Marks of Maturity - Part 2
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Models of Maturity - Part Two
1 Thessalonians 2:1-6
Review: Spiritual maturity is measured by the presence of Faith, Love, and Hope, and is motivated by the imminent return of Christ.
Thesis: Mature spiritual leaders should demonstrate faith, love, and hope in and through their ministry.
Intro: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy formed a dynamic missionary team the ministered together at Thessalonica. (1 Thess. 1:1)
I. Spiritual Leader’s Endurance of Hope (2:1-2)
A. Ministry Dynamic in Power (v.1)
“not in vain”: not without purpose
1 Cor. 15:58
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Ex: shoveling while it’s snowing: not so...The effects of the gospel are eternal!
Why is Paul worried? - Acts 17:10-13
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
a. Holy Spirit power (Acts 1:8)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
b. “much assurance”: complete confidence
c. “what kind of men we were among
you” - explained in ch.2
B. Ministry Despite Persecution (v.2)
Persecution at Philippi
Acts 16:22-24
Philippians 1:27-30
Philippians 3:20-21
Acts 16:22-24
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.
Philippians 1:27-30
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
2. Persecution at Thessalonica
Acts 17:5
1 Thessalonians 1:6
1 Thessalonians 2:2
II. Spiritual Leader’s Work of Faith (2:3-4)
A. Honesty in Ministry (v.3)
2 Peter 2:1-3
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:10
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
B. Honor in Ministry (v.4)
1. “approved”, “tests” - dŏkimazō: to test; allow, discern
2. Acts 13:1-3
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
III. Spiritual Leader’s Labor of Love (2:5-6)
A. Love in Speech (v.5)
“flattering words”
“as you know” - Paul’s proof #1
“cloak for covetousness” - prŏphasis plĕŏnĕxia: a pretext for greed
“God is witness” - Paul’s proof #2
B. Love in Service (v.6)
Humble
Hardworking (1 Thess. 2:9)
Word Study:
“power” - dunamis: miraculous power
“exhortation” - paraklēsis: call, implore, intreaty
“error” - planē: fraudulence; a straying from orthodoxy
“uncleanness” - akatharsia: impurity
“deceit” - dŏlŏs: to decoy, trick, subtle guile
“devoutly” - hŏsiōs: piously, holy
“justly” - dikaiōs: equitable, righteous
“blamelessly” - amĕmptōs: faultless, unblamable
“approved”, “tests” - dŏkimazō: to test; allow, discern
“entrusted” - pistĕuō: commit; put in trust with
“cloak for covetousness” - prŏphasis plĕŏnĕxia: a pretence for extortion
Now What?
Application: Spiritual leaders are held to a high standard.
Leadership = Influence
At some level, we are all spiritual leaders.
“Every believer is a preacher…you can’t escape it - you are saying something to somebody by the life you live.” -J. Vernon McGee