WEBVTT

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 Thank you, worship team.

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 That is a fitting song.

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 Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Lord, be my vision, O ruler of all.

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!

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 It really is the key.

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 That's the answer for how we can do what we're going to talk about this morning.

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 That we see that Jesus is not only the ruler of life, not only the one who calls the shots

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 in our life, not only the one who has supreme authority in life, but he's the one who governs

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 all of life.

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 Meaning, whatever happens to me, whether I think they're right or wrong, whether they

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 lead to a sense of hurt or injustice, that I see that Jesus, as the absolute ruler of

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 all, has all these things in order.

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 And he's working all of these things, not only for my good and for his glory, but for my best.

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 That's the key.

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 It won't happen any other way.

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 So before we even begin to talk about spiritual ministry, we have to really understand and orient

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 our heart towards the real motivation for spiritual ministry and what helps to anchor our soul,

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 anchor our activity in the midst of spiritual activity.

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 Because as we're going to see this morning, true spiritual ministry doesn't always lead us to happy places.

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 As a matter of fact, true spiritual ministry will lead you to some of the most difficult,

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 one of the most agonizing places of suffering and adversity and opposition and antagonism and criticism

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 and fill in the blank with any other word you want to use.

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 It is not a happy human experience.

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 So how do you go the distance if it is not for the stabilizing confidence in a God who is able to superintend

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 and rule over all of these things?

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 That's what grounds us in spiritual ministry that we've been called to.

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 Wherever that spiritual ministry might be.

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 That is the starting place.

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 And it's just not going to be worth it if Christ is not your supreme affection.

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 It is not going to be worth it.

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 So as I open us up this morning in prayer,

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 let's plead with God for he to be the supreme affection for our ministry.

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 Oh God, we come to you this morning as broken and desperate people.

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 Weak and frail and fractured in so many ways.

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 God, we need you to put those pieces together and forgive us even this week for the ways that we have not only displeased you,

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 but we have been rebels.

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 We have absolutely opposed the true word that we know in our hearts.

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 We know what you've called us to,

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 and yet we have decided to find pleasure in other things

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 and to gratify ourselves in other ways.

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 To have it now instead of having it later and having it in the best way that you choose for us.

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 So as a starting point, Lord, this morning, we just come and we pray for your forgiveness.

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 We pray for your mercy.

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 We pray for your cleansing and for your help on our time today.

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 We cannot be people who are involved in spiritual ministry without the God who creates spiritual ministry in us.

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 Who leads us to spiritual ministry.

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 Who makes us fit for spiritual ministry.

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 And then, by your grace, gives us the opportunity to be involved in spiritual ministry wherever we might be.

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 So, Lord, as we come to this passage, I pray that you would connect it to our hearts and our situations

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 in the specific ways that each person who is here this morning needs it applied.

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 What a diverse group that we have here.

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 Older and younger.

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 Those who are in school and those who are not.

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 Those who are working and those who are retired.

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 And those with families and those who don't.

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 And you know each situation this morning.

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 And you know how to connect this word to each individual.

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 And so I pray, Lord, that you would do that work.

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 Forgive us for the arrogance that would say that we have arrived.

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 Help us to submit ourselves, Lord, to the teaching of your word this morning.

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 So we can walk out of this place being refreshed, being renewed, being encouraged, being exhorted and challenged.

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 Inspired to represent you well in this world.

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 As representatives, as ambassadors of the only one that matters.

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 Ambassadors for Christ.

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 Lord, there are so many people this morning in this service who are wrestling with real and tangible hurts.

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 We need you to overcome our hurts.

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 Our pains.

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 Those are real pains.

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 Real hurts.

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 We need the comfort of God to comfort us.

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 So that we can have the ministry of comfort.

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 So that we can comfort others with the same comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God.

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 That too is a ministry.

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 That you use our pain to encourage others around us.

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 And Lord, you use your word.

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 The word that you have spoken to us directly and you have connected to our hearts.

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 You have used that as an opportunity for us to then encourage and exhort others as well.

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 Help us to be faithful to the word we know.

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 Help us to be ready vessels.

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 Ready for the ministry that you have placed right in front of us.

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 We pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 I had a friend text me this week and ask me this question.

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 He said, what is a disciple?

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 What is a disciple?

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 That's kind of an important question, wouldn't you say?

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 Because if we're called to discipleship and we're called to be disciples,

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 then we kind of need to know the destination.

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 We kind of need to know where we're going.

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 We need to know how we, whether or not we're on the right road.

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 We need to know what sort of characteristics would be true of that individual so that we can help that person be a disciple.

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 My response to him was, well, a disciple is a Christ follower.

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 It makes sense.

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 We look in the gospel of Luke in particular and we see that Jesus is constantly saying to the people that he's in connection with,

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 follow me.

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 It begins with being a Christ follower and the consistent testimony of a life that is following Christ is certainly indicative of a disciple.

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 His question back to me then was, okay, what is a Christ follower?

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 Because that is so broad and so general.

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 And I sarcastically said, well, it's a disciple.

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 Shoot.

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 I guess it wasn't a very good answer.

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 I said, well, obviously you know what a disciple and a Christ follower is,

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 so help me overcome some of the Sunday school answers that we tend to have.

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 But I don't think it's complex.

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 I don't think it needs to be sophisticated.

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 Because the message of Christ is a message of simplicity.

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 It's a message that he advocates that even a young child should be able to understand this, these truths,

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 and yet deep enough to inform the heart of the strongest believer.

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 And it really boils down to, yes, this person is a Christ follower.

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 And the more you follow after Christ, the more you realize how difficult it is to do.

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 To really not only embrace Christ, but to reflect the heart, the actions, the attitude, the motives, the priorities,

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 and the faith of Christ to the world.

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 That's what we've been called to.

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 To be a Christ follower.

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 But how does that look?

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 What form does that take?

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 And I think Paul helps to fill that out for us in our study this morning.

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 But maybe to kind of summarize it in an encapsulating statement,

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 we find in Colossians chapter 3, verse 23, this verse.

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 Whatever you do, work heartily, ask for the Lord, and not for men.

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 Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as you, your reward.

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 You are serving the Lord Christ.

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 That really is the anthem of the message this morning.

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 Your spiritual ministry is first ministry to God.

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 Be thou my vision, ruler of all.

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 Anchor my soul in the understanding, in the truth,

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 that everything I do and everything I am is first oriented to you.

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 That's the only way true spiritual ministry can happen.

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 But we get some details.

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 This morning in our passage in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2.

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 I see this breaking down in three different ways.

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 First, Paul gives us a testimony of spiritual ministry.

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 He gives us his personal testimony of what this looks like.

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 How can you begin to see and differentiate between true spiritual ministry and that which is false?

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 Because there are certain indicators that help us recognize what true spiritual ministry is all about.

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 What does a ministry that is oriented first to God look like?

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 So Paul gives us several verses that begin to talk about what his testimony of spiritual ministry is.

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 And by the way, although Paul is speaking from his own experience,

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 he's talking about what spiritual ministry looks like.

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 I want us all to recognize this morning that you are a spiritual minister.

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 Regardless of your title, regardless of your occupation, regardless of your social standing,

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 you are a spiritual minister today.

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 And that there is a ministry that only you can accomplish.

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 There is a ministry that God has ordained for you to do.

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 We find that in Ephesians chapter 2.10.

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 You are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works.

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 There is a work, a ministry that only you can do this morning.

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 So wherever you find yourself, God has called you to spiritual ministry in that context.

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 Maybe even as a young person in a family, God has called you to ministry in your family,

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 to your siblings, to your parents, to your friends in your community,

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 to your friends at school, wherever you might be.

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 God has called you, if you are a child of his, to a spiritual ministry.

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 But as Paul begins to describe this ministry, we begin to see how distinctive this ministry is.

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 How different that ministry is than what we would expect spiritual ministry to look like.

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 Let me just read the first couple of verses,

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 because Paul begins by calling attention to the commitment that is required in true spiritual ministry.

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 That's our first point this morning.

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 The commitment of true spiritual ministry, serving at all costs.

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 Let me read verses 1 and 2 of chapter 2.

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 I don't know about you, but this is not a great way to call people to ministry.

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 This isn't a good way to say, hey, this is really attractive.

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 You should try it too.

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 If you're going to be involved in spiritual ministry, it's going to require a bit of commitment.

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 Commitment at all costs.

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 Now, Paul here refers to his suffering in Philippi, because that's what would have been fresh.

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 That's what would have been familiar to the church of Thessalonica,

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 given the fact that Paul had just left Philippi to then make his way there to Thessalonica to serve there.

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 But make no mistake, in his first and second and third missionary journey,

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 every place, I can't think of any, and maybe you can help me,

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 every place that Paul went, he was met with opposition.

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 Every single place.

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 In his first missionary journey, he goes to Cyprus first.

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 And he's opposed by Elimus, the magician.

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 And God works there through the heart of the Pearl Council.

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 Does some work, but he's opposed.

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 Then he sets sail to Paphos and come to the city of Perga,

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 and he's abandoned by John Mark.

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 John Mark leaves the team.

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 So then they go to Antioch and Pisidia.

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 And the Jews oppose him there and contradict them

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 and incite high-standing officials and the people

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 and stir up persecution among the town and drive them out.

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 So Paul goes to Iconium.

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 Iconium and Lystra, the region where Timothy grew up.

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 The unbelieving Jews there were stirred up,

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 and the Gentiles as well,

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 and they tried to stone Paul and Barnabas and his team.

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 So then they come to Lystra.

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 And that's where Paul was actually stoned.

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 They didn't just attempt it.

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 They dragged him out of the city

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 and threw stones at him until they thought he was dead.

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 They returned back to Antioch and Jerusalem,

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 and then they go on their second missionary journey,

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 and it doesn't go very well then either.

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 Paul tries to go to Asia,

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 but he's forbidden by the Holy Spirit.

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 He attempts to go to Bithynia,

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 but the door is closed.

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 Then he comes and he's told to go to Macedonia,

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 and the first town of Macedonia is the town of Philippi.

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 And we all know what happens in Philippi.

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 Things begin to go well,

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 but once Paul casts out a demon from a slave girl,

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 he's hauled before the marketplace,

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 he's attacked by the crowd,

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 he's beaten with rods,

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 and he's put in prison.

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 They move to Thessalonica,

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 and things don't go much better there.

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 You see, the same in Berea,

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 and the same in every other location

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 that Paul sets his mind to serve.

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 The point is this.

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 Serving at all costs

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 is what spiritual ministry looks like.

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 And Paul would say,

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 suffering is not a mark of failure.

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 Hear it.

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 Suffering is not a mark of failure.

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 And suffering is not a mark of God's displeasure.

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 And suffering is not a mark

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 of the adversary getting the upper hand.

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 Rather, suffering is a means of God's power.

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 In a way for God to authenticate

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 his messenger and his message.

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 It is the way to crystallize

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 in the minds of the people

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 who are being served.

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 Ah, this is one who means what he says.

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 This is one who has the fortitude by God

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 to press on in the midst of adversity.

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 And as Peter would say in chapter 4

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 of his little letter,

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 don't be surprised by the fiery trial

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 when it comes upon you

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 to test you as though

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 something strange were happening,

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 but rejoice insofar

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 as you share Christ's sufferings

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 that you may also be glad

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 when his glory is revealed.

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 If you are insulted for the name of Christ,

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 you are blessed because the spirit of glory

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 and of God rests on you.

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 That's what suffering does.

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 Do you want the spirit of God

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 to rest on your life and ministry?

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 Do you want the power of God

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 to make your ministry,

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 your spiritual ministry to others

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 in your home,

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 in your school,

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 in your workplace,

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 in your community?

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 Do you want to make it efficient

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 and effective?

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 Then don't run from persecution.

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 Press in.

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 Press in and allow the spirit of glory

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 and of God to rest on you.

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 That is the promise.

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 That's pretty remarkable,

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 wouldn't you say?

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 The problem is that we so often

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 push against persecution.

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 We push against adversity.

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 We push against injustice in our lives.

00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.340
 We push against those things

00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:04.440
 and by pushing against those things,

00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:06.860
 we push against God.

00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:09.860
 That's the danger.

00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:16.879
 Suffering marked Paul's ministry

00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:19.479
 time and time again.

00:21:20.699 --> 00:21:22.379
 And through suffering,

00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:25.019
 God showed himself faithful.

00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:28.019
 And God made his gospel

00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.979
 effective and fruitful.

00:21:34.479 --> 00:21:36.019
 Suffering is a means

00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:38.200
 of seeing God do his work

00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.099
 for you

00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:40.139
 and in you

00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:41.200
 and through you.

00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.599
 Second,

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.879
 Paul points to the motive

00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.500
 of ministry.

00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.619
 Not only his commitment

00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.200
 to ministry,

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.279
 serving at all costs,

00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.720
 but his motive for ministry,

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.559
 which is serving

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.759
 to please God.

00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.019
 Let me read for us

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.299
 verses 3 to 6.

00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.599
 It says this,

00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:01.639
 For our appeal

00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:03.039
 does not spring

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.419
 from error or impurity

00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.819
 or any attempt

00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.459
 to deceive,

00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:08.099
 but just as we have been

00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.119
 approved by God

00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:09.919
 to be entrusted

00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:10.659
 with the gospel,

00:22:11.459 --> 00:22:12.339
 so we speak.

00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:14.139
 Not to please men,

00:22:14.199 --> 00:22:14.759
 but God

00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:16.139
 who tests our hearts.

00:22:16.919 --> 00:22:18.000
 For we never came

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.219
 with words of flattery,

00:22:19.219 --> 00:22:19.919
 as you know,

00:22:20.219 --> 00:22:21.459
 nor with a pretext

00:22:21.459 --> 00:22:22.039
 for greed.

00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:23.059
 God is witness.

00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.159
 Nor did we seek glory

00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:25.839
 from people,

00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.159
 whether from you

00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:28.119
 or from others,

00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.480
 though we could be made,

00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.819
 have made demands

00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.220
 as apostles of Christ,

00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:33.440
 but we were gentle

00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.240
 among you.

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.700
 And we'll get to that piece

00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.680
 in a second.

00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:39.180
 Paul begins to describe

00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:41.620
 the purity

00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:43.460
 of the ministry

00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.059
 that he had

00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:46.220
 among the Thessalonian church.

00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.900
 He commends it

00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.360
 in particular

00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.819
 because at this point

00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.360
 in time,

00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.839
 even at the very

00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:53.519
 beginning stages

00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.240
 of the development

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.920
 of this church,

00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.759
 Paul was facing

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:57.099
 significant criticism.

00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:59.039
 False teachers

00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.839
 assailed him,

00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.159
 as they often do

00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:02.279
 other faithful shepherds,

00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:04.119
 by impugning his character

00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:05.319
 and challenging

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.099
 his authority.

00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:07.579
 Thus,

00:23:07.659 --> 00:23:08.579
 the opening statements

00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.879
 we find in chapter 2

00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:11.480
 is this polemic

00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.720
 that Paul gives

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.279
 in defense

00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.180
 of his ministry

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.700
 to the church

00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.399
 of Thessalonica.

00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.639
 In spite of the purity

00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:18.619
 of Paul's life

00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.859
 and the transforming power

00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:21.079
 of his message,

00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.819
 the enemies

00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.960
 of the gospel

00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:24.299
 were having some success

00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.960
 in convincing

00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.400
 the Thessalonians

00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.299
 that Paul

00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.079
 and his companions

00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.700
 were wicked

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.900
 in their intentions.

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.900
 So Paul needs

00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:34.200
 to go about

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.039
 demonstrating

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.840
 the purity

00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:37.640
 of his message

00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.620
 in the gospel

00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.380
 ministry

00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:41.079
 to this church.

00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:43.220
 He pushes

00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:43.779
 against

00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:45.880
 the accusations

00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:47.200
 that are being levied

00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.900
 against him

00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:49.759
 as a missionary.

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.120
 He says in verse 3,

00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.240
 there is no error.

00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.660
 There was no impurity.

00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.599
 There was no deception.

00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:59.660
 There was no flattery,

00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:00.720
 no greed

00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.460
 or desire

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:03.000
 for personal glory.

00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.779
 There were no demands

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.599
 that we made of you

00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.559
 as we could have

00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.259
 as apostles.

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.319
 Just the pure,

00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.079
 untainted,

00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:13.539
 radiant message

00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.519
 of the word.

00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.240
 There were no

00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.299
 ulterior motives.

00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:20.900
 Paul walks through

00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:22.299
 this piece by piece.

00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.019
 He says,

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.640
 you may essentially

00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.319
 feel that we had

00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.140
 ulterior motives

00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.099
 but we have been

00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:27.880
 approved

00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:29.660
 by God.

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.039
 Notice the number

00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.620
 of times

00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.799
 that he points

00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.579
 their attention

00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.700
 to the fact

00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.259
 that God

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.620
 is at the front

00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.259
 and center

00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.180
 of their ministry

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.660
 and he is at

00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.480
 the end point

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.400
 of their ministry.

00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.680
 He's the one

00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.779
 who got this all going.

00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.400
 He's the one

00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.759
 who initiated this

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.759
 to begin with.

00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.839
 We have been

00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.779
 approved by him

00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.740
 and entrusted

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.599
 by him

00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.480
 to do the work.

00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.420
 We wouldn't be here

00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.680
 if it wasn't for the fact

00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.799
 that God had told us

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.299
 to come.

00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.059
 We wouldn't be here

00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.660
 unless God had given us

00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.399
 the strength

00:25:02.399 --> 00:25:03.279
 to overcome

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.200
 the adversity

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.359
 that we had experienced

00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:07.299
 in every single place

00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.180
 that we have been.

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.099
 He's the one

00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.079
 who gave us boldness.

00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.440
 He's the one

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.759
 who fanned the flames

00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.519
 of our hearts

00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:16.480
 to serve in this way.

00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.299
 He's the one

00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.440
 who gave us endurance

00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.240
 to overcome.

00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.539
 He's the one

00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.360
 whose message

00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.799
 we bring to you.

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.980
 He's the one

00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:27.000
 who sustains us

00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.840
 in this work.

00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.400
 We have been approved

00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.299
 by God.

00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.519
 And you may feel

00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.820
 that we had ulterior motives

00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:36.320
 but our primary aim

00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:38.039
 is to please God

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.580
 and not

00:25:39.580 --> 00:25:40.519
 to please men.

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.720
 I've recognized

00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:45.559
 in my own life

00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.299
 how difficult

00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:46.920
 that is

00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:48.740
 and how subtle

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.380
 how subtle

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.900
 the indications are

00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:53.300
 that my heart

00:25:53.300 --> 00:25:54.420
 and my desire

00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.539
 for ministry

00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.420
 is really

00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.759
 man-centered

00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.880
 rather than God-centered.

00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.960
 Oh, it is subtle.

00:26:02.300 --> 00:26:03.500
 To be involved

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.400
 in ministry

00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.600
 and to walk away

00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.279
 feeling

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.660
 as though

00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:09.100
 you didn't perform

00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:10.360
 the way you wanted to.

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:10.740
 There is

00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:13.019
 a sense

00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.680
 that you didn't meet

00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.759
 your own expectations.

00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.379
 Well,

00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:18.019
 why would you be

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:19.259
 concerned about that

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.920
 if you are

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.740
 trusting

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:22.019
 in a God

00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.599
 who is able

00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.259
 to make

00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.119
 your ministry

00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.920
 successful

00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.259
 and fruitful

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:28.500
 regardless of how

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:30.480
 terrible you communicate

00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:32.299
 that God's

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.660
 ministry

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.200
 in the heart

00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.039
 will be effective

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.279
 in spite of you

00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:38.039
 because of the power

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.599
 of his word.

00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.819
 Who are you trusting in?

00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:42.519
 your ability

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.179
 to

00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:45.799
 convey the truth

00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:47.099
 or God's ability

00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:49.039
 to make that truth

00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.359
 grow

00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.139
 in a life.

00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.919
 The

00:26:52.919 --> 00:26:55.299
 desire to be

00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.819
 up front

00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.359
 or

00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.159
 the

00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:57.960
 jealousy

00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.980
 that we feel

00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.559
 when others

00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.639
 get certain positions

00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:01.519
 that we want

00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:03.079
 or the

00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.200
 idea that

00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.039
 there's no way

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.720
 we're going to serve

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.599
 in a certain ministry

00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:07.879
 because it's just

00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:09.280
 not up my alley.

00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:11.600
 It's not my passion.

00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:12.320
 It's just

00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.640
 it's

00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.540
 children's

00:27:14.540 --> 00:27:15.040
 ministry.

00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:20.380
 I can tell you

00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:23.200
 that God

00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.300
 by his grace

00:27:24.300 --> 00:27:25.700
 has given me

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:27.020
 more refreshment

00:27:27.020 --> 00:27:27.960
 in areas

00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.500
 of ministry

00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.340
 I didn't feel

00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:31.240
 like I was

00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.460
 inclined to

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:34.800
 because it gave him

00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:35.380
 the opportunity

00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.040
 to show up.

00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:38.000
 it gave him

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.700
 the opportunity

00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.399
 to demonstrate

00:27:39.399 --> 00:27:40.059
 to me

00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.200
 in my arrogant

00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.680
 heart

00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.740
 that it is

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.460
 he

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.759
 who creates

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.639
 the ministry

00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:46.619
 work

00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.920
 not me.

00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.359
 It's not built

00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.839
 on my

00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.460
 personal

00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.500
 giftedness

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.799
 but it's

00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.839
 based upon

00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.460
 the power

00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.019
 of God

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.480
 alone.

00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:00.099
 We'll never

00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:00.639
 get there

00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:02.099
 if our

00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.639
 orientation

00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.940
 is to please

00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.279
 men

00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:04.819
 and not to

00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.279
 please God.

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.399
 in his

00:28:07.399 --> 00:28:07.759
 mind

00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.559
 it is

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:10.559
 offensive.

00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.500
 Paul

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.279
 points to this

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.879
 in Galatians

00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.480
 1.10

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.059
 when he says

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.779
 for am I

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.559
 now seeking

00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.220
 the approval

00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.720
 of men

00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.480
 or of God

00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.720
 or am I

00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.379
 trying to

00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.079
 please men

00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:22.220
 if I were

00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.159
 still trying

00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:23.579
 to please

00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:23.859
 men

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.259
 I would

00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.740
 not

00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.519
 be a

00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:25.819
 servant

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.759
 of Christ.

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.500
 You can't

00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:28.759
 have it

00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.279
 both ways.

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:34.680
 maybe Paul

00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.039
 was also

00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.759
 saying this

00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.660
 you may

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.099
 feel that

00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.379
 we had

00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:37.799
 ulterior

00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.259
 motives

00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:38.899
 but it

00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.359
 is God

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:39.839
 who tests

00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.279
 our hearts.

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.799
 He says

00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.079
 that

00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.720
 there in

00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.279
 verse 4b

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:44.160
 God is

00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:44.559
 the one

00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.160
 who approves

00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.680
 us for

00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.160
 ministry

00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:47.000
 and God

00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.639
 is the one

00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.420
 who tests

00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:48.899
 us

00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.720
 throughout

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.579
 the ministry.

00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.059
 ministry

00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.879
 we are

00:28:51.879 --> 00:28:52.519
 accountable

00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.399
 to him

00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:54.839
 and by

00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.359
 the way

00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:57.939
 God knows

00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:58.480
 the very

00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:58.980
 depths of

00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.419
 our hearts

00:28:59.419 --> 00:28:59.960
 doesn't he?

00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.559
 There is no

00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.399
 masquerade

00:29:02.399 --> 00:29:02.919
 with God

00:29:02.919 --> 00:29:03.960
 he sees

00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.579
 to the very

00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.139
 heart

00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:05.819
 of the matter

00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:07.659
 and Paul

00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:08.220
 says

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.139
 I am open

00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:09.699
 and laid

00:29:09.699 --> 00:29:10.159
 bare

00:29:10.159 --> 00:29:10.839
 to the

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.439
 penetrating

00:29:11.439 --> 00:29:11.960
 gaze

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.599
 of God

00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:13.240
 and he

00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:13.579
 is the

00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:13.859
 one

00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.379
 who is

00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:14.839
 testing

00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.399
 our

00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:15.799
 ministry.

00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.000
 He is

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.299
 the one

00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:17.559
 who is

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:17.980
 approving

00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.299
 us

00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:18.839
 for

00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.419
 ministry.

00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:21.659
 And there is

00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.179
 a sense

00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:23.099
 of refreshment

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.699
 in Paul's

00:29:23.699 --> 00:29:24.079
 heart

00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:25.059
 that says

00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.759
 whatever may

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.179
 happen

00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:27.079
 in this

00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:27.519
 place

00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:27.980
 happens

00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.379
 because

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:28.799
 God is

00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.259
 in control.

00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:30.779
 I am

00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.139
 trusting

00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:31.819
 in him.

00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.379
 Finally

00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:36.299
 you may

00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.679
 feel that

00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:36.960
 we have

00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.359
 ulterior

00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:37.819
 motives

00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.359
 but God

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.899
 is witness

00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.299
 we see

00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:39.639
 that in

00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.159
 verse 5.

00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:41.919
 God

00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:43.339
 testifies

00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.099
 to the

00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.639
 authenticity

00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.419
 of our

00:29:45.419 --> 00:29:45.799
 faith

00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.839
 by doing

00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.720
 his work

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.539
 in

00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.339
 lives

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.559
 and

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:50.819
 you

00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.099
 have

00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.720
 personally

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.439
 witnessed

00:29:52.439 --> 00:29:52.799
 it.

00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:53.859
 He has

00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.079
 been

00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.699
 talking

00:29:54.699 --> 00:29:55.079
 about

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.399
 that

00:29:55.399 --> 00:29:55.779
 since

00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.179
 chapter

00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:56.619
 1.

00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:57.699
 The

00:29:57.699 --> 00:29:58.419
 fact

00:29:58.419 --> 00:29:58.659
 that

00:29:58.659 --> 00:29:59.259
 they have

00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.939
 responded

00:29:59.939 --> 00:30:00.339
 to the

00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:00.639
 word

00:30:00.639 --> 00:30:00.859
 and the

00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:01.000
 Holy

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.459
 Spirit

00:30:01.459 --> 00:30:01.740
 has

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.319
 done

00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:02.480
 a

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:02.779
 work

00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:02.919
 in

00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.039
 their

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.559
 life.

00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:05.419
 And it

00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.799
 is

00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.740
 refreshing

00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.919
 for the

00:30:07.919 --> 00:30:08.659
 apostle Paul

00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.139
 to see

00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:09.799
 that God

00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.879
 is giving

00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.480
 witness

00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.199
 to the

00:30:12.199 --> 00:30:12.879
 authenticity

00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:13.759
 of the

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.119
 ministry

00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.559
 that Paul

00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:14.859
 had

00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.819
 by confirming

00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.539
 that in

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.599
 the work

00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.480
 of the

00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.859
 people

00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.599
 that Paul

00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.319
 was in

00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:20.539
 touch

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:20.839
 with.

00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.680
 God

00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.319
 is witness.

00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:25.559
 Nothing

00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.059
 is hidden

00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.480
 from his

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:26.819
 sight.

00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:27.819
 There is

00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.460
 no secret

00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:28.879
 motive,

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.759
 no hidden

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.259
 agenda,

00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.799
 no interest

00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.680
 in profiting

00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.440
 from you

00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.180
 or taking

00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.659
 advantage

00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.420
 of you.

00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:36.639
 God

00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.139
 has approved

00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:37.539
 us,

00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.359
 tested

00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:38.839
 us,

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.559
 and given

00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.039
 witness

00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:40.539
 to the

00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.879
 purity

00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:41.639
 of our

00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:42.039
 ministry.

00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:45.180
 I would

00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.539
 say,

00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:46.839
 the

00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.279
 greater

00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.159
 the

00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:48.659
 purity

00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.460
 of your

00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:49.960
 ministry,

00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.480
 the

00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:51.980
 greater

00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.720
 the

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.279
 effectiveness

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.139
 of the

00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.379
 work

00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:54.920
 that God

00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.539
 can accomplish

00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.079
 through you.

00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.639
 Now

00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.420
 moving on

00:30:59.420 --> 00:30:59.859
 to verses

00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.379
 7 and

00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:00.639
 8.

00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.579
 That was

00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.319
 the testimony

00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:04.039
 of spiritual

00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.399
 ministry.

00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:04.940
 Now we

00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.220
 get to

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.980
 see a

00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.200
 little bit

00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:06.440
 of the

00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.099
 tenderness,

00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:07.960
 the

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.639
 tenderness

00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.440
 of spiritual

00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:09.899
 ministry.

00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:09.940
 ministry.

00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.700
 The

00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.220
 tenderness

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.000
 of spiritual

00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.440
 ministry.

00:31:14.800 --> 00:31:15.140
 Let me

00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:15.500
 read verses

00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:15.960
 7 and

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.259
 8 to

00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.680
 you.

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:17.680
 It says,

00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:17.980
 but we

00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.720
 were gentle

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.480
 among you

00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.960
 like a

00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.300
 nursing

00:31:20.300 --> 00:31:20.660
 mother

00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.500
 taking care

00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.259
 of her

00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.460
 own

00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:22.800
 children.

00:31:23.880 --> 00:31:24.540
 So being

00:31:24.540 --> 00:31:25.340
 affectionately

00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:26.040
 desirous

00:31:26.040 --> 00:31:26.560
 of you,

00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:27.840
 we were

00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:28.300
 ready to

00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:28.759
 share with

00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.120
 you not

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.680
 only the

00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.360
 gospel of

00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:30.700
 God,

00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:31.660
 but also

00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.440
 our own

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.060
 selves,

00:31:33.580 --> 00:31:34.360
 because you

00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:34.800
 had become

00:31:34.800 --> 00:31:35.480
 very dear

00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.880
 to us.

00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:38.660
 Now,

00:31:38.800 --> 00:31:39.500
 I don't

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:39.740
 know what

00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:39.880
 your

00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:40.380
 perception

00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:40.700
 of the

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.039
 apostle

00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.859
 Paul is.

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:42.880
 I think

00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:43.380
 of this

00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:46.720
 battle-weathered,

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.660
 crusty,

00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.880
 bold guy

00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:51.799
 who's moving

00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.339
 from one

00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:52.900
 place to

00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:53.299
 the other,

00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.259
 and he's

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.279
 got this,

00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:57.220
 I don't

00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.380
 know,

00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:59.380
 this courage,

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.920
 this tenacity

00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:02.200
 that drives

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:02.579
 him from

00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.200
 one city

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.460
 to the

00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:03.859
 next.

00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:04.900
 And when

00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.200
 I think

00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.940
 of tenacity,

00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.500
 I think

00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.220
 of courage,

00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:07.660
 I think

00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.720
 of strength,

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.839
 I don't

00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:10.220
 think of

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.720
 tenderness.

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.660
 And yet,

00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.380
 everywhere you

00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:14.920
 see the

00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.700
 apostle go,

00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:16.279
 there is

00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:17.960
 this great

00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:19.960
 affection for

00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.420
 the people

00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:20.700
 that he

00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:21.079
 serves.

00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.600
 There's no

00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:24.120
 wonder why

00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:24.920
 his ministry

00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.420
 was so

00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:25.860
 effective,

00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.360
 because he

00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:27.740
 didn't just

00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.799
 communicate the

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.339
 truth to

00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:29.539
 them,

00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:30.259
 he gave

00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.839
 them his

00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.860
 very self.

00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.319
 There was

00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:34.420
 nothing that

00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:34.819
 was held

00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:36.220
 back from

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.600
 you,

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.319
 of me,

00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:38.000
 he says,

00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:39.599
 because I

00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.199
 wanted you

00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:40.559
 to have

00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.099
 it all.

00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.419
 I wanted

00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:42.659
 you to

00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:43.279
 have all

00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.719
 of me,

00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.319
 not just

00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.339
 my message,

00:32:46.719 --> 00:32:47.259
 but me

00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.639
 too.

00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.199
 I wanted

00:32:49.199 --> 00:32:50.000
 to invest

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.480
 in your

00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:50.799
 life,

00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:51.199
 I wanted

00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:52.319
 to give

00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.039
 you what

00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.439
 you needed

00:32:53.439 --> 00:32:53.919
 most,

00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.219
 and that

00:32:54.219 --> 00:32:54.859
 is the

00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.559
 tenderness

00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:57.079
 and encouraging

00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:57.679
 ministry,

00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.519
 just like a

00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.240
 mother has

00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.159
 with a

00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:00.500
 child.

00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:02.319
 It's

00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:02.819
 interesting,

00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:03.819
 the play

00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.419
 on words

00:33:04.419 --> 00:33:04.879
 that Paul

00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:05.659
 uses here

00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:06.659
 in verse

00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:07.019
 7.

00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:07.480
 He says,

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:07.939
 but we

00:33:07.939 --> 00:33:08.679
 were gentle

00:33:08.679 --> 00:33:09.519
 among you.

00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:10.720
 And there

00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.119
 are some

00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.859
 manuscripts

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:13.399
 that would

00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:15.460
 use the

00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:15.720
 word

00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.599
 hapeoi,

00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.159
 which is

00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:17.480
 the word

00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.299
 gentleness,

00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.319
 or the

00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:19.579
 word

00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.619
 napioi,

00:33:20.679 --> 00:33:21.000
 which is

00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.399
 the word

00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:22.079
 infant.

00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.539
 And we

00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:23.879
 don't know

00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:24.599
 exactly which

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:26.059
 one is

00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:27.000
 best here,

00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:27.439
 but they

00:33:27.439 --> 00:33:28.059
 both point

00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:28.500
 to the

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.139
 same thing.

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.439
 They both

00:33:30.439 --> 00:33:30.919
 point to

00:33:30.919 --> 00:33:31.559
 tenderness

00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:32.879
 and gentleness

00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.840
 and innocence

00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.780
 in ministry.

00:33:36.040 --> 00:33:36.820
 It's probably

00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.560
 actually best

00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.300
 to see this

00:33:38.300 --> 00:33:39.160
 as an

00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:39.620
 infant

00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:40.720
 among you,

00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:43.260
 because the

00:33:43.260 --> 00:33:43.860
 best manuscripts

00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:44.600
 use that

00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:44.980
 word,

00:33:45.820 --> 00:33:46.200
 and the

00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:47.080
 connotation

00:33:47.080 --> 00:33:47.560
 would be

00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:49.300
 we were

00:33:49.300 --> 00:33:50.060
 so innocent

00:33:50.060 --> 00:33:50.580
 and so

00:33:50.580 --> 00:33:51.080
 frail,

00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.040
 we came

00:33:52.040 --> 00:33:53.560
 without any

00:33:53.560 --> 00:33:55.080
 desire to

00:33:55.080 --> 00:33:55.660
 do anything

00:33:55.660 --> 00:33:56.300
 to you,

00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:56.960
 just to be

00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:57.480
 a blessing

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.340
 to you.

00:33:59.120 --> 00:33:59.680
 And then to

00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.140
 move from

00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:00.680
 that metaphor

00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.620
 of being an

00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:02.240
 infant to now

00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:03.000
 talking about

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.420
 being a

00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:03.720
 mom.

00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:05.799
 We're like

00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:07.019
 mothers to

00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:07.400
 you,

00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.639
 showing the

00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.559
 gentleness

00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.199
 and care

00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:10.659
 that only

00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.679
 comes from

00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.099
 a mom.

00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.539
 Any of you

00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:14.980
 who've had

00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:15.800
 kids,

00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.360
 and I'll

00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:17.780
 speak for

00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:18.119
 dads,

00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.619
 because that's

00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.159
 what I am.

00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.239
 You know,

00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:20.860
 the first couple

00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.340
 of days is

00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:21.739
 great,

00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:22.559
 you know,

00:34:22.760 --> 00:34:23.559
 so happy

00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.500
 to have this

00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.079
 little bundle

00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:25.679
 of joy

00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.219
 in your

00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:26.639
 house.

00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:27.760
 And the

00:34:27.760 --> 00:34:28.820
 couple of

00:34:28.820 --> 00:34:29.320
 sleepless

00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:30.139
 hours at night

00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:30.599
 is no

00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.199
 problem,

00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:31.659
 I can

00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.379
 handle it.

00:34:32.439 --> 00:34:32.839
 But then

00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:34.299
 after week

00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:34.719
 two,

00:34:34.859 --> 00:34:35.299
 it's like,

00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:37.859
 enough already.

00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.339
 But you

00:34:40.339 --> 00:34:41.000
 moms are

00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.779
 just amazing

00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.399
 because there

00:34:42.399 --> 00:34:43.059
 seems to be

00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:45.759
 this unending

00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:47.019
 affection and

00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.719
 gentleness for

00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.179
 your kids.

00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:50.799
 To the

00:34:50.799 --> 00:34:51.779
 extent that

00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.879
 the word

00:34:52.879 --> 00:34:53.779
 that Paul

00:34:53.779 --> 00:34:55.099
 uses here

00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:56.939
 of nursing

00:34:56.939 --> 00:34:58.139
 moms is

00:34:58.139 --> 00:34:58.900
 is the

00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.480
 word that

00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.579
 helps us

00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.339
 understand

00:35:01.339 --> 00:35:02.659
 the closeness

00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:03.619
 of a mom's

00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:04.519
 care for

00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.039
 her kids.

00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:06.799
 It's the

00:35:06.799 --> 00:35:07.379
 word that

00:35:07.379 --> 00:35:08.599
 is used

00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.659
 to describe

00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:11.279
 softness

00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:12.719
 and heat

00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:14.079
 to make

00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.679
 warm.

00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.000
 There is

00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.659
 this sense

00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:17.779
 of intimacy

00:35:17.779 --> 00:35:19.679
 and closeness

00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.420
 that can only

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.379
 happen through

00:35:21.379 --> 00:35:22.159
 body heat.

00:35:23.359 --> 00:35:24.159
 It is the

00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.099
 sense that

00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:25.799
 Christ

00:35:25.799 --> 00:35:26.659
 communicates

00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:26.920
 when he

00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:27.139
 says,

00:35:27.379 --> 00:35:27.819
 follow me.

00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.319
 I don't

00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:30.579
 want there

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:30.819
 to be

00:35:30.819 --> 00:35:31.460
 separation.

00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:31.819
 I want

00:35:31.819 --> 00:35:32.019
 there to

00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.199
 be

00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:32.899
 proximity.

00:35:34.239 --> 00:35:34.699
 It's the

00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:35.219
 same sense

00:35:35.219 --> 00:35:35.500
 we get

00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:35.980
 from John

00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.719
 chapter 15

00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.019
 where he

00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.239
 says,

00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.019
 abide in

00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:39.519
 me and

00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:39.799
 I in

00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:40.059
 you.

00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:42.639
 I want

00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:42.799
 there to

00:35:42.799 --> 00:35:42.900
 be

00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.480
 nearness.

00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.079
 I want

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.279
 there to

00:35:44.279 --> 00:35:44.579
 be

00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:45.420
 intimacy.

00:35:46.420 --> 00:35:47.840
 I look

00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:48.739
 forward to

00:35:48.739 --> 00:35:50.299
 the opportunity

00:35:50.299 --> 00:35:51.480
 to know

00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:51.820
 you

00:35:51.820 --> 00:35:52.480
 intimately

00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:52.980
 and to

00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:53.559
 love you

00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.299
 completely.

00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:57.559
 It was

00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:58.559
 also marked

00:35:58.559 --> 00:35:59.239
 by affection,

00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:00.179
 not only by

00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:00.900
 gentleness but

00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:01.900
 also by

00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.299
 affection.

00:36:03.719 --> 00:36:04.199
 He says

00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:04.679
 that here in

00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.139
 verse 8,

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:07.279
 so affectionately

00:36:07.279 --> 00:36:08.699
 longing for

00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:10.299
 you, this

00:36:10.299 --> 00:36:10.799
 word is only

00:36:10.799 --> 00:36:11.699
 used in the

00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.199
 New Testament

00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:13.859
 right here in

00:36:13.859 --> 00:36:14.519
 1 Thessalonians

00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:15.000
 chapter 2.

00:36:16.259 --> 00:36:18.119
 It is used of

00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:19.139
 grieving parents

00:36:19.139 --> 00:36:20.699
 whose child has

00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:21.460
 just died.

00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:23.460
 You can get a

00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.179
 sense of the

00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:26.639
 raw, emotional

00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:28.379
 grieving and

00:36:28.379 --> 00:36:29.339
 feeling of

00:36:29.339 --> 00:36:30.279
 Paul for this

00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:30.699
 church.

00:36:31.839 --> 00:36:33.619
 This emotional

00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:35.399
 outflow of

00:36:35.399 --> 00:36:36.980
 affection for

00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:37.739
 this group of

00:36:37.739 --> 00:36:39.199
 individuals, his

00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:40.339
 yearning for

00:36:40.339 --> 00:36:40.739
 them.

00:36:42.259 --> 00:36:42.639
 Paul would

00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:43.779
 say, this

00:36:43.779 --> 00:36:44.559
 affection led

00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.159
 us to give

00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:45.619
 you what was

00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:47.219
 essential for

00:36:47.219 --> 00:36:48.079
 spiritual life.

00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:49.279
 We gave you

00:36:49.279 --> 00:36:50.299
 everything we

00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:50.559
 had.

00:36:51.259 --> 00:36:51.839
 We gave you

00:36:51.839 --> 00:36:52.619
 what was best.

00:36:53.319 --> 00:36:54.199
 We gave you

00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:55.359
 what we knew

00:36:55.359 --> 00:36:56.659
 could lead to

00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.899
 ultimate joy.

00:36:58.899 --> 00:36:59.939
 Because that's

00:36:59.939 --> 00:37:00.599
 what spiritual

00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.619
 affection does.

00:37:03.159 --> 00:37:03.500
 Spiritual

00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:04.879
 affection understands

00:37:04.879 --> 00:37:05.779
 and discerns

00:37:05.779 --> 00:37:06.859
 between what is

00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:07.840
 good and what

00:37:07.840 --> 00:37:08.500
 is best.

00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.300
 What is

00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:11.019
 helpful and

00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.740
 what is

00:37:11.740 --> 00:37:12.500
 supreme.

00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:14.940
 Because we

00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:16.000
 understand as

00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:16.599
 parents that

00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:17.140
 sometimes our

00:37:17.140 --> 00:37:17.880
 kids ask for

00:37:17.880 --> 00:37:19.180
 things that

00:37:19.180 --> 00:37:19.539
 really aren't

00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:20.740
 very helpful in

00:37:20.740 --> 00:37:21.140
 the end.

00:37:22.120 --> 00:37:23.000
 But a truly

00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:24.099
 affectionate parent

00:37:24.099 --> 00:37:25.260
 will always give

00:37:25.260 --> 00:37:26.280
 their kids,

00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.480
 the people they

00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:29.579
 love, the very

00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:29.980
 best.

00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:31.740
 And that's what

00:37:31.740 --> 00:37:32.760
 Paul in his

00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:33.539
 ministry to this

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:35.159
 church was

00:37:35.159 --> 00:37:35.880
 desiring to

00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:36.159
 do.

00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:37.779
 It was a

00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:38.340
 ministry that

00:37:38.340 --> 00:37:38.980
 pointed to

00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.639
 Christ because

00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:40.059
 it was a

00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:41.159
 ministry that

00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:42.500
 emulated the

00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:43.559
 love of Christ

00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.559
 to them.

00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:46.300
 I like what

00:37:46.300 --> 00:37:47.039
 one commentator

00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:47.759
 says when he

00:37:47.759 --> 00:37:48.259
 puts it this

00:37:48.259 --> 00:37:48.480
 way.

00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:50.079
 A gospel

00:37:50.079 --> 00:37:51.500
 messenger who

00:37:51.500 --> 00:37:52.679
 stands detached

00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:53.500
 from his

00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:54.920
 audience has

00:37:54.920 --> 00:37:56.079
 not yet been

00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:57.519
 touched by the

00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:59.039
 very gospel he

00:37:59.039 --> 00:37:59.759
 proclaims.

00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:03.240
 a gospel

00:38:03.240 --> 00:38:05.020
 messenger who

00:38:05.020 --> 00:38:06.640
 stands detached

00:38:06.640 --> 00:38:08.140
 from his

00:38:08.140 --> 00:38:08.900
 audience has

00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:09.740
 not yet been

00:38:09.740 --> 00:38:11.020
 touched by the

00:38:11.020 --> 00:38:12.660
 very gospel he

00:38:12.660 --> 00:38:13.360
 proclaims.

00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:19.960
 Maybe this

00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:20.360
 goes without

00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:20.720
 saying.

00:38:22.540 --> 00:38:23.320
 But you

00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:23.720
 cannot

00:38:23.720 --> 00:38:25.940
 communicate a

00:38:25.940 --> 00:38:27.700
 message effectively

00:38:27.699 --> 00:38:29.279
 without having

00:38:29.279 --> 00:38:30.519
 a heart that

00:38:30.519 --> 00:38:31.799
 truly loves the

00:38:31.799 --> 00:38:32.719
 audience that

00:38:32.719 --> 00:38:33.099
 you're speaking

00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:33.339
 to.

00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.339
 And so the

00:38:35.339 --> 00:38:36.480
 deeper the

00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:37.639
 relationships that

00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:39.059
 you have, the

00:38:39.059 --> 00:38:39.799
 deeper the

00:38:39.799 --> 00:38:41.179
 ministry that you

00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:41.879
 can participate

00:38:41.879 --> 00:38:43.000
 in with that

00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.379
 individual.

00:38:44.139 --> 00:38:45.139
 That's why we've

00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:45.960
 been talking about

00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:47.099
 the significance

00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:47.859
 of neighboring.

00:38:49.219 --> 00:38:50.519
 Having sincere

00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:51.559
 affection for the

00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:52.219
 people that God

00:38:52.219 --> 00:38:53.480
 has put in your

00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.859
 proximity, not only

00:38:54.859 --> 00:38:55.719
 in your community

00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:56.500
 but in your

00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.599
 workplace, wherever

00:38:57.599 --> 00:38:58.480
 you might be on a

00:38:58.480 --> 00:38:59.159
 regular basis

00:38:59.159 --> 00:39:00.699
 because the

00:39:00.699 --> 00:39:01.460
 ministry that you

00:39:01.460 --> 00:39:02.259
 have with them

00:39:02.259 --> 00:39:03.400
 will be dependent

00:39:03.400 --> 00:39:06.059
 upon a true

00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:07.299
 affection for

00:39:07.299 --> 00:39:08.559
 them that only

00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:09.319
 God can create

00:39:09.319 --> 00:39:09.719
 in your heart.

00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:13.339
 Paul uses these

00:39:13.339 --> 00:39:14.339
 endearing terms

00:39:14.339 --> 00:39:15.679
 throughout these

00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:16.500
 first three

00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:17.319
 chapters.

00:39:17.819 --> 00:39:18.799
 He says in

00:39:18.799 --> 00:39:19.639
 chapter 1,

00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:20.039
 verse 2,

00:39:20.099 --> 00:39:20.980
 we give thanks to

00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:21.659
 God for you.

00:39:22.259 --> 00:39:23.119
 In chapter 2,

00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:23.619
 verse 8,

00:39:23.860 --> 00:39:24.779
 so affectionately

00:39:24.779 --> 00:39:25.920
 desirous of you.

00:39:25.920 --> 00:39:27.440
 In chapter 2,

00:39:27.500 --> 00:39:28.019
 verse 20,

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:29.039
 you are our

00:39:29.039 --> 00:39:29.960
 glory and our

00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:30.559
 joy.

00:39:31.400 --> 00:39:32.539
 In chapter 3,

00:39:32.680 --> 00:39:33.280
 verse 9,

00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:33.880
 for what

00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:34.700
 thanksgiving can

00:39:34.700 --> 00:39:35.420
 we return to

00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:36.300
 God for you,

00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:37.460
 for all the joy

00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:38.320
 that we feel for

00:39:38.320 --> 00:39:39.519
 your sake before

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.180
 our God.

00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:41.960
 And there is no

00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:43.300
 other little

00:39:43.300 --> 00:39:44.260
 epistle that has

00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:44.880
 been written by

00:39:44.880 --> 00:39:45.740
 Paul that uses

00:39:45.740 --> 00:39:46.519
 the word brother

00:39:46.519 --> 00:39:47.800
 more than

00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:48.740
 first Thessalonians.

00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:50.840
 He had a heart

00:39:50.840 --> 00:39:51.700
 connection with

00:39:51.700 --> 00:39:52.180
 these people.

00:39:52.680 --> 00:39:53.180
 There's no wonder

00:39:53.180 --> 00:39:53.940
 why his ministry

00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:54.880
 to them was so

00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:55.599
 effective.

00:39:57.240 --> 00:39:57.960
 And finally,

00:39:58.559 --> 00:39:59.280
 we find in

00:39:59.280 --> 00:40:00.280
 verses 9 to 12,

00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:01.579
 we find a

00:40:01.579 --> 00:40:02.619
 ministry of

00:40:02.619 --> 00:40:03.940
 toil and

00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:04.420
 truth.

00:40:05.159 --> 00:40:06.079
 A spiritual

00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:06.960
 ministry of

00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:08.119
 toil and

00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:08.500
 truth.

00:40:09.240 --> 00:40:10.240
 It shows up in

00:40:10.240 --> 00:40:10.679
 three different

00:40:10.679 --> 00:40:10.960
 ways.

00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:11.760
 First, it shows

00:40:11.760 --> 00:40:12.559
 up through

00:40:12.559 --> 00:40:14.019
 personal sacrifice,

00:40:15.019 --> 00:40:16.300
 then through

00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:17.840
 personal holiness,

00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:19.860
 and finally,

00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:20.780
 through practical

00:40:20.780 --> 00:40:21.740
 teaching.

00:40:21.739 --> 00:40:23.979
 practical

00:40:23.979 --> 00:40:25.039
 teaching.

00:40:31.199 --> 00:40:31.879
 I got way

00:40:31.879 --> 00:40:32.319
 more than I

00:40:32.319 --> 00:40:32.719
 can say.

00:40:35.979 --> 00:40:36.699
 And so what I'll

00:40:36.699 --> 00:40:37.299
 probably do is

00:40:37.299 --> 00:40:38.199
 come back to this

00:40:38.199 --> 00:40:39.519
 portion later on,

00:40:39.959 --> 00:40:40.719
 because I think

00:40:40.719 --> 00:40:41.199
 this is really

00:40:41.199 --> 00:40:41.699
 significant.

00:40:42.899 --> 00:40:43.739
 But what I want

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:44.379
 you to begin to

00:40:44.379 --> 00:40:45.239
 understand is what

00:40:45.239 --> 00:40:46.619
 makes this

00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.599
 ministry so

00:40:47.599 --> 00:40:48.179
 important,

00:40:48.799 --> 00:40:50.239
 is that it is a

00:40:50.239 --> 00:40:51.619
 ministry, not just

00:40:51.619 --> 00:40:52.799
 that emulates the

00:40:52.799 --> 00:40:53.839
 ministry of Paul,

00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:55.299
 but more importantly,

00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:56.699
 mimics the

00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:57.900
 ministry of the

00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.279
 Savior.

00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:01.279
 The Savior who

00:41:01.279 --> 00:41:03.359
 came in truth

00:41:03.359 --> 00:41:04.779
 and in grace

00:41:04.779 --> 00:41:06.699
 is the ministry

00:41:06.699 --> 00:41:07.279
 that we've been

00:41:07.279 --> 00:41:08.500
 called to emulate

00:41:08.500 --> 00:41:09.519
 in our own lives.

00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:11.099
 Maybe we can

00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:12.099
 close on just the

00:41:12.099 --> 00:41:13.179
 last chart that I

00:41:13.179 --> 00:41:14.579
 put together here.

00:41:14.960 --> 00:41:15.960
 It helps you see

00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:17.679
 the similarities.

00:41:17.679 --> 00:41:17.919
 authorities.

00:41:19.639 --> 00:41:20.579
 Maybe you can't

00:41:20.579 --> 00:41:21.079
 see that.

00:41:24.699 --> 00:41:25.139
 Shucks.

00:41:29.139 --> 00:41:30.019
 I want you to

00:41:30.019 --> 00:41:31.079
 know that verses

00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:32.599
 1 through 6,

00:41:33.419 --> 00:41:34.339
 or 1 through 8,

00:41:34.419 --> 00:41:36.019
 are parallel to

00:41:36.019 --> 00:41:37.779
 verses 9 to 12.

00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:38.659
 Okay?

00:41:38.659 --> 00:41:40.639
 The very things

00:41:40.639 --> 00:41:41.500
 you see in the

00:41:41.500 --> 00:41:43.059
 ministry of Paul,

00:41:43.179 --> 00:41:44.619
 like moms to the

00:41:44.619 --> 00:41:45.539
 church of Thessalonica,

00:41:45.779 --> 00:41:47.759
 are emulated by the

00:41:47.759 --> 00:41:48.699
 ministry that he has

00:41:48.699 --> 00:41:50.460
 just like dad to

00:41:50.460 --> 00:41:51.359
 the church.

00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:53.440
 So, he wants you

00:41:53.440 --> 00:41:54.139
 to understand that

00:41:54.139 --> 00:41:55.039
 they're inseparable.

00:41:56.119 --> 00:41:57.279
 That if you have the

00:41:57.279 --> 00:41:58.219
 one, that you're

00:41:58.219 --> 00:41:58.980
 going to have the

00:41:58.980 --> 00:41:59.239
 other.

00:41:59.579 --> 00:42:00.239
 If you have a

00:42:00.239 --> 00:42:01.359
 ministry of grace,

00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:02.379
 you're going to also

00:42:02.379 --> 00:42:03.259
 have a ministry of

00:42:03.259 --> 00:42:03.599
 truth.

00:42:03.899 --> 00:42:04.480
 If you're going to

00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:05.539
 look like moms in

00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:07.019
 your affection for

00:42:07.019 --> 00:42:08.159
 people that God has

00:42:08.159 --> 00:42:09.940
 put you in ministry

00:42:09.940 --> 00:42:10.840
 with, you're going

00:42:10.840 --> 00:42:11.759
 to look like dads

00:42:11.759 --> 00:42:13.059
 because that ministry

00:42:13.059 --> 00:42:13.539
 is going to be

00:42:13.539 --> 00:42:14.259
 bolstered and

00:42:14.259 --> 00:42:15.679
 strengthened by the

00:42:15.679 --> 00:42:16.579
 ministry of truth

00:42:16.579 --> 00:42:17.179
 and toil.

00:42:18.860 --> 00:42:20.199
 I mean, just for

00:42:20.199 --> 00:42:21.440
 your benefit, just

00:42:21.440 --> 00:42:22.940
 point some of these

00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:23.500
 things out.

00:42:24.119 --> 00:42:25.440
 Verse 1 says,

00:42:25.820 --> 00:42:26.860
 you yourselves

00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:27.460
 know.

00:42:28.380 --> 00:42:29.679
 Verse 9 begins

00:42:29.679 --> 00:42:30.420
 with, you

00:42:30.420 --> 00:42:31.519
 yourselves know.

00:42:33.039 --> 00:42:34.179
 In verse 2, it

00:42:34.179 --> 00:42:35.059
 says, we declare the

00:42:35.059 --> 00:42:36.000
 gospel of God.

00:42:36.000 --> 00:42:37.760
 In verse 9, we

00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:38.800
 proclaim the gospel

00:42:38.800 --> 00:42:39.400
 of God.

00:42:40.159 --> 00:42:41.340
 In verse 3, it's

00:42:41.340 --> 00:42:42.139
 our appeal, which

00:42:42.139 --> 00:42:43.119
 uses the word

00:42:43.119 --> 00:42:44.659
 periclesis.

00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:46.559
 In verse 12, it

00:42:46.559 --> 00:42:47.460
 says, we exhorted,

00:42:47.639 --> 00:42:48.739
 which uses the word

00:42:48.739 --> 00:42:49.579
 pericleo.

00:42:51.139 --> 00:42:53.300
 In verse 3, it

00:42:53.300 --> 00:42:54.159
 says, God tests

00:42:54.159 --> 00:42:54.639
 our hearts.

00:42:54.739 --> 00:42:55.840
 And in verse 5, it

00:42:55.840 --> 00:42:56.639
 says, God is our

00:42:56.639 --> 00:42:56.920
 witness.

00:42:57.440 --> 00:42:58.019
 And then in verse

00:42:58.019 --> 00:42:59.260
 10, you, our

00:42:59.260 --> 00:43:00.099
 witness, is in God

00:43:00.099 --> 00:43:00.519
 also.

00:43:02.659 --> 00:43:03.900
 In verse 3, we

00:43:03.900 --> 00:43:04.559
 didn't come with

00:43:04.559 --> 00:43:05.719
 impurity or

00:43:05.719 --> 00:43:06.619
 attempt to deceive.

00:43:07.059 --> 00:43:07.840
 In verse 5, we

00:43:07.840 --> 00:43:08.579
 never came with

00:43:08.579 --> 00:43:09.860
 flattery or with

00:43:09.860 --> 00:43:10.199
 greed.

00:43:10.559 --> 00:43:11.139
 And then in verse

00:43:11.139 --> 00:43:12.619
 10, we were

00:43:12.619 --> 00:43:13.779
 holy, righteous,

00:43:14.139 --> 00:43:14.759
 and blameless

00:43:14.759 --> 00:43:15.320
 towards you.

00:43:17.099 --> 00:43:18.019
 Verse 5, you

00:43:18.019 --> 00:43:18.559
 know how we

00:43:18.559 --> 00:43:18.920
 acted.

00:43:19.900 --> 00:43:21.159
 Verse 11, you

00:43:21.159 --> 00:43:21.739
 know how we

00:43:21.739 --> 00:43:22.039
 acted.

00:43:23.059 --> 00:43:23.960
 Verse 7, we

00:43:23.960 --> 00:43:24.360
 were like a

00:43:24.360 --> 00:43:24.579
 mother.

00:43:26.659 --> 00:43:27.539
 Verse 11 and

00:43:27.539 --> 00:43:28.340
 12, we were

00:43:28.340 --> 00:43:28.900
 like a father.

00:43:28.900 --> 00:43:32.380
 If you're going

00:43:32.380 --> 00:43:33.019
 to have true

00:43:33.019 --> 00:43:33.980
 spiritual ministry,

00:43:34.840 --> 00:43:35.500
 you need to be

00:43:35.500 --> 00:43:36.119
 like a mom.

00:43:37.300 --> 00:43:37.740
 You need to be

00:43:37.740 --> 00:43:38.440
 full of grace.

00:43:38.639 --> 00:43:39.300
 There needs to be

00:43:39.300 --> 00:43:41.300
 godly affection for

00:43:41.300 --> 00:43:42.240
 the people that God

00:43:42.240 --> 00:43:43.400
 has put you in touch

00:43:43.400 --> 00:43:43.720
 with.

00:43:45.360 --> 00:43:46.480
 But that can't be

00:43:46.480 --> 00:43:47.599
 lacking the spiritual

00:43:47.599 --> 00:43:48.559
 ministry like dad,

00:43:48.639 --> 00:43:50.519
 a ministry of toil

00:43:50.519 --> 00:43:51.519
 and truth.

00:43:52.840 --> 00:43:54.559
 The two go hand

00:43:54.559 --> 00:43:54.920
 in hand.

00:43:54.920 --> 00:43:57.380
 Because true

00:43:57.380 --> 00:43:58.200
 spiritual ministry

00:43:58.200 --> 00:43:58.840
 is a ministry

00:43:58.840 --> 00:44:00.019
 that emulates

00:44:00.019 --> 00:44:01.220
 our Savior,

00:44:02.360 --> 00:44:03.440
 a man of truth

00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:04.599
 and grace.

00:44:05.460 --> 00:44:06.200
 Oh, that we

00:44:06.200 --> 00:44:07.220
 would be like

00:44:07.220 --> 00:44:07.860
 our Savior.

00:44:08.599 --> 00:44:09.099
 Let's pray.

00:44:09.099 --> 00:44:11.500
 Thank you.

00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:11.500


00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:11.500


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00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:11.500