Oppressed and Approved

Introduction

Our study in 1 Thessalonians so far, can be summarized as a message for the Christian, the church and the understanding that there will those who are critical. Paul, Silas and Timothy have written the church of Thessalonica to help Christians with their spiritual health. Nothing does that better than when leaders like Paul, Silas and Timothy take the time to encourage those in that church. Hopefully, when you come through these doors each week, you are encouraged. Most churches now are meeting back in person in some format. Hopefully the spiritual of Christians will begin receive more nourishment and strengthened as a result.

Hebrews 10:25 NIV84

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

As we are meeting together, just like the Church of Thessalonica, we will recognize that our spiritual heartbeat is fellowship we receive from meeting together.

Philippians 2:1 NIV84

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

The Church of Thessalonica also experiences the negative impact as well. There are those that will exhibit hatred toward the church and always be critical. Sometimes that comes from outside the church, and sometimes it comes from within. We learn in a parallel passage of scripture, Acts 17:1-9,

Acts 17:1–9 NIV84

1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. 5 But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

that there were those that opposed the work of the church and they started a riot in protest. Paul and his companions were unfortunately used to this as we will see in our text for today.

The health of the Christian, the heartbeat of the church, and the hatred of the critical carry over into our study as we look at chapter 2.

1 Thessalonians 2:1–4 NIV84

1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

Now, as I have studied this passage, more than ever I am reminded that if you are a Christian, you are also a minister. So many folks think that being a minister involves a calling, seminary and being ordained. However, we are all called to be ministers. Many of you have ministered to me over the years with your love and service. You have come alongside with me and walked through life with me. I want expound on that ministry today with you as we continue our journey through 1 Thessalonians. As we study these four verses today, I want you to see that the Thessalonians were approved and yet oppressed. They had a message, they had a motive, and they had a ministry.

The Message

Paul, Silas and Timothy acknowledge what the Thessalonians know. There is a reminder that their visit was not a failure. Part of the idea of encouragement is acknowledging the commonalities people face. I can’t help but wonder how many times the Thessalonians had felt like failures. Even though it seemed like the visit did not go as hoped or planned, it was not a failure. Isn’t that the timeliness of the gospel? At just the right time, the good news happens. I am reminded of Psalm 30.

Psalm 30:1–3 NIV84

1 I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. 3 O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.

How many times in your life have you felt like you were going under and just at the right time, you heard the good news of the Gospel?

Paul, Silas and Timothy write that they suffered and had been insulted, yet despite this opposition, they knew the truthfulness of the Gospel. Only a true gospel will compel one not to give up. Only a true gospel will shared in spite of opposition.

Galatians 1:11 NIV84

11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.

The message of the gospel is one that has already been proven over and over. However, the message of the gospel has always been hard to swallow to those that have been in established religion. That is what happened in Thessalonica. The established religion developed by mankind did not jive well with the message of the Gospel. In Acts 17:2-3 we learn that Paul did three things that put made the opposition happen:

Acts 17:2–3 NIV84

2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said.

Paul reasoned, explained and proved. He discussed, he offered dialogue and he debated. The Jews had a problem with this and they opposed the gospel.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV84

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

The Jews felt their motive was for personal gain. It is interesting to see this because that is why they opposed the gospel. They would lose their power as well as their personal and financial positions. Paul was quick to show his motive.

The Motive

First, we see in 1 Thessalonians 2:3 that the appeal was not from erroneous teachings or impure motives. The appeal was not establish financial gain.

2 Corinthians 2:17 NIV84

17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

Instead, the appeal that was made was for the glory of God. Paul ministered for God’s glory and not for his own. Many tricksters existed during this time.

2 Corinthians 4:2 NIV84

2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

“The Christian faith is not the accumulated wisdom of pious souls, nor the insight of men of religious genius, but the divine plan for dealing with sin.” Leon Morris

The approval Paul, Silas and Timothy were seeking was not from men, but from God. In fact, God approved them “to be entrusted with the gospel.” This is a phrase seen in other places as well.

Galatians 2:7 NIV84

7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.

The word entrusted means they were committed unto and trusted to carry forth the precious cargo of the gospel. What a gift they were given! Paul recognized how important it was to be entrusted with the gospel.

1 Timothy 1:11 NIV84

11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

“The gospel is not simply an announcement of good news, but also a call to respond to the divine initiative contained in it.” Gene Green

When one understands the salvation that comes with the gospel, they will understand the Savior that makes it happen. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the real deal. The authenticity of the gospel was ultimately found in God Almighty. The Gospel of God, communicated by God’s men, was true teaching.

Colossians 1:5 NIV84

5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel

1 John 4:6 NIV84

6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

The message was not false. It still is not false today. The motivations were not impure and the methods were not deceptive. By the way, because the message has a pure motive, it can be easily obeyed.

1 John 2:5 NIV84

5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:

When we apply the message with pure motives, we all become ministers of the gospel. As a result, we need to see ourselves in that way.

Romans 15:14 NIV84

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

The Ministry

If we know the gospel and have received the gospel, we are just like Paul, Silas and Timothy and have been entrusted with the gospel, not to try to please men, but to please God. So, we have three bits of instruction.

First, don’t give in. We are not looking to be selfish by having impure motives or trickery. Allow the Spirit of God to guide you!

1 Corinthians 2:4 NIV84

4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

Secondly, don’t give up. We mentioned this verse last week and it is worthy to mention again now.

Galatians 6:9 NIV84

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Lastly, don’t give out. Run the race.

Hebrews 12:1–2 NIV84

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.