God-Pleasing Gospel Ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:1-16)
The sermon outline can be found in the ministry guide.
Search "leadership" on Amazon, and you will find 50,000 books on leadership. You will find books that write about every facet of leadership: the skills, competencies, and character of being a leader.
When I was a teenager, my school sent me to a National Youth Leadership Training Institute (now defunct). I do not remember much except the awkwardness of a teenage boy from an all-boys primary school who had to interact with girls at a camp for the first time. But I can still remember talks on what a leader does: How a leader leads and sets examples for their follower to follow.
Our culture is preoccupied with leaders. Even in our churches, many look to leaders to lead the congregation to "success". But what expectations should churches have of leaders? Churches are constantly looking for pastors and ministry workers. Look at the job descriptions for senior or lead pastors. Some will put descriptors like "visionary leader" or "able to lead a team to achieve the church vision". Many job descriptions sound more at home in corporations, start-ups, and businesses rather than in churches.
What should characterise church leaders? What expectations should we have for church leaders we are to follow. Biblically faithful leaders are crucial to leading churches to fruitfulness and faithfulness and give models for church members to follow.
The Bible does speak to the kind of leaders churches should follow. Today's passage in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 speaks of the kind of leaders we should emulate and follow. Acts 17:1-10 gives the background and context to Paul's Letter to the 1 Thessalonians. Paul and Silas planted the church in Thessalonica. They were there for a short time: at most, several weeks before Jewish troublemakers drove Paul and the missionary team out of the city.
So, Paul wrote the first letter to the Thessalonians to encourage the church, who were also facing trouble from the Jews who opposed Christianity. He also wrote to instruct and correct some inaccurate understandings of the Thessalonian church, and urged them to live to please God in the light of Jesus Christ's imminent return.
We please God by following the proven pattern of gospel ministry.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 in particular, Paul writes to defend his ministry as the Jews opposed to him had cast doubts on his credibility and motives. By writing in his defence, Paul also gives the church an example of the positive pattern of gospel ministry to follow. He ends the section by encouraging the church to press on amid suffering by following the examples of other faithful churches.
The big idea of this message is: We please God by following the proven pattern of gospel ministry.
We follow the proven gospel ministry pattern of leaders who please God (1 Thess 2:1-13)
Let us address first the unspoken issue. Paul defends his ministry and puts him and his team as examples to follow. Our Asian sensibilities would feel embarrassed if we said to others, "Follow my example."But Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 tells us, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
"Followership" — imitating or following others as they imitate and follow Jesus Christ — is a biblical model because Jesus Christ is the ultimate model we follow! There is also some debate about whether 1 Thessalonians 2:1–16 is a defence of Paul's ministry or provides an exemplary model for us to follow. Even if it is a defence, Paul's life still stands as an example to us believers. So, beloved, let's see Paul and his missionary team's examples for us to follow.
Paul recounts his proven gospel ministry, covering the character and practices of his past ministry in Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2. Paul begins speaking about his ministry by telling the Thessalonians they know his visit was not without results. He emphasises what they "know" (1 Thess 2:1, 2, 5, 11) — the Thessalonians had personally witnessed Paul's words and actions and the fruit of his ministry. He appeals to personal witnesses as he wants his words to stir them up and encourage them through reminders of their time together. His visit bore fruit — they had "turned to God from idols" (1 Thess 1:9) and had trusted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul highlights his suffering in Philippi, where he had been before coming to Thessalonica. He could have laid low, avoided trouble and rested, but instead, as he reminds his readers, he took courage and preached the gospel to them in the face of persecution.
Paul continues in 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 to defend his motives: Paul speaks of the motive for and conduct of his gospel appeal. In defence of accusations that he preached out of selfish motives, Paul makes three points.
First, his preaching was not from error; the preachers were not wrong — they preached the true gospel. Secondly, it was not from impurity; they had not done anything immoral. Thirdly, the preachers were not trying to deceive the believers. The word "deceive" is used to describe catching fish with bait, and it came to mean any crafty design for deceiving or catching. Paul and the team had not "baited" the believers.
Their motive (1 Thess 2:3–4) was not to please people but God, so Paul did not preach for motives of money or fame. So far from seeking anything for himself, he could speak only because God approved him to be entrusted with the gospel. His primary motive is to "please God, who tests our hearts", and not fear of man.
The manner of Paul's preaching (1 Thess 2:5-6) matched his motive. His words were free from flattery — he did not use deception by slick eloquence, and free from greed. He did not hide their real motives to secure personal profit. He was different from the orators and speakers of the day who would come in with words of flattery and seeking money. He also did not practice ministry to seek men's praise and approval. His motives were that he wanted to honour Jesus Christ rather than receive honour from men. Paul calls God Himself as a witness. Heaven's courtroom is his vindication that he had pure motives.
Beloved, what are your motivations in life and ministry? Do you seek to please man or please God? Preachers and teachers of God's Word cannot "earn" God's favour by behaving themselves. Nevertheless, they can block the power of God and hinder the work of God's Word, through sinful motives, attitudes, and actions.
Paul was aware of the power of money. We have heard of some pastors who promise, "Invest in my ministry, and God will bless you a hundredfold, just as he has me," he shouts as he shows off his tailored suit and expensive watch. Less extreme is the leader, who finds it easier to rebuke a poor person than to rebuke a member of an influential family or a wealthy donor. Jesus did not simply warn about riches but their "deceitfulness" (Matt 13:22). Paul, too, condemned those who imagined that "godliness is a means to financial gain" (1 Tim 6:5).
Beloved, beware of the temptation of money — it can easily damage and hinder the communication of the gospel. We need to be extra careful in affluent Singapore.
The issues Paul mentions in this chapter — money, authority, and recognition — can become like a virus, ruining the communication of God's Word. So, beloved, for those of us who handle God's Word, be it elders, CG leaders or those who lead in 1-to-1 discipling relationships, I urge us to examine our motives often, and to go before God in repentance and faith when needed.
Motives matter in the teaching of God's Word.
Motives matter in the teaching of God's Word.
It is not just his motives that Paul gives a defence for, but he also points to his actions, as we see in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8. Rather than asserting his authority (1 Thess 2:6b) and making demands of the Thessalonian Church, Paul was gentle like a child among the Thessalonians. The word "gentle" in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 can also be translated as infant or child, implying that he was innocent and gave up his rights and authority to make demands. He had every right to ask for financial support, but he and his missionary team instead laboured and toiled (1 Thess 2:9). Paul worked as a tent-maker, so that he would not be a financial burden to them.
Not only was he innocent, but he was also gentle and loving with them. He compares himself to a nursing mother who loves her child and willingly gives of herself. The language comes from Scripture's portrayal of God's relationship with Israel. God is described as a mother caring for her children (Isa 49:15; 66:12–13; Hos 11:1, 3–4).
Thus, Paul had great affection for the Thessalonians. He did not preach and teach from afar. Instead, he got personal and demonstrated his love for the church by sharing his self. Paul shared the gospel message, his very being, and life with them (1 Thess 2:8).
In 1 Thessalonians 2:9-10, Paul tells the Thessalonians to remember his hard work among them. His love for them is shown in his labour among them and not charging them for it. This verse is the second time Paul has alluded to money (c.f. 1 Thess 2:5).
With each metaphor Paul employs, he connects to the preaching of the gospel. Despite what his opponents accuse him of, Paul did not preach the gospel for financial gain. He calls on the Thessalonian church as a witness, and again, Paul calls on God as the vindication of his conduct. He behaved in a holy, righteous, and blameless manner towards the believers. They simply cannot fault Paul.
In addition, Paul continues in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12. The Thessalonians also experienced how Paul was like a father to them. This verse employs Paul's third familial metaphor (child, mother, father). He defines his fatherly task as encouraging, comforting, and urging. Paul was innocent (like a child), loving (like a mother), and nurturing (like a father) among the Thessalonians.
Overall, in these verses, Paul speaks of his responsibility to the Word of God and the people of God. Paul was a steward and herald of the Word, acting in love and blamelessly toward the Thessalonians. He was a living example of Jesus's summary of the Torah: Love God and love neighbour (Matt 22:37–40).
Spiritual leaders should apply themselves to be holy, righteous, and blameless (1 Thess 2:10): holiness toward God, righteousness toward people, and blamelessness before the world.
Beloved, how great is the need today for fathers— spiritual fathers in the church and literal fathers in the home — to live uprightly before God, their children, and the world. We also need spiritual mothers to love and care for others in the church willingly.
As a pastor or full-time elder, I have the privilege of hearing testimonies from new incoming members. Many have told me of the older men and women who had invested in them — taught them in Sunday School, or discipled them in discipling relationships, giving of their time and energy to love them. And how great an impact such godliness will make as we show that by the power of God's grace, we are able "to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" (Titus 2:12). And in doing so, adorn the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Finally, in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul and his team express gratitude for the Thessalonian Church. Paul returns to the theme of thanksgiving. Paul constantly thanks God for how the Thessalonians received the message the preachers brought and for their gospel conduct.
Leaders should be grateful to God for what God is doing in the church, often seeking to identify and celebrate evidence of God's grace in church members. Paul here clearly claims an absolute divine authority for his words - "the word of God, which you heard from us", and contrasts his words with ordinary human words. His apostolic teaching is the "word of God” and should be received as from God Himself.
Faithful leaders should be faithful to hand on God's message. Beloved, in what ways are our ministry practices pleasing to God? In what areas can we pray for increasing faithfulness and fruit? How can we pray for our leaders to continue to grow in pleasing God?
Besides leaders, Paul looks at the example of steadfast churches faithful to the gospel.
We follow the historical examples of steadfast churches faithful to the gospel (1 Thess 2: 13-16)
"Adversity does not build character; it reveals it", writes one author. The Thessalonian church is also facing opposition and suffering. The Jews that troubled Paul are also persecuting the Christians in Thessalonica.
Amid the adversity they are facing, Paul desires that they are revealed to be faithful. What follows in 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 is Paul's encouragement to them by firstly reminding them of what happened when they received the word of God — the gospel, and, two, urging them to imitate the examples of other faithful churches that likewise are facing persecution.
1 Thesslonians 2:13-16 shows us how the message was not only heard and received by the Thessalonians; they welcomed the gospel — they recognized the worthiness of the gospel. The received word of God was active in the Thessalonian church.
This phrase points to the obedient response of faith that followed when the Thessalonians received the message — leading to their growth to Christlike maturity and endurance in suffering. The second way the Thessalonians responded positively to Paul's visit was their willingness to suffer for the Word.
Earlier, Paul said that the Thessalonians imitated him and the Lord (1 Thess 1:6). He speaks of imitating other churches (1 Thess 2:14a) in the remaining verses. The church at Thessalonica became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, who have remained faithfully steadfast in the face of persecution. Paul focuses on their suffering by identifying the Jews (1 Thess 2:14b) as the source of suffering, an identification that matches the testimony in Acts 17:5.
Paul recounts the historical pattern of Jewish rejection of the gospel and their active persecution, tracing it back to their rejection of Jesus, the prophets, and Paul (1 Thess 2:15, c.f. Matt 5:12). Therefore, the Thessalonians should not be surprised by their actions. The Jewish persecutors are heaping up their sins (1 Thess 2:16).
Though Paul speaks in this way about Jews, this statement is not directed at all Jews since Paul himself was a Jew — he speaks only of those Jews who oppose Christ and the message of the gospel, which can save all humanity. Paul asserts that the wrath of God has finally come on these persecutors. Paul might be thinking of a recent event, or he may be looking to the imminent coming of Christ.
The best option is to view it in light of Romans 1:18–32, where God's wrath is revealed in the present time by giving them over to sin. God gives the wicked over to their ways, and they end up persecuting those who are following Jesus the Messiah, confirming their rejection of Jesus Christ.
The Thessalonian church will receive vindication, and those who reject and oppose Jesus Christ and persecute the church will receive judgment and experience God's wrath.
My non-Christian friends, the Bible is clear that you are either for Jesus Christ or against Him. There are two ways to live — accept and receive Christ, or reject and oppose Christ (in what the Bible calls rebellion). I urge you to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ: that while we were still rebels, Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place for our sins, taking on Himself the wrath due to our sins. He was raised on the third day, so that if we place our trust in Him, we, too, will receive this resurrection life.
I urge you in the words of the apostle Paul: "In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor 5:19–20)
My friends, if this is your desire, please speak to your Christian friend who brought you, or to any of the elders, and we will gladly talk to you.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the opposition that will come your way if you follow Jesus Christ.
Prepare for hardship by receiving God's Word regularly. One result of God's Word in every true believer's life is the gracious strengthening of faith that enables the Christian to persevere under hardship. Also, imitate the examples of faithful Christians and Churches who endure suffering.
Read Christian biographies. I commend John Piper's "27 Servants of Sovereign Joy: Faithful, Flawed and Fruitful”. The book writes of 27 leaders from church history, offering a close look at their perseverance amidst opposition, weakness, and suffering.
Read reports of churches keeping faith in countries hostile to Christianity and be encouraged by their courage and perseverance.
Enduring suffering gives proof of your faith.
Finally, know that enduring suffering gives proof of your faith. It is not enough to respond with initial excitement over the gospel. True faith is constantly tested by hardship and persecution so that only those who endure under trial after the Word of God has taken root in their lives are proven to be converted and saved. Beloved, are you willing to endure persecution for your faith? Are you willing to remain faithful to Christ and live according to His Word, even if it means being shunned and ridiculed? The only true faith is that which is willing to suffer with Jesus. He said, "Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it" (Luke 9:24). Are you willing to forgo worldly pleasures to live boldly for Jesus and offer your life for his gospel?
True faith answers “Yes” because the Word has worked mightily through faith. This response is how Christians today stand boldly next to Martin Luther, holding fast to the Word of God before the world, declaring, "Here I stand. I can do no other!" Having stood firmly on God's Word, Martin Luther would go on to change the world. So, too, will every other Christian who takes their stand with God's Word and, in doing so, please God.
Beloved, we please God by following the proven pattern of gospel ministry. We follow the proven gospel ministry pattern of leaders who please God; and we follow the historical examples of steadfast churches faithful to the gospel, because we, too, have received and welcomed the gospel of God: Jesus Christ has saved us, turning away God's wrath against our sins, and has called us into His kingdom and glory, and now we await the return of Christ!
Let us pray.
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