Evangelism: The Gospel in Surround Sound

June 8, 2008

Read 1 Thessalonians 1-2

V1

• In Acts 16 the Apostle Paul wanted to go into Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey, but the Holy Spirit stopped him; and through a vision of a man asking for help, God communicated to Paul that he was to take the gospel from Asia to Europe. First Thessalonians blows away all conventionality when it comes to ministry, as there he started a church, appointed elders, and helped the ministry take root all in a span of 3 weeks. Written just 20 years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, it was the Apostle Paul’s first recorded book of scripture.
• Yes, in a span of 3 weeks people were saved, discipled, and ordained into ministry. I’m not saying you do this with every 3-week-old Christian, but what I am saying is this book is an example to all who think they’re too young in age, or faith, to be used mightily for the kingdom. It takes away all excuses, and inspires great hope.

V2-7

• Paul begins by letting them know how they are always in his prayers, and then tells them how fondly he remembers 3 vital aspects of their walk. Here’s a 3-week crash course of how to become a mature church; notice 3 characteristics are listed:
  1. Work of faith - a trust that produces effort
  2. Labor of love - a no strings attached response; being available to the point of exhaustion
  3. Patience of hope - I expect God to work and I’m willing to wait on Him
• In John 6:28-29 some people asked Jesus, “What shall we do that we may work the works of God?” Jesus replied, “That you believe on Him whom He sent.” A work of faith is after a person believes and begins to understand how much the Lord has done for them, and then he can’t help but to love and do for others - the labor of love. Verse 5 - in order for this to occur Paul mentions how the gospel arrived to them; notice it did not come in word only, but in power and the Holy Spirit.
• According to 1 Peter 4:11, when we speak let it be the very words of God proceeding out of our mouths. It wasn’t through carnal conversations did Paul and Silas impact these followers, but in demonstration of God’s power (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
• Verse 6 - after they received the word conflict followed (Acts 17:5-9). Jason was threatened and punished because of the church’s witness. Remember in the parable of the “Sower and the seed,” how conflict caused many to pull back from the Lord, but here it encouraged them to be more faithful to the Lord.
• Notice in verses 7-9 how they became examples; the word means to make a mark or leave an impression upon something. Their example of joy in the midst of persecution had left its mark on believers, and their desire to be reproducing Christians had left its mark on unbelievers (v8).
• I’ve met many who have no problem telling unbelievers about Jesus, but struggle mightily with loving and connecting with those who know Jesus. They are often found doing ministries outside of their local church, but nonexistent inside of their church. Then there are those who passionately love the body but do everything they can to avoid the lost. A healthy church produces both a love for the body and a compassion for the lost, and that’s what we see here in Thessalonica.

Chapter 2
V1-3

• Chapter 1 was about those who received the message; chapter 2 is about those who brought the message. When it comes to unbelievers we must remember that for them, the vehicle that brings the message is just as important as the message itself. So we must do our part not to disqualify what we are sharing, by the lifestyle that we’re living, or the attitude that we’re giving; let them reject the Lord and not you. Paul outlines this in verse 3 saying their testimony did not include…
  1. Error - fraud or deceit; they weren’t phony
  2. Uncleanness - impurity; the worst is to see a witness destroyed by scandal
  3. Deceit - trickery; no gimmicks

V4-14

• Paul never tried to manipulate anyone into following him or flatter them into Christianity. His goal was not position, numbers, or applause; his goal was to please the Lord (Galatians 1:10). It’s hard for me to picture Paul with all of his tenacity and boldness as the mothering type (v7-10), but that’s the description he gives of how he and his ministry team was to the Thessalonians.
• A Spiritual Nugget: They were nurturing in spirit, and encouraging with action. Although Paul could have asked for things being an Apostle, he didn’t, why? Because he refused to stumble anyone, just as a loving parent will sacrifice their wants and desires for the good of their children, so Paul models this self-sacrificing attitude for us to follow also.
• In verses 11-12, not only is Paul a mother who nurtures, but also a father that encourages his children to walk worthy of God, Who has called them into His glorious kingdom. Verse 13 allowed them to act out 1 Thessalonians 1:8. The word sounded can be translated echoed, because they received the word as coming from God. Only then were they able to share it with others being empowered by God. It’s a big difference when I speak what I heard, as opposed to what I know. One is head knowledge, the other is heart knowledge.