 1 Thessalonians becuase I want us to understand who we are as a church. Who are we when compared to a first century church. Are we pointing in the right direction, or are we going off base somehow. I want us, as a church, to both know who we are…but also know why we are.

You see, it’s important to understand why we do things…why we believe certain things…why we behave a certain way…why we have the leadership we have. These are all important questions that I hope will be answered as we continue moving through this series.

Today though, we have the joy of talking about leadership. What a great day to talk about leadership, when we have a potential new leader joining us here this morning.

Now, before we move into our passage for today, which is 1 Thessalonians 2 if you want to go ahead and turn there.

Before we get going there though, I’d like to ask you to consider something for me.

Think of two leaders who are leading the same type of organization, the same size, the same budgets, the same everything.

Leader #1 asks questions like: —How much authority do I have here?

—How much money am I going to make?

—How many people will get to know my name?

—How much control do I get to have?

Then, Leader #2 asks questions like:

—How can I serve these people?

—How can I help these people grow?

—What kind of burdens are they carrying?

—How can I make them stronger…better?

—What can I sacrifice for their good?

Both of these leaders have the same title

Both sit in the same chair and have the same authority.

But they have radically different hearts, don’t they?

This is where we look for leadership…from the heart.

Now, Jesus changes the definition of great leadership. In the kingdom of God, the question isn’t merely, “How many people are following me?” The question is, “Am I willing to serve the people God has placed around me?”

Today we are going to see how Paul gives us characteristics of effective church leaders, emphasizing the importance of integrity, selflessness, and the nature of leadership within the Christian community.

Now is the Greco-Roman world, leadership typically meant wielding power and accumulating status. This would have been expected in the context where Paul is…However, Paul takes these characteristics and turns them upside down…just like they have already been turning the world upside down.

As we move through today I want to ask you to reflect on the qualities of the leadership right here at LRBC.

Is our leadership rooted in Christ-like servanthood leading to a vibrant community of faith?

Now, as we read today’s passage, listen for Paul’s repeated concern with his motives, his conduct, and his love for the Thessalonians. Paul is’t just telling us what Christian leadership should say. He is showing us what Christian leadership should look like. So underline in your Scripture where you see Paul’s integrity, selflessness, and leadership.

1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 ESV

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. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Paul is going to show us four characteristics of gospel-shaped influence. Now, these aren’t just characteristics for pastors. These are qualities every Christian should desire because every Christian has influence somewhere.

So let’s start with the first thing we see in this passage.

Bold Proclamation (v.1-3)

Before we can talk about Paul’s tenderness, we need to talk about Paul’s boldness.

Paul has already been suffering for preaching Christ. We talked about that as we went through Acts.

That means that

Gospel ministry requires courage.

Paul reminds those in Thessalonica that his ministry did not begin under comfortable circumstances. He came there only after suffering and being treated badly at Philippi.

1 Thessalonians 2:1–2 ESV

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.

Notice the source of Paul’s courage…He says, he was “bold in our God”.

Paul’s courage didn’t come from personality…it wasn’t becuase he was stubborn…it wasn’t self-confidence…It was confidence in God.

Now, you may not be called to stand on a stage…but you are called to speak the truth.

You have a coworker who doesn’t know Jesus.

You have a friend, who needs to know what sin is.

Christian courage isn’t being obnoxious.

Christian courage is being unwilling to hide the truth because you’re afraid of people’s reactions.

You see…

Courage must be governed by truth.

Paul goes on to explain that boldness wasn’t just manipulation. His courage wasn’t deception. His confidence wasn’t built on tricking people into following him.

1 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV

3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,

So this is important here….

The gospel doesn’t need manipulation.

We don’t need emotional tricks…yet God is a God of emotion.

We don’t need to compromise biblical truth to make Christianity attractive.

We proclaim Christ and then we trust God with the result…but make no mistakes…we do need to actually proclaim Christ.

And when we do that…

The gospel must remain central.

The temptation in Christian ministry is to replace the gospel with something that seems easier.

For instance…I don’t need to share the gospel, the church can just send out postcards.

We trade the reality of the gospel for things like, self-help, or politics, or morality, or family advice, financial advice.

The foundation of Christianity is:

“You are a sinner who needs reconciliation with a holy God, and God has provided your needed salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

So Paul’s leadership began with a willingness to stand on truth!

Now Paul moves from “what he preached” to “why he preached it”.

You see, you can preach the right message with the wrong heart motivation.

That brings us to our second characteristic…

Godly Approval (v.4-6)

This is really the heart of what Paul is teaching…this is at the heart of what the Apostles had taught previously.

We get this opportunity to see what’s underneath Paul’s leadership.

Paul asks the question, “Why are you doing what you’re doing?”

Now, if you’ve been around here for a while, you know the answer to that question—

We do we we do, because we want what we want.

Now the thing is…we can do seemingly good things, but for bad reasons.

I can get up here and preach so that I will get applause.

Maybe you can serve on some ministry team for recognition.

You give every Sunday so people see you place those funds in the plate.

There’s all kind of things we can do for ourselves…but Paul says Christian ministry must be driven by a desire to please God.

We are entrusted with the gospel.

Paul wrote something remarkable. He said that “God entrusted the gospel to him.”

That changes the entire way we think about Christian influence…we are not owners of this message…we are merely stewards of it.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV

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.

Listen…the Gospel is something God entrusts to us…That means:

We don’t alter it.

We don’t improve it (as if we could)

We don’t hide it…or make it about ourselves.

We don’t apologize for the gospel to make it more palatable.

We faithfully carry what God has entrusted to us.

You see…

God examines the heart.

Paul tells us that God tests the heart — That means God isn’t only looking at what you did…he’s also looking at why you did it.

Two people can do the exact same ministry and receive completely different evaluations from God because their motives are different.

One says, “I want people to see me”

The other says, “I want people to see Christ”

That is a massive distinction folks…

1 Thessalonians 2:5–6 ESV

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.

Paul wasn’t going from town to town manipulating people to build a following, status, or some Christian empire.

This is where your influence get’s real…Ask yourself,

Do I need to be noticed? Do I become angry when I don’t get the credit? Do I serve differently when people are watching? Would I keep doing what I’m doing if no one ever knew I did it? (on screen)

These are pretty revealing questions right there…

I want you to remember something very important right now.

Jesus did everything that was right…even when people rejected him.

He did not live for human applause.

He lived to please his Father in heaven.

Christian leaders need to learn to say, “God’s approval is enough.” (on screen)

Now, let’s talk about a third characteristic called

Biblical Love (v.7-9)

Paul gives us what could be the most beautiful descriptions of Christian ministry in the entire New Testament.

Paul says, “We were gentle among you”

Then he uses this picture of a mother caring for her children.

Folks…Christian leadership is not simply about giving people information…it’s about loving people!

Christian strength is actually gentle.

Paul has already shown how to be bold. Now we see that really biblical boldness and biblical gentleness aren’t opposites…Paul could be courageous before his enemies and tender toward the people he served.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 ESV

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

This is so important because sometimes Christian confuse strength with harshness.

Jesus was strong…and…Jesus was gentle.

Jesus confronted Pharisees, and welcomed children.

Jesus flipped over tables in a righteous fit, and then touch lepers to heal them.

Jesus preached that judgement was coming…as he was welcoming sinners.

Biblical strength isn’t measured by how hard you can hit…it’s measured by whether you can love while standing firmly on truth.

Biblical love actually produces personal sacrifice.

Paul goes even deeper…He doesn’t just say, “We loved you.” He says he was willing to share not only the gospel…but also his own self.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

This is one of the central statements of this passage.

Paul gave them — the gospel —& — himself.

That’s what gospel ministry looks like.

You see, you don’t only give people information…you give them time…you listen…you pray…you show up…you bear burdens…you disciple…you forgive…you walk with people through really hard stuff…

This stuff is so important…especially when you think about those who don’t know Jesus yet. People need to hear the gospel. But our lives should also continue to demonstrate that the gospel has made us into people who genuinely love others.

And of course that means

Love is willing to sacrifice.

Paul gives evidence that his love wasn’t sentimental. He worked...He sacrificed…He labored so that he would not be a burden to them.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

Pauls love for people actually cost him something.

You cannot love people deeply without eventually sacrificing something.

Ultimately we will see the final sacrifice through Christ.

Paul could say, “I gave you my own self.”

But Jesus went further. Jesus gave himself — FOR HIS ENEMIES

Jesus did not just miss a little sleep. He went to the cross.

Jesus did not just endure some inconvenience. He endured wrath.

Jesus did not just sacrifice his comfort. He sacrificed himself.

That sacrifice was for you and me.

Pauls leadership was bold enough to proclaim the truth and tender enough to love the people who would receive it.

That combination is desperately needed in the church today.

Truth without love can become cold.

Love without truth can become compromise.

But gospel leadership says,

I love you enough to tell you the truth, and I love you enough to stay with you while you grow.

Now we’re going to look at our last characteristic, and it’s arguable the most important.

Gospel Integrity

Paul asks the Thessalonians to look at his life.

Folks, that’s bold. Basically, Paul is saying,

You saw how I lived among you.”

Paul understood something that we need to remember today.

The messenger’s life affect the credibility of the message.

Our lives don’t make the gospel more or less true…but our hypocrisy can make people unwilling to listen to the gospel.

Your conduct actually matters.

Paul is appealing to the Thessalonians as witnesses. They saw his behavior. They saw how he treated people. They saw his conduct.

1 Thessalonians 2:10 ESV

10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

Look at Paul’s language here. He is emphasizing,

holiness — righteousness — blamelessness — not perfection.

Paul isn’t claiming sinlessness..He’s describing a life of integrity.

There’s a consistency between what Paul preached, and how Paul lived.

pause

This is where we need to be honest for a minute.

The gospel we preach on Sunday better be the gospel we live on Monday.

What does your family see?

What do your coworkers see?

What do your neighbors see?

If your kids were to take your phone, what would they see?

What happens when you don’t get your way at home?

What happens when someone criticizes you?

What happens when someone points out sin in your life?

When no one is watching…who are you?

That’s when integrity becomes visible.

Now…

Leadership includes encouragement and exhortation

Paul shifts from the picture of a mother to the picture of a father. He describes how he dealt with them personally, individually, and intentionally.

1 Thessalonians 2:11 ESV

11 For you know how, like a father with his children,

Paul encouraged, comforted, and exhorted

Listen, Christian leadership isn’t passive.

Sometimes people need comfort.

Sometimes people need to be encouraged.

Sometimes people meed someone to say,

“Brother/Sister, you cannot keep going down this same road…You need to repent…Don’t give up…Christ is worth it.”

That’s what loving leadership looks like.

The reason a leader confronts and encourages is because

The goal is a life worthy of God.

Paul ends this section by showing us the destination. The goal isn’t that people need to admire Paul. The goal isn’t that people become dependent on Paul. The goal is that they would walk in a manner worth of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 ESV

12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

This is the goal…not, “Hey, look at me” but “Everyone…look at Christ!”

A faithful gospel leader eventually wants people to become less dependent upon the leader, and more dependent on Christ!

This is where Paul disappears.

You see…Paul is only a model as much as he reflects Christ.

Jesus is the perfect leader. Jesus doesn’t exploit his people. Jesus serves his people. Jesus doesn’t manipulate sinners into the kingdom. Jesus gives himself to save sinners.

Jesus leads by his perfect life…his sacrificial death…and his victorious resurrection.

So Paul’s life became a signpost…Follow me, as I follow Christ.

That right there is the heart of Christian leadership, and Christian influence

We don’t want people to say,

“Wow, what impressive Christians”

We want them to say,

Wow, what an impressive Savior.

Pause

Of course there’s a problem if this sermon ends with

“So go be more courageous” — “Be more loving” — “Be more humble” — “Be more trustworthy”

Because if today that’s what you walk out of here with, then your response is going to be that you have to just try harder.

Let me give you a better response for today…”I need Jesus!”

Jesus is the perfect leader.

Paul...man he was courageous. — Jesus was perfectly courageous.

Paul loved people — Jesus perfectly loved his enemies.

Paul sacrificed — Jesus literally sacrificed his life.

and

Paul lived blamelessly — Jesus was perfectly sinless.

Paul pointed people towards a holy God. — Jesus is the Son of God who came to reconcile sinners to the Father.

When Paul says, “Follow my example”

Jesus says, “Come to me”

If we want to truly understand gospel centered leadership, then we need to look at Christ himself. Paul doesn’t just tell Christians to be humble…he gives us the humility of Jesus.

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus Christ, though fully God, humbled himself.

He took on the form of a servant.

He became obedient to the point of humiliating and excruciating death.

Why?

Because we are sinners.

Now our greatest problem isn’t that we need better leadership.

Our greatest problem is that we have rebelled against the rightful king of the universe.

We have sinned against a holy God.

We have lived for ourselves— sought our own glory — wanting to be served instead of serve

And the answer isn’t to try harder, or give more…

The answer is Jesus Christ.

The one who deserved all glory humbled himself.

The one who had every right to demand service came to serve.

The one who had no sin…became the sacrifice for sinners.

So…if you’re here today and you don’t know Christ, don’t walk away fro here thinking that you need to become a better person.

You need to be reconciled to God.

Repent of your sin! — Turn from yourself! — Turn to Christ! — Trust in him and rest in his finished work.

Because

Christ is sufficient for sinners.

Pause

Christian…there’s a word here for you also.

You have been entrusted with the gospel.

Now…ask yourself…

Does my life reflect the gospel that I claim?

Listen…you cannot preach grace while living arrogantly

You cannot preach forgiveness while refusing to forgive.

You cannot preach the gospel to your coworkers and then give them a life that contradicts everything you said.

Now that doesn’t mean,

Get your life perfect before you share the gospel.

No, it means,

As you proclaim Christ…repent when you fall…confess your sin…let people see the transforming power of the gospel at work in your life.

Then tell people why you live like this — becuase you need Jesus every day!

That’s gospel living…and that’s gospel leadership

Let’s pray…