WEBVTT

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 Our main text for the morning is going to be verses 9 through 12.

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 I think it will be helpful for us to start reading at verse number 1.

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 I'm not going to work through all those verses,

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 but 9 through 12 really is just kind of a portion of a larger argument in the text.

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 And I've kind of chopped it up into three or four different sections.

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 I want us to, at least in the reading here at the front end,

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 to kind of bring all of it back together so we have a good understanding of context.

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 And then we'll spend our time really focused in on verses 9 through 12.

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 1 Thessalonians 2, verse 1.

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 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

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 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi,

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 as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God

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 in the midst of much conflict.

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 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive.

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 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,

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 so we speak.

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 Not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

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 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know,

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 nor with a pretext for greed, God as witness.

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 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others,

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 though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

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 But we were gentle among you,

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 like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

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 So being affectionately desirous of you,

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 we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God,

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 but also our own selves,

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 because you had become very dear to us.

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 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil.

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 We worked night and day,

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 that we might not be a burden to any of you,

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 while we proclaim to you the gospel of God.

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 You are witnesses, and God also,

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 how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

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 For you know how, like a father with his children,

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 we exhorted each one of you,

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 and encouraged you, and charged you,

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 to walk in a manner worthy of God,

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 who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

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 Amen.

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 Well, I think all of us would probably agree

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 that one of the most difficult, challenging things to do in this life

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 is to determine who you can trust.

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 Determine who you can trust.

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 Unfortunately, it's all too common for people,

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 for us, to be failed by, hurt by those

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 whom we should be able to trust the most.

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 First, a spouse may abandon you for another lover.

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 A parent may abuse you rather than protect you.

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 A doctor may fail to give you adequate care.

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 A spiritual leader, pastor,

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 may turn out to be a total fraud.

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 And to experience that kind of betrayal is devastating, isn't it?

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 It's hurtful, it's devastating,

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 it's infuriating in many cases,

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 and it can quickly drive us to an unhealthy kind of cynicism

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 that begins to hold everyone else accountable

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 for the sins of those who have hurt us.

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 So that we build up walls,

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 and we refuse to really give any real trust to anyone else

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 because of the trust that has been betrayed

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 by other people that shouldn't have betrayed us.

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 You know what I mean.

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 But at the end of the day,

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 we all know that you can't really function in life

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 without trusting people on some level.

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 We have to.

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 Every day of our lives,

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 we're putting our trust in someone for something.

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 And that may be a guarded trust,

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 it may be a cynical trust,

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 but we have to do it, right?

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 We have to do it.

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 It's one of the curses of living in a fallen world.

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 We are created to exist in community,

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 but no part of that community is exempt from sin's corruption.

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 No part of it.

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 And this certainly includes the Christian church.

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 And you don't have to look very far

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 to find people who are turning away from Christianity,

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 they're turning away from the gospel,

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 not necessarily always because they find that it's untenable

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 or not credible,

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 but because they've been hurt by Christians

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 and spiritual leaders who were supposed to love them,

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 who they should have been able to trust.

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 And we long for it to be different than this.

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 We long for a world that isn't like this.

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 We long for a life that isn't like this.

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 And those of us that know and believe the gospel,

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 we actually do have hope in this, don't we?

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 We live daily in the hope that Jesus is going to return

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 and that when he returns,

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 he's going to right all wrongs.

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 He is going to rid us of indwelling sin.

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 He's going to usher in an eternal kingdom

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 that is everything that Eden was meant to be.

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 It's coming.

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 The day will come.

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 He will return at just the right time.

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 And we will live, those of us who know him,

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 will live eternally in a place that we long for now

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 in this place and in this world.

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 But in the meantime,

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 we by necessity must endure the brokenness of this world.

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 Including the reality of betrayal,

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 even by those in the church

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 whom we should be able to otherwise trust.

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 That brings up a question.

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 Is there actually a way for us to recognize

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 and discern and identify

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 spiritual leaders or gospel ministers,

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 pastors,

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 disciples,

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 whatever it may be.

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 Is there a way for us to actually identify

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 which of those people we can actually trust?

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 And I would say,

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 yes,

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 the scripture gives us the criteria

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 for such discernment.

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 And this passage,

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 particularly verses 9 through 12,

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 takes up that very issue.

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 There was a problem in cities like Thessalonica

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 during Paul's day.

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 It involved itinerant philosophers

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 and religious teachers

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 who preyed on people

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 for personal gain.

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 They sold people lies in many cases,

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 manipulated them

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 in order that they might personally accrue wealth,

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 notoriety,

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 power.

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 It's not very different today.

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 And understanding the prevalence

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 of such charlatans

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 as we would categorize them,

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 having possibly even been accused

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 of being one himself in Thessalonica.

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 Paul wrote here reminding

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 the Thessalonian Christians

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 of the authentic nature

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 of his ministry to them.

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 Which defending the credibility

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 of the gospel in this way

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 was always utmost of importance

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 for Paul

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 when he wrote these kinds of things.

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 But there is another

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 actually major reason

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 why he does this

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 here in this text

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 in the context

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 of 1 Thessalonians.

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 And it is this.

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 He did this

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 in order that he might comfort

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 and reassure

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 suffering Christians.

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 Why is he focused so much

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 on his ministry to them?

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 Well, part of that is,

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 and maybe primarily,

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 is even just to help

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 defend the gospel itself

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 more so than to defend

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 himself.

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 But there's another piece here

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 and I'm going to explain why.

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 It's that this was

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 a suffering group of Christians

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 who no doubt

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 were beginning to have questions

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 about whether or not

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 they should continue

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 in this faith.

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 And Paul writes this

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 about the authentic nature

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 of his ministry

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 in order that he might comfort them,

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 in order that he might strengthen

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 them in those moments.

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 At least 10 different times,

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 just in 1 Thessalonians,

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 Paul uses some variation

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 of the phrase,

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 as you know,

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 or for you know,

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 which is unlike

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 any of his other letters.

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 This is unique

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 to 1 Thessalonians.

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 You can pull up

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 his other letters.

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 Sometimes he never uses

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 this phrase at all.

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 Ephesians, Colossians,

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 Philippians,

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 once or twice

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 he uses a phrase like this.

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 But in this short letter

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 in 1 Thessalonians,

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 at least 10 different times

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 he uses a variation of it.

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 More than half of those times

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 it has to do with

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 his character as a minister.

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 Three of those times

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 happens in verses 9 through 12.

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 Just set your eyes on them.

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 Look, verse 9.

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 For you remember.

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 Verse 10.

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 You are witnesses.

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 Verse 11.

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 For you know.

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 Why is he doing that?

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 Why is he using this phrase?

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 We have to ask that question

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 because it's so different

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 from his other writings.

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 Well, clearly Paul wanted them

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 to recall

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 what they knew

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 to be true of him.

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 And his reason for that

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 I believe

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 was to strengthen their faith

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 in affliction.

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 Because suffering

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 tends to create

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 a pathway to doubt.

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 We understand that.

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 Suffering sets us

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 very quickly

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 on the pathway

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 to doubt.

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 And it's reasonable

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 for us to conclude

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 that because of the persecution

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 that they faced

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 for their faith,

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 the Thessalonian Christians

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 might have been tempted

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 to question

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 the validity

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 of Paul's ministry

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 and thereby

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 forsake the gospel itself.

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 So whether he was

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 being accused

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 of being one

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 of these charlatans

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 or else

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 he just understood

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 the possibility

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 and potential

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 of being grouped

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 in with them,

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 Paul reassured

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 these believers

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 by reminding them

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 of the authenticity

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 of his ministry.

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 And as a result of that

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 the Lord has graciously

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 given us

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 in this text

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 a set of criteria.

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 Criteria for discerning

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 the kind of minister

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 we can trust.

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 The kind of pastor

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 you can trust.

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 But before we examine

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 the three characteristics

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 that are in these verses

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 we need to understand

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 that the foundation

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 for a trustworthy minister

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 is always

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 a commitment

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 to faithfully proclaim

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 the gospel

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 of Jesus.

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 If it's nothing else

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 it is the faithful

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 proclamation

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 of the gospel.

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 This is at the heart

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 of Christianity itself

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 and it should be

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 at the heart

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 of everything

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 a Christian minister

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 does.

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 constantly bringing

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 those under his care

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 back to the reality

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 of the gospel

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 not only as he evangelizes

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 the lost

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 but as he encourages

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 and strengthens

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 and edifies

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 and exhorts

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 the saved.

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 A constant focus

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 on the gospel.

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 The apostles

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 including Paul

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 were hyper focused

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 on gospel proclamation

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 as apostles

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 as sent ones.

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 That's actually what

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 Jesus sent them to do

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 to proclaim

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 the gospel.

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 Just look here

00:11:51.319 --> 00:11:53.259
 in the first two chapters

00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.379
 of 1 Thessalonians

00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.500
 chapter 1

00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.559
 verse 5

00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:58.240
 Our gospel

00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:59.679
 came to you

00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:00.699
 not only in word

00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:02.419
 but also in power

00:12:02.419 --> 00:12:03.939
 and in the Holy Spirit

00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:04.980
 and with full conviction.

00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:06.580
 Chapter 2

00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:07.139
 verse 2

00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:08.980
 We had boldness

00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:09.779
 in our God

00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:10.799
 to declare to you

00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:12.080
 the gospel of God

00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:12.960
 in the midst

00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:13.840
 of much affliction.

00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:15.559
 Chapter 2

00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:16.159
 verse 8

00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.480
 We were ready

00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.500
 to share with you

00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.559
 not only the gospel

00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:20.119
 of God

00:12:20.119 --> 00:12:21.899
 but our own selves.

00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:23.119
 Chapter 2

00:12:23.119 --> 00:12:23.819
 verse 9

00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:25.519
 While we proclaim

00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.000
 to you

00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:26.819
 the gospel of God

00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:27.639
 Do you see this?

00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:28.959
 As Paul is writing

00:12:28.959 --> 00:12:30.299
 as he's reflecting

00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.099
 on the nature

00:12:31.099 --> 00:12:31.879
 of his ministry

00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:33.519
 over and over

00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.039
 and over

00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:34.699
 he relates

00:12:34.699 --> 00:12:35.459
 the heart

00:12:35.459 --> 00:12:36.019
 of his ministry

00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:37.000
 to the proclamation

00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:37.939
 of the gospel.

00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:39.339
 That's what a faithful

00:12:39.339 --> 00:12:40.079
 minister does.

00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:41.099
 That's what a faithful

00:12:41.099 --> 00:12:42.279
 Christian does.

00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:44.719
 Everything focused

00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:45.960
 the heart

00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:47.040
 of the gospel message.

00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.840
 But what is that gospel?

00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:50.340
 If that's what

00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:51.639
 a faithful minister does

00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.399
 if that's what

00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.080
 faithful Christians

00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:53.820
 are to do

00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:55.259
 what is the gospel

00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.000
 that they are

00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.700
 to proclaim?

00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.360
 Most of you

00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:00.080
 probably know

00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:00.879
 gospel itself

00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:02.180
 it means good news.

00:13:03.560 --> 00:13:04.420
 The gospel

00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:05.480
 is the good news

00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.040
 of what

00:13:06.040 --> 00:13:07.580
 God has done

00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:08.920
 to save sinners

00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:11.100
 through the sacrificial

00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:12.399
 death and resurrection

00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:14.279
 of Jesus Christ.

00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:15.840
 Let me just say that again.

00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.040
 The gospel

00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:19.779
 is the good news

00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:21.300
 of what God

00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:21.960
 has done

00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:23.060
 to save sinners

00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.980
 through the sacrificial

00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:26.180
 death and resurrection

00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:27.779
 of Jesus Christ.

00:13:29.040 --> 00:13:29.540
 You want to know

00:13:29.540 --> 00:13:30.519
 what a faithful minister

00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.159
 looks like?

00:13:31.800 --> 00:13:33.220
 It starts and ends

00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:34.300
 with faithful proclamation

00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:34.960
 of the gospel.

00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.120
 The good news

00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.720
 that God

00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:39.639
 saves sinners

00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:41.080
 and that he saves

00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:41.460
 sinners

00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:43.259
 through the sacrifice

00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.700
 of his own son.

00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.340
 See all of us

00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.720
 are not only

00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:49.440
 by action

00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:50.620
 but by nature

00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:52.060
 sinners.

00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:52.720
 We have

00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.280
 rebelled against God.

00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:55.139
 It's in our nature

00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:55.920
 to do so.

00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:59.060
 In our sinful condition

00:13:59.060 --> 00:14:00.960
 it separates us

00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:02.120
 from fellowship

00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.020
 with our creator.

00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:04.379
 It destines us

00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:06.960
 for God's judgment.

00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:10.120
 But in his love

00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:12.259
 not by our request

00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:14.940
 but on his initiative

00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:17.159
 and in his love

00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.779
 God made a way

00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:20.000
 for us to be forgiven

00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.399
 so that we might

00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:22.879
 be reconciled

00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:24.159
 to him.

00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.279
 And he does that

00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.379
 through his own son.

00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:29.419
 Jesus

00:14:29.419 --> 00:14:31.500
 co-equal

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.060
 and eternal

00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:32.840
 with the Father

00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:33.500
 and the Spirit

00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:35.580
 comes to earth

00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.120
 as we'll spend

00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:36.860
 the next month

00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.639
 focusing on

00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.379
 in the incarnation.

00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.620
 He lives the life

00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.379
 that we were meant

00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:42.940
 to live.

00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.980
 He perfectly fulfills

00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.519
 the law

00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.620
 as the second Adam

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.519
 but then he was

00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.259
 crucified

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.240
 as an atonement

00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.360
 for us.

00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.279
 He lived the life

00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:52.980
 that we were meant

00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:53.419
 to live

00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.360
 and then he died

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:54.759
 the death

00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.840
 that we deserved

00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:57.100
 to die.

00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.399
 And then God

00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:59.060
 raised him

00:14:59.060 --> 00:14:59.639
 from the dead

00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.460
 to prove

00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:02.080
 that his sacrifice

00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:02.980
 was sufficient.

00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.860
 that it appeased

00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.220
 the wrath of God

00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:06.940
 against sinners

00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:08.060
 and then he turns

00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:08.980
 and he looks at sinners

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.600
 and he says

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.360
 you don't have to carry

00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:11.960
 the burden

00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:13.060
 of the law anymore.

00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:16.080
 All of the righteousness

00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:17.180
 you're working for

00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:17.639
 hoping

00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.820
 to get back

00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:19.879
 into favor with me.

00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:21.840
 Lay down that burden.

00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:23.420
 Jesus has done it

00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.420
 on your behalf

00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:25.920
 and he took your death

00:15:25.920 --> 00:15:27.200
 on your behalf

00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:28.420
 and then Jesus turns

00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:28.899
 and he says

00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:30.620
 now just come to me.

00:15:31.560 --> 00:15:32.560
 Come to me.

00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:34.240
 And believe.

00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.600
 Come and believe

00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.200
 the gospel.

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.259
 Receive my righteousness.

00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:41.800
 Believe in my atonement.

00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:44.300
 Not in any atonement

00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:45.279
 you might give

00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.940
 for yourself.

00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.759
 And God says

00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.879
 all who will come

00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.740
 and believe

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:51.840
 will be forgiven,

00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.820
 will be reconciled

00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.300
 to God,

00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:57.560
 will be at peace

00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.240
 with God

00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:00.139
 and will be given

00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:00.920
 eternal life

00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:01.580
 with God.

00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:03.139
 loved ones,

00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.100
 this is the gospel.

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:05.820
 It's the gospel.

00:16:06.660 --> 00:16:07.480
 It's what Paul

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.740
 gave his life to share.

00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:10.320
 It's what the Thessalonians

00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:10.800
 endured

00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:12.759
 such persecution for.

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.100
 And the fact is

00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.879
 that you cannot trust

00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.440
 someone

00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:19.460
 whose fundamental objective

00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:21.480
 is anything except

00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:23.080
 declaring to you

00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:24.639
 the gospel of Jesus.

00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:24.860
 Jesus.

00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.980
 And with that in mind

00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.279
 we can then look

00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.659
 at these three characteristics

00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:32.100
 that come to the surface here.

00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:33.919
 The first one

00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:34.899
 that we find here

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.720
 in verse 9

00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:37.779
 is that a trustworthy minister

00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:39.299
 labors diligently

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.299
 for the gospel.

00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.439
 A trustworthy minister

00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:44.100
 labors diligently

00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:45.659
 for the gospel.

00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:46.939
 Look with me again

00:16:46.939 --> 00:16:47.720
 at verse 9.

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:50.340
 For you remember

00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:50.860
 brothers

00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.860
 our labor

00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.240
 and toil

00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:55.220
 we worked

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.100
 night and day

00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.860
 that we might not

00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.379
 be a burden

00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.279
 to any of you

00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:01.139
 while we proclaim

00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:01.519
 to you

00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.480
 the gospel of God.

00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:04.539
 So what's the focus

00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.420
 here in verse 9?

00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.339
 The heart of it

00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.160
 as we've just said

00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:08.380
 is the proclamation

00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:09.140
 of the gospel.

00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.700
 And how is it

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.259
 that Paul

00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:11.960
 and Silas

00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.559
 and Timothy

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:14.000
 supported

00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.720
 the opportunity

00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:16.960
 to preach

00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.600
 that gospel?

00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.079
 Well they worked

00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:19.880
 night and day

00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:21.100
 so they wouldn't

00:17:21.100 --> 00:17:21.579
 be a burden

00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.519
 to anybody else.

00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:25.100
 They diligently

00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:25.860
 labored

00:17:25.860 --> 00:17:27.900
 for the gospel's

00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.980
 sake.

00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.519
 Now this particular

00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:30.860
 verse

00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:32.019
 it is a call

00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.819
 to remember

00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.880
 that's the first phrase

00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:34.120
 right?

00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.220
 For you remember

00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:37.279
 he's recalling

00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:37.839
 to their memory

00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:39.720
 it corresponds

00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.400
 to an issue

00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:40.940
 that he actually

00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.400
 brought up

00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:43.019
 in verse 5.

00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.079
 Just put your eyes

00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:44.660
 on verse 5

00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.100
 again.

00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:45.940
 He says

00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.660
 we never came

00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:46.900
 to you

00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.320
 with words

00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:47.960
 of flattery

00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.600
 as you know

00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:49.920
 nor with a

00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.600
 pretext

00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:51.620
 for greed

00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.200
 he says.

00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:53.279
 This is corresponding

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.080
 back to that.

00:17:54.300 --> 00:17:54.900
 Remember all of this

00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.620
 is one argument

00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:56.460
 we're just kind of

00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.100
 chopping it up

00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:57.759
 as we study it

00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.120
 together.

00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:58.920
 It's one argument

00:17:58.920 --> 00:17:59.779
 it's corresponding

00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.680
 back to verse 5.

00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.560
 So that there were

00:18:01.560 --> 00:18:02.180
 some people

00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:02.759
 who were coming

00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.759
 to Thessalonica

00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:05.240
 and they were

00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:05.980
 trying to gain

00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:07.240
 influence in the city

00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.960
 as a pretext

00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.540
 for greed

00:18:09.540 --> 00:18:10.600
 in order that

00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.240
 they may

00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.380
 influence people

00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:13.720
 to gain

00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.480
 for themselves

00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.299
 to get money.

00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.599
 Paul, Silas,

00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:18.980
 and Timothy

00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.740
 did not do that.

00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.039
 Instead

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.539
 they worked hard

00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.620
 so as not

00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:23.279
 to receive

00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:23.900
 compensation

00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:24.920
 from those

00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.519
 to whom

00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.140
 they ministered

00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.579
 the gospel.

00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:28.659
 So not only

00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:29.099
 did they

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.839
 diligently labor

00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.599
 to preach

00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.159
 the gospel

00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:33.019
 message itself

00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.639
 but they

00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.299
 diligently

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.199
 labored

00:18:35.199 --> 00:18:36.480
 to support

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.299
 that gospel

00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:37.899
 ministry

00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.720
 through their

00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.579
 own trade.

00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.199
 Acts 18 tells us

00:18:43.199 --> 00:18:43.799
 Acts 18

00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.399
 1-3

00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:45.699
 tells us that

00:18:45.699 --> 00:18:46.720
 Paul was a

00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.279
 tent maker

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.059
 by trade

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.059
 and that he

00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:49.779
 often used

00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.500
 his craft

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.240
 to finance

00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.019
 his gospel

00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.439
 work.

00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.740
 This is one

00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.159
 of the many

00:18:54.159 --> 00:18:54.939
 ways that Paul

00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.600
 distinguished

00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.320
 himself

00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:58.140
 from the

00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:58.740
 charlatans

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.299
 of the day.

00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.600
 If there

00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:01.320
 was any doubt

00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:01.960
 in the minds

00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.880
 of the Thessalonians

00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:03.340
 about the

00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.820
 authenticity

00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:04.460
 of Paul's

00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:04.840
 ministry

00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.960
 as it related

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.700
 to the potential

00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.220
 of greed

00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.019
 all they had

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.320
 to do

00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:08.820
 is remember

00:19:08.820 --> 00:19:09.299
 about the

00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:09.700
 nature of

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.120
 his ministry

00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:10.440
 while he

00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:10.840
 was there

00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:12.160
 and what is

00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:12.460
 it that he

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:12.900
 calls to their

00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:13.100
 mind?

00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:13.680
 Hey, just

00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.019
 remember

00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:14.340
 we didn't

00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:14.940
 come greedy

00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.680
 we didn't

00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.080
 in fact

00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:16.360
 we didn't

00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:16.840
 take anything

00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:17.559
 from you

00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:19.120
 and so those

00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:19.640
 who might have

00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:20.100
 been tempted

00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:20.680
 to doubt

00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:20.960
 maybe

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.620
 questioning

00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.240
 maybe listening

00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.460
 to unfounded

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.200
 accusations

00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.700
 that came

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.200
 against the

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.559
 apostle

00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:25.980
 and then

00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.500
 wondering

00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.120
 whether or

00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:27.400
 not they

00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.039
 believed a

00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.359
 lie

00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:28.880
 because they

00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.599
 were deceived

00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.740
 by a charlatan

00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.940
 oh now they

00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.740
 just think back

00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.319
 and recall

00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.799
 no you're right

00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.180
 he didn't

00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.000
 come that way

00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.980
 what a comfort

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.400
 this would have

00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:37.940
 brought to their

00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.819
 their hearts

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.519
 in that moment

00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:41.599
 to remember

00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.079
 that unlike

00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.740
 many others

00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.200
 he took

00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.940
 nothing from

00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.279
 them

00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:46.599
 trustworthy

00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.359
 ministers

00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.940
 serve the

00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.359
 purposes

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.359
 of the gospel

00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:52.859
 unfaithful

00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:53.319
 ministers

00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:55.000
 use the

00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.500
 gospel

00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.939
 to serve

00:19:56.939 --> 00:19:57.399
 their own

00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:57.899
 purposes

00:19:57.899 --> 00:20:00.519
 you see

00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.539
 in Thessalonica's

00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:01.799
 case

00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.679
 it was charlatans

00:20:02.679 --> 00:20:03.179
 coming in

00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:03.959
 with deceptive

00:20:03.959 --> 00:20:04.359
 things

00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:05.459
 but there

00:20:05.459 --> 00:20:06.119
 are those

00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.439
 who will

00:20:06.439 --> 00:20:06.799
 come in

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.099
 with a

00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:07.399
 truthful

00:20:07.399 --> 00:20:08.199
 message

00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:09.559
 but still

00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:09.899
 have a

00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.359
 pretext

00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:10.939
 for greed

00:20:10.939 --> 00:20:11.500
 that's not

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:11.879
 a faithful

00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.279
 minister

00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.919
 that's not

00:20:12.919 --> 00:20:13.319
 someone you

00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.759
 can trust

00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.219
 that's someone

00:20:14.219 --> 00:20:14.919
 who inevitably

00:20:14.919 --> 00:20:15.639
 unless the

00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.299
 Lord graciously

00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:16.819
 calls them

00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.699
 to repentance

00:20:17.699 --> 00:20:18.219
 of that

00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.400
 inevitably

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:19.860
 they're going

00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.360
 to fail

00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:20.620
 you

00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:20.880
 they're going

00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.380
 to betray

00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.039
 you

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.960
 because their

00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.339
 fundamental

00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:23.880
 objective

00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.440
 is not

00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:24.900
 the preaching

00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.500
 of the gospel

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.420
 the fundamental

00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.120
 objective

00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:28.299
 is to gain

00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:29.120
 for themselves

00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.480
 and they're

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.259
 using the gospel

00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.019
 to do it

00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.160
 Paul says

00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:32.440
 we didn't

00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:33.160
 come that way

00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:34.460
 that was not

00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.100
 our behavior

00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:36.680
 but this raises

00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.200
 an important

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.120
 question for us

00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:38.440
 doesn't it

00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:38.880
 maybe it's a

00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.460
 question you're

00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:39.980
 asking there

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.420
 in your seat

00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:40.720
 now

00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.380
 and it is

00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:41.960
 the question

00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.940
 of if

00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:45.140
 or how

00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.640
 pastors

00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.759
 and missionaries

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.660
 and evangelists

00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:48.980
 and other

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.779
 vocational

00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.299
 ministers

00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.779
 should be

00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.579
 compensated

00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:52.980
 for their

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.700
 gospel work

00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:55.119
 do we come

00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:55.579
 to a text

00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.019
 like this

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.379
 and say

00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:56.700
 well

00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:58.400
 this indicates

00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.240
 that really

00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:01.379
 no gospel

00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:01.980
 minister should

00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.579
 ever receive

00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.099
 compensation

00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.720
 for this

00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.059
 isn't that

00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.579
 what Paul's

00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.000
 saying

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.799
 when it's

00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.220
 worth us

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.539
 at least

00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:06.960
 taking a

00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.140
 moment

00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.660
 to consider

00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.359
 that question

00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.160
 in this

00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.539
 moment

00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.839
 now

00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.400
 it's

00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.220
 noteworthy

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.319
 that Paul

00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:14.339
 was describing

00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:15.140
 his practice

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.140
 in Thessalonica

00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:18.600
 he was not

00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:19.540
 prescribing

00:21:19.540 --> 00:21:20.020
 something

00:21:20.020 --> 00:21:20.580
 for all

00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:20.880
 gospel

00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.259
 ministers

00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.520
 here

00:21:21.520 --> 00:21:22.060
 we understand

00:21:22.060 --> 00:21:22.520
 that in the

00:21:22.520 --> 00:21:23.020
 context of

00:21:23.020 --> 00:21:23.280
 what he's

00:21:23.280 --> 00:21:23.560
 saying

00:21:23.560 --> 00:21:24.240
 he's saying

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.680
 remember

00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.400
 what I was

00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:25.720
 like

00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.520
 while I

00:21:26.520 --> 00:21:26.900
 was with

00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.160
 you

00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:27.920
 that doesn't

00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.420
 say anything

00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:28.880
 about a

00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:29.420
 command or

00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:29.980
 an instruction

00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.860
 it doesn't

00:21:30.860 --> 00:21:31.240
 even say

00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:31.880
 anything about

00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.759
 other points

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.280
 in Paul's

00:21:33.280 --> 00:21:33.720
 ministry

00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.940
 it just

00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.320
 says

00:21:35.320 --> 00:21:36.040
 when I

00:21:36.040 --> 00:21:36.480
 was with

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:36.960
 you

00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.520
 in

00:21:37.520 --> 00:21:38.340
 Thessalonica

00:21:38.340 --> 00:21:39.400
 I didn't

00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:39.900
 take anything

00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.280
 from you

00:21:40.280 --> 00:21:40.820
 we labored

00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.440
 hard night

00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:41.840
 and day

00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.860
 so that we

00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.680
 wouldn't

00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.300
 take anything

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.119
 from you

00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:45.799
 so we

00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.039
 need to

00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.359
 keep that

00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.799
 in mind

00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:48.319
 Paul

00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:48.779
 himself

00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.200
 even

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.139
 received

00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:50.659
 material

00:21:50.659 --> 00:21:51.139
 support

00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:51.419
 from

00:21:51.419 --> 00:21:51.819
 other

00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.379
 churches

00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:53.879
 while

00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.220
 he

00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.480
 was

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:54.919
 in

00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:56.079
 Thessalonica

00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.119
 we learn

00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:57.419
 that in

00:21:57.419 --> 00:21:57.799
 Philippians

00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.379
 chapter 4

00:21:58.379 --> 00:21:58.839
 and verse

00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.299
 16

00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.119
 on two

00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.559
 separate

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.019
 occasions

00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.559
 the church

00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.259
 in Philippi

00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.819
 who was

00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.259
 also a

00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:03.539
 suffering

00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:03.960
 church

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.460
 but the

00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:04.659
 church

00:22:04.659 --> 00:22:04.819
 in

00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.299
 Philippi

00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:05.839
 on two

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.119
 separate

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.659
 occasions

00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.619
 sent

00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.339
 material

00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:08.980
 goods

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.379
 to

00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:09.919
 Paul

00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:10.519
 in order

00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.139
 to support

00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:11.339
 his

00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:11.700
 ministry

00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:11.919
 in

00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:12.559
 Thessalonica

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.359
 and Paul

00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.059
 willingly

00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:14.980
 and graciously

00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.220
 accepted

00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.259
 that gift

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.139
 and accepted

00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:20.079
 that compensation

00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:21.000
 for the gospel

00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.339
 work

00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.079
 so we can

00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.500
 look at this

00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:22.740
 and say

00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.019
 okay

00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.599
 Paul's

00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.119
 describing

00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.599
 something

00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.079
 about his

00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:25.419
 ministry

00:22:25.419 --> 00:22:26.240
 in Thessalonica

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.720
 but even

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.159
 while he's

00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:28.460
 there

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.220
 he's

00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.799
 receiving

00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.740
 help

00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.399
 and support

00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.079
 from other

00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.440
 people

00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.399
 so that

00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:33.859
 brings in

00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.339
 some nuance

00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:34.639
 to the

00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:34.960
 question

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.279
 doesn't

00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:35.480
 it

00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.399
 but then

00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:36.839
 we find

00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.139
 in other

00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:37.519
 writings

00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.279
 that Paul

00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:38.919
 not only

00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:39.779
 affirmed

00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.779
 that it's

00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.399
 permissible

00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.159
 for pastors

00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.560
 to be

00:22:42.560 --> 00:22:42.779
 paid

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.100
 for their

00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.540
 work

00:22:43.540 --> 00:22:44.440
 but that

00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:44.620
 it's

00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:44.840
 actually

00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.340
 the duty

00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.360
 of congregations

00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:47.279
 to supply

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:47.980
 the needs

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.300
 of their

00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:48.680
 elders

00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:50.500
 1st

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:50.720
 Timothy

00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.560
 chapter 5

00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:52.620
 verses 17

00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:52.940
 and 18

00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.340
 this is on

00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:53.640
 the screen

00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:53.980
 for you to

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.200
 see

00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.620
 let the elders

00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.120
 who rule

00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:56.480
 well

00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.580
 be considered

00:22:57.580 --> 00:22:58.000
 worthy

00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.440
 of double

00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:58.779
 honor

00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.460
 this is the

00:22:59.460 --> 00:22:59.900
 context

00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.759
 of financial

00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.580
 help

00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:03.019
 especially

00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.840
 those who

00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:04.240
 labor

00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.840
 in preaching

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.500
 and teaching

00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:06.840
 for the

00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:07.100
 scripture

00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:07.680
 says

00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.980
 you shall

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.259
 not

00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.660
 muzzle

00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.259
 an ox

00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:10.580
 when it

00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:10.840
 treads

00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.160
 out the

00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:11.560
 grain

00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:12.400
 and

00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.340
 the

00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:13.880
 laborer

00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.279
 deserves

00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.880
 his wages

00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:15.779
 Paul clearly

00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.180
 has in

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.480
 mind

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:16.779
 their

00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.960
 material

00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.600
 compensation

00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.820
 for gospel

00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:20.200
 work

00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.759
 and he's

00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:20.960
 saying

00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:22.200
 congregations

00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.539
 need to be

00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:22.980
 responsible

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.580
 for this

00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:24.440
 they need

00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.220
 to care

00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:25.539
 for the

00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:25.820
 elders

00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:26.180
 in their

00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.460
 church

00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.080
 in order

00:23:27.080 --> 00:23:27.460
 that the

00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:27.740
 elders

00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.299
 may give

00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.060
 their time

00:23:29.060 --> 00:23:29.720
 to the

00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.100
 ministry

00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:30.460
 of the

00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:30.799
 work

00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.440
 in that

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.140
 congregation

00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.280
 let me show

00:23:33.280 --> 00:23:33.600
 you another

00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:34.080
 passage

00:23:34.080 --> 00:23:34.980
 1st

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.280
 Corinthians

00:23:35.280 --> 00:23:36.160
 chapter 9

00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.320
 I would

00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:37.740
 encourage you

00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.400
 to go back

00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:38.820
 and read

00:23:38.820 --> 00:23:39.460
 the entire

00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:39.840
 paragraph

00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:40.220
 here but

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.700
 just verses

00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.240
 13 and

00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.759
 14 for

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.000
 now

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.900
 Paul says

00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.400
 do you not

00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.100
 know that

00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.660
 those who

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.259
 are employed

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:46.600
 in the

00:23:46.600 --> 00:23:47.400
 temple service

00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:48.140
 get their

00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:48.620
 food from

00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:49.040
 the temple

00:23:49.040 --> 00:23:50.420
 and those

00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:50.860
 who serve

00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.140
 at the

00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.420
 altar

00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.040
 share in

00:23:52.040 --> 00:23:52.680
 the sacrificial

00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.360
 offerings

00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:54.140
 in the

00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:54.740
 same way

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.259
 the Lord

00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.900
 commanded

00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:57.400
 that those

00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.060
 who proclaim

00:23:58.060 --> 00:23:58.700
 the gospel

00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.780
 should get

00:23:59.780 --> 00:24:00.400
 their living

00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.460
 by the

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:01.759
 gospel

00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.519
 okay

00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.900
 so there

00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.500
 Paul's actually

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:04.940
 saying no

00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.299
 this is

00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.079
 it's not

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:06.640
 only permissible

00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.319
 it's good

00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.160
 it's good

00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.779
 and churches

00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.339
 should care

00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:10.359
 about this

00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.940
 so when we

00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.359
 come back to

00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.180
 1st Thessalonians

00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.779
 chapter 2

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.720
 the issue

00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.779
 here is not

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.359
 about whether

00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.240
 it is right

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.900
 for ministers

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.740
 to be paid

00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.619
 but whether

00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.259
 a minister

00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.940
 is willing

00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.700
 to continue

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.379
 faithfully

00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:23.079
 proclaiming

00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.660
 the gospel

00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:25.000
 when compensation

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.859
 is either

00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.579
 impossible

00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.420
 or unhelpful

00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:30.079
 and in the

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.640
 case of the

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.259
 Thessalonian

00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.640
 church

00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.080
 it might

00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:32.360
 have been

00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:32.920
 both

00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.800
 both

00:24:33.800 --> 00:24:34.580
 impossible

00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:36.720
 and unhelpful

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.640
 faithful

00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.180
 ministers

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.940
 are not

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.680
 motivated

00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.560
 by money

00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:43.120
 they do

00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:43.960
 not use

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.540
 the ministry

00:24:44.540 --> 00:24:45.280
 as a means

00:24:45.280 --> 00:24:45.820
 to accrue

00:24:45.820 --> 00:24:46.320
 wealth

00:24:46.320 --> 00:24:48.020
 and as they

00:24:48.020 --> 00:24:48.420
 are given

00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.500
 this qualification

00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.320
 in 1st

00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:50.880
 Timothy 3

00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.720
 and Titus 1

00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.820
 they manage

00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:53.480
 their homes

00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.060
 well

00:24:54.060 --> 00:24:55.360
 so that they

00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:55.980
 do not

00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.560
 enter into

00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.140
 temptation

00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.880
 for greed

00:24:57.880 --> 00:25:00.020
 or unnecessarily

00:25:00.020 --> 00:25:00.600
 burden

00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.080
 the people

00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.500
 that they

00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:01.820
 serve

00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.980
 that's what

00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.440
 a faithful

00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:03.860
 minister

00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.380
 does

00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.740
 so is

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.380
 ministerial

00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:06.880
 compensation

00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.500
 good

00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.420
 yes

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.300
 is it

00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:09.660
 always

00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.160
 right

00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:11.080
 no

00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:13.519
 and there's

00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.240
 three reasons

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.740
 that Paul

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.159
 gives

00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:15.779
 for why

00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.299
 he did

00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:16.720
 this

00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.359
 in his

00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:17.759
 ministry

00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.500
 the first

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:18.919
 reason he

00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:19.220
 gives

00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.019
 is that it

00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.539
 was not

00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.339
 to burden

00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.119
 others

00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:23.279
 the idea

00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:23.779
 here is an

00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.399
 unnecessary

00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:24.799
 burden

00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.099
 laying a

00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.539
 weight

00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:28.240
 that's attached

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.899
 to the gospel

00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:30.339
 laying a weight

00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.240
 on the shoulders

00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.759
 of people

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.539
 the gospel

00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.480
 lifts burdens

00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:33.480


00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.099
 it is not

00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.640
 meant to

00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:35.620
 add burdens

00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:36.319
 and Paul

00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:36.839
 says when we

00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.400
 came to you

00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.940
 right there

00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.279
 in 1st

00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:38.880
 Thessalonians 2

00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.099
 9

00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.700
 we work

00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.160
 night and

00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.319
 day

00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.920
 that we

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.579
 might not

00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.380
 be a burden

00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:42.819
 to any

00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.160
 of you

00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.599
 we didn't

00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:43.880
 want the

00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.420
 gospel to

00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:44.799
 come in

00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:44.940
 there

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.180
 we didn't

00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.440
 want to

00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:45.700
 come in

00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:45.980
 guns

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.440
 ablaze

00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.039
 and making

00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.599
 demands

00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.000
 of you

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.620
 and adding

00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.220
 a burden

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.579
 to you

00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:49.900
 when the

00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.400
 gospel is

00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:50.900
 not meant

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.279
 to bring

00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:51.680
 a burden

00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.799
 the gospel

00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.120
 is meant

00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.500
 to bring

00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:53.940
 blessing

00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:55.380
 we might

00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:55.740
 consider

00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.400
 Acts chapter

00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.299
 20

00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.620
 verses

00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.299
 33 to

00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:58.799
 35

00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.720
 Paul says

00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.059
 there to

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.640
 the Ephesian

00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:00.940
 elders

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.460
 he said

00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.120
 I coveted

00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.779
 no one's

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.420
 silver or

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:03.880
 gold or

00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.319
 apparel

00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.900
 you yourselves

00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.640
 know that

00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.600
 these hands

00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:08.400
 ministered to

00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.400
 my necessities

00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:10.259
 and to

00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.700
 those who

00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.059
 were with

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.360
 me

00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.559
 in all

00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.180
 things I

00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.700
 have shown

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.600
 you that

00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.259
 by working

00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.759
 hard in

00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.340
 this way

00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:17.340
 we must

00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:18.240
 help the

00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.579
 weak

00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:20.819
 and remember

00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.340
 the words

00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:21.759
 of the Lord

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.420
 Jesus how

00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:22.880
 he said

00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.279
 this

00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.160
 it is more

00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:24.980
 blessed to

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.640
 give than

00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:26.160
 to receive

00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.000
 now that's

00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.420
 an important

00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.279
 statement there

00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.299
 why is it

00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.860
 that Paul is

00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.340
 saying that

00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:30.700
 when he went

00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.220
 to Ephesus

00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.600
 he didn't

00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:31.900
 receive

00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.440
 compensation

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:32.740
 that he

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.279
 worked hard

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.039
 he said

00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.740
 because from

00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.579
 his perspective

00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.640
 it was

00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.519
 actually generous

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.100
 of him

00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.880
 not to do

00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.240
 that in

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.620
 Ephesus

00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.039
 it would

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.220
 have been

00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.779
 a burden

00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.299
 to those

00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:41.759
 Christians

00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.180
 it would

00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.360
 have been

00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:42.799
 a burden

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.160
 to that

00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.480
 church

00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:43.900
 that was

00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:45.039
 not necessary

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.420
 for them

00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:45.940
 to carry

00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.380
 and he

00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:46.700
 says so I

00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:46.880
 didn't

00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:47.339
 burden you

00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:47.799
 that way

00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.380
 he says

00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:48.740
 the same

00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.019
 thing to

00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.960
 the Thessalonians

00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:51.339
 it wasn't

00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:51.880
 possible and

00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.160
 it wasn't

00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:52.640
 helpful I

00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:52.900
 didn't want

00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.319
 to burden

00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.100
 you so I

00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:54.700
 worked hard

00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:56.059
 the second

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.539
 reason he

00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:56.880
 gives

00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.980
 is that he

00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.700
 might provide

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.559
 an example

00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.759
 for others

00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.339
 to follow

00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.960
 would you

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.319
 just flip

00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.740
 over to

00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.139
 second

00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:05.000
 Thessalonians

00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:07.019
 verse chapter

00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.559
 three

00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:10.319
 second Thessalonians

00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:11.159
 chapter three

00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:15.359
 what we find

00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:15.879
 here is that

00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.339
 there was an

00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.179
 issue in the

00:27:17.179 --> 00:27:17.659
 churches

00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:19.000
 in the church

00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.819
 in Thessalonica

00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:21.000
 some people

00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:22.599
 were intentionally

00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.579
 not working

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:25.359
 not because they

00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.940
 couldn't work

00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:26.980
 but because they

00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.500
 were basically

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.099
 mooching off

00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.579
 the church

00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:30.400
 so Paul

00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:30.759
 sets an

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.339
 example for

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:31.980
 them and

00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.500
 he confronts

00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:32.980
 it look

00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.799
 with me in

00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.660
 second Thessalonians

00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.099
 chapter three

00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.680
 let's start

00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:36.200
 actually in

00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.740
 verse six

00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.619
 now we

00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.200
 command you

00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.720
 brothers in

00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.019
 the name

00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.299
 of our

00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:39.759
 Lord Jesus

00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.920
 Christ that

00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.339
 you keep

00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:41.900
 away from

00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.440
 any brother

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:42.839
 who is

00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.480
 walking in

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:43.980
 idleness

00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.480
 and not in

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.019
 accord with

00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.559
 the tradition

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:46.900
 that you

00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.539
 received from

00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:47.980
 us

00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.259
 idleness

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.099
 laziness

00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:50.940
 intentionally

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.640
 not working

00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.099
 in order

00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.579
 that they

00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.140
 might be a

00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:54.240
 leech on

00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.839
 others

00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.380
 okay

00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:56.160
 that's the

00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.640
 idea here

00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.180
 of the

00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.980
 idol person

00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.640
 what's the

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.320
 tradition that

00:27:59.320 --> 00:27:59.740
 he's passed

00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.500
 on the

00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.019
 tradition is

00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.299
 his own

00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.220
 example right

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.580
 his own

00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.060
 example and

00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:03.400
 his command

00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.000
 verse seven

00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.940
 for you

00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.960
 yourselves know

00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:07.060
 how you

00:28:07.060 --> 00:28:07.539
 ought to

00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.660
 imitate us

00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:10.400
 because we

00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:10.840
 were not

00:28:10.840 --> 00:28:11.519
 idle when we

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:11.840
 were with

00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:13.640
 you nor

00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.320
 did we eat

00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:15.160
 anyone's bread

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.799
 without paying

00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:17.420
 for it but

00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.440
 with toil and

00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.340
 labor we

00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:20.080
 worked night

00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:21.120
 and day that

00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:21.920
 we might not

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.539
 be a burden

00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.259
 to any of

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.940
 you now look

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.240
 at verse

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.320
 nine it

00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:26.340
 was not because

00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.000
 we do not

00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.559
 have that

00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:29.799
 right but

00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.459
 to give

00:28:30.459 --> 00:28:31.259
 you in

00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.399
 ourselves an

00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:33.899
 example to

00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:35.799
 imitate so

00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.379
 first he says

00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:37.059
 I didn't take

00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.439
 anything from

00:28:37.439 --> 00:28:37.859
 me because I

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.519
 didn't want to

00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:38.720
 be an

00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.099
 unnecessary

00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.939
 burden to

00:28:39.939 --> 00:28:40.480
 you and

00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:40.879
 then he says

00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:41.619
 but you also

00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.099
 needed an

00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.720
 example of

00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.439
 hard work

00:28:43.439 --> 00:28:44.819
 because there's

00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.559
 people still in

00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.240
 your congregation

00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:47.099
 Paul says who

00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:47.799
 are walking in

00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.619
 idleness and

00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.099
 they need to

00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:49.720
 look at us and

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.159
 they need to

00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:51.079
 imitate what we

00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.599
 did for the

00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.699
 gospel sake and

00:28:52.699 --> 00:28:53.480
 not be a burden

00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.419
 to other people and

00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:55.199
 not stand in the

00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:55.900
 way in the gospel

00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:57.400
 but actually work

00:28:57.400 --> 00:29:00.299
 and help and

00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:02.960
 serve third

00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:05.120
 reason Paul did

00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:05.980
 this so that he

00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:08.080
 would not become

00:29:08.080 --> 00:29:09.259
 an obstacle to

00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.860
 the gospel so that

00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:11.319
 he would not

00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.080
 present an obstacle

00:29:12.080 --> 00:29:12.779
 to the gospel

00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.880
 first Corinthians

00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:14.900
 chapter nine again

00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:15.640
 we read a portion

00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.200
 of this a moment

00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.840
 ago but verse 12

00:29:17.840 --> 00:29:18.360
 is where I want to

00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.900
 read now Paul

00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.640
 says if others

00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.580
 share this rightful

00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:22.840
 claim on you this

00:29:22.840 --> 00:29:24.039
 is that's compensation

00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.299
 do we not even

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:27.059
 more nevertheless

00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:29.139
 we have not made

00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:30.220
 use of this right

00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:31.379
 we have not

00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:32.319
 received from you

00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.259
 what we could have

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.980
 received from you

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.159
 we have not made

00:29:35.159 --> 00:29:35.940
 use of this right

00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:37.440
 but we endure

00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.859
 anything rather

00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:40.359
 than put an

00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.339
 obstacle in the

00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.599
 way of the gospel

00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.139
 of Christ

00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:43.920
 in other words he

00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.639
 says to the church

00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.639
 in Corinth if I

00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:46.460
 had done this it

00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:46.920
 would have been an

00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.619
 obstacle to the

00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:48.720
 gospel people would

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.440
 not have taken the

00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.500
 gospel seriously they

00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:50.779
 would have just

00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.279
 thought I was a

00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.879
 charlatan like

00:29:51.879 --> 00:29:52.879
 everybody else this

00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.500
 what everybody else

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.920
 does he says we

00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.520
 didn't come that

00:29:55.520 --> 00:29:56.520
 way he tells the

00:29:56.520 --> 00:29:57.200
 Thessalonians we

00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.720
 didn't come that

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.580
 way to you and

00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:59.160
 what do we learn

00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.280
 from that we learn

00:30:00.280 --> 00:30:01.000
 that a trustworthy

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.020
 minister a pastor

00:30:02.020 --> 00:30:03.260
 you can trust is

00:30:03.260 --> 00:30:04.620
 somebody who is not

00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:05.880
 manipulated and

00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:07.080
 motivated by money

00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:08.020
 and personal gain

00:30:08.020 --> 00:30:09.200
 they work diligently

00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:11.000
 for the gospel even

00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.760
 if that means that

00:30:11.760 --> 00:30:12.380
 they have to work

00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.520
 diligently in order

00:30:13.520 --> 00:30:14.440
 to support their

00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:16.620
 gospel ministry that's

00:30:16.620 --> 00:30:17.480
 where their heart is

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.280
 it's in the gospel

00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:21.819
 secondly a trustworthy

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.799
 minister conducts

00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:25.160
 himself with

00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:27.079
 integrity a

00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:28.019
 trustworthy minister

00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:30.259
 conducts himself with

00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.299
 integrity look at

00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:33.819
 verse 10 you are

00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:35.220
 witnesses and God

00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:38.279
 also how holy and

00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.579
 righteous and

00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.599
 blameless was our

00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.460
 conduct toward you

00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:44.180
 believers so Paul

00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.779
 calls on the

00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.700
 Thessalonians as

00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:47.000
 eyewitnesses here and

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.720
 what are they

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:49.740
 eyewitnesses to his

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:52.660
 integrity while some

00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.819
 in Thessalonica were

00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:55.039
 using flattery and

00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.200
 deceit to prey on

00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:57.900
 people Paul and

00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.900
 Silas and Timothy

00:30:58.900 --> 00:31:01.960
 behaved honorably but

00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.539
 notice the

00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:04.500
 specificity of his

00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.500
 conduct toward

00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.920
 believers that's what

00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.880
 he says we were

00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.799
 holy righteous and

00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.619
 blameless in our

00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.680
 conduct toward you

00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:12.299
 believers what does

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.920
 he mean by that why

00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.500
 does he make that

00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:16.559
 distinction what

00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.319
 doesn't mean that he

00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:19.099
 lacked integrity with

00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:20.960
 unbelievers but he

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:22.299
 was appealing to those

00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:23.799
 who knew him best

00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:26.980
 among whom he lived

00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:29.539
 and served the people

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.539
 that he spent his time

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.299
 with the people that he

00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:32.339
 lived with and lived

00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.679
 among which gives us

00:31:33.679 --> 00:31:35.799
 another insight into

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.700
 what a faithful minister

00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:38.399
 does he's actually with

00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:39.379
 the people that he

00:31:39.379 --> 00:31:40.200
 served so that they

00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.480
 might observe his life

00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:43.339
 Paul was with them he

00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.179
 lived with them he was

00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:46.100
 among them and he

00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:47.440
 appeals to them now to

00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.799
 just recall just remember

00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.840
 you yourselves know you

00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:51.140
 were witnesses of of how

00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:52.340
 we conducted ourselves

00:31:52.340 --> 00:31:54.640
 and what he says is there

00:31:54.640 --> 00:31:56.000
 was no pretense here

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:58.000
 there was no pretense with

00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.039
 Paul and Silas and

00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.200
 Timothy they weren't one

00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:01.500
 way in public and another

00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:04.620
 way in private they

00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:06.180
 acted with integrity in all

00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:07.680
 things and the Thessalonian

00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:09.480
 Christians knew it well

00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:11.720
 let's think about these

00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.960
 three adjectives he uses

00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:15.220
 here first he says we our

00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:17.079
 conduct was holy holy

00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:18.779
 and this is not the

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:20.240
 typical word that we

00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.059
 think of with holiness

00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:23.440
 that's hagios which is a

00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.980
 reference to moral quality

00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:26.140
 that's not actually the

00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:27.360
 word that Paul writes

00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:28.460
 with here he writes with

00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.779
 a slightly different word

00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:34.140
 husios or husios which is

00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:35.480
 more the sense of devout

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:38.519
 so he says you understand

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.579
 what our conduct was like

00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:40.579
 among you you saw our

00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:42.180
 lives we were truly

00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:45.079
 devout we were truly

00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:48.119
 devoted to God and the

00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:50.839
 gospel in other words he

00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:53.539
 wasn't a showman he was

00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:55.940
 authentically a devoted

00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:59.900
 Christian I've been around

00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.920
 a lot of pastors in my

00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:03.920
 life it would be shocking

00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:04.920
 and some of you probably

00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:07.460
 already know this would be

00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:08.600
 shocking for you to know

00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:10.960
 how many people stand in

00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:12.360
 pulpits Sunday by Sunday

00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:14.720
 but Monday to Saturday are

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:17.100
 not truly really devoted to

00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:19.340
 God in their Christian life

00:33:19.340 --> 00:33:21.539
 Paul says that is not how

00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:23.660
 we were we were truly

00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.980
 devoted to God and you saw

00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:26.140
 it you saw our devotion

00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:28.420
 secondly he says we were

00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:30.640
 righteous meaning that they

00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:32.799
 wronged no one as they

00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.519
 ministered in Thessalonica

00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:35.319
 Thessalonica they didn't take

00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.420
 advantage of people they

00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.639
 didn't mistreat people for

00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:40.119
 personal gain they did what

00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:42.240
 was right even when it may

00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:45.059
 have been more advantageous for

00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:47.220
 them not to they were

00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:49.539
 righteous third they were

00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:52.639
 blameless they gave no

00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:54.319
 occasion for the gospel to be

00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:57.379
 reproached they didn't flirt with

00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:59.119
 ethical boundaries so as to

00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:01.039
 cause suspicion about their

00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:02.720
 ministry if the people in

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:04.099
 Thessalonica rejected the

00:34:04.099 --> 00:34:05.720
 gospel it wouldn't have been

00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:07.159
 because Paul's conduct was

00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:09.079
 disingenuous or questionable

00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:11.659
 they were blameless in their

00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:13.519
 ministry so then they were

00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:14.960
 holy in terms of their

00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:17.599
 relationship to God they were

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:19.179
 righteous in terms of their

00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:21.739
 dealings with others they were

00:34:21.739 --> 00:34:23.400
 blameless in terms of the

00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:25.519
 observation of the watching

00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:27.960
 world that's what a faithful

00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:30.360
 minister is like hey can we just

00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.579
 say that's what a faithful

00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:35.240
 Christian is like Christians

00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:36.300
 don't get off the hook just

00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:37.660
 because he's describing a

00:34:37.660 --> 00:34:40.960
 pastoral ministry no this this

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.940
 is what our lives are to

00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:45.000
 reflect holiness genuine

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:47.380
 devotion righteousness

00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:51.200
 blameless Christians in

00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:52.960
 Thessalonica knew that Paul and

00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:55.760
 his team acted with integrity but

00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:57.120
 did you notice in verse 10

00:34:57.120 --> 00:34:59.700
 there's a greater witness here you

00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:02.559
 see what he says they knew it was

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:06.059
 true more importantly God knew it

00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:08.699
 was true now why would he say

00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:11.259
 that he's already said it a couple

00:35:11.259 --> 00:35:12.519
 of times in this whole section

00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:15.319
 hasn't he God is witness God who

00:35:15.319 --> 00:35:18.619
 tests our hearts he knows even if

00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:20.299
 the Thessalonian Christians doubted

00:35:20.299 --> 00:35:22.559
 his intentions Paul appealed to

00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:25.159
 God who knows our hearts

00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:30.659
 here again we find that Paul's ultimate

00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:34.319
 motivation and his ultimate desire was

00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:37.659
 to glorify God it wasn't about his

00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:39.500
 reputation just for his reputation

00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:42.579
 sake no he did what he did and he lived

00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:44.099
 the way he lived because he wanted to

00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:47.319
 honor God and at the end of the day even

00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:49.179
 if the Thessalonians doubted or questioned

00:35:49.179 --> 00:35:51.099
 his motives for any ways he makes his

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:53.899
 appeal to God and he understands that in

00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:56.220
 the end it is before God that he will

00:35:56.220 --> 00:35:59.260
 stand it is to God that he will finally

00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:02.019
 answer and Paul says the God who knows

00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:06.340
 all things was a personal witness to his

00:36:06.340 --> 00:36:10.760
 integrity now let me ask you this is

00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:13.440
 your life and ministry and if you're a

00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:15.039
 Christian we all have a gospel ministry in

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:18.019
 some way is your life and ministry carried

00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:20.019
 out with this kind of integrity

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:28.340
 to those who know you best would they

00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:31.900
 affirm that you are truly devoted to God

00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:35.519
 righteous in the way that you deal with

00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:38.739
 people blameless before the watching

00:36:38.739 --> 00:36:46.380
 world would your kids testify that that

00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:49.700
 guy I see on Sunday morning is not the guy

00:36:49.700 --> 00:36:56.180
 I see on Sunday afternoon would a co-worker

00:36:56.180 --> 00:37:00.840
 be surprised that you spent the better part

00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:07.680
 of your morning in worship but even

00:37:07.680 --> 00:37:11.480
 greater than that will God who knows your

00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:14.740
 heart will he give witness to your

00:37:14.740 --> 00:37:19.079
 integrity everyone will stand before God

00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:22.300
 unbelievers will stand there in judgment

00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:25.699
 so will believers but a different kind of

00:37:25.699 --> 00:37:30.280
 judgment our works the Bible says will be

00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:35.139
 exposed it will be made open by the God who

00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:38.940
 knows us better than anybody else and when

00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:42.139
 that that's what Paul's appealing to here when

00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:46.500
 that moment comes and you stand before God will

00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:50.579
 the one who actually knows you say holy

00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:58.460
 righteous blameless third a trustworthy

00:37:58.460 --> 00:38:04.619
 minister lovingly instructs others to glorify

00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:11.380
 God lovingly instructs others to glorify God verses 11 and 12 you know how like a father with his

00:38:11.380 --> 00:38:20.940
 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

00:38:20.940 --> 00:38:29.940
 glory this final note he brings in to focus the character and content of his instruction to them

00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:36.139
 and he gives three words three characteristics here that that he exhorted them means that he

00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:43.619
 instructed them as one having authority to do so but not as a distant authority but as someone who was coming alongside of them

00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:51.179
 John Piper says this this particular word for exhortation he in in his words he said it is full of partnership

00:38:51.179 --> 00:39:00.880
 so it is authority that's coming with you in the process not cold demands but journeying with you on the way

00:39:00.880 --> 00:39:03.199
 Paul says that's how that's how we instructed you

00:39:03.199 --> 00:39:07.659
 encouragement underscores an emotional element to the instruction

00:39:07.659 --> 00:39:13.159
 truth is living as a Christian is not easy it's quite difficult actually

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:19.960
 Paul was coming alongside struggling Christians in Thessalonica and he was encouraging them to press forward

00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:25.039
 you can do this the Lord is with you let me show you stay with me follow me

00:39:25.039 --> 00:39:26.879
 as I follow Christ

00:39:26.879 --> 00:39:30.039
 that he charged them introduces

00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:31.940
 solemnity

00:39:31.940 --> 00:39:34.739
 gravitas to the instruction

00:39:34.739 --> 00:39:42.539
 the connotation with that one is that Paul implored them as someone who had been there and understood truly what was at stake

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:45.039
 he was imploring them to do what

00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:46.719
 walk worthy

00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:49.439
 now all of this

00:39:49.439 --> 00:39:50.599
 exhortation

00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:51.759
 encouragement

00:39:51.759 --> 00:39:53.019
 charge

00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:55.219
 is colored by the idea

00:39:55.219 --> 00:39:57.639
 that he treated them like a father

00:39:57.639 --> 00:39:59.379
 with his children

00:39:59.379 --> 00:40:02.659
 now your experience

00:40:02.659 --> 00:40:04.239
 that may not be very positive

00:40:04.239 --> 00:40:06.459
 Paul speaking generally here

00:40:06.459 --> 00:40:08.039
 the faithful father

00:40:08.039 --> 00:40:10.619
 that's how we minister to you

00:40:10.619 --> 00:40:15.339
 how is exhortation and encouragement and charging

00:40:15.339 --> 00:40:18.299
 of a father different from other authorities

00:40:18.299 --> 00:40:22.219
 faithful father is with you he desires your good

00:40:22.219 --> 00:40:25.719
 he's not hateful

00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:27.739
 doesn't exasperate his children

00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:29.199
 he encourages them

00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:31.000
 he may be firm with them

00:40:31.000 --> 00:40:32.480
 but it's all for the good

00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:35.219
 of their own benefit

00:40:35.219 --> 00:40:39.260
 Paul didn't instruct them as an impersonal authority

00:40:39.260 --> 00:40:43.199
 but as a loving father who cares for them and

00:40:43.199 --> 00:40:45.460
 desires their ultimate good

00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:49.019
 such as a faithful minister of the gospel

00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:52.119
 he does not lord over people for his benefit

00:40:52.119 --> 00:40:54.460
 he lovingly instructs them

00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:56.019
 for theirs

00:40:56.019 --> 00:40:58.759
 you say how can I

00:40:58.759 --> 00:41:00.019
 how can I find a pastor

00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:00.599
 a minister

00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:01.320
 a disciple

00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:02.099
 or a Christian

00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:03.500
 who I can really trust

00:41:03.500 --> 00:41:03.920
 well

00:41:03.920 --> 00:41:05.639
 would they really care

00:41:05.639 --> 00:41:08.360
 about you glorifying God

00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:09.280
 or

00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:11.960
 being able to add you to the list of people

00:41:11.960 --> 00:41:13.179
 that they successfully

00:41:13.179 --> 00:41:14.579
 discipled

00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:16.780
 what's it about here

00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:19.259
 are they lording over your life

00:41:19.260 --> 00:41:21.700
 or are they coming alongside you

00:41:21.700 --> 00:41:22.900
 to lovingly instruct you

00:41:22.900 --> 00:41:24.020
 that may be firm

00:41:24.020 --> 00:41:26.720
 that may even be confrontational

00:41:26.720 --> 00:41:28.400
 but it's colored

00:41:28.400 --> 00:41:31.720
 by this idea of a father with his children

00:41:31.720 --> 00:41:33.660
 we're almost done

00:41:33.660 --> 00:41:36.800
 faithful pastoral instruction

00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:39.940
 isn't just about manner and sincerity though is it

00:41:39.940 --> 00:41:40.640
 we know that

00:41:40.640 --> 00:41:43.720
 many people are sincerely wrong

00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:46.680
 leading people astray

00:41:46.679 --> 00:41:48.739
 even with what appears to be good intentions

00:41:48.739 --> 00:41:49.919
 and genuine care

00:41:49.919 --> 00:41:54.079
 the content of one's instruction

00:41:54.079 --> 00:41:55.319
 is of utmost importance

00:41:55.319 --> 00:41:57.460
 and the summary of Paul's instruction

00:41:57.460 --> 00:41:58.719
 was that the Thessalonians

00:41:58.719 --> 00:42:01.599
 walk worthy of God

00:42:01.599 --> 00:42:05.079
 he didn't mean that they needed to live lives

00:42:05.079 --> 00:42:07.859
 that needed to reach a measure of holiness

00:42:07.859 --> 00:42:09.859
 so that God would accept them

00:42:09.859 --> 00:42:11.059
 that's not what he means by that

00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:13.799
 worthy here is being used in the sense of fitness

00:42:13.800 --> 00:42:16.580
 he urged them to live in a manner

00:42:16.580 --> 00:42:18.080
 that was fitting of someone

00:42:18.080 --> 00:42:20.180
 that already belongs to God

00:42:20.180 --> 00:42:22.640
 he said that's how we instructed you

00:42:22.640 --> 00:42:24.060
 that was the objective there

00:42:24.060 --> 00:42:26.120
 it wasn't to do things for us

00:42:26.120 --> 00:42:26.800
 it was no

00:42:26.800 --> 00:42:28.460
 we were pushing you to follow God

00:42:28.460 --> 00:42:30.060
 to live worthy of him

00:42:30.060 --> 00:42:31.539
 to exalt him

00:42:31.539 --> 00:42:33.019
 to preach his gospel

00:42:33.019 --> 00:42:35.860
 that's what we were urging you to do

00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:39.260
 of course all of this instruction

00:42:39.260 --> 00:42:41.700
 is grounded in the gospel of Jesus

00:42:41.699 --> 00:42:45.179
 which is the significance of the very last phrase there

00:42:45.179 --> 00:42:51.980
 in the New Testament call here

00:42:51.980 --> 00:42:53.739
 which is what Paul says in verse 12

00:42:53.739 --> 00:42:57.039
 this God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory

00:42:57.039 --> 00:42:58.339
 the New Testament call

00:42:58.339 --> 00:43:01.359
 usually is referring to an individual salvation

00:43:01.359 --> 00:43:04.299
 we think of call in terms of

00:43:04.299 --> 00:43:06.279
 like being commissioned to a task

00:43:06.279 --> 00:43:09.879
 the New Testament very rarely actually uses the term that way

00:43:09.880 --> 00:43:14.460
 it's almost always in relationship to the call of God to salvation

00:43:14.460 --> 00:43:18.200
 through the preaching of the gospel

00:43:18.200 --> 00:43:22.400
 God effectually calls us into his kingdom

00:43:22.400 --> 00:43:24.539
 and out of sin and unbelief

00:43:24.539 --> 00:43:27.420
 let me just give you a verse that you might know well

00:43:27.420 --> 00:43:30.059
 that helps us kind of wrap our brains around that

00:43:30.059 --> 00:43:31.039
 1 Peter 2 9

00:43:31.039 --> 00:43:32.740
 you are a chosen race

00:43:32.740 --> 00:43:34.300
 a royal priesthood

00:43:34.300 --> 00:43:35.539
 a holy nation

00:43:35.539 --> 00:43:37.599
 a people for his own possession

00:43:37.599 --> 00:43:40.480
 that you may proclaim the excellencies of him

00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:43.239
 who called you out of darkness

00:43:43.239 --> 00:43:46.579
 into his marvelous light

00:43:46.579 --> 00:43:47.900
 it's the call to salvation

00:43:47.900 --> 00:43:49.839
 typically when call is used

00:43:49.839 --> 00:43:52.519
 that's the way it's being used in the New Testament

00:43:52.519 --> 00:43:55.279
 now what's interesting about the way Paul uses it

00:43:55.279 --> 00:43:57.639
 in 1 Thessalonians 2 12

00:43:57.639 --> 00:44:00.860
 is that it's in the present tense

00:44:00.860 --> 00:44:02.039
 not the past tense

00:44:02.039 --> 00:44:03.360
 did you notice that?

00:44:03.360 --> 00:44:06.860
 he says we urged you to walk worthy of God

00:44:06.860 --> 00:44:08.880
 and he doesn't say

00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:10.480
 who called you

00:44:10.480 --> 00:44:12.160
 into his kingdom and glory

00:44:12.160 --> 00:44:13.019
 no

00:44:13.019 --> 00:44:13.740
 he said

00:44:13.740 --> 00:44:15.260
 who calls

00:44:15.260 --> 00:44:16.640
 you presently

00:44:16.640 --> 00:44:17.579
 calls

00:44:17.579 --> 00:44:19.740
 you into his kingdom and glory

00:44:19.740 --> 00:44:21.140
 but why did he do it that way?

00:44:21.360 --> 00:44:22.360
 why did he say it like that?

00:44:23.700 --> 00:44:24.800
 oh this is so helpful

00:44:24.800 --> 00:44:26.180
 he's reminding us

00:44:26.180 --> 00:44:29.180
 that God continually calls his people

00:44:29.179 --> 00:44:30.940
 to walk worthy

00:44:30.940 --> 00:44:33.359
 of their identity

00:44:33.359 --> 00:44:36.099
 as citizens of his kingdom

00:44:36.099 --> 00:44:38.699
 representing his glory

00:44:38.699 --> 00:44:39.899
 his beauty

00:44:39.899 --> 00:44:41.079
 his gospel

00:44:41.079 --> 00:44:42.739
 his perfections

00:44:42.739 --> 00:44:44.219
 in this world

00:44:44.219 --> 00:44:46.639
 this instruction

00:44:46.639 --> 00:44:47.679
 is the urging

00:44:47.679 --> 00:44:49.239
 to pursue greater holiness

00:44:49.239 --> 00:44:50.879
 in sanctification

00:44:50.879 --> 00:44:53.879
 but let's color it

00:44:53.879 --> 00:44:54.819
 just with another verse

00:44:54.819 --> 00:44:55.699
 in 1 Thessalonians

00:44:55.699 --> 00:44:57.399
 just flip over to chapter 5

00:44:57.399 --> 00:44:59.960
 and look at verses 23 and 24

00:44:59.960 --> 00:45:03.119
 in closing out the letter

00:45:03.119 --> 00:45:03.799
 Paul says

00:45:03.799 --> 00:45:05.719
 now may the God of peace himself

00:45:05.719 --> 00:45:06.599
 do what?

00:45:07.679 --> 00:45:09.059
 sanctify you completely

00:45:09.059 --> 00:45:11.159
 and may your whole spirit

00:45:11.159 --> 00:45:12.219
 and soul and body

00:45:12.219 --> 00:45:14.139
 be kept blameless

00:45:14.139 --> 00:45:16.059
 at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

00:45:16.059 --> 00:45:17.219
 now notice verse 24

00:45:17.219 --> 00:45:20.259
 he who calls you

00:45:20.259 --> 00:45:21.019
 present tense

00:45:21.019 --> 00:45:23.519
 he who calls you is faithful

00:45:23.519 --> 00:45:27.320
 he will surely do it

00:45:27.320 --> 00:45:29.199
 now what's the significance of this?

00:45:29.639 --> 00:45:30.780
 God continually

00:45:30.780 --> 00:45:31.579
 every day

00:45:31.579 --> 00:45:32.800
 he's calling you

00:45:32.800 --> 00:45:33.940
 walk worthy of me

00:45:33.940 --> 00:45:36.280
 live as a citizen of my kingdom

00:45:36.280 --> 00:45:38.019
 display my glory

00:45:38.019 --> 00:45:38.659
 in the world

00:45:38.659 --> 00:45:39.719
 that's why I've saved you

00:45:39.719 --> 00:45:40.960
 is to display my glory

00:45:40.960 --> 00:45:41.639
 in the world

00:45:41.639 --> 00:45:42.699
 and Paul says

00:45:42.699 --> 00:45:44.039
 and we've come alongside you

00:45:44.039 --> 00:45:44.980
 like a loving father

00:45:44.980 --> 00:45:46.840
 and this is what we're urging you to do

00:45:46.840 --> 00:45:48.259
 walk worthy of God

00:45:48.259 --> 00:45:49.519
 live for his glory

00:45:49.519 --> 00:45:51.099
 live as if you really are

00:45:51.099 --> 00:45:52.519
 a citizen of his kingdom

00:45:52.519 --> 00:45:53.739
 for if you're in Christ

00:45:53.739 --> 00:45:55.139
 that's exactly who you are

00:45:55.139 --> 00:45:56.000
 and then when he gets

00:45:56.000 --> 00:45:57.239
 to the end of the letter

00:45:57.239 --> 00:45:58.219
 what is it that he says?

00:45:58.400 --> 00:45:58.940
 he says look

00:45:58.940 --> 00:46:00.000
 the one who calls you

00:46:00.000 --> 00:46:00.579
 he's faithful

00:46:00.579 --> 00:46:02.159
 he will do this in you

00:46:02.159 --> 00:46:04.980
 this is amazing

00:46:04.980 --> 00:46:07.039
 God calls us to salvation

00:46:07.039 --> 00:46:07.860
 through the gospel

00:46:07.860 --> 00:46:10.259
 he calls us to live worthy

00:46:10.259 --> 00:46:11.840
 of our new identity in Christ

00:46:11.840 --> 00:46:13.599
 and then by his spirit

00:46:13.599 --> 00:46:15.519
 God enables us to do it

00:46:15.519 --> 00:46:17.940
 he actually gives us the power

00:46:17.940 --> 00:46:18.719
 to do it

00:46:18.719 --> 00:46:21.299
 so a trustworthy minister

00:46:21.299 --> 00:46:22.559
 like a loving father

00:46:22.559 --> 00:46:23.919
 will implore you

00:46:23.919 --> 00:46:25.339
 to walk worthy of God

00:46:25.339 --> 00:46:27.359
 and he will encourage you

00:46:27.359 --> 00:46:28.099
 with the fact

00:46:28.099 --> 00:46:29.459
 that God himself

00:46:29.459 --> 00:46:30.519
 is with you

00:46:30.519 --> 00:46:31.899
 and enables you

00:46:31.899 --> 00:46:34.159
 to walk worthy of him

00:46:34.159 --> 00:46:36.079
 because sometimes we hear

00:46:36.079 --> 00:46:36.959
 an instruction like that

00:46:36.959 --> 00:46:37.259
 and we think

00:46:37.259 --> 00:46:38.319
 I can't do that

00:46:38.319 --> 00:46:40.019
 I just don't have it in me

00:46:40.019 --> 00:46:41.659
 to live like that

00:46:41.659 --> 00:46:43.539
 to have that kind of boldness

00:46:43.539 --> 00:46:44.199
 and I just

00:46:44.199 --> 00:46:45.779
 I fall in so many ways

00:46:45.779 --> 00:46:46.899
 and I sin all the time

00:46:46.900 --> 00:46:48.260
 and Paul's coming alongside

00:46:48.260 --> 00:46:49.099
 these other Christians

00:46:49.099 --> 00:46:50.539
 who had sin in their lives even

00:46:50.539 --> 00:46:51.660
 he's come alongside them

00:46:51.660 --> 00:46:52.300
 he says listen

00:46:52.300 --> 00:46:53.920
 walk worthy of God

00:46:53.920 --> 00:46:54.720
 he is with you

00:46:54.720 --> 00:46:56.220
 he's gonna do this in you

00:46:56.220 --> 00:46:57.360
 lean on him

00:46:57.360 --> 00:46:58.440
 trust in him

00:46:58.440 --> 00:46:59.579
 follow him

00:46:59.579 --> 00:47:01.079
 he will do this work

00:47:01.079 --> 00:47:02.220
 he's faithful

00:47:02.220 --> 00:47:03.380
 he'll do it

00:47:03.380 --> 00:47:04.900
 and one day he'll complete it

00:47:04.900 --> 00:47:06.519
 he'll complete it

00:47:06.519 --> 00:47:08.440
 loved ones

00:47:08.440 --> 00:47:10.240
 I implore you

00:47:10.240 --> 00:47:13.019
 walk worthy of God

00:47:13.019 --> 00:47:15.599
 if you're in Christ

00:47:15.599 --> 00:47:17.339
 he's called you

00:47:17.339 --> 00:47:17.960
 into his kingdom

00:47:17.960 --> 00:47:20.239
 that's the reality

00:47:20.239 --> 00:47:21.559
 of your identity now

00:47:21.559 --> 00:47:23.920
 you belong to him

00:47:23.920 --> 00:47:25.619
 if you're a Christian

00:47:25.619 --> 00:47:27.400
 and that will never change

00:47:27.400 --> 00:47:30.119
 now live like it

00:47:30.119 --> 00:47:32.960
 live like it

00:47:32.960 --> 00:47:34.960
 put off the deeds

00:47:34.960 --> 00:47:35.619
 of the flesh

00:47:35.619 --> 00:47:39.659
 live in genuine devotion

00:47:39.659 --> 00:47:40.940
 to God and his gospel

00:47:40.940 --> 00:47:43.139
 don't be a casual Christian

00:47:43.139 --> 00:47:45.679
 be truly devoted

00:47:45.679 --> 00:47:47.599
 be righteous

00:47:47.599 --> 00:47:48.519
 in your conduct

00:47:48.519 --> 00:47:51.759
 don't mistreat people

00:47:51.759 --> 00:47:53.000
 always do what's right

00:47:53.000 --> 00:47:53.940
 even if it hurts you

00:47:53.940 --> 00:47:54.420
 to do it

00:47:54.420 --> 00:47:56.119
 always do what's right

00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:57.639
 walk blamelessly

00:47:57.639 --> 00:47:58.339
 why?

00:47:58.739 --> 00:48:00.319
 because you've been called

00:48:00.319 --> 00:48:02.039
 into his kingdom

00:48:02.039 --> 00:48:04.379
 and as a citizen

00:48:04.379 --> 00:48:05.099
 of his kingdom

00:48:05.099 --> 00:48:07.139
 it's our responsibility

00:48:07.139 --> 00:48:09.159
 to display his glory

00:48:09.159 --> 00:48:09.799
 in this world

00:48:09.799 --> 00:48:12.000
 he has chosen us

00:48:12.000 --> 00:48:12.699
 for that task

00:48:12.699 --> 00:48:14.860
 and he enables us

00:48:14.860 --> 00:48:15.599
 in that task

00:48:15.599 --> 00:48:17.760
 so do it

00:48:17.760 --> 00:48:18.980
 do it

00:48:18.980 --> 00:48:20.659
 for his glory

00:48:20.659 --> 00:48:22.579
 and in his power

00:48:22.579 --> 00:48:25.000
 well what a reassurance

00:48:25.000 --> 00:48:25.920
 this must have been

00:48:25.920 --> 00:48:27.039
 for the Thessalonians

00:48:27.039 --> 00:48:29.079
 maybe they were

00:48:29.079 --> 00:48:30.079
 in a moment of doubt

00:48:30.079 --> 00:48:30.699
 maybe they were

00:48:30.699 --> 00:48:31.400
 really struggling

00:48:31.400 --> 00:48:32.960
 maybe the accusations

00:48:32.960 --> 00:48:33.539
 of enemies

00:48:33.539 --> 00:48:34.500
 if that was happening

00:48:34.500 --> 00:48:36.159
 maybe those accusations

00:48:36.159 --> 00:48:37.260
 were starting to get to them

00:48:37.260 --> 00:48:38.260
 as they faced

00:48:38.260 --> 00:48:38.920
 another beating

00:48:38.920 --> 00:48:39.780
 or as they faced

00:48:39.780 --> 00:48:40.579
 another form of

00:48:40.579 --> 00:48:41.420
 persecution

00:48:41.420 --> 00:48:42.360
 from their enemies

00:48:42.360 --> 00:48:43.039
 maybe they thought

00:48:43.039 --> 00:48:44.099
 maybe these guys

00:48:44.099 --> 00:48:44.539
 are right

00:48:44.539 --> 00:48:46.340
 is this worth it

00:48:46.340 --> 00:48:47.960
 maybe Paul was really

00:48:47.960 --> 00:48:48.820
 messing with us here

00:48:48.820 --> 00:48:51.159
 and then he writes

00:48:51.159 --> 00:48:51.800
 and he says

00:48:51.800 --> 00:48:52.360
 he says

00:48:52.360 --> 00:48:53.119
 just remember

00:48:53.119 --> 00:48:54.720
 remember how we came

00:48:54.720 --> 00:48:55.099
 to you

00:48:55.099 --> 00:48:56.460
 you were different

00:48:56.460 --> 00:48:57.420
 than those other guys

00:48:57.420 --> 00:48:58.400
 and you know it

00:48:58.400 --> 00:48:59.019
 you're with us

00:48:59.019 --> 00:48:59.740
 you saw it

00:48:59.740 --> 00:49:00.900
 that would have been

00:49:00.900 --> 00:49:01.659
 comforting right

00:49:01.659 --> 00:49:03.559
 wouldn't it have

00:49:03.559 --> 00:49:04.700
 strengthened their faith

00:49:04.700 --> 00:49:05.340
 in the gospel

00:49:05.340 --> 00:49:06.539
 their resolve

00:49:06.539 --> 00:49:07.219
 to continue

00:49:07.219 --> 00:49:08.119
 in faithfulness

00:49:08.119 --> 00:49:09.480
 and then what a help

00:49:09.480 --> 00:49:10.239
 it is for us

00:49:10.239 --> 00:49:10.699
 isn't it

00:49:10.699 --> 00:49:13.679
 to see biblical criteria

00:49:13.679 --> 00:49:15.239
 for ministers

00:49:15.239 --> 00:49:16.279
 that we should follow

00:49:16.279 --> 00:49:18.059
 notice there's nothing

00:49:18.059 --> 00:49:18.880
 here about charisma

00:49:18.880 --> 00:49:22.159
 there's nothing here

00:49:22.159 --> 00:49:22.920
 about personality

00:49:22.920 --> 00:49:27.239
 if that's what it takes

00:49:27.239 --> 00:49:27.840
 you're in trouble

00:49:27.840 --> 00:49:34.279
 no we see here

00:49:34.279 --> 00:49:35.079
 that the kind of

00:49:35.079 --> 00:49:35.819
 the kind of people

00:49:35.819 --> 00:49:37.400
 that we need to follow

00:49:37.400 --> 00:49:39.539
 through the text

00:49:39.539 --> 00:49:40.319
 God tells us

00:49:40.319 --> 00:49:41.199
 what to look for

00:49:41.199 --> 00:49:42.159
 in spiritual leaders

00:49:42.159 --> 00:49:43.819
 and getting closer

00:49:43.819 --> 00:49:44.340
 and closer

00:49:44.340 --> 00:49:45.360
 inevitably to

00:49:45.360 --> 00:49:48.039
 seeing men

00:49:48.039 --> 00:49:48.659
 in our church

00:49:48.659 --> 00:49:49.519
 who potentially

00:49:49.519 --> 00:49:49.940
 one day

00:49:49.940 --> 00:49:50.819
 will serve as elders

00:49:50.819 --> 00:49:51.639
 here in the church

00:49:51.639 --> 00:49:52.860
 and how do we

00:49:52.860 --> 00:49:53.759
 evaluate that

00:49:53.759 --> 00:49:55.440
 we use passages

00:49:55.440 --> 00:49:56.819
 like 1 Thessalonians 2

00:49:56.819 --> 00:50:01.159
 and then we see here

00:50:01.159 --> 00:50:01.980
 what standard

00:50:01.980 --> 00:50:03.599
 we need to hold them to

00:50:03.599 --> 00:50:04.659
 what standard

00:50:04.659 --> 00:50:05.199
 do you need to hold

00:50:05.199 --> 00:50:05.639
 me to

00:50:05.639 --> 00:50:08.980
 but God also

00:50:08.980 --> 00:50:09.839
 allows us to be

00:50:09.839 --> 00:50:11.000
 instructed by Paul

00:50:11.000 --> 00:50:11.579
 himself here

00:50:11.579 --> 00:50:12.000
 doesn't he

00:50:12.000 --> 00:50:13.559
 his instruction

00:50:13.559 --> 00:50:14.360
 wasn't only good

00:50:14.360 --> 00:50:15.219
 for the Thessalonians

00:50:15.219 --> 00:50:16.099
 it's good for us

00:50:16.099 --> 00:50:18.579
 this text

00:50:18.579 --> 00:50:19.500
 it's not just for those

00:50:19.500 --> 00:50:20.519
 in vocational ministry

00:50:20.519 --> 00:50:21.099
 each of us

00:50:21.099 --> 00:50:22.460
 we're all called

00:50:22.460 --> 00:50:23.619
 to minister the gospel

00:50:23.619 --> 00:50:24.360
 with these same

00:50:24.360 --> 00:50:24.980
 characteristics

00:50:24.980 --> 00:50:26.259
 diligent labor

00:50:26.259 --> 00:50:27.940
 and biblical integrity

00:50:27.940 --> 00:50:28.940
 and loving instruction

00:50:28.940 --> 00:50:31.139
 and we can't leave

00:50:31.139 --> 00:50:31.740
 the text

00:50:31.740 --> 00:50:33.360
 without giving

00:50:33.360 --> 00:50:34.320
 an honest examination

00:50:34.320 --> 00:50:35.220
 of ourselves

00:50:35.220 --> 00:50:36.340
 to see if

00:50:36.340 --> 00:50:37.320
 we're walking

00:50:37.320 --> 00:50:38.179
 worthy of God

00:50:38.179 --> 00:50:39.139
 and if we're not

00:50:39.139 --> 00:50:40.260
 we need to

00:50:40.260 --> 00:50:41.159
 we need to confess

00:50:41.159 --> 00:50:41.599
 that

00:50:41.599 --> 00:50:42.440
 we need to turn

00:50:42.440 --> 00:50:43.340
 in his grace

00:50:43.340 --> 00:50:44.760
 determined

00:50:44.760 --> 00:50:45.579
 to be faithful

00:50:45.579 --> 00:50:47.700
 and by God's grace

00:50:47.700 --> 00:50:48.460
 that's what we'll do

00:50:48.460 --> 00:50:50.460
 for better

00:50:50.460 --> 00:50:50.460


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