Caring And Sharing: Four Key Steps To Effective Evangelism Series

Caring and Sharing: Four Key Elements to Effective Evangelism

1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

When we follow Christ’s command to go and make disciples of all nations, we do so with the glorious hope that our planting seeds of righteousness might lead to a great harvest of salvation of the lost! With many planks of sin within our own eyes, like sheep we go amongst the wolves with the courage of knowing that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world!” This truth, however, does not free our conscience to proclaim the Good News in any manner we deem fit! Like Paul we pray to the Good Shepherd that in the face of opposition we might stand firm in our faith. May our intentions be pure, centered on heralding His righteousness to find favor in His sight rather than seeking approval from those we seek to show the way, truth, and life. Now that we have explored some of the things to avoid in proclaiming the Good News let us now focus on what Paul says are the right ways to make disciples of all nations. Apostle Paul was only in Thessalonica for between three and four weeks and yet a church was established that flourished and grew exponentially! These remarkable outcomes inspire us to follow Paul's lead, not to merely increase attendance or boast of our spiritual prowess, but with indescribable joy to witness the fruitful yield of our efforts in this challenging and diverse generation, all for the glory of His name! Today’s sermon going to focus on four things believers can do to convince the people of our age to give up their many gods and bow their knees to the Creator and sustainer of all life. Let’s turn in our Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 and read it over a few times.

Witnessing by Caring and Sharing

To be effective in evangelism one must first be willing to care for others and share one’s life with them! When Paul delivered the Gospel, his intentions were pure; he refrained from using flattery or deceit to manipulate others or gain financial benefit. Rather than seeking praise or personal gain, he assumed the roles of both an innocent infant and a nurturing mother among them. “Philo, the important Jewish writer, said this: “It is impossible for the greatest liar to invent a charge against infants”—same word that Paul uses—“as they are wholly innocent.” In essence, Paul was urging the Thessalonians to regard him as an innocent infant, devoid of the cunning tactics employed by Cynic philosophers. Moving to his second metaphor Paul says his care for the Thessalonians was like a nursing mother for her children (2:8). Unlike the Cynics who relied on flattery to deceive others, Paul states his love for the Thessalonians was sincere and comparable to that of a mother looking into the eyes of her baby with deep affection! With incredible gentleness and a genuine desire to imitate the humility of Christ who freely emptied Himself to be born, live, and atone for our sins (Philippians 2:6-7), Paul looked upon the unsaved not with condemnation but with a shared desire with God the Father that none might be lost (2 Peter 3:9). Like a mother sacrificing much to meet the needs of her child, Paul demonstrated his “selfless love” for them by working tirelessly to show them how desperately they needed the Great Physician to be born again and receive eternal life! Rather than asserting his authority over the Thessalonians (Luke 22:25-27), Paul prioritized their well-being, empathizing with their sorrows, celebrating their joys, and openly sharing his own deepest struggles and triumphs in his journey following Christ Jesus, whom he acknowledged as his Lord. Obviously Paul believed the “greatest impact one can have on young or needy believers is to love them in Christ”.

Reflection. When we meet people who are clearly living their lives in opposition to God’s word it is easy to condemn them in their sins! While it's important not to dilute the truth about the destination of hell for those on the broad path, we must also not overlook the crucial message of God's love and grace demonstrated through sending His only Son, Jesus, to reconcile humanity to Himself by atoning for their sins. So, with gentleness and great humility that God saved wretches like us, let us speak the Good News boldly and truthfully but also gently and with the same self-sacrificial love Christ demonstrated on the cross!

Witnessing by our Labor

To be effective in evangelism one must also be willing to sacrifice one’s time for the sake of others. Knowing that he was “entrusted with a message of divine, not human origin,” had a profound influence on how Paul presented the Gospel message! Paul “worked day and night” to ensure that no one could question his motives but also so that he might provide the Thessalonians an example of sacrificial love (2 Thessalonians 3:9). While as an apostle Paul had the right to demand “food, lodging, and pay” he chose to earn his living through leatherworking, a vocation he likely learned from his father. Even though the Philippians had sent him offerings for his daily living expenses (Philippians 4:15-16) these funds were not “adequate to permit Paul and his companions to devote themselves entirely to evangelism.” Between manual labor and evangelism it is no wonder that Paul in his other letters talks about going without sleep so that he might advance the Gospel message (2 Corinthians 11:27; 2 Timothy 1:3). Paul believed that maintaining self-sufficiency was crucial for upholding the integrity of his ministry in Thessalonica, while simultaneously viewing it as a reflection of Christ's humility, where prioritizing the interests of others took precedence. Even though “labor as an artisan was generally looked down upon in the Greek-speaking world,” and even though some members of the Thessalonian congregation were persons of means who could have fully paid for Paul’s ministry (Acts 17:5, 7, 9), he chose to work tirelessly to set a good example of self-sacrifice for Christ, even though it meant “stepping down the social ladder.” After all, how could Paul expect the Thessalonians to sacrifice their hearts and lives in service to Christ as a “work of faith and labor of love” (1:3) if he in turn was unwilling to do so? Whether in plenty or need Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know that they could do all things through Christ who strengthens His own (Philippians 4:12-13)!