Exhibited Example w/exhortation
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Being Effective
Being Effective
Who does not want to be effective? OK, so that is a rhetorical question. We all want to be effective and to make an impact too. Our current study in 1 & 2 Thessalonians has some great truths, challenges and applications for us to be effective as we wait for the return of the Lord.
We can know:
Effective team leads to birth of a church (1The1:1)
Paul, Silas and Timothy a great missionary team that went into action.
Effective Word encourages a church (1The1:1-5)
The Word the gospel gave birth to a church, not only that, but in a short time they received encouragemnt back from Paul because of their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of love.
The Word came to them with power of the Holy Spirit with full conviction and in turn they became an effective example.
Effective example displays a church (1The1:6-10)
They received the word in tribulation, but with joy
They displayed the word not only locally but regionally
They displayed godly changes from idols to serving the living and true God.
All the while, waiting for the return of Christ
There is no doubt in even a glance at chapter 1 that the church at Thessolonica was a church worthy of emulating, following their example.
Just as churches would do well to emulate the church at Thessolonica, I as a preacher, you as a bond-servant of Christ would benefit by imitating Paul’s exhibited example.
In our passage today we will see
Paul’s motives, may they be ours (1The2:1-6)
in other words the manner of his preaching
Paul’s activities, may we learn and follow (1The2:7-12)
the manner of Paul’s life being offered up to help make his point
His Motives / His preaching
His Motives / His preaching
Here is a man with a police record (Act16:16-40) that his coming was not in failure, failure of importance or significance; for this was exampled by his dedication to them. His motives and his preaching were:
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Manner of preaching was bold (1The2:1-2)
Despite treatment in Philippi (Act16:22-24)
Despite persecution in Thessolonica (Act17:5-8)
Boldness was not the norm (1Cor2:2-5)
Boldness needed by others (2Tim1:6-8)
Boldness requested through prayer (Eph6:19-20)
Others too looked to God when in need of boldness; and boldness was given. (Act4:29-31)
Manner of preaching was with truth and honesty (1The2:3)
The preaching came with boldness, and it did not come in deceit but in love and in purity (2Cor4:2).
May we be a people like that (2Cor2:17)
Manner of preaching was God pleasing not man pleasing (1The2:4-5)
God pleasing is an expression of grace (Eph3:8)
God pleasing is an example of mercy and longsuffering (1Tim1:11-16)
Be God pleasing for God is a trier of hearts (Heb4:13)
Paul did not come with flattery of speech; for flattery could be dangerous (Pr29:5) for flattery was oftentimes used by false teachers (2Pt2:18)
Or for the love of money or for personal gain (1The2:5) for that too was a tool of false teachers (1Pt2:1-3)
Manner of preaching was not about messenger but the message (1The2:6)
Paul was not looking for vain glory (Pro25:27)
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Manner of preaching was bold (1The2:1-2)
1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
Despite how he was treated, beaten, imprisoned, and then they tried to secretly release in Philippi (see Act16:22-24) he comes and speaks boldly.
in Acts Paul, Silas were arrested when upset the people there at loss of revenue; lead to them being beaten with rods, then imprisoned, released and then moved on to Thessolonica
Despite his treatment, persecution, at Thessolonica he preaches boldly (see Act17:5-8)
A mob was formed against Paul because they were upsetting the world
Boldness came from the Lord; for Paul came in much fear and trembling (1Cor2:2-5)
2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
This was not just a Paul thing, Timothy needed boldness and preached in boldness too.
6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
True boldness was not found in man, it was found in God (v.2) not just to speak, but to speak the gospel of God! To speak the Good News, to speak the mystery that has been revealed, in other words to preach Jesus.
Boldness requested through prayer
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Others too looked to God when in need of boldness; and boldness was given. (Act4:29-31)
29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
May we be a people who follow the exhibited example regarding boldness and turn to the One who will give us boldness regardless of opposition or persecution.
Paul’s experiences help make his point
Implicitly - By his willingness to suffer
Explicitly - By his preaching in boldness regardless of opposition or threat
Manner of preaching was with truth and honesty (1The2:3)
3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;
The preaching came with boldness, and it did not come in deceit but in love and in purity (2Cor4:2).
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Just to keep things in context I should give you the preceding verse too
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
The manner of preaching was with truth (the quality or state of something being true) and with honesty (the quality of being honest).
It is not enough to speak the truth, you must do so honestly from a place of your character being one that is honest. Paul had that and displayed that, we too can emulate that.
It is not enough to be honest, we need to speak truth.
May we be a people who strive to have both truth and honesty
17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.
Manner of preaching was God pleasing not man pleasing (1The2:4-5)
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—
The fear of God obliterates the fear of men and gives boldness to proclaim pleasing God vs. pleasing man.
God pleasing is an expression of grace (Eph3:8)
8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
God pleasing is an example of mercy and longsuffering (1Tim1:11-16)
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
Oh so I’m sure you can see why Paul sought to please God vs. please man. He knows, as should we that God tries the heart (Heb4:13)
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
May we be a people who are more concerned about pleasing God than man, may we lead man to God.
Paul did not come with flattery of speech; for flattery could be dangerous (Pr29:5) for flattery was oftentimes used by false teachers (2Pt2:18)
5 A man who flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps.
and then look at this.
18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,
Or for the love of money or for personal gain (1The2:5) for that too was a tool of false teachers (1Pt2:1-3)
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
Paul was careful what he did so to to take advantage of his brethren and live off of them and will discuss that more when we get to the manner of his life shortly.
Manner of preaching was not about messenger but the message (1The2:6)
6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.
Paul was not looking for vain glory (Pro25:27)
27 It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
As an apostle he could have abused his authority, but did not
Paul wanted to be lost in the message vs. seen as the messenger. For it is not about the messenger but the message.
True servants of God seek to bring God glory not the glory of men.
Paul’s activities/Manner of life
Paul’s activities/Manner of life
Actions, we know the phrase actions speak louder than words. Paul’s actions (activities) and his manner of life are exhibited as a great example for the church today as it was then.
7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection 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 very dear to us.
9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
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Exampled in his Attitude (1The2:7)
He further exampled in how he instructed Timothy (2Tim2:24-25); how he counseled the fallen or mistaken (Gal6:1)
Exampled in his life (1The2:8)
In his affection and willingness to be a sacrifice not just for them but for others (Php1:8; Php2:17)
Exampled in his work (1The2:9)
He labored night and day; making himself accessible both (Act20:31)
One way we can example is by prayer (1The3:10; 1Tim5:5)
Exampled in his service (1The2:10)
Exampled in his words of exhortation (1The2:11-12)
Paul was always one who loved to exhort (1The4:1)
Paul loved to challenge and charge (2The3:6, 12)
Paul was one who was always concerned too (1The2:12)
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Exampled in his Attitude (1The2:7)
He was gentle like a nursing mother
He further exampled in how he instructed Timothy (2Tim2:24-25); how he counseled the fallen or mistaken (Gal6:1)
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
and then
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Exampled in his Attitude (1The2:7)
Exampled in his life (1The2:8)
He exampled in his affection in giving his life for them, all from a place of love.
He was willing to give his life, sacrifice for others too and you can see that if you look at Php1:8 (his love and affection) and Php2:17 (being willing to be poured out as a drink offering for them).
May our life be exampled by our affection and dedication to one another.
Exampled in his Attitude (1The2:7)
Exampled in his life (1The2:8)
Exampled in his work (1The2:9)
Not a burden bearer but a laborer with them and for them.
Paul was a tentmaker and resorted to that while preaching the gospel for no pay (though could have demanded it) to show he was willing to sacrifice for them,
Paul made himself a laborer night and day, not just when easy or convenient.
31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
Night and day works in prayers too, one great way to give our live is to give prayers for one another
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
and
5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.
May we know that our life our work, our service to God is not a 8-5 job, it is a lifetime job!
Exampled in his Attitude (1The2:7)
Exampled in his life (1The2:8)
Exampled in his work (1The2:9)
Exampled in his service (1The2:10)
In case you forgot (v.10) here it is again to be safe
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
He exampled by his devotion that was upright, in others it says holy, in others its says pure behavior
He was blameless, which again goes to upright, and also righteous and treated others justly
He was careful to be above reproach, as should be.
May these three qualities be ours, devote, upright and blameless.
Exampled in his Attitude (1The2:7)
Exampled in his life (1The2:8)
Exampled in his work (1The2:9)
Exampled in his service (1The2:10)
Exampled in his words of exhortation (1The2:11-12)
11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
From a nursing mother (vv.7-8), to a working brother (v.9) now to a encouraging, exhorting father here in (vv.11-12)
Paul was always one who loved to exhort (1The4:1)
Exhortation and comfort
1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.
Paul loved to challenge and charge (2The3:6, 12)
Challenge, charge, command
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.
and
12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.
Paul was one who was always concerned too (1The2:12)
He wanted their walk to be worthy of God who called them into His kingdom and glory.
Now does that sound like an exhorting father?
lead to invitation (invitation slide 1) invitation (invitation slide 2) song (exit slide after song is finished)