Preaching the Gospel with your Life.

St. Francis of Assisi one day said to several of his followers, “Let us go to the village over the way and preach.” As they went, they met a humble pedestrian who was greatly burdened. Francis was in no hurry and listened carefully to his tale of woe.

When the village was reached, Francis talked with the shopkeepers, spent time with the farmers at their fruit and vegetable stalls, and played with the children in the streets. On the way back they met a farmer with a load of hay, and Francis spent time with him. The morning gone, the group reached the monastery from where they had set out in the early morning.

One of the followers, who was greatly disappointed, said to Francis, “Brother Francis, you said you were going to preach. The morning is spent and no sermon has been given.”

And the saintly Francis replied, “But we have been preaching all the way.”

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3091 Cat and Dog Test

Hudson Taylor said: “If your father and mother, your sister and brother, if the very cat and dog in the house, are not happier for your being Christian, it is a question whether you really are.”

1 Thessalonians 2:1–2 NKJV

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 NKJV

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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. 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. 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. 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.

A. Ministry isn’t always pretty.

Of course we know what had happened in Philippi

1. It required Boldness. (We were bold)

That wasn’t a self indulging... look at me claim.

This was a… we are weak and can only do it through the power of Christ proclamation.

Look at what Peter asks for from God as he stood before the Sanhedrin.

Acts 4:29 NKJV

29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

2. What was the source of that boldness.

Look again at verse 3

1 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV

3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

exhortation—The Greek means “consolation” as well as “exhortation.” The same Gospel which exhorts... comforts. Its first lesson to each is that of peace in believing amidst outward and inward sorrows.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV

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.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV

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.

1 thess

God comforted us as we served and were treated poorly to PRESS ON.

3. Not as if we wanted to please men. (Vs. 3b)

Whats wrong with pleasing men?

If we please men it’s impossible to please God.

What if what I am doing is also pleasing to God.

That’s still wrong, God must be the beginning and not the afterthought.

Galatians 1:10 NKJV

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Pleasing men is a primary characteristic of a False Teacher or False Prophet

B. Ministry must have positive Characteristics (Vs. 7)

1. Ministry is to be gentle

Greek, “mild in bearing with the faults of others”

one, too, who is gentle (though firm) in reproving the erroneous opinions of others ().

2 Timothy 2:24 NKJV

24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 386). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Understand that debate and quarrelling have one major difference… anger.

2. Ministry happens with people more than for people.

When it only happens for people it begins to look less like ministry and more like charity.

3. We are to treat those that we lead as our compassionately as our own Children.

Look how Paul describes this concept to the people of Galatia.

Galatians 6:14 NIV

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 4:19 NKJV

19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,

C. Ministry doesn't come without a cost. (VS 9)

1. Ministry will drain you.

labour and toil—

The Greek for “labor” means hardship in bearing; the being wearied with fatigue of responsibility

Toil,” hardship in doing; toil with the utmost solicitude;

2. Ministry takes time. Look at what had to be done by Paul

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 2

Their labors with their hands for a scanty livelihood had to be engaged in not only by day, but by night also, in the intervals between spiritual labors.

3. Ministry takes consistency.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3105 Just Suppose

Just suppose the Lord would begin tomorrow to make people sick as they claim to be on Sunday.

Just suppose the Lord should take away the children whom the parents use as an excuse for staying away from church.

Just suppose the Lord should make the people as poor as they claim to be when asked to help finance His program.

Just suppose the Lord should have everyone stoned to death for covetousness as was Achan.

Just suppose the Lord should let some parents look into the future and see what their example and lax control did for their children.

Just suppose—and then, by the help of the Lord, go forth and live and serve as if eternity was soon coming.

It is! “I come quickly” (Rev. 22:12), says the Lord.

D. Ministry changes people

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3091 Cat and Dog Test

Hudson Taylor said: “If your father and mother, your sister and brother, if the very cat and dog in the house, are not happier for your being Christian, it is a question whether you really are.”

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3101 Converted by Livingstone’s Life

Henry M. Stanley found Livingstone in Africa and lived with him for some time. Here is his testimony: “I went to Africa as prejudiced as the biggest atheist in London. But there came for me a long time for reflection. I saw this solitary old man there and asked myself, “How on earth does he stop here—is he cracked, or what? What is it that inspires him?”

“For months after we met I found myself wondering at the old man carrying out all that was said in the Bible—“Leave all things and follow Me.” But little by little his sympathy for others became contagious; my sympathy was aroused; seeing his piety, his gentleness, his zeal, his earnestness, and how he went about his business, I was converted by him, although he had not tried to do it.”

—The Australian Baptist

(Verse 10)

1. People will see who we are. (Our outward conduct)

2. God will see who we are. (Our inner motives)

(Verse 11)

3. People mature because of ministry.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 2

exhorted and comforted—Exhortation leads one to do a thing willingly; consolation, to do it joyfully

4. It brings believers into a worthy walk.

Colossians 1:10 NKJV

10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;