Our main text for the morning is going to be verses 9 through 12.
I think it will be helpful for us to start reading at verse number 1.
I'm not going to work through all those verses,
but 9 through 12 really is just kind of a portion of a larger argument in the text.
And I've kind of chopped it up into three or four different sections.
I want us to, at least in the reading here at the front end,
to kind of bring all of it back together so we have a good understanding of context.
And then we'll spend our time really focused in on verses 9 through 12.
1 Thessalonians 2, verse 1.
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.
But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi,
as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God
in the midst of much conflict.
For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive.
But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,
so we speak.
Not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
For we never came with words of flattery, as you know,
nor with a pretext for greed, God as witness.
Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others,
though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
But we were gentle among you,
like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
So being affectionately desirous of you,
we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God,
but also our own selves,
because you had become very dear to us.
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil.
We worked night and day,
that we might not be a burden to any of you,
while we proclaim to you the gospel of God.
You are witnesses, and God also,
how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
For you know how, like a father with his children,
we exhorted each one of you,
and encouraged you, and charged you,
to walk in a manner worthy of God,
who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Amen.
Well, I think all of us would probably agree
that one of the most difficult, challenging things to do in this life
is to determine who you can trust.
Determine who you can trust.
Unfortunately, it's all too common for people,
for us, to be failed by, hurt by those
whom we should be able to trust the most.
First, a spouse may abandon you for another lover.
A parent may abuse you rather than protect you.
A doctor may fail to give you adequate care.
A spiritual leader, pastor,
may turn out to be a total fraud.
And to experience that kind of betrayal is devastating, isn't it?
It's hurtful, it's devastating,
it's infuriating in many cases,
and it can quickly drive us to an unhealthy kind of cynicism
that begins to hold everyone else accountable
for the sins of those who have hurt us.
So that we build up walls,
and we refuse to really give any real trust to anyone else
because of the trust that has been betrayed
by other people that shouldn't have betrayed us.
You know what I mean.
But at the end of the day,
we all know that you can't really function in life
without trusting people on some level.
We have to.
Every day of our lives,
we're putting our trust in someone for something.
And that may be a guarded trust,
it may be a cynical trust,
but we have to do it, right?
We have to do it.
It's one of the curses of living in a fallen world.
We are created to exist in community,
but no part of that community is exempt from sin's corruption.
No part of it.
And this certainly includes the Christian church.
And you don't have to look very far
to find people who are turning away from Christianity,
they're turning away from the gospel,
not necessarily always because they find that it's untenable
or not credible,
but because they've been hurt by Christians
and spiritual leaders who were supposed to love them,
who they should have been able to trust.
And we long for it to be different than this.
We long for a world that isn't like this.
We long for a life that isn't like this.
And those of us that know and believe the gospel,
we actually do have hope in this, don't we?
We live daily in the hope that Jesus is going to return
and that when he returns,
he's going to right all wrongs.
He is going to rid us of indwelling sin.
He's going to usher in an eternal kingdom
that is everything that Eden was meant to be.
It's coming.
The day will come.
He will return at just the right time.
And we will live, those of us who know him,
will live eternally in a place that we long for now
in this place and in this world.
But in the meantime,
we by necessity must endure the brokenness of this world.
Including the reality of betrayal,
even by those in the church
whom we should be able to otherwise trust.
That brings up a question.
Is there actually a way for us to recognize
and discern and identify
spiritual leaders or gospel ministers,
pastors,
disciples,
whatever it may be.
Is there a way for us to actually identify
which of those people we can actually trust?
And I would say,
yes,
the scripture gives us the criteria
for such discernment.
And this passage,
particularly verses 9 through 12,
takes up that very issue.
There was a problem in cities like Thessalonica
during Paul's day.
It involved itinerant philosophers
and religious teachers
who preyed on people
for personal gain.
They sold people lies in many cases,
manipulated them
in order that they might personally accrue wealth,
notoriety,
power.
It's not very different today.
And understanding the prevalence
of such charlatans
as we would categorize them,
having possibly even been accused
of being one himself in Thessalonica.
Paul wrote here reminding
the Thessalonian Christians
of the authentic nature
of his ministry to them.
Which defending the credibility
of the gospel in this way
was always utmost of importance
for Paul
when he wrote these kinds of things.
But there is another
actually major reason
why he does this
here in this text
in the context
of 1 Thessalonians.
And it is this.
He did this
in order that he might comfort
and reassure
suffering Christians.
Why is he focused so much
on his ministry to them?
Well, part of that is,
and maybe primarily,
is even just to help
defend the gospel itself
more so than to defend
himself.
But there's another piece here
and I'm going to explain why.
It's that this was
a suffering group of Christians
who no doubt
were beginning to have questions
about whether or not
they should continue
in this faith.
And Paul writes this
about the authentic nature
of his ministry
in order that he might comfort them,
in order that he might strengthen
them in those moments.
At least 10 different times,
just in 1 Thessalonians,
Paul uses some variation
of the phrase,
as you know,
or for you know,
which is unlike
any of his other letters.
This is unique
to 1 Thessalonians.
You can pull up
his other letters.
Sometimes he never uses
this phrase at all.
Ephesians, Colossians,
Philippians,
once or twice
he uses a phrase like this.
But in this short letter
in 1 Thessalonians,
at least 10 different times
he uses a variation of it.
More than half of those times
it has to do with
his character as a minister.
Three of those times
happens in verses 9 through 12.
Just set your eyes on them.
Look, verse 9.
For you remember.
Verse 10.
You are witnesses.
Verse 11.
For you know.
Why is he doing that?
Why is he using this phrase?
We have to ask that question
because it's so different
from his other writings.
Well, clearly Paul wanted them
to recall
what they knew
to be true of him.
And his reason for that
I believe
was to strengthen their faith
in affliction.
Because suffering
tends to create
a pathway to doubt.
We understand that.
Suffering sets us
very quickly
on the pathway
to doubt.
And it's reasonable
for us to conclude
that because of the persecution
that they faced
for their faith,
the Thessalonian Christians
might have been tempted
to question
the validity
of Paul's ministry
and thereby
forsake the gospel itself.
So whether he was
being accused
of being one
of these charlatans
or else
he just understood
the possibility
and potential
of being grouped
in with them,
Paul reassured
these believers
by reminding them
of the authenticity
of his ministry.
And as a result of that
the Lord has graciously
given us
in this text
a set of criteria.
Criteria for discerning
the kind of minister
we can trust.
The kind of pastor
you can trust.
But before we examine
the three characteristics
that are in these verses
we need to understand
that the foundation
for a trustworthy minister
is always
a commitment
to faithfully proclaim
the gospel
of Jesus.
If it's nothing else
it is the faithful
proclamation
of the gospel.
This is at the heart
of Christianity itself
and it should be
at the heart
of everything
a Christian minister
does.
constantly bringing
those under his care
back to the reality
of the gospel
not only as he evangelizes
the lost
but as he encourages
and strengthens
and edifies
and exhorts
the saved.
A constant focus
on the gospel.
The apostles
including Paul
were hyper focused
on gospel proclamation
as apostles
as sent ones.
That's actually what
Jesus sent them to do
to proclaim
the gospel.
Just look here
in the first two chapters
of 1 Thessalonians
chapter 1
verse 5
Our gospel
came to you
not only in word
but also in power
and in the Holy Spirit
and with full conviction.
Chapter 2
verse 2
We had boldness
in our God
to declare to you
the gospel of God
in the midst
of much affliction.
Chapter 2
verse 8
We were ready
to share with you
not only the gospel
of God
but our own selves.
Chapter 2
verse 9
While we proclaim
to you
the gospel of God
Do you see this?
As Paul is writing
as he's reflecting
on the nature
of his ministry
over and over
and over
he relates
the heart
of his ministry
to the proclamation
of the gospel.
That's what a faithful
minister does.
That's what a faithful
Christian does.
Everything focused
the heart
of the gospel message.
But what is that gospel?
If that's what
a faithful minister does
if that's what
faithful Christians
are to do
what is the gospel
that they are
to proclaim?
Most of you
probably know
gospel itself
it means good news.
The gospel
is the good news
of what
God has done
to save sinners
through the sacrificial
death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
Let me just say that again.
The gospel
is the good news
of what God
has done
to save sinners
through the sacrificial
death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
You want to know
what a faithful minister
looks like?
It starts and ends
with faithful proclamation
of the gospel.
The good news
that God
saves sinners
and that he saves
sinners
through the sacrifice
of his own son.
See all of us
are not only
by action
but by nature
sinners.
We have
rebelled against God.
It's in our nature
to do so.
In our sinful condition
it separates us
from fellowship
with our creator.
It destines us
for God's judgment.
But in his love
not by our request
but on his initiative
and in his love
God made a way
for us to be forgiven
so that we might
be reconciled
to him.
And he does that
through his own son.
Jesus
co-equal
and eternal
with the Father
and the Spirit
comes to earth
as we'll spend
the next month
focusing on
in the incarnation.
He lives the life
that we were meant
to live.
He perfectly fulfills
the law
as the second Adam
but then he was
crucified
as an atonement
for us.
He lived the life
that we were meant
to live
and then he died
the death
that we deserved
to die.
And then God
raised him
from the dead
to prove
that his sacrifice
was sufficient.
that it appeased
the wrath of God
against sinners
and then he turns
and he looks at sinners
and he says
you don't have to carry
the burden
of the law anymore.
All of the righteousness
you're working for
hoping
to get back
into favor with me.
Lay down that burden.
Jesus has done it
on your behalf
and he took your death
on your behalf
and then Jesus turns
and he says
now just come to me.
Come to me.
And believe.
Come and believe
the gospel.
Receive my righteousness.
Believe in my atonement.
Not in any atonement
you might give
for yourself.
And God says
all who will come
and believe
will be forgiven,
will be reconciled
to God,
will be at peace
with God
and will be given
eternal life
with God.
loved ones,
this is the gospel.
It's the gospel.
It's what Paul
gave his life to share.
It's what the Thessalonians
endured
such persecution for.
And the fact is
that you cannot trust
someone
whose fundamental objective
is anything except
declaring to you
the gospel of Jesus.
Jesus.
And with that in mind
we can then look
at these three characteristics
that come to the surface here.
The first one
that we find here
in verse 9
is that a trustworthy minister
labors diligently
for the gospel.
A trustworthy minister
labors diligently
for the gospel.
Look with me again
at verse 9.
For you remember
brothers
our labor
and toil
we worked
night and day
that we might not
be a burden
to any of you
while we proclaim
to you
the gospel of God.
So what's the focus
here in verse 9?
The heart of it
as we've just said
is the proclamation
of the gospel.
And how is it
that Paul
and Silas
and Timothy
supported
the opportunity
to preach
that gospel?
Well they worked
night and day
so they wouldn't
be a burden
to anybody else.
They diligently
labored
for the gospel's
sake.
Now this particular
verse
it is a call
to remember
that's the first phrase
right?
For you remember
he's recalling
to their memory
it corresponds
to an issue
that he actually
brought up
in verse 5.
Just put your eyes
on verse 5
again.
He says
we never came
to you
with words
of flattery
as you know
nor with a
pretext
for greed
he says.
This is corresponding
back to that.
Remember all of this
is one argument
we're just kind of
chopping it up
as we study it
together.
It's one argument
it's corresponding
back to verse 5.
So that there were
some people
who were coming
to Thessalonica
and they were
trying to gain
influence in the city
as a pretext
for greed
in order that
they may
influence people
to gain
for themselves
to get money.
Paul, Silas,
and Timothy
did not do that.
Instead
they worked hard
so as not
to receive
compensation
from those
to whom
they ministered
the gospel.
So not only
did they
diligently labor
to preach
the gospel
message itself
but they
diligently
labored
to support
that gospel
ministry
through their
own trade.
Acts 18 tells us
Acts 18
1-3
tells us that
Paul was a
tent maker
by trade
and that he
often used
his craft
to finance
his gospel
work.
This is one
of the many
ways that Paul
distinguished
himself
from the
charlatans
of the day.
If there
was any doubt
in the minds
of the Thessalonians
about the
authenticity
of Paul's
ministry
as it related
to the potential
of greed
all they had
to do
is remember
about the
nature of
his ministry
while he
was there
and what is
it that he
calls to their
mind?
Hey, just
remember
we didn't
come greedy
we didn't
in fact
we didn't
take anything
from you
and so those
who might have
been tempted
to doubt
maybe
questioning
maybe listening
to unfounded
accusations
that came
against the
apostle
and then
wondering
whether or
not they
believed a
lie
because they
were deceived
by a charlatan
oh now they
just think back
and recall
no you're right
he didn't
come that way
what a comfort
this would have
brought to their
their hearts
in that moment
to remember
that unlike
many others
he took
nothing from
them
trustworthy
ministers
serve the
purposes
of the gospel
unfaithful
ministers
use the
gospel
to serve
their own
purposes
you see
in Thessalonica's
case
it was charlatans
coming in
with deceptive
things
but there
are those
who will
come in
with a
truthful
message
but still
have a
pretext
for greed
that's not
a faithful
minister
that's not
someone you
can trust
that's someone
who inevitably
unless the
Lord graciously
calls them
to repentance
of that
inevitably
they're going
to fail
you
they're going
to betray
you
because their
fundamental
objective
is not
the preaching
of the gospel
the fundamental
objective
is to gain
for themselves
and they're
using the gospel
to do it
Paul says
we didn't
come that way
that was not
our behavior
but this raises
an important
question for us
doesn't it
maybe it's a
question you're
asking there
in your seat
now
and it is
the question
of if
or how
pastors
and missionaries
and evangelists
and other
vocational
ministers
should be
compensated
for their
gospel work
do we come
to a text
like this
and say
well
this indicates
that really
no gospel
minister should
ever receive
compensation
for this
isn't that
what Paul's
saying
when it's
worth us
at least
taking a
moment
to consider
that question
in this
moment
now
it's
noteworthy
that Paul
was describing
his practice
in Thessalonica
he was not
prescribing
something
for all
gospel
ministers
here
we understand
that in the
context of
what he's
saying
he's saying
remember
what I was
like
while I
was with
you
that doesn't
say anything
about a
command or
an instruction
it doesn't
even say
anything about
other points
in Paul's
ministry
it just
says
when I
was with
you
in
Thessalonica
I didn't
take anything
from you
we labored
hard night
and day
so that we
wouldn't
take anything
from you
so we
need to
keep that
in mind
Paul
himself
even
received
material
support
from
other
churches
while
he
was
in
Thessalonica
we learn
that in
Philippians
chapter 4
and verse
16
on two
separate
occasions
the church
in Philippi
who was
also a
suffering
church
but the
church
in
Philippi
on two
separate
occasions
sent
material
goods
to
Paul
in order
to support
his
ministry
in
Thessalonica
and Paul
willingly
and graciously
accepted
that gift
and accepted
that compensation
for the gospel
work
so we can
look at this
and say
okay
Paul's
describing
something
about his
ministry
in Thessalonica
but even
while he's
there
he's
receiving
help
and support
from other
people
so that
brings in
some nuance
to the
question
doesn't
it
but then
we find
in other
writings
that Paul
not only
affirmed
that it's
permissible
for pastors
to be
paid
for their
work
but that
it's
actually
the duty
of congregations
to supply
the needs
of their
elders
1st
Timothy
chapter 5
verses 17
and 18
this is on
the screen
for you to
see
let the elders
who rule
well
be considered
worthy
of double
honor
this is the
context
of financial
help
especially
those who
labor
in preaching
and teaching
for the
scripture
says
you shall
not
muzzle
an ox
when it
treads
out the
grain
and
the
laborer
deserves
his wages
Paul clearly
has in
mind
their
material
compensation
for gospel
work
and he's
saying
congregations
need to be
responsible
for this
they need
to care
for the
elders
in their
church
in order
that the
elders
may give
their time
to the
ministry
of the
work
in that
congregation
let me show
you another
passage
1st
Corinthians
chapter 9
I would
encourage you
to go back
and read
the entire
paragraph
here but
just verses
13 and
14 for
now
Paul says
do you not
know that
those who
are employed
in the
temple service
get their
food from
the temple
and those
who serve
at the
altar
share in
the sacrificial
offerings
in the
same way
the Lord
commanded
that those
who proclaim
the gospel
should get
their living
by the
gospel
okay
so there
Paul's actually
saying no
this is
it's not
only permissible
it's good
and churches
should care
about this
so when we
come back to
1st Thessalonians
chapter 2
the issue
here is not
about whether
it is right
for ministers
to be paid
but whether
a minister
is willing
to continue
faithfully
proclaiming
the gospel
when compensation
is either
impossible
or unhelpful
and in the
case of the
Thessalonian
church
it might
have been
both
impossible
and unhelpful
faithful
ministers
are not
motivated
by money
they do
not use
the ministry
as a means
to accrue
wealth
and as they
are given
this qualification
in 1st
Timothy 3
and Titus 1
they manage
their homes
well
so that they
do not
enter into
temptation
for greed
or unnecessarily
burden
the people
that they
serve
that's what
a faithful
minister
does
so is
ministerial
compensation
good
yes
is it
always
right
no
and there's
three reasons
that Paul
gives
for why
he did
this
in his
ministry
the first
reason he
gives
is that it
was not
to burden
others
the idea
here is an
unnecessary
burden
laying a
weight
that's attached
to the gospel
laying a weight
on the shoulders
of people
the gospel
lifts burdens
it is not
meant to
add burdens
and Paul
says when we
came to you
right there
in 1st
Thessalonians 2
9
we work
night and
day
that we
might not
be a burden
to any
of you
we didn't
want the
gospel to
come in
there
we didn't
want to
come in
guns
ablaze
and making
demands
of you
and adding
a burden
to you
when the
gospel is
not meant
to bring
a burden
the gospel
is meant
to bring
blessing
we might
consider
Acts chapter
20
verses
33 to
35
Paul says
there to
the Ephesian
elders
he said
I coveted
no one's
silver or
gold or
apparel
you yourselves
know that
these hands
ministered to
my necessities
and to
those who
were with
me
in all
things I
have shown
you that
by working
hard in
this way
we must
help the
weak
and remember
the words
of the Lord
Jesus how
he said
this
it is more
blessed to
give than
to receive
now that's
an important
statement there
why is it
that Paul is
saying that
when he went
to Ephesus
he didn't
receive
compensation
that he
worked hard
he said
because from
his perspective
it was
actually generous
of him
not to do
that in
Ephesus
it would
have been
a burden
to those
Christians
it would
have been
a burden
to that
church
that was
not necessary
for them
to carry
and he
says so I
didn't
burden you
that way
he says
the same
thing to
the Thessalonians
it wasn't
possible and
it wasn't
helpful I
didn't want
to burden
you so I
worked hard
the second
reason he
gives
is that he
might provide
an example
for others
to follow
would you
just flip
over to
second
Thessalonians
verse chapter
three
second Thessalonians
chapter three
what we find
here is that
there was an
issue in the
churches
in the church
in Thessalonica
some people
were intentionally
not working
not because they
couldn't work
but because they
were basically
mooching off
the church
so Paul
sets an
example for
them and
he confronts
it look
with me in
second Thessalonians
chapter three
let's start
actually in
verse six
now we
command you
brothers in
the name
of our
Lord Jesus
Christ that
you keep
away from
any brother
who is
walking in
idleness
and not in
accord with
the tradition
that you
received from
us
idleness
laziness
intentionally
not working
in order
that they
might be a
leech on
others
okay
that's the
idea here
of the
idol person
what's the
tradition that
he's passed
on the
tradition is
his own
example right
his own
example and
his command
verse seven
for you
yourselves know
how you
ought to
imitate us
because we
were not
idle when we
were with
you nor
did we eat
anyone's bread
without paying
for it but
with toil and
labor we
worked night
and day that
we might not
be a burden
to any of
you now look
at verse
nine it
was not because
we do not
have that
right but
to give
you in
ourselves an
example to
imitate so
first he says
I didn't take
anything from
me because I
didn't want to
be an
unnecessary
burden to
you and
then he says
but you also
needed an
example of
hard work
because there's
people still in
your congregation
Paul says who
are walking in
idleness and
they need to
look at us and
they need to
imitate what we
did for the
gospel sake and
not be a burden
to other people and
not stand in the
way in the gospel
but actually work
and help and
serve third
reason Paul did
this so that he
would not become
an obstacle to
the gospel so that
he would not
present an obstacle
to the gospel
first Corinthians
chapter nine again
we read a portion
of this a moment
ago but verse 12
is where I want to
read now Paul
says if others
share this rightful
claim on you this
is that's compensation
do we not even
more nevertheless
we have not made
use of this right
we have not
received from you
what we could have
received from you
we have not made
use of this right
but we endure
anything rather
than put an
obstacle in the
way of the gospel
of Christ
in other words he
says to the church
in Corinth if I
had done this it
would have been an
obstacle to the
gospel people would
not have taken the
gospel seriously they
would have just
thought I was a
charlatan like
everybody else this
what everybody else
does he says we
didn't come that
way he tells the
Thessalonians we
didn't come that
way to you and
what do we learn
from that we learn
that a trustworthy
minister a pastor
you can trust is
somebody who is not
manipulated and
motivated by money
and personal gain
they work diligently
for the gospel even
if that means that
they have to work
diligently in order
to support their
gospel ministry that's
where their heart is
it's in the gospel
secondly a trustworthy
minister conducts
himself with
integrity a
trustworthy minister
conducts himself with
integrity look at
verse 10 you are
witnesses and God
also how holy and
righteous and
blameless was our
conduct toward you
believers so Paul
calls on the
Thessalonians as
eyewitnesses here and
what are they
eyewitnesses to his
integrity while some
in Thessalonica were
using flattery and
deceit to prey on
people Paul and
Silas and Timothy
behaved honorably but
notice the
specificity of his
conduct toward
believers that's what
he says we were
holy righteous and
blameless in our
conduct toward you
believers what does
he mean by that why
does he make that
distinction what
doesn't mean that he
lacked integrity with
unbelievers but he
was appealing to those
who knew him best
among whom he lived
and served the people
that he spent his time
with the people that he
lived with and lived
among which gives us
another insight into
what a faithful minister
does he's actually with
the people that he
served so that they
might observe his life
Paul was with them he
lived with them he was
among them and he
appeals to them now to
just recall just remember
you yourselves know you
were witnesses of of how
we conducted ourselves
and what he says is there
was no pretense here
there was no pretense with
Paul and Silas and
Timothy they weren't one
way in public and another
way in private they
acted with integrity in all
things and the Thessalonian
Christians knew it well
let's think about these
three adjectives he uses
here first he says we our
conduct was holy holy
and this is not the
typical word that we
think of with holiness
that's hagios which is a
reference to moral quality
that's not actually the
word that Paul writes
with here he writes with
a slightly different word
husios or husios which is
more the sense of devout
so he says you understand
what our conduct was like
among you you saw our
lives we were truly
devout we were truly
devoted to God and the
gospel in other words he
wasn't a showman he was
authentically a devoted
Christian I've been around
a lot of pastors in my
life it would be shocking
and some of you probably
already know this would be
shocking for you to know
how many people stand in
pulpits Sunday by Sunday
but Monday to Saturday are
not truly really devoted to
God in their Christian life
Paul says that is not how
we were we were truly
devoted to God and you saw
it you saw our devotion
secondly he says we were
righteous meaning that they
wronged no one as they
ministered in Thessalonica
Thessalonica they didn't take
advantage of people they
didn't mistreat people for
personal gain they did what
was right even when it may
have been more advantageous for
them not to they were
righteous third they were
blameless they gave no
occasion for the gospel to be
reproached they didn't flirt with
ethical boundaries so as to
cause suspicion about their
ministry if the people in
Thessalonica rejected the
gospel it wouldn't have been
because Paul's conduct was
disingenuous or questionable
they were blameless in their
ministry so then they were
holy in terms of their
relationship to God they were
righteous in terms of their
dealings with others they were
blameless in terms of the
observation of the watching
world that's what a faithful
minister is like hey can we just
say that's what a faithful
Christian is like Christians
don't get off the hook just
because he's describing a
pastoral ministry no this this
is what our lives are to
reflect holiness genuine
devotion righteousness
blameless Christians in
Thessalonica knew that Paul and
his team acted with integrity but
did you notice in verse 10
there's a greater witness here you
see what he says they knew it was
true more importantly God knew it
was true now why would he say
that he's already said it a couple
of times in this whole section
hasn't he God is witness God who
tests our hearts he knows even if
the Thessalonian Christians doubted
his intentions Paul appealed to
God who knows our hearts
here again we find that Paul's ultimate
motivation and his ultimate desire was
to glorify God it wasn't about his
reputation just for his reputation
sake no he did what he did and he lived
the way he lived because he wanted to
honor God and at the end of the day even
if the Thessalonians doubted or questioned
his motives for any ways he makes his
appeal to God and he understands that in
the end it is before God that he will
stand it is to God that he will finally
answer and Paul says the God who knows
all things was a personal witness to his
integrity now let me ask you this is
your life and ministry and if you're a
Christian we all have a gospel ministry in
some way is your life and ministry carried
out with this kind of integrity
to those who know you best would they
affirm that you are truly devoted to God
righteous in the way that you deal with
people blameless before the watching
world would your kids testify that that
guy I see on Sunday morning is not the guy
I see on Sunday afternoon would a co-worker
be surprised that you spent the better part
of your morning in worship but even
greater than that will God who knows your
heart will he give witness to your
integrity everyone will stand before God
unbelievers will stand there in judgment
so will believers but a different kind of
judgment our works the Bible says will be
exposed it will be made open by the God who
knows us better than anybody else and when
that that's what Paul's appealing to here when
that moment comes and you stand before God will
the one who actually knows you say holy
righteous blameless third a trustworthy
minister lovingly instructs others to glorify
God lovingly instructs others to glorify God verses 11 and 12 you know how like a father with his
children we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God who calls you into his own kingdom
glory this final note he brings in to focus the character and content of his instruction to them
and he gives three words three characteristics here that that he exhorted them means that he
instructed them as one having authority to do so but not as a distant authority but as someone who was coming alongside of them
John Piper says this this particular word for exhortation he in in his words he said it is full of partnership
so it is authority that's coming with you in the process not cold demands but journeying with you on the way
Paul says that's how that's how we instructed you
encouragement underscores an emotional element to the instruction
truth is living as a Christian is not easy it's quite difficult actually
Paul was coming alongside struggling Christians in Thessalonica and he was encouraging them to press forward
you can do this the Lord is with you let me show you stay with me follow me
as I follow Christ
that he charged them introduces
solemnity
gravitas to the instruction
the connotation with that one is that Paul implored them as someone who had been there and understood truly what was at stake
he was imploring them to do what
walk worthy
now all of this
exhortation
encouragement
charge
is colored by the idea
that he treated them like a father
with his children
now your experience
that may not be very positive
Paul speaking generally here
the faithful father
that's how we minister to you
how is exhortation and encouragement and charging
of a father different from other authorities
faithful father is with you he desires your good
he's not hateful
doesn't exasperate his children
he encourages them
he may be firm with them
but it's all for the good
of their own benefit
Paul didn't instruct them as an impersonal authority
but as a loving father who cares for them and
desires their ultimate good
such as a faithful minister of the gospel
he does not lord over people for his benefit
he lovingly instructs them
for theirs
you say how can I
how can I find a pastor
a minister
a disciple
or a Christian
who I can really trust
well
would they really care
about you glorifying God
or
being able to add you to the list of people
that they successfully
discipled
what's it about here
are they lording over your life
or are they coming alongside you
to lovingly instruct you
that may be firm
that may even be confrontational
but it's colored
by this idea of a father with his children
we're almost done
faithful pastoral instruction
isn't just about manner and sincerity though is it
we know that
many people are sincerely wrong
leading people astray
even with what appears to be good intentions
and genuine care
the content of one's instruction
is of utmost importance
and the summary of Paul's instruction
was that the Thessalonians
walk worthy of God
he didn't mean that they needed to live lives
that needed to reach a measure of holiness
so that God would accept them
that's not what he means by that
worthy here is being used in the sense of fitness
he urged them to live in a manner
that was fitting of someone
that already belongs to God
he said that's how we instructed you
that was the objective there
it wasn't to do things for us
it was no
we were pushing you to follow God
to live worthy of him
to exalt him
to preach his gospel
that's what we were urging you to do
of course all of this instruction
is grounded in the gospel of Jesus
which is the significance of the very last phrase there
in the New Testament call here
which is what Paul says in verse 12
this God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory
the New Testament call
usually is referring to an individual salvation
we think of call in terms of
like being commissioned to a task
the New Testament very rarely actually uses the term that way
it's almost always in relationship to the call of God to salvation
through the preaching of the gospel
God effectually calls us into his kingdom
and out of sin and unbelief
let me just give you a verse that you might know well
that helps us kind of wrap our brains around that
1 Peter 2 9
you are a chosen race
a royal priesthood
a holy nation
a people for his own possession
that you may proclaim the excellencies of him
who called you out of darkness
into his marvelous light
it's the call to salvation
typically when call is used
that's the way it's being used in the New Testament
now what's interesting about the way Paul uses it
in 1 Thessalonians 2 12
is that it's in the present tense
not the past tense
did you notice that?
he says we urged you to walk worthy of God
and he doesn't say
who called you
into his kingdom and glory
no
he said
who calls
you presently
calls
you into his kingdom and glory
but why did he do it that way?
why did he say it like that?
oh this is so helpful
he's reminding us
that God continually calls his people
to walk worthy
of their identity
as citizens of his kingdom
representing his glory
his beauty
his gospel
his perfections
in this world
this instruction
is the urging
to pursue greater holiness
in sanctification
but let's color it
just with another verse
in 1 Thessalonians
just flip over to chapter 5
and look at verses 23 and 24
in closing out the letter
Paul says
now may the God of peace himself
do what?
sanctify you completely
and may your whole spirit
and soul and body
be kept blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
now notice verse 24
he who calls you
present tense
he who calls you is faithful
he will surely do it
now what's the significance of this?
God continually
every day
he's calling you
walk worthy of me
live as a citizen of my kingdom
display my glory
in the world
that's why I've saved you
is to display my glory
in the world
and Paul says
and we've come alongside you
like a loving father
and this is what we're urging you to do
walk worthy of God
live for his glory
live as if you really are
a citizen of his kingdom
for if you're in Christ
that's exactly who you are
and then when he gets
to the end of the letter
what is it that he says?
he says look
the one who calls you
he's faithful
he will do this in you
this is amazing
God calls us to salvation
through the gospel
he calls us to live worthy
of our new identity in Christ
and then by his spirit
God enables us to do it
he actually gives us the power
to do it
so a trustworthy minister
like a loving father
will implore you
to walk worthy of God
and he will encourage you
with the fact
that God himself
is with you
and enables you
to walk worthy of him
because sometimes we hear
an instruction like that
and we think
I can't do that
I just don't have it in me
to live like that
to have that kind of boldness
and I just
I fall in so many ways
and I sin all the time
and Paul's coming alongside
these other Christians
who had sin in their lives even
he's come alongside them
he says listen
walk worthy of God
he is with you
he's gonna do this in you
lean on him
trust in him
follow him
he will do this work
he's faithful
he'll do it
and one day he'll complete it
he'll complete it
loved ones
I implore you
walk worthy of God
if you're in Christ
he's called you
into his kingdom
that's the reality
of your identity now
you belong to him
if you're a Christian
and that will never change
now live like it
live like it
put off the deeds
of the flesh
live in genuine devotion
to God and his gospel
don't be a casual Christian
be truly devoted
be righteous
in your conduct
don't mistreat people
always do what's right
even if it hurts you
to do it
always do what's right
walk blamelessly
why?
because you've been called
into his kingdom
and as a citizen
of his kingdom
it's our responsibility
to display his glory
in this world
he has chosen us
for that task
and he enables us
in that task
so do it
do it
for his glory
and in his power
well what a reassurance
this must have been
for the Thessalonians
maybe they were
in a moment of doubt
maybe they were
really struggling
maybe the accusations
of enemies
if that was happening
maybe those accusations
were starting to get to them
as they faced
another beating
or as they faced
another form of
persecution
from their enemies
maybe they thought
maybe these guys
are right
is this worth it
maybe Paul was really
messing with us here
and then he writes
and he says
he says
just remember
remember how we came
to you
you were different
than those other guys
and you know it
you're with us
you saw it
that would have been
comforting right
wouldn't it have
strengthened their faith
in the gospel
their resolve
to continue
in faithfulness
and then what a help
it is for us
isn't it
to see biblical criteria
for ministers
that we should follow
notice there's nothing
here about charisma
there's nothing here
about personality
if that's what it takes
you're in trouble
no we see here
that the kind of
the kind of people
that we need to follow
through the text
God tells us
what to look for
in spiritual leaders
and getting closer
and closer
inevitably to
seeing men
in our church
who potentially
one day
will serve as elders
here in the church
and how do we
evaluate that
we use passages
like 1 Thessalonians 2
and then we see here
what standard
we need to hold them to
what standard
do you need to hold
me to
but God also
allows us to be
instructed by Paul
himself here
doesn't he
his instruction
wasn't only good
for the Thessalonians
it's good for us
this text
it's not just for those
in vocational ministry
each of us
we're all called
to minister the gospel
with these same
characteristics
diligent labor
and biblical integrity
and loving instruction
and we can't leave
the text
without giving
an honest examination
of ourselves
to see if
we're walking
worthy of God
and if we're not
we need to
we need to confess
that
we need to turn
in his grace
determined
to be faithful
and by God's grace
that's what we'll do
for better