WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.859 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, just two verses this morning, verses 7 and 8, okay? 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:15.480 But we were gentle among you like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 00:00:16.539 --> 00:00:22.000 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:28.160 but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:34.299 There's a man who attends our Wednesday morning Bible study group with the men. 00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:39.439 We call it Men's Advance on 6.30 every Wednesdays when there's not an election on Tuesday nights. 00:00:39.519 --> 00:00:41.600 Most people are there on Wednesday morning at 6.30. 00:00:43.480 --> 00:00:47.740 His name is Larry. Larry, some of you know him. You went to church with him for many years. 00:00:47.939 --> 00:00:51.179 Larry doesn't belong to our church. He belongs to another church in Huntersville, 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:55.780 but he attends our Bible study on Wednesday mornings, and he's a wonderful Christian. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:01:03.760 He and Terry always bring an amazing amount of biblical knowledge and wisdom to our discussions, 00:01:03.760 --> 00:01:07.740 and we all kind of lean on them during those times. 00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:10.480 He's a faithful Christian. We love having him there. 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:12.939 His church is without a pastor right now, 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:19.400 and Larry is one of the men that's been tasked with the responsibility of trying to find the next pastor 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:22.260 and who the Lord would have and make those connections. 00:01:22.260 --> 00:01:25.780 And some of you have been in positions like that before at other churches, 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:29.380 and you know how daunting of a task that is. 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:31.260 That's not an easy thing. 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:36.859 And when you don't have a leadership structure that has a plurality of elders that can kind of shoulder that load, 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:41.860 it falls to people in the congregation to do it, and that's a very difficult thing to do. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:46.760 And Larry's in one of those positions, and a few weeks ago we were chatting about that in our Bible study, 00:01:46.760 --> 00:01:54.340 and I don't think he was referring to this particular church, but maybe a church years ago in his life where he had been in a similar role, 00:01:54.880 --> 00:01:59.800 and he mentioned a survey that had been issued to the congregation, 00:02:00.520 --> 00:02:01.900 basically asking them, 00:02:02.240 --> 00:02:03.780 what are things that you care about? 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:05.580 What do you want to see in your next pastor? 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:09.500 And I got to thinking about that, 00:02:09.540 --> 00:02:11.360 and I thought, you know, that's an interesting question. 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:17.080 I wonder how most Christians, the average Christian, would respond to such a survey. 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:18.460 And so I want you to think about that. 00:02:18.600 --> 00:02:19.560 Don't answer this out loud. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:20.960 Just ponder it in your head. 00:02:21.460 --> 00:02:24.100 I don't need my feelings getting hurt right here at the beginning of the sermon. 00:02:26.200 --> 00:02:30.920 If I asked you to list the qualities you most want in a pastor, 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:33.560 what would be on your list? 00:02:34.400 --> 00:02:35.720 What would headline the list? 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:37.780 Maybe three, four, five things. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:39.419 Like, these are the things that matter most, 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:41.400 the things I care about most in a pastor. 00:02:41.659 --> 00:02:44.560 Or maybe we're just thinking in discipling relationships within our church. 00:02:44.640 --> 00:02:50.240 Like, if there's going to be somebody that comes and is personally discipling me as a spiritual mentor in my life, 00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:52.020 these are the qualities that I want them to have. 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:57.139 This is how I want them to lead me and help me. 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:00.139 And there are so many ways we can answer that question, right? 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:03.979 There's an abundance of good answers that we might have. 00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:10.639 Most of us would likely begin at the qualifications for a pastor in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, 00:03:10.859 --> 00:03:14.139 and that would be exactly the right instinct to go. 00:03:14.239 --> 00:03:16.699 What is the Bible saying a pastor is supposed to be? 00:03:16.899 --> 00:03:24.199 What is the bare minimum that the scriptures say an elder qualifies a man to be an elder in a church? 00:03:24.399 --> 00:03:25.659 And that's the right instinct. 00:03:25.780 --> 00:03:28.599 That's where we would go, and maybe we would start to fashion our list that way. 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:32.639 Other of us may think in more practical terms. 00:03:32.799 --> 00:03:35.979 We may think about things like education. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:43.199 You know, have they actually been trained theologically so that they're properly prepared to teach us the Bible? 00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:44.599 We might think about experience. 00:03:45.359 --> 00:03:47.879 Like, what kind of experience do they have in pastoral ministry? 00:03:48.579 --> 00:03:51.199 Are they equipped to do this work? 00:03:51.620 --> 00:03:53.240 Do they have a leadership ability? 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:56.579 Do they have an administrative prowess? 00:03:56.580 --> 00:03:56.660 Yes. 00:03:57.620 --> 00:04:03.820 And so long as those things are ordered properly as secondary to the biblical qualifications, 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:05.939 those are actually really good things to consider. 00:04:06.040 --> 00:04:07.780 We want to have those things on our list, don't we? 00:04:08.380 --> 00:04:15.340 Then, of course, we get to personality dynamics, which for sure are tertiary issues. 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:17.699 But they're still going to show up on some of our list. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:20.660 Probably we want somebody who has a certain kind of charisma, 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:23.699 or that might would be on some of your list. 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:32.259 Most of what we would put on our list will rightly portray strength and aptitude. 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:39.779 We might even come to a letter like 1 Thessalonians and look at how Paul describes himself here and think, 00:04:39.779 --> 00:04:47.779 I want whoever is discipling me to be bold, not afraid to speak the truth, even when it's unpopular to do it, 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:52.019 even when it's unpopular for me, to me for them to do it. 00:04:52.039 --> 00:04:54.539 I want somebody who's going to be bold anyway, who's going to give me the truth. 00:04:54.959 --> 00:05:01.559 And oh, what a almost rare blessing that is to have sometimes in spiritual leadership these days. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:05.839 The point of this exercise, the reason I want you to think about this for this moment, 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:10.060 isn't really to think about what would be on your list, 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:15.259 but it's after kind of compiling that list, stepping back and observing it and thinking, 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:18.980 what might be missing from your list? 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:24.259 I wonder how many of us would have a description that actually matches Paul's here. 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:25.579 Look again at verse 7. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:33.019 Now be real honest. 00:05:34.039 --> 00:05:38.219 How many of you in your mind, your mental mind, just a moment ago when I was asking that question, 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:43.219 how many of you raised your hand if you had maternal affection as one of the qualities on your list? 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:45.539 Probably none of us, right? 00:05:47.799 --> 00:05:53.240 No one probably thought a minute ago, you know, when I think of someone I want discipling me and pastoring my church, 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:56.740 my first thought is that they look like a mom nursing her baby. 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:01.680 And yet that's what Paul describes his ministry as, isn't it? 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:03.280 It's quite amazing. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:08.720 What he describes here, it seems to us more like weakness than strength. 00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:20.579 These qualities even almost seem contradictory to some of the other things that have been displayed in his demonstration of ministry in the letter. 00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:22.180 Things like the boldness and the courage. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:29.419 And as we continue on in chapter 2 in a couple of weeks, we're seeing exhortation and discipline and all of these things. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:32.120 We think this almost seems backward. 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:34.399 Almost seems like it doesn't fit. 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:44.479 But I think not only are the qualities in verses 7 and 8 consistent with a right understanding of the other traits, 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:55.460 I want to suggest actually that what's listed for us in verses 7 and 8 are the virtues that get to the very heart of what faithful gospel ministry is. 00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:04.759 Each of them is modeled perfectly and instructed explicitly by the Lord Jesus. 00:07:05.819 --> 00:07:08.220 And I don't want them to be missing in my ministry. 00:07:08.220 --> 00:07:20.780 I don't want them to be missing in our ministry to one another as a congregation that endeavors to disciple one another to be faithful to Jesus Christ. 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:24.800 There's three of them here that I want to bring to your attention. 00:07:26.020 --> 00:07:31.300 First, I want you to see gospel ministry should be gentle. 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:35.580 Gospel ministry should be gentle. 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:38.039 Again, verse 7, we were gentle among you. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:43.620 Like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:53.680 Of course, gentleness in this verse, it's contrasting with the negative features of unfaithful ministry that are listed in verses 5 and 6. 00:07:53.779 --> 00:07:54.919 Particularly the last one. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:56.199 Let's just read them together. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:57.339 Look at verse 5. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:07:58.479 Paul says, 00:07:58.479 --> 00:08:05.399 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed. 00:08:06.099 --> 00:08:07.060 God is witness. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:13.060 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others. 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:18.060 Though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:23.019 That's the context with which he is now using this transitional word in verse 7. 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:25.039 But that's referring back to something else. 00:08:25.219 --> 00:08:27.000 It's a negative and positive, right? 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:30.000 The negative is, this is how we did not come to you. 00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:37.279 The positive is, but we were gentle among you, like a mother nursing her own children. 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:41.320 Now, when we get to that last phrase in verse 6, Paul says, 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:43.560 We could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 00:08:44.020 --> 00:08:53.660 But he's not saying that he had the right to kind of throw around his apostolic weight and just simply chose not to do that. 00:08:53.900 --> 00:08:55.080 That's not what he means. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:09:00.300 He doesn't mean that it would have been permissible for him to minister in that way, 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:04.639 and he just felt like being a nicer guy at the time that he was in Thessalonica. 00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:06.059 That's not what he means. 00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:16.819 He meant that his unique authority as an apostle of Christ made it possible for him to justify spiritual abuse 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:19.799 and lord over people in a demanding way. 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:21.779 But that's not the way that he did it. 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:26.959 He's essentially saying, look, I could have come in and I could have said, look, Christ called me to this. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:30.179 He personally commissioned me to do this. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:32.779 Now, you listen to what I say and you do what I tell you to do. 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:35.079 He says, I didn't come in like that. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:37.100 I didn't minister to you like that. 00:09:37.299 --> 00:09:42.120 Instead, he was marked by the gentleness of a nursing mom. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:49.860 Now, I've watched my wife live this out, this illustration, with our three girls. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:53.379 Charlie's seven months. 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:55.180 She's about to be eight months old now. 00:09:56.680 --> 00:09:58.200 And there's still nights when she gets up. 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:00.639 Last night, it wasn't too bad. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.580 It was about five o'clock and it was about time to get up anyways. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:04.720 And so it worked out. 00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:08.399 But there's still nights where she just decides, you know, two o'clock in the morning, 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:10.300 I think I'm just going to start screaming my head off. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:11.539 And she does that. 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:14.460 And, you know, to this point, after eight months, 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:19.100 I've never one time rolled over and looked at Julie and heard her say, 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:22.220 you know what, this time, Jared, I'm going to teach this little brat a lesson. 00:10:24.560 --> 00:10:25.920 She hasn't done it yet. 00:10:27.180 --> 00:10:27.700 Why? 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:30.320 Because she's gentle with her. 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:35.680 I've watched her countless times, actually, approach our girls, 00:10:35.779 --> 00:10:40.040 even in moments of correction, when she needs to discipline them 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:44.060 and she needs to correct them and she needs to steer them in a different way 00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:46.220 based on the decisions that they've made. 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:48.160 I've watched her countless occasions do that, 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:53.160 clothed in the kind of gentleness that seeks to nurture them, 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:56.160 not to beat them down. 00:10:58.440 --> 00:11:02.120 And that's how Paul describes his demeanor toward the Thessalonian Christians. 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:06.960 And it should describe the demeanor that we have toward one another 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:10.899 and toward the lost world around us. 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:15.980 Jesus is the perfect example of it. 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:19.679 In fact, Jesus even describes himself this way in Matthew 11. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:22.860 Remember, when he invited people to come to him, what he said, 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:23.139 he said, 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:26.319 take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:31.699 for I am gentle and lowly in heart. 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:33.500 Meekness. 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:35.620 And he says, 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:36.419 if you will do that, 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:39.919 what you'll find from me is rest for your soul. 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:41.100 Rest for your soul. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:43.980 Now, you can't come to Jesus 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:47.879 without acknowledging the correction 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:51.159 and the discipline of Jesus for your sin. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:53.980 And yet, the thing that he says is that he's gentle 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:55.019 and that when you come, 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:57.039 even despite the correction and the discipline 00:11:57.039 --> 00:11:58.639 and the acknowledgement of our sin 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:59.919 and the reality of judgment, 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:01.600 what you find is rest. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:03.019 Why? 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:05.899 Because he's gentle and lowly. 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:06.580 It's who he is. 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:11.940 Gentleness is a virtue that God supplies 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:13.220 as we walk in the Spirit. 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:15.480 We get that from Galatians chapter 5 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.840 and that famous passage about the fruits of the Spirit. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.200 We're told very explicitly, 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.519 the fruit of the Spirit, 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:22.680 the things that God does in us 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:24.920 through the sanctifying work in his Spirit. 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:26.800 These are the things that he supplies to us. 00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:30.139 And one of them right in the middle is gentleness. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:33.879 So then we would understand that text to mean 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:38.300 that as we are faithfully walking in step with the Spirit, 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:41.399 what will be the natural byproduct of that 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:43.399 because of his gracious work in us 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:47.500 is a demeanor of gentleness toward other people. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:54.700 Gentleness is required of those who serve as elders in the church. 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:58.340 We can go to different places for this. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:13:02.840 I want to look at 2 Timothy chapter 2 verses 24 through 26. 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:04.320 It's on the screen. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.700 You can turn there if you'd like. 00:13:06.020 --> 00:13:08.180 This is not the qualifications for a pastor. 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:10.560 That's 1 Timothy chapter 3. 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:12.520 In 2 Timothy chapter 2, 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:16.420 Paul is instructing Timothy on how to deal with false teachers 00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:18.580 in the church, false doctrine in the church. 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:20.600 And listen to what he says. 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:21.220 He says, 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:25.920 The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:28.399 but kind. 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:32.379 Kind to everyone. 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.480 Able to teach. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:37.019 Patiently enduring evil. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.680 That's perseverance. 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.100 And then notice this. 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:43.220 Correcting his opponents with gentleness. 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:46.639 And here's what Paul says will happen, 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:49.399 what might happen by God's grace, 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:52.560 when the elders of the church serve the church, 00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:54.180 even in correction with gentleness. 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:55.019 He says, 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:58.460 God may perhaps grant them repentance, 00:13:59.320 --> 00:14:02.240 leading to a knowledge of the truth, 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:04.279 and they may come to their senses 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:05.860 and escape the snare of the devil 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:07.820 after being captured by him to do his will. 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:12.340 Not only is it a qualification for elders, 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:16.940 but it's actually necessary for effective gospel ministry. 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:19.259 You've heard people say, 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:20.680 it's not always what you say, 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.580 it's how you say it. 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.160 Well, sometimes it's what you say 00:14:23.160 --> 00:14:24.160 when it comes to the gospel. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:26.060 Sometimes we don't even really get a chance 00:14:26.060 --> 00:14:27.100 for people to hear us 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:29.540 because they can't get past the way that we're saying it. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.680 And Paul says, 00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:35.340 No, the Lord's servant shouldn't be that way. 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.980 Correct with gentleness. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:41.560 Gentleness is an essential characteristic of a congregation. 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.980 That is unified in the gospel 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:46.399 and pursuing the work of Christ 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.340 through mutual discipling. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:50.540 We studied this a few months ago 00:14:50.540 --> 00:14:51.700 in Ephesians chapter four, 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:52.600 the first three verses. 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:53.720 Paul says, 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:56.500 I therefore urge you to walk in a manner 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:59.180 worthy of the calling to which you have been called. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:00.740 And if you remember back to that study, 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.080 what is that calling? 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:05.040 It is the calling of Christ in the gospel 00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:08.660 that's related to our adoption into God's family. 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:11.740 So basically the name to which we have been called 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:14.000 to serve and to take on 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.600 that has been given to us by God 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:17.080 is God's name, 00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:18.639 that we belong to him. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.340 And Paul says, 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.660 I want you to walk in a manner 00:15:20.660 --> 00:15:22.600 that is worthy of that calling. 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:24.379 And how does he say we are to do that? 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:28.420 With all humility and gentleness. 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:32.839 This is the context of our relationship to one another. 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:36.500 That as we are serving together, 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:38.139 as we are doing life together 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:41.099 in the context of a covenant in this local church, 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:44.019 that the disposition with which we have toward one another 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.879 in those discipling relationships 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:50.099 is characterized by gentleness and humility, 00:15:51.459 --> 00:15:53.120 bearing with one another in love, 00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:55.879 patience, eager to maintain the unity 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:58.080 of the spirit in the bond of peace. 00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:00.340 Gentleness is essential to that. 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:03.799 Now some clarifications are necessary, aren't they? 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:05.740 To be gentle doesn't mean 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:08.279 that you avoid telling people the truth 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.240 about sin and judgment. 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:13.019 That's not what gentleness means. 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:18.059 Gentleness doesn't forsake correction and discipline. 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.919 We just quoted several verses 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:23.820 where gentleness was paired with correction and discipline. 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:28.060 Gentleness doesn't neglect confrontation. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:32.660 However, gentleness is the spirit-enabled, 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:37.780 Christ-mimicking, God-glorifying virtue 00:16:37.780 --> 00:16:41.080 with which all of our discipling efforts 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:42.220 are to be carried out. 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:44.540 Whether that be in making disciples 00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:46.080 through personal evangelism 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:47.960 or helping other Christians 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:49.260 who have already come to Christ 00:16:49.260 --> 00:16:51.340 grow more faithful to Christ, 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:57.019 our efforts are to be clothed with gentleness. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:17:01.500 Our demeanor, even in the most solemn moments of ministry, 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:04.860 should be like a nursing mother 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:07.880 tending to her child. 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:09.840 Galatians 6. 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:14.600 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.960 this is church discipline here. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:19.039 You who are spiritual 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:23.039 should restore him in a spirit of gentleness, 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.620 meekness. 00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:25.980 Now, I want you to think about that. 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.960 What's the instruction? 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.420 Church discipline. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.220 What is church discipline? 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:37.120 Well, when it's carried out to the fullest extent, 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:39.180 it includes a congregation 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:40.180 coming around someone 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:42.759 who is refusing to repent of sin 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:44.879 and is dishonoring the name of Christ 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:47.180 and showing that they may not even be a true Christian. 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.759 And the congregation is saying, 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:51.359 we must exercise discipline here 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:53.500 as far as your membership is concerned in our church. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:56.879 And yet, Paul says here in Galatians 6 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:59.440 that even when it comes to that, 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:02.440 that a spirit of gentleness 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:05.140 should pervade that process. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:07.099 That the goal there 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:09.220 is not to hopefully rid ourselves 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:11.000 of a pain in the neck, 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.720 but the goal is to restore them 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.160 to faithfulness to Christ, 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.600 and that is to be done 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:16.839 through gentleness. 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.059 Now, 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:21.440 why don't we prize gentleness 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.839 the way that God does? 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.680 Why is it that 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.600 harshness 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:31.900 can sometimes be the thing 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:33.200 that brings us 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.339 delight? 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:36.980 Why is it that 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:39.799 when we're thinking about that person 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.459 that really just grades on our nerves 00:18:41.459 --> 00:18:41.799 and 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:44.679 we never fantasize about 00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:46.099 having an opportunity 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:46.799 when they 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.879 sin against us 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:49.480 or do something really annoying against us. 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.639 We never fantasize about 00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:51.859 how we can show them love 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.399 in that moment, 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:52.759 do we? 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:53.759 What do we do? 00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:54.879 We drive down the road 00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:56.459 and this person pops in our mind 00:18:56.459 --> 00:18:56.859 and we think, 00:18:56.939 --> 00:18:57.159 you know, 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.339 I would just love one day 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.399 for them to say this to me 00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.659 because I'd love to say this back 00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:01.059 in response. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.199 Harshness. 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:04.400 Why do we do that? 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:08.620 Why do we value that 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:11.420 over the gentleness 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.620 that God prizes 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.340 in the scriptures? 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:15.460 And there's only one answer for that. 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:17.539 It's indwelling sin. 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:25.140 God calls us to gentleness. 00:19:26.080 --> 00:19:27.580 Not only should we expect 00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:28.860 that of those who are in leadership, 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.880 but we should seek 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.519 to pursue it personally 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.500 in the way that we interact 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.099 with one another 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.579 and the way that we interact 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:36.339 with the world around us. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.019 Gospel ministry 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.900 should be gentle. 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.559 Number two, 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.700 gospel ministry 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.940 should be 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:42.859 affectionate. 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.019 Affectionate. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.180 Look again at verse eight, 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:48.460 just the first phrase 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.379 and then the last phrase. 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:51.660 So being affectionately 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:53.420 desirous of you 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.879 and then look at the last phrase, 00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:56.440 because you had become 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:59.019 very dear to us. 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:01.440 affection, 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.599 love, 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:04.940 care. 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:07.139 What is it that drives 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.180 a mother to care 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.079 for her child? 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.460 Love. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.400 What drove Paul 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.400 to faithfully minister 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.500 to the Thessalonians? 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.160 Love. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:21.500 Your gospel ministry 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.220 to the world 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.440 and your gospel ministry 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.279 to one another 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.460 in discipleship 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:27.180 will be carried out 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.660 in direct proportion 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:30.779 to your love 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.980 for others. 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:36.039 I've heard Alistair Begg 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.299 say so many times 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:38.720 to his church in Cleveland 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.200 and listening to his preaching, 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.600 he'll say something 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.279 to this effect, 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:42.860 however, 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:45.220 I do or do not meet 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.440 the many expectations 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.340 that you may have 00:20:47.340 --> 00:20:48.460 for me as a pastor. 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:50.380 You'll know 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.340 that I've stopped 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:52.059 loving you 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:53.200 the way that I should 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.340 when I cease 00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.420 to preach to you 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.920 the gospel of Jesus. 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.400 And I think there's 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.500 something significantly 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:02.299 true about that statement. 00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:04.039 We minister the gospel 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.860 to those we love best. 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:06.779 Why? 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:08.299 Because we recognize 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.500 that the relationship 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.160 with Christ 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.660 is the supreme need 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.400 of their life. 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.759 That greater than anything 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:16.200 else that they need, 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.740 greater than any other longing 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.559 that they have. 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.539 What they need is Jesus. 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.380 What they need is 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:23.140 reconciliation with God 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:24.539 through the cross of Christ. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:27.440 And those whom we love most 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.400 are those whom we're 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.400 most willing 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:31.880 to care for in that way. 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:34.960 Why did Paul preach 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.740 this gospel there? 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.599 Why did he do it 00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:37.900 in the midst of so much conflict? 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.700 He says here, 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.960 because we love you. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.720 But from where 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.799 does this kind of 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:48.579 affection arise? 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:49.279 You see, 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.360 this is the hard question, 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:50.759 isn't it? 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.920 Because it's not like 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:53.180 we can just flip a switch 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:53.839 in our hearts 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.420 and suddenly 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.680 we just like people. 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.640 It doesn't work that way. 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.620 We should work that way. 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.940 It doesn't work that way, 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.380 does it? 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.339 Some of you might actually 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.700 really be struggling 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:07.160 with this particular thing. 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:09.079 You find it difficult 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:11.200 to feel affection 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.839 for the people 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.440 that God has put 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:12.960 in your life. 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.460 Maybe in relationship 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.160 to your family. 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.480 Maybe you just have 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.039 family members 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:17.720 who just like you, 00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:18.720 you just struggle 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.620 with them so much 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.360 and especially 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:21.279 when it comes to 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.360 talking about Jesus 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.519 and talking about the gospel 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.539 and things like that 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.039 and it's just, 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.100 it's becoming more 00:22:26.100 --> 00:22:26.640 and more difficult 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.420 for you to feel 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.440 any kind of affection 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:28.900 for them. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.279 Maybe it's for coworkers 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.440 or for other relationships 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:32.880 that you have. 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.039 Let's be honest, 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.759 there's probably 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.559 some people here 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.240 or people that are 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.039 connected to our church 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.640 at some point 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:39.440 that your struggle 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.920 in discipling 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.900 in this congregation 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:43.220 is a struggle 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.039 of affection 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.660 for people 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:46.840 that you feel like 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:47.840 are difficult 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.880 for you to even 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.680 get along with. 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:53.420 So how can we do this? 00:22:53.560 --> 00:22:54.620 Like how can we just 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.960 love people 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:57.500 like Paul loves people? 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:58.860 Well if you were 00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.680 at Laurel last night 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.800 I touched on this 00:23:00.800 --> 00:23:01.600 to some extent. 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.140 Paul's love 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:04.200 for the Thessalonians 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.460 wasn't based 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.360 on who they were. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:09.039 It wasn't based 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:10.379 on their ethnicity. 00:23:10.719 --> 00:23:11.399 It wasn't based 00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:11.899 on gender. 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.919 It wasn't based 00:23:12.919 --> 00:23:13.479 on what they could 00:23:13.479 --> 00:23:14.039 do for him. 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.959 It wasn't based 00:23:14.959 --> 00:23:15.619 on personality. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.779 It wasn't based 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:18.319 on anything about them. 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.699 It was based 00:23:20.699 --> 00:23:22.639 on Christ's love. 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:25.079 And we get that 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.459 from 2 Corinthians 00:23:26.459 --> 00:23:27.179 chapter 5 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:27.919 when Paul says 00:23:27.919 --> 00:23:29.579 the love of Christ 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:31.139 controls us. 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:33.119 The older translations 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.500 say constrains us. 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:36.079 It grips me. 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.539 Paul says 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.819 as I think about Christ 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:40.240 as I think about the cross 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:42.079 as I think about his love 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:44.319 it compels me. 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:46.599 It grips my life 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:47.619 so that everything 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.639 that I now do 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.559 it seems to be 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.399 an overflow 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.459 of what I've seen 00:23:51.459 --> 00:23:52.159 to be true 00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:53.459 in the Lord Jesus. 00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:56.519 It was the love 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.039 of Christ 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.619 on the cross 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.799 that compelled him 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.919 to love others. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.199 Indeed the more 00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:02.859 we gaze at Christ 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.979 and his cross 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:06.099 the more we 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:07.360 will be compelled 00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:09.160 by his love 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:10.779 to display 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:12.140 his love 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.559 to other people. 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:14.980 And by the way 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.740 this is exactly 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.940 what he taught us. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.519 John chapter 13 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.960 you know the passage well. 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.460 Speaking to his disciples 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.220 Jesus says 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.039 a new commandment 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.819 I give to you 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.019 that you love 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.599 one another 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:30.200 just as I have loved you. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.460 He is the example. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:31.819 In other words 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.059 he is saying 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:33.279 if you are trying 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.640 to figure out 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.840 Simon the zealot 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.960 who is one of the disciples 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:39.220 with Matthew the tax collector 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.960 who were mortal enemies 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:43.640 if you guys are trying 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.140 to figure out 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:45.059 how to love one another 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:46.000 just stop looking 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.559 at each other 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.019 for a minute 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.299 and just look at me. 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.079 He says 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.620 the way that I 00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.620 have loved you 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:53.559 that is how you need 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:55.019 to love one another. 00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:55.819 And then he makes 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.500 this really 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:58.019 really bold statement 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.900 Jesus says 00:24:58.900 --> 00:25:00.360 this is the way 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.340 that the world 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:02.100 will know 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:03.240 that you are 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.120 my disciples. 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.100 This is the way 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:05.740 that they will know 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.000 that you belong to me 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:09.200 is when you love 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.780 one another. 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:13.820 That's amazing 00:25:13.820 --> 00:25:14.300 isn't it? 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.980 Jesus says 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.460 your love 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.340 isn't to be based 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:19.460 on what you think 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.100 about each other 00:25:20.100 --> 00:25:21.080 your love is to be based 00:25:21.080 --> 00:25:21.620 on what you think 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.320 about me 00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:23.519 and what I think 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:25.360 about you. 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:27.680 Loved ones. 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:30.440 I implore you 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:33.940 be so immersed 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:35.720 in Christ's love 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.640 and in the gospel 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:38.500 that you cannot help 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.980 but look at one another 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.600 and say 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:42.920 you are so very dear 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.500 to me 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:45.360 I love you. 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.380 Gospel ministry 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.360 should be affectionate. 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:53.920 Thirdly 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.660 gospel ministry 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:58.360 should be self-sacrificing. 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.359 self-sacrificing. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:02.299 Self-sacrificing. 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:02.839 Look again 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.339 at the middle portion 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.179 of verse 8. 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.359 We were ready 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:08.519 to share with you 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:10.500 not only the gospel 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.139 of God 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:12.979 but also 00:26:12.979 --> 00:26:14.000 our own 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.359 selves. 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:17.159 Our own selves. 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.000 John Piper 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.619 called this 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.559 mutual 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:23.500 soul sharing. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.919 Mutual soul sharing. 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:27.120 And it is the 00:26:27.120 --> 00:26:27.779 essence 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.600 of congregational 00:26:29.600 --> 00:26:30.240 life 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.680 as it's described 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.560 in the New Testament. 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.360 All those 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.440 one another commands 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.900 that we 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:36.340 see in the Bible. 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.320 There is a 00:26:38.320 --> 00:26:38.920 depth 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:39.500 of 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.700 relational 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.320 commitment 00:26:41.320 --> 00:26:42.279 that is implicit 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.039 in the scriptures 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.279 and explicit 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.539 in the scriptures. 00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:47.900 It has to do 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.680 with the teaching 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.539 about the church 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:49.880 that 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:51.200 few people 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.259 seem ready 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.980 to acknowledge 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.560 or pursue. 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.500 I read this 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.339 great statement 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:55.679 recently. 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.059 I think it was 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.740 Matt Smathers 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.460 that said it 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:59.799 that the church 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:01.000 is where 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:02.139 quote 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:02.980 it's none of 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.700 your business 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:05.259 goes to die. 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.679 There is this 00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:09.619 relational 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.279 commitment 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.339 that is implicit 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.279 and explicit 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.919 in the scriptures 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:13.659 teaching about 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:14.200 the nature 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.179 of the church 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:16.879 that involves 00:27:16.879 --> 00:27:18.059 this intentional 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:20.259 affectionate 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.960 gentle 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.960 self 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.539 sacrificing 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.799 relational 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.460 commitment 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:29.000 to the people 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.000 that you have 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.160 chosen to covenant 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.779 with 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.859 as a local 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.379 church. 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.019 But it is 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.579 this self 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.319 sacrificing 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.920 commitment 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:42.799 like that 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.420 of a nursing 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:43.879 mother 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:46.480 Paul underscores 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.660 as the 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.460 central 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.180 to his gospel 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.879 ministry here. 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:53.680 Now it's 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.339 important to 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.140 note that 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.140 Paul wasn't 00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:57.019 adding something 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:58.019 to suggest 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.500 that gospel 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.160 proclamation 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:01.619 is in and of 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.000 itself 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.799 insufficient. 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.319 That's not 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:04.579 what he's 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:04.879 saying. 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.559 He's not 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.039 saying that 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.680 on one hand 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.140 we have this 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.619 piece of our 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.140 ministry that 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.759 involves gospel 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.220 proclamation 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:10.059 and then on 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.680 the other hand 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.319 we have this 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.079 kind of relational 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.539 thing where we 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.960 just like to 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.619 really love on 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.339 people and 00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:14.819 we're hoping 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.680 that between 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.140 those two 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.599 things God 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.220 might use it. 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:17.819 No it's 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.359 the gospel 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.039 is the power 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.400 of God 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.140 unto salvation 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.540 for all 00:28:20.540 --> 00:28:20.940 who believe. 00:28:21.100 --> 00:28:21.480 We know 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.759 that. 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.480 Paul believed 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:23.840 that. 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.740 What he means 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.300 here is he's 00:28:26.300 --> 00:28:26.680 saying that 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.460 the way 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.120 that we 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:28.840 shared the 00:28:28.840 --> 00:28:29.400 gospel of 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:29.840 God with 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:31.259 you was 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.380 this way. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.080 He's 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:34.960 emphasizing that 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.500 his ministry 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:35.880 to them 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.860 wasn't cold 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:37.920 or distant. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.040 It was 00:28:39.040 --> 00:28:39.640 actually up 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.220 close. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:40.980 It was 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.680 warm. 00:28:42.280 --> 00:28:42.560 It was 00:28:42.560 --> 00:28:43.920 self-sacrificing 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:45.140 soul care. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:45.820 In other 00:28:45.820 --> 00:28:47.820 words self-sacrifice 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.759 is the 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.700 manner with 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.579 which he 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.339 shared the 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.000 gospel with 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.179 them. 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.519 That's the 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.079 way he 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.539 shared the 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:54.879 gospel. 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.859 By giving 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.259 of his 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.339 own self 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.779 to these 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.419 people in 00:28:59.419 --> 00:29:00.159 Thessalonica. 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.220 And we 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.799 see it all 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.439 through what 00:29:03.439 --> 00:29:03.899 we've studied 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.439 so far in 00:29:04.439 --> 00:29:04.799 the letter. 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:05.779 He sacrificed 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.599 his time 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.359 and his 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.099 privacy 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:10.000 living and 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.559 ministering 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.819 quote among 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.139 them. 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.500 We see it in 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.059 chapter 1 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.659 and verse 5. 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.360 Our gospel 00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:15.880 came to you 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.360 not only in 00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:16.920 word but in 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.500 the power of 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:17.920 the spirit 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.360 with full 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:18.740 conviction. 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.800 You know 00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:20.380 what kind 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:20.980 of men we 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.500 proved to 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.980 be among 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.920 you for 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.420 your sake. 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:24.759 In other 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.420 words we 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.000 lived and 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.279 ministered. 00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:26.540 We were 00:29:26.540 --> 00:29:27.259 with you. 00:29:27.560 --> 00:29:27.800 We were 00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:28.160 with you. 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.560 And we 00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:28.940 were with 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.220 you in 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.580 such a 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:30.140 way that 00:29:30.140 --> 00:29:30.460 you could 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.500 truly observe 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.220 our lives 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.720 and you 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.360 know us. 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:34.440 You know 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.880 about the 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:36.340 nature of 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:36.840 our ministry. 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:37.440 And then he 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.759 says that 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.400 again here 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.440 in verse 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.560 7. 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:40.940 We were 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:42.400 gentle among 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:43.300 you in the 00:29:43.300 --> 00:29:44.400 midst of you. 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.620 sacrificing his 00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:45.960 time. 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.759 Sacrificing his 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:49.320 privacy in 00:29:49.320 --> 00:29:50.140 order that he 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:51.019 might share the 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.620 gospel with 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:51.840 them and 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.740 encourage them 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.600 in the truth 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.080 of the gospel 00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:54.759 even after they 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.120 came to 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.420 faith. 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.519 He sacrificed 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.120 his energy. 00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:00.420 If you follow 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.060 along in 00:30:01.060 --> 00:30:02.960 verse 9 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:04.460 you'll see 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.080 that he 00:30:05.080 --> 00:30:06.060 reminds them 00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:06.400 that he 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.240 worked night 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.880 and day 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:08.840 as a tent 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.360 maker to 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:11.180 finance his 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:12.280 ministry so 00:30:12.280 --> 00:30:13.040 as not to be 00:30:13.040 --> 00:30:13.840 a burden to 00:30:13.840 --> 00:30:14.280 the people 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:14.839 or cast 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.899 doubt on 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.700 the genuineness 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:16.980 of his 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.399 ministry. 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.779 Sacrificed 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.059 time. 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:20.740 Sacrificed 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.139 privacy. 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:21.559 He 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:21.940 sacrificed 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.619 energy. 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.279 He didn't 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.759 just give 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.099 them a 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:25.420 sermon. 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:26.740 He gave 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.180 them all 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.859 of himself 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:29.359 in order 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:29.720 that he 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.299 might build 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.680 them up 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.279 in Christ. 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.119 As we 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.599 study the 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:34.940 rest of 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.200 the New 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.480 Testament 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.119 we find 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:36.940 that the 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.920 Thessalonians 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:40.879 imitated 00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:41.139 him. 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:43.620 we see 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.280 that because 00:30:44.280 --> 00:30:44.680 of the way 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:44.960 that they 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.320 lived out 00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:45.759 their own 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.280 Christian 00:30:46.280 --> 00:30:46.600 faith. 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.220 In 2 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.620 Corinthians 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.240 chapter 8 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.120 Paul reflects 00:30:49.120 --> 00:30:49.420 on the 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:49.920 Macedonian 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.360 churches 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.180 and their 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.740 generosity. 00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:52.840 He says 00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:53.140 for they 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:53.880 gave according 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:54.259 to their 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.780 means and 00:30:54.780 --> 00:30:55.620 as I can 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.360 testify and 00:30:56.360 --> 00:30:56.860 beyond their 00:30:56.860 --> 00:30:57.840 means of 00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.160 their own 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:58.460 accord. 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.180 They were 00:30:59.180 --> 00:31:00.200 begging us 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.580 earnestly for 00:31:01.580 --> 00:31:03.100 the favor of 00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:04.080 taking part in 00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:04.740 the relief of 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.340 the saints. 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:06.580 And this 00:31:06.580 --> 00:31:07.160 not as we 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:08.460 expected but 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.200 they gave 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:09.660 themselves 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.240 first to 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.759 the Lord 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:12.299 and then 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.779 by the 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.220 will of 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:13.779 God they 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.360 gave of 00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.740 themselves 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:16.779 to us. 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.160 Do you 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.460 see? 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.960 Paul comes 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.620 in mimicking 00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:23.079 Jesus and 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:23.640 he gives all 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.319 of himself to 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:24.759 these people 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.579 in Thessalonica 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.960 and that 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:28.079 catches fire in 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.720 Thessalonica 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.220 through the 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:29.680 power of the 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.420 gospel so 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.779 that the 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.519 Thessalonicans 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.019 then turn 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.460 around these 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.220 Christians and 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.059 they begin to 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.799 give of 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:36.420 themselves to 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:36.980 people who are 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.500 in ministry 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.259 giving of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:40.200 themselves to 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.680 those who are 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.380 struggling in 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:43.339 other places in 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.119 their generosity. 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:47.000 This isn't only 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.779 to be true of 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.519 elders in the 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:48.960 church. 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.299 This must be 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.980 true of all 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.519 of us. 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.119 This giving of 00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.000 ourselves to 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.420 one another. 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:57.720 This is the 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:59.420 essence of 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.400 congregational 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:02.519 life in the 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:02.819 Bible. 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:05.220 We all expect 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.380 people to be 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:06.980 willing to 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.480 sacrifice. 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.259 to meet our 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.059 needs to some 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.539 extent. 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.799 How many of 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.339 us are willing 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:13.440 to sacrifice for 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:13.920 the spiritual 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.500 benefit of 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:14.920 others? 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.680 Now I know 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.220 you well enough 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.799 to know that 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:20.119 many of you 00:32:20.119 --> 00:32:21.059 are very 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.380 willing. 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.440 You're prepared. 00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:23.420 You want to 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:23.759 do this. 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:25.299 This is not a 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.140 correction this 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:26.440 morning. 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.859 It's just an 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:28.480 edification. 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.180 But it's worth 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:33.339 the analysis, 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:33.799 isn't it? 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.819 Are you willing 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.539 to sacrifice 00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:37.259 some time to 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:37.879 help someone 00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:38.740 else know and 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.439 follow Jesus? 00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:40.480 Whether that's 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.460 in an evangelistic 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:41.919 way, 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.639 intentionally 00:32:43.639 --> 00:32:44.700 developing a 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.559 relationship with 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.240 an unbeliever, 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.819 in order that you 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.799 might be able to 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.439 more faithfully 00:32:48.439 --> 00:32:49.099 share the gospel 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:49.579 with them, 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.240 see them come to 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:50.700 Christ? 00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:52.839 Are you willing 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:54.259 to sacrifice some 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.099 time just to 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:56.599 kind of put your 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:57.359 arm around that 00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:58.700 other lady in our 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.720 church that may be 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.119 a struggler, 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:00.899 maybe seems to be 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.640 drifting and just 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:03.240 say, hey, can we 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:03.860 just spend some 00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:04.560 time together? 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.400 Love on them, 00:33:07.820 --> 00:33:08.560 encourage them, 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.800 maybe correct them 00:33:09.800 --> 00:33:10.620 with gentleness if 00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.040 that's what's 00:33:11.040 --> 00:33:11.540 necessary. 00:33:13.840 --> 00:33:14.720 What about this? 00:33:15.080 --> 00:33:15.960 Are you willing to 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:17.440 sacrifice your pride 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:19.759 when you're the one 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.380 that that other 00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:21.280 person in the church 00:33:21.280 --> 00:33:21.900 is coming and 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.320 kind of putting 00:33:22.320 --> 00:33:22.880 their arm around 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:23.519 and saying, hey, 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:23.940 why don't we go 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.519 to coffee this 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:24.759 week? 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:26.780 Are you willing to 00:33:26.780 --> 00:33:27.720 sacrifice your time 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:29.019 for correction when 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.560 you're the one that 00:33:29.560 --> 00:33:30.640 needs to receive it? 00:33:31.080 --> 00:33:32.180 It's part of this. 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:33.340 It's this vulnerability. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:35.120 It's this affection. 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:37.240 It's this self-sacrifice 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:38.519 for the good of others 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.800 and for the glory of 00:33:39.800 --> 00:33:40.800 Christ in our lives. 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.480 Are you willing to 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.519 lay aside things that 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:45.340 you care about if it 00:33:45.340 --> 00:33:46.640 means being faithful 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.700 to worship on Sunday? 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.480 I mean, of course you 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:48.600 are. 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:48.980 Look at you. 00:33:49.060 --> 00:33:49.300 You're here. 00:33:50.620 --> 00:33:51.519 Are you willing to 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.680 sacrifice things that 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:53.960 you care about in 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.740 order to share the 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.040 gospel? 00:33:55.420 --> 00:33:56.380 Are you willing to 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:57.580 sacrifice things that 00:33:57.580 --> 00:33:58.360 you really care about 00:33:58.360 --> 00:33:59.280 to fund a mission 00:33:59.280 --> 00:34:00.420 work or encourage a 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.060 struggling Christian? 00:34:01.800 --> 00:34:02.840 This is the kind of 00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:03.700 virtue that we should 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:05.740 pursue because it's 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.900 exactly the virtue that 00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:08.260 Jesus modeled for us. 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.539 It's this humility that 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.400 Shane mentioned in the 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.280 Sunday school class this 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.539 morning. 00:34:12.200 --> 00:34:13.460 Humility towards others. 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.420 Isn't that what we find 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.360 in Philippians 2? 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.960 Paul says, let each one 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:22.159 of you look not only on 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.159 his own interest. 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.760 Oh, it's so easy to do 00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:25.300 that, isn't it? 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.380 That's kind of our default 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:27.120 setting, right? 00:34:27.180 --> 00:34:27.940 We're just constantly, 00:34:28.580 --> 00:34:30.019 we've got like tunnel 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:30.300 vision. 00:34:30.600 --> 00:34:31.340 It's not always that we're 00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:32.080 trying to ignore other 00:34:32.080 --> 00:34:32.400 people. 00:34:32.620 --> 00:34:33.400 It's just we've got tunnel 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:33.680 vision. 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:34.440 Like this is all the 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:34.960 things that I've got 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.740 going on in my life. 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:36.760 These are all the needs 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.740 that I have, that I need 00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:38.180 to be met. 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.660 These are all the interests 00:34:39.660 --> 00:34:40.519 that I have in order for 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:42.360 my life to work and for 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:45.220 my growth to work out just 00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:45.980 the way that I want it 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.180 to. 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.720 And we start to, maybe 00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:49.280 even inadvertently, stop 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:51.060 to think, start, stop 00:34:51.060 --> 00:34:51.680 thinking about other 00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:52.240 people around us. 00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:53.619 And Paul says, let each 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.539 of you not only think 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.879 of his own interest, but 00:34:55.879 --> 00:34:56.500 on the interest of 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:56.799 others. 00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:58.739 Have this mind among 00:34:58.739 --> 00:34:59.679 yourselves, and here it 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:02.119 is, which was in Christ 00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:02.539 Jesus. 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.779 How did Jesus display 00:35:05.779 --> 00:35:06.219 this? 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:10.159 In his humiliation, in his 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:12.299 condescension, who though 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:13.699 being in the form of God 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:15.619 did not count equality with 00:35:15.619 --> 00:35:16.739 God a thing to be grasped. 00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:19.000 That is the benefits of 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:21.519 being with the Father in 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:23.059 heaven, the benefits of 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:24.880 being the second person of 00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:26.119 the divine Godhead. 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:27.800 They were not so much him 00:35:27.800 --> 00:35:29.219 that he was unwilling to 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:30.480 put those things aside in 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:32.360 order to condescend to us 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.860 and become a man in order 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:35.139 to save our souls. 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.480 That's what Paul says. 00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:38.360 He's in the form of God. 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:39.259 He didn't count equality 00:35:39.259 --> 00:35:40.179 with God a thing to be 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:41.940 grasped to hold on to at 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:43.119 all costs, but he emptied 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:45.500 himself by taking the form 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:47.699 of a servant, being born in 00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:49.840 the likeness of men, and 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:51.300 being found in human form. 00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:54.099 He humbled himself and 00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:56.199 became obedient to the 00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.440 point of death, even death 00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:58.579 on a cross. 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.940 This is the model that 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:02.019 Christ has given us. 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:06.300 Self-sacrifice for the 00:36:06.300 --> 00:36:06.920 good of others. 00:36:08.759 --> 00:36:10.019 Now these are not the only 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:11.719 ways to describe faithful 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:14.259 gospel ministry, but I do 00:36:14.259 --> 00:36:15.679 think it's true that we 00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:17.519 cannot call our ministry 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:21.440 faithful without these three 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:21.840 virtues. 00:36:23.039 --> 00:36:24.139 It's not the only thing. 00:36:24.840 --> 00:36:25.519 There's more. 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:27.619 But we can't take these 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.559 things away and then still 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.539 consider ourselves to be 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:31.940 faithful in the ministries 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:33.000 that God has given us. 00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:34.519 As we've seen, the key to 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:36.599 embracing and possessing 00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:38.139 them is to know and believe 00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:39.699 and meditate on the gospel 00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:40.199 of Jesus. 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.960 We talk about this all the 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.579 time that we preach the 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:45.159 gospel to ourselves every 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:45.460 day. 00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:48.079 We live in light of the 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:49.340 gospel in every moment. 00:36:51.260 --> 00:36:53.079 Because the more we gaze at 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:56.740 Jesus, the more the spirit 00:36:56.740 --> 00:36:58.800 works in us to fashion us 00:36:58.800 --> 00:37:00.119 into his likeness. 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:03.019 And if we are becoming like 00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:05.679 Jesus as his people, our 00:37:05.679 --> 00:37:08.000 lives will inevitably be 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:10.440 marked by gentleness, 00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:14.880 affection, self-sacrifice.