1 Thessalonians – The Model Church has Model Leaders
1 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Update on Pressing On – work with the Siburt Institute
We want to be the model church – we want to be used by God to deepen your relationship with God and to draw more people into a saving relationship with the Lord
Doesn’t happen accidently – we want to be intentional in these three areas
Facilities - we are pushing the limits of this worship center and we are in need of some critical updates to the facilities as it approaches its 40th birthday
Ministries – evaluating all our ministries – never want to keep something to keep it – we want to be effective on our leadership of ministries – make sure they are in line with our vision
Staff – within the next decade we will be facing retirements – our immediate staff need is to find a new youth minter as Tyler transitions to a new role as family minister. Some have been interviewed – be in prayer for this process.
What we are looking for - Good communicator, good rapport with kids, know the Bible, organized and responsible – but above all want this new minister to model the life of a disciple – we would be willing to compromise on some of those skills but not on being a model to our kids
We know a good minster / spiritual leader is a person who loves God and lives a transformed life
That’s not always the case – hard to see high profile spiritual leaders caught in serious sin – it does some degree of damage to the cause of Christ – when that happens remember your faith is in Christ not a preacher, author, or other spiritual leader
Yet is ultimately important that church leaders live godly lives because when they don’t the message gets discredited and becomes less believable.
Yet is ultimately important that church leaders live godly lives because when they don’t the message gets discredited and becomes less believable.
And that seems to be Paul’s concern in our passage today – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 – as I read this hear how Paul is reassuring the church that he, Silas and Timothy – although not perfect – they are living the life of a believers – they are walking the walk – they are practicing what they preach.
1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 (ESV) — 1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
There must have been some people actively were attacking Paul and opposed the teaching of the gospel:
Acts 17:5 (NIV) — 5 But other 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.
This attack seems to have continued after Paul had left and not only do they attack his teaching, they attack his character thinking if we can make this guy out to be a charlatan then we can get these people back in our camp.
It is so important for church leaders and ministers to take this seriously – this section really hits home to me – I get up here week after week talking about how the gospel transforms, telling you how God satisfies and leads to the abundant life, I tell you what to do, I tell you to read the Bible and I confess I am not perfect but I have a renewed conviction to be the person I want you to be!
A Model Church has Model Leaders
A Model Church has Model Leaders
Years later Paul will write 2 letters to Timothy who will become the evangelist on Ephesus. And among the encouraging and instructive words he writes he says this:
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) — 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Titus 2:6–8 (NIV) — 6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
I pray that my message and my life are consistent and forgive me when they are not.
A Model Church has Model Leaders but a church can have the most dynamic, transformed leaders but still can fall short of being a model church because
A Model Church has Model Members
A Model Church has Model Members
All of us must be conscious of how our lives affect our message. You’ve heard the expression, “I’m just the messenger.” When it comes to sharing the gospel, it is never just the message. We don’t just deliver the message we must embody the message.
Big baseball fan – Red Sox fan – occasionally I see someone with a Red Sox cap or shirt on – that opens up a door for conversation – I used to live there – why are you here – I’m a minster – initiate a spiritual discussion – I don’t know if my Red Sox evangelism technique has ever lead someone to Christ but I’ll keep trying.
What sometimes happens is that person will say, “I’m not a fan. I just picked this up at Goodwill real cheap.” And I think, “If you’re not a fan, don’t wear the shirt!”
If we are not committed let’s not wear the shirt. If we are not committed, if we don’t take this seriously then we can actually do more harm than good.
1 Peter 2:12 (NLT) — 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
In 1 Thess 2:1-12 Paul’s primary concern is to defend himself but in doing so I think he leaves all of us good advice on how to live consistent convincing lives. Qualities of a model leader and a model member.
Ben Stuart in his teaching on this passage on a RNM series lists these 7 qualities for all of us to pursue:
1. Boldness
1. Boldness
1 Thessalonians 2:2 (ESV) — 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
Even in a hostile environment Paul was bold – he spoke clearly about the gospel – we cannot be ashamed of what we believe – we cannot be intimidated to be quiet
2. Sincerity
2. Sincerity
1 Thessalonians 2:3–5 (ESV) — 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.
We are not trying to trick anyone – this is not for our benefit other than the joy of begin used by God. We weren’t greedy. We didn’t try to please others but only God. Not takers but givers – Paul makes it a point to emphasize that he could have demanded money but actually worked for himself – other passages he affirms that evangelists can and should be paid but he did not want to be accused of greed in any form or fashion as some of the other teachers were
3. Gentleness
3. Gentleness
1 Thessalonians 2:7 (ESV) — 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
The imagery of a nursing mother – caring for her child – expecting no thanks or tips
We live in a very volatile political world right now and it is important to air our differences with gentleness and grace
4. Relational
4. Relational
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV) — 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
5. Holy
5. Holy
1 Thessalonians 2:9–10 (ESV) — 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
6. Demanding
6. Demanding
1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
7. Gospel Driven
7. Gospel Driven
1 Thessalonians 2:8–9 (ESV) — 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
Boldness
Sincerity
Gentleness
Relational
Holy
Demanding
Gospel Driven
Certainly, the gospel is a message that must be shared: a person can’t know that Christ is the Son of God who died in our place to pay the price for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God by watching you from afar. But the gospel must also be lived out—those who say they believe should reflect the character of Christ in their everyday lives, showing others through their actions and relationships how the gospel brings renewal and love to all.
- Ben Stuart
Let this be our prayer- to represent God well – at home, work, and play – so others may be attracted to the message
Matthew 5:16 (NIV) — 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The grace of God has changed us all – let us model lives that will lead others to the life-changing, freeing experience that comes from knowing God’s grace.
