D3: The Ministry - The Example of Paul, 1 Thes 1:5-10

D3: The Ministry - The Example of Paul, 1 Thes 1:5-10.

5 Ministry Statements to help us understand Discipline 3:

1. Ministry has only one message – the gospel, 1:5.

• Paul is a rming positively that the gospel did indeed come to them, “for our gospel did come to y ffi just didn’t come to you in word only.” Let’s side step for just a moment to see Paul’s manner gospel from what he wrote to the Romans. Don’t skip too quickly over Rm 1:11-12 = Christian fellow in his mind! Rm 1:15-17 (the gospel is power for salvation). Rm 16:25-27 (the gospel strengthens, establishes). Gospel bookends on the letter. So what then, is Romans 2-16? Those chapters are not something di erent than the gospel! “Gospel theology?” Or, theology that is in accordance with/ ff dependence on/re ective of the gospel.

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• For Paul, the leading concern as he re ects on his ministry with the Thessalonians is that the gospel fl engaged them, 1 Th 2:2, 4, 8, 9. As we step into the lives of one another, this must be our leading concern: are we helping one another engage with the gospel. Again, we need to help each other engage with the fullness of the gospel (Rm 2-15). How sad if we stepped into each other’s life and each other the impression that the gospel was only that which converted or saved us long ago, but hangs on the wall of our lives like a diploma.

• Before we move on, notice what Paul says: “OUR gospel” = that’s ownership (Rm 16:25 “my go can Paul say this? Let’s be clear: 1 Cor 15:1-4. He received it from Christ, he did not invent it. It is n like a new device belongs to an inventor. It is his because the gospel was given him (1 Th 2:4 “entr The result? Paul has taken ownership of it! Bold statement! The aroma coming o Paul in 1:5 = he o ff it! It’s his! You? Do you want something of that kind of ownership of this great gospel? Aroma?
• So, “our gospel did come to you, it just didn’t come to you in word only.” What concern follows leading concern? “The kind of men they proved to be among you.”

2. Ministry requires an uncommon messenger, 1:5.

• So, ministry has only one message, but equally so, ministry requires an uncommon messenger. This carries so much of the weight in 1 Th 1-2. 1 Th is not so much aiming to unfold in detail the content the message of the gospel, but rather, the carrier of the gospel message; the messenger with the message. Evidently, the attack in Thessalonica came on the carrier more than on the content of the message. So the focus for us is on the kind of man we must be.
• Paul says the gospel came to them, but it “did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction .” What do these three prepositional phrases describe? There are 2 options:

1. The gospel message: The message had come in power, in the HS, and with full conviction We know this is theologically true, but is that what is being taught here? Rather,
2. The gospel messenger: Paul and his co-laborers came “in power, and in the HS, and with conviction.” Wha? How do we know that from our text? Look at how these 3 phrases a sandwiched between 2 other important statements: “The gospel did not come to you in word only” AND “What kind of men we proved to be among you.” Paul is focusing th beyond just the content of the gospel message. When Paul thinks back on his gospel min with them, what he remembers is the power that accompanied his ministry, the HS’ tang presence, and how he was “full of con dence” (fully convinced”) when he was with the fi Compare to 2:8. 1:5a is modi ed, described by a comparison statement. How do you kno fi the gospel didn’t come in word only? . . . .

• The challenge for us in this is: If we error on a side, we error on the side of being content that the g comes in words ONLY, without as much concern for “what kind of men we prove to be” in that go mission to one another. The temptation is for us to be content with words while we are empty of po not full of the HS, and lacking conviction about what we’re saying to one another. That’s an unco messenger! D1 is all about these 3 prepositional phrases.
• The answer? Shepherd your heart to the gospel! Plead with God for His power, for His HS to be ful engaged in your inner man (Eph 3:16), for greater con dence in the gospel. What kind of a man do fi want to prove to be? Ministry, D3, requires an uncommon messenger.

3. Ministry involves imitation, 1:6.

• 1:6. “You also became imitators of us AND of the Lord.” Paul is NOT saying: “When I was with y you 2 di erent examples to imitate, me AND Christ. Paul’s pattern of life was NOT out of alignmen ff Christ’s pattern of life. Not divergent from; on the same trajectory as Christ’s. This should be you and plan: to be so aligned with Christ that others might imitate your life as you imitate Christ. 1Cor Contrast Charles Barkley: “Not a role model.” God’s design is that we give one another, not jus gospel, but also an example. Plead with God for Him to make you into a clearer re ection of Christ. fl

• Speci cally, how did they imitate Paul? “You received the word in much tribulation” = we need to fi remember that we live in enemy territory, that there is a rebel prince ghting against our King, that t fi are hostile rebels against God all around you. We live in a volatile place. God’s design and plan is way to receive the gospel, and that is while being surrounded by enemies of God. Notice: “With th of the HS.” Get this – don’t we usually think that tribulation and turmoil are joy killers? This tribul not! Jesus’ joy: Jn 15:11; 16:20, 22-24; 17:13-19! I have my version of joy and trouble can touch it. T why Christ gives His joy (and trouble can’t touch it). Plead to ultimately imitate Christ so as to be th example to each other: “a joyful life centered on the word in the midst of trouble.” They became for a reason or a purpose:

4. Ministry must produce not only exemplary lives, but e ective lives, 1:7-8.

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• “So that” indicates purpose. 1:6-7 reveals an imitation chain reaction taking place in gospel minist Christ is imitated by Paul; and Paul is imitated by the Thessalonians; who are an example for all in

Macedonia and Achaia. This is what you must set your mind on for your gospel ministry in and beyo this body: It is not enough that you imitate Christ. But you must aim for imitating Christ as an exam for others. But that is not far enough. You must aim for those following your example to become examples for others to follow. You’ll never hit this if you don’t aim for it. Level 1: Christ and you Christ and you and another. Level 3: Christ and you and another and still others.

• Paul o ers an explanation (1:8) of this imitation chain reaction that has taken place, it is the explanati ff what we mean by “e ective lives.” “The word of the Lord sounded forth from you” = an intens ff trumpet; a distinct sounding forth of the word of God from them. And notice how far this biblical bl went: “not only in Macedonia and Achaia but also in every place.” That is a solid, e ective sound ff And this all happened relatively quickly! Less than 3 months.
• The key statement of how e ective it was: “We have no need of saying anything.” God’s word ff forth, their faith in Him and that word spoke loudly for itself; their lives were so thoroughly transform and were e ective—so e ective that Paul was relaying old news when he tried to tell others about w ff ff happened. Here’s your aim/prayer: 1.) Not merely gospel content; 2.) But to be an uncommon g messenger; and then 3.) NOT to merely be an example. NOT merely that others will imitate you. Bu 4.) That your disciple will put you out of a job! “Raise up others who will speak more broadly than Paul: “I can’t add to what they have said!” “I’m just spreading old news. . .”

• Review: 1. Ministry has only one message – the gospel, 1:5. 2. Ministry requires an uncommon messenger, 1:5. 3. Ministry involves imitation, 1:6. 4. Ministry must produce not only exemplary live but e ective lives, 1:7-8. Fifthly:

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5. Ministry labors for nothing less than repentance, 1:9-10.

• “They themselves” = Macedonians and Achaians and those in “every place.” “They themselve What do they report? What was the report? 2 things:

1. About us: “What kind of reception we had with you.” “Reception” = welcoming; receptivity with you. Paul is emphasizing how important the messenger is for the message again. His mann among them, the kind of man he proved to be among them, his behavior among them was not obstacle to the gospel! It was a powerful complement for what the gospel wants to accomplish i the lives of those it comes into contact with. How do we know? Second part of the report:
2. “And how you turned to God from idols.” Repentance. In the minds of these witnesses (Mace Achaians, believers in every place), 2 things stood out in their report: how welcomed, how well received, how receivable Paul was AND how repentant the Thessalonians were. This is what we m by “Ministry labors for nothing short of repentance.”

• For the most part we probably focus on the rst part without too much trouble. We want to be liked fi received, welcomed, receivable. We want that kind of report circulating about us. But the Macedon and Achaians and others couldn’t ONLY think of this aspect of gospel ministry. They simultaneous thought of repentance! What does this turning to God from idols look like? What characterized the repentance? “Their turning was marked by “serving God” and waiting for His Son’s return,” 1: who is this Son? “Who rescues us from the wrath to come.”

• “Ministry labors for nothing less than repentance = transformation (including to serve and to wait).” you are is likable in gospel ministry, but others do not actually change, be very unsatis ed. Let that fi your heart. Incomplete! Until repentance and transformation comes, you can’t be satis ed only w fi how likable you are. So look, plan to be nice, kind, likable; plan for people to feel welcomed into yo But aim for repentance in and with that receptivity. Avoid being a jerk preaching repentance. Paul w likable, receivable, imitatable. But Paul was all about repentance. God doesn’t want you to settle f of that. Don’t be satis ed to be liked without evidence of repentance. Similar idea in 2 Tm 2:24-26 fi

• What do you think God would lay out in front of the repentance He aims to give? The gospel. Ye Doctrine. Yes. Is that all he says here?

☺ The kind of man you are matters, even for the repentance of others. Dads apply this to your ministry with your children. Don’t over emphasize either piece to t exclusion of the other.