Gospelling Like Paul Series

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Message

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Gospelling Like Paul

As we make our way through Thessalonians a topic which will come up regularly is that of imitation.

Seeing what someone does

… their life.

… the way they go about a task.

… the processes they use.

… the actions they take.

Seeing these things and then growing and learning and implementing what has been seen.

It happens as a natural response in the church of the Thessalonians.

You became imitators of us … and so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia … your faith in God has become known everywhere.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

How does this imitation continue?

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

What we have here is a passage where Paul talks quite extensively about his ministry in Thessalonica. We will come back to that in a moment.

However let’s keep reading and see the specific outcome which results from Paul’s ministry. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16.

What is the outcome?

We brought the Word to you, in the same way we brought the Word to Judea, and you believed. You now imitate what we have done so that others may be saved.

That is the outcome.

Which means that the key reason Paul talks about his ministry is to describe how he went about bringing the message of salvation.

The pattern he used to evangelise and share the gospel.

That is the main focus of verses 1-12 – it is a lesson on sharing the Gospel.

It isn’t a comprehensive lesson. It is however a lesson which has 2 key teachings.

Lesson 1 – 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5

“Gospelling” Avoids All Worldly Techniques

Sometimes effective teaching involves demonstrating HOW to go about an activity.

If you want to hammer a nail pick up the hammer and hold it above the nail which is in your other hand – keep looking at the nail as you raise and lower the hammer.

Sometimes effective teaching involves demonstrating HOW NOT go about an activity.

Don’t hit your thumb with the hammer. Don’t let go of the nail and expect it to stay standing. Don’t look around the room when you bring the hammer down.

Paul’s emphasis here is on HOW NOT to Gospel.

Gospelling … does not spring from error (1 Thess 2:3)

The concept is used in Matthew 27:64 where the Pharisees are worried about body of Jesus being stolen and that there would begin story of fraud based on the deception.

Of course we know that the resurrection of Jesus is true, not an error or fraud.

So, when we talk about the Gospel, we are sharing a message of truth which has been come into our lives and convicted us of the need of repentance and transformation.

This transformation has happened in a world where, more and more, truth is relative. Where every religion and every life-style should be accepted and tolerated – unless you are a Christian then you can be intolerant.

Telling the whole truth brings persecution, and ridicule, and backlash.

It is tempting to back off … or just stay silent. But there is a bigger picture.

Every single world-and-life view not based on a personal relationship with Jesus is an error.

The one world-and-life view that is not an error is the one that has the only way, the only truth, the only life.

We will not be effective in bringing the Gospel – unless we are convinced that the Gospel is not in error.

Gospelling … is not based on impure motives (1 Thess 2:3)

Motives are so important. Especially Gospel motives.

Is our motive to have a debate?

Is our motive to make someone feel guilty and ashamed?

Is our motive to make ourselves feel good that we have done a good work?

Is our motive skewed by our perception of others – who is worthy and who is not.

The motive of God the Father is clear, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).” When Jesus ministered he gave everyone from every situation of life a chance … even a Pharisee like Nicodemus. Paul in his ministry made himself “a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible (1 Corinthians 9:19).”

The Father, and Jesus, and Paul all have the same motive. To make have a pure motive that identifies the spiritual emptiness that only Jesus can fill.

We will not be effective in bringing the Gospel – unless we are constantly sensitive to the spiritual needs and emptiness that results when people are outside of God’s kingdom.

Gospelling … is not a trick (1 Thess 2:3)

When the chief priests and the elders wanted to get rid of Jesus “they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him (Matthew 26:4).” The secrecy was a plan to trick and not enable the full facts and the full story to come out.