Do you ever do something on a dare? I remember once when I was young and foolish I was dared to fight this bully who was hanging around our swim meet. I bravely pushed out of the crowded circle with my fists up and tried to fight this guy who was obviously much bigger than me. Needless to say, I got severely trounced in the process.
But I thought of that story when looking at this chapter of 1st Thessalonians. Paul in a sense was like me - a big bully, the Jews, were picking a fight - saying "if you share this gospel of yours were going to kill you!" But Paul "dared" to bring the gospel anyway - and its a good thing he did, because it started a marvelous work in that city and saved the lives of countless people who responded.
Paul had his share of being beaten up - but that didnt stop him either. And just because there opposition to what we do for the Lord - we shouldnt stop either.
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.
" The first visit of Paul ended with him leaving under cover of darkness (Acts 17:1-10). But it wasnt a failure - the gospel was planted and disciples began to spring up.
" The enemy will try to convince us that when we run into opposition or problems, or ministry doesnt go the way we though that we have failed. But the gospel cannot fail even if appears to.
" We too should "dare" to share the good news no matter the opposition - and we can feel comfortable doing it - why?:
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. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.
" This is important because of the major questions on the minds of the Thessalonians - fear of opposition and fear of the future.
" The gospel cannot be compromised. Paul in Romans says:
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:
Now men can use the gospel for their own selfish greed and put a good face on it - but the gospel itself is still power to save.
Philippians 1:15-18 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
" Paul wants them to know that there was no "behind the scenes" trickery going on. Apparently some of the Jews who started the riot in Thessalonica may have claimed that Paul and Silas were defrauding them:
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
" Paul was a tent-maker and used that trade in order to support himself and not be accused of trying to get rich off of the gospel. He didnt have to do that - and didnt always - but at times it was more important than others.
" Thats a good ministry practice too. We as the body of Christ should support those who preach and teach - but sharing the gospel is more important than getting paid for it - especially if it might be a stumbling block or a burden.
" So dont think that vocational ministry is anything more important than what you do as a volunteer.
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
" We "walked the talk" Paul is saying - he encouraged people to look at his life - did he practice what he preached? Its a scary but important thing for those of us who teach - do we listen and act on that which we share? Are our lives accountable to God?
" Paul deals with them as a father in three ways:
1. Encouraging: means to come along side to provide helpful insight.
2. Comforting: come along side with sympathy
3. Urging: discipline when needed
Thats what I try to do - and its what we who are maturing should do. Learn from the Lord and then use what He has taught you to provide insight into the lives of others to help them become like the Lord - then be there when they fall and help them through difficulties but also be prepared in the case of a hard heart to apply strong exhortation when needed.
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
" The gospel isnt some great idea a man came up with - it is from God. Also - perhaps this suggests that the Apostles were given Gods Word to share - when Paul penned his letters, it was God speaking through him - not some interesting interpretation.
" Notice he says the Word "is at work" -
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Thats one way you can tell if something shared is accurate - when you pray and meditate on it, and find it corroborated elsewhere in the Bible - you begin to see the Holy Spirit actually take that truth and make it part of your life.
Thats what happened here:
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of Gods churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
" Marks of maturity: you begin to speak and act like mature Christians around you, and you are constant even when trial or persecution comes.
" The Jews wanted to keep everyone out of salvation except for them - they missed the fact that God wanted it offered to everyone free of charge.
" Anyone who rejects Jesus will be rejected by God in the end
17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
" The accusers in Thessalonica claimed that Paul had "cut and run" and was too afraid to come back because they had been discovered as bad. Not true - Paul wanted to come back and tried again and again.
" Interesting how he says "Satan stopped us." The words used there suggest a "to cut into or break up" like blowing up a bridge or a road. Our troops in Iraq see this first hand, as insurgents try to stop elections in that country by disrupting and killing - so too, Satan will do anything to stop you from growing in the Lord and sharing the gospel - and the more you mature the bigger the opposition.
" So why even try, then?
1. The stakes are high - souls are at risk
2. The rewards are great
3. The battle is Gods not yours.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 5:8-11 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Conclusions
1. Dont be swayed by worldly arguments against the church
The world tells us that Christians are bigots and narrow minded simpletons. Its because we dont go along with sin and philosophy that says all ways to God are equal.
Believe God - and His Word - trust those who shared the gospel with you and help you mature in your faith.
2. Dont be deterred by attacks from the enemy
Satan does not want you to grow - he wants to you give in to temptation, isolate yourselves from other believers and by all means stop sharing your faith. Why? He knows the power of the gospel too - instead, lean into God and let Him work through you to smash the enemy and reach the lost and helpless.
3. Failure on the surface does not signal failure in reality
Even the Apostle Paul was prevented from doing something. You will run into opposition, and sometimes it will seem like the problem must be with you - persevere - stick with it. Yes, ask God if you are going the right direction - but dont let opposition be your guide, let God be your guide.
For more Bible studies and an audio copy of this message, please visit:
www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org.
