Monthly Archive for March, 1999

1 Thessalonians 1:8

Published on March 31, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything“

Verse eight develops the reason the Thessalonian church became an example to all the churches in Greece (v.7). This was a church of faith.

For from you

The gospel went out from the Thessalonians.


Principle:

The gospel needs to go out from us as well as come to us.


Application:

The gospel often comes to Christians but never goes out again. The gospel ends in them like a dead-end street. People carry the gospel to us, but we do not carry the gospel to others.

The gospel needs to go though us to others. As far as some of us are concerned, the gospel is the best-kept secret. No one will hear it from us if we can help it. We never share it or pass it on. Many churches are that way. Few ever hear the gospel in these churches. They make apologies for the gospel.

The gospel carries both a negative and a positive message. People do not like to hear that they have violated a holy God. They do not want to know that they have sinned and need a Saviour. There is no easy way to declare this message. We must hear the bad news before we hear the good news. We must have a diagnosis before we can have a cure.

1 Thessalonians 1:7b

Published on March 30, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe“

This passage sets forth what an ideal [not a perfect church] should be. It is amazing how simple it is. We have a knack for complexity. We try to make everything complex. If we know the core ingredients of what makes a biblically successful church, we can trim off the unnecessary bureaucratic fat. We can build muscle using the right spiritual nourishment and exercise.

to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe

The Thessalonian church became the outstanding church to churches in Macedonia, the province of northern Greece and Achaia, the southern half of Greece. The cities of Athens and Corinth were in southern Greece. In other words, this one church reached all of Greece with the gospel by their influence on believers in other places. Not only did they reach Greece with the gospel but they extended the gospel to all of the Roman Empire – “in every place” (v.8). They did this within one year!

The Thessalonian church made a mark on their world. They made an impact because Christ made an impact on them. They influenced other Christians and so reached those without Christ in places they could not have gone themselves. Churches throughout Greece looked to the church at Thessalonica as their model for evangelism.

The city officials of Thessalonica described the extent of the ministry in this way,

“But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too’” (Acts 17: 6).


Principle:

Churches can extend the influence of their churches by modeling evangelism for other churches.


Application:

Churches can extend their influence of evangelism by influencing other churches. Clearly some churches are far more effective in evangelism than other churches. Is it pride that keeps churches from investigating successful evangelism in other churches?

Although we need to investigate successful evangelistic churches, this does not mean that we copy them in every respect. Each church has its own strengths. Ultimately, each church must find what God would have for them. Churches that make an impact for Christ do not dance to the tune of someone else’s music. They set their own tune. They may follow the example of another church, but they do not do so exclusively. Their leaders must find the unique vision God has for them.

1 Thessalonians 1:7

Published on March 29, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe“

The two most outstanding churches in the New Testament were the churches at Philippi and Thessalonica. These churches were not perfect but they were exemplary. They were what churches should be. These churches were not the largest or the most gifted churches in the New Testament. The church at Corinth was the most gifted but not the most godly.

so that

The words “so that” point to an actual consequence. Paul is not talking in possibilities or probabilities. These churches actually became examples to other churches in Greece.

you became

The word “became” means to become something they were not previously. This is the transforming power of the gospel. Raw Gentiles in Thessalonica embraced Jesus as their Savior and their He changed their lives completely. Not only did they become Christians but they also became shining examples of those who penetrated their world with the gospel.

examples

The word “examples” is the Greek word tupos, from which we get our English word “type.” Originally, this word meant “to strike.” It was a visible impression of a stroke or pressure, mark, trace. Then it came to mean an impression after a blow. When the church becomes an example, it leaves a mark or impression.

“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Philippians 3: 17).”…not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us” (2 Thessalonians 3: 9).

The word “examples” in the Greek is in the singular which indicates that the church as a whole was the example. Paul singles out no other local church as a standard for other churches to follow as he did this church. The standard against which other churches can measure themselves is the church at Thessalonica. What was so unique about their ministry? They shared the gospel “every place” (v.8).

The Thessalonian church was a model for others to follow. This church was not an ideal church, but a model church. It was effective in sharing the faith. The Thessalonian church was the only church Paul called an example. They were the pace-setter churches for other churches–the model church, noted for it’s aggressive evangelism.

God’s design for Christians is that they become instruments of impact. God wants each believer to leave a stamp on his sphere of influence. This implies that the believer has something that other people want.


Principle:

Some churches are pace-setters for other churches to follow.


Application:

Churches today can make a mark for Christ in evangelism. There is a tendency for churches to depend on para-church organizations or evangelistic crusades to do their evangelism for them. The Thessalonian church is the standard for your church.

Most churches do evangelism through their internal networks. Are you in a network whereby you can share your faith? Are you in a small group that is open to reach those without Christ?

Does the gospel reach a dead-end street with your church? Does the gospel come to you as an individual and stop? Pass it on? The gospel is the best-kept secret in many churches.

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says:

‘In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6: 1-2).

Most churches simply maintain the fish in the aquarium rather than travel to the home of uncaught fish.

When it comes to evangelism, most of us fish with a rod rather than a net.

1 Thessalonians 1:6e

Published on March 28, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit…“

with joy of the Holy Spirit

The Thessalonians witnessed to the gospel under persecution “with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” The word “of” indicates that the origin, source or power of this joy is the Holy Spirit. Their joy came from the Holy Spirit.

In the face of extensive affliction and tribulation, they believed in their message and those who delivered the message. Not only did they carry their message with conviction in the face of tribulation, but they also had something more – “joy of the Holy Spirit.” Joy in tribulation goes against human nature because God gives us capacity to face trial in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

“So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:41-42).


Principle:

Joy transcends persecution and trial in sharing our faith.


Application:

Some Christians do not share their faith with their friends because they fear that their friends will ostracize them. Other Christians know something of the “joy of the Holy Spirit” in witnessing. They know something of God’s sovereignty and control of any situation they might face. This gives them confidence to transcend human pressures or self-identity issues. People who can transcend their situations do not constantly complain about their problems.

Affliction in witnessing can show us how God sustains us under duress. The Christian possesses a special caliber of soul due to the joy of the Holy Spirit.

“…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14: 17).

Suffering and joy are not mutually exclusive. To the Christian, both can exist simultaneously.

“Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8: 1-2 ).

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1: 6-9).

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

1 Thessalonians 1:6d

Published on March 27, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit…“

in much affliction,

After the Thessalonians followed the gospel team in sharing the gospel, they encountered “much affliction.” The word “affliction” carries the idea of oppression or tribulation. They bore witness to the gospel knowing full well that wrath would rain upon them if they did so. Note that they did not simply receive some suffering, they received “much” affliction.

At the founding of the church in Thessalonica, Jason opened his home to the gospel team. He absorbed “much affliction” because he did. The Jews “dragged” Jason to the city authorities. Imagine the indignity of that!

“But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. ‘Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.’ And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go” (Acts 17:5-9).

The city officials took “security” from Jason and those with him. These believers paid a financial price for serving the Lord.


Principle:

If we are going to advance the cause of Christ throughout the world, we will pay a price for it.


Application:

It will cost us something to witness to the gospel (3:3).

“Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5).

The word “appointed” indicates that God ordains afflictions to those who share their faith. It is amazing that some people believe that when they share their faith they will never have problems again. The opposite is the case. They will collect more problems the more effective they become in their witness. Becoming dynamic Christians will cost us something.

Has your Christianity cost you anything? Did it affect your job? Have you lost some business because of it? Did you lose some friends? We pay a price for witnessing to the gospel. Becoming dynamic Christians may cause some problems in our family.

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5: 3-5).”My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1: 2-3).

1 Thessalonians 1:6c

Published on March 26, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit…”

having received the word

The word “received” means welcomed. In the face of maltreatment, they welcomed the word of the gospel.

“And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48).

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).


Principle:

Life is in the seed, not in the sower.


Application:

Life is in the seed, not the sower (Luke 8:11). Whenever we make ourselves susceptible to the gospel, God does a mighty work in our souls.

Harvesting the seeds of the gospel sown depends on 1) the integrity of the sower, 2) the amount of seed we sow and 3) where we sow the seed (Matthew 13). If Christians today want a great harvest, these essentials must exist in our ministries.

1 Thessalonians 1:6b

Published on March 25, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit…“

and of the Lord,

After leadership first wins credibility with their people, then they can shift that credibility to Christ. Great Christian leaders do not point people ultimately to themselves.

“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).

Note the result of following godly Christian leaders and the Lord — “so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe (v.7).”


Principle:

God will extend our ministry way beyond ourselves, when we follow the Lord.


Application:

When Christians follow the Lord, they do what they could not otherwise do. God will extend our ministry way beyond ourselves, when we follow the Lord.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

1 Thessalonians 1:6

Published on March 24, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit…”

Paul first shows God’s work among the Thessalonians by describing the integrity with which the gospel team came to Thessalonica. Now he turns to verifying God’s work among the Thessalonians themselves.

And you became followers of us

The first evidence of God’s work among the Thessalonians as new believers is that they imitated their spiritual fathers. They even went beyond that in imitating the Lord (1 Peter 2:21).

The word “followers” means imitators, emulators. This emulation goes beyond mechanically imitating the gospel team. These new Christians saw the essence of this gospel team in how they lived under the power of God and the dynamics of the Holy Spirit (v.5). The Thessalonians followed the character and commitment of the gospel team, not their personalities or charisma.

The example of the gospel team made a powerful impression on the church at Thessalonica. This new church watched the team as they confronted opposition under the power of the Holy Spirit.

“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:15-17).

Paul did not want the Thessalonians or any other group he started to imitate him without qualification. He wanted them to imitate him to the extent that he followed Christ.

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).”And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:11-12).


Principle:

There is great power in imitating godly and great leaders.


Application:

There are outstanding leaders among evangelicals today who have great track records of evangelism. Do we follow those who are successful in evangelism or do we follow those who merely know how to talk about evangelism?

Examples produce paradigms to follow. Followers can become leaders. They can become leaders by following examples that produce paradigms for ministry. They can do what they see modeled and by that become models themselves.

Churches seeking to make greater impact evangelistically should also imitate churches with successful records of evangelism.

“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).

There is a qualification to imitating other churches. Churches often make the mistake of following the raw program of another church. Churches that commit this fault do not take into consideration their own situation, the mores of their community, the history of their own church and other important issues. Each church has its own personality; the leadership must work with that personality when it launches new ministries.

That said, however, there are important lessons we can learn from churches that fruitfully reach the lost.

1 Thessalonians 1:5h

Published on March 23, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake“

for your sake

God’s work done in God’s way is always for the sake of the lost. When we do it God’s way, it always influences the lost. The gospel team was not in the ministry for themselves. They had no mercenary motive in presenting the gospel. The gospel was for the sake of the Thessalonians.

The gospel team concerned themselves with the kind of product they wanted to produce.


Principle:

True communicators of the gospel present the gospel for the sake of the lost, not for their own prestige or recognition.


Application:

True communicators of the gospel present the gospel for the sake of the lost, not for their own prestige or recognition. Much ministry today is to advance one’s career. We care more about how we deliver ministry than the impact our ministry has on people.

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6).

1 Thessalonians 1:5g

Published on March 22, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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"For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake"

as you know

Paul appeals to their personal knowledge of his gospel team. They knew that the gospel team came to them in "word," "power," "the Holy Spirit" and "much assurance."

what kind of men we were among you

Paul’s team lived in harmony with the message of the gospel. This is an appeal to the Thessalonians and to us today. People whose lives are consistent with their beliefs are appealing.

The word "kind" in the phrase "kind of men" means sort. The gospel team lived their lives with integrity. They were more than show. God transformed the lives of the communicators of the gospel as well as the Thessalonians. Not only did the gospel team convey a convincing message but they also lived consistent with that message when they were at Thessalonica. The Thessalonians saw clearly their manner of life. What you are speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.

The word "were" means became. The transforming power of the way the gospel team came with their message revolutionized the messengers themselves. God enabled them to be what they were not before they came to Thessalonica. God changed them as they shared the gospel. General Eisenhower illustrated leadership by putting a string on the table and saying, "Pull it and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it and will go nowhere at all." We lead people by example.

Credibility comes from the word "credo" meaning "I believe." Credibility means people believe your message because of your integrity. If you do not believe the messenger, you will not believe the message. People expect those who proclaim a message to stand for something and have the courage of their convictions. If we are not clear and convinced about what we believe, others will not believe us either.

Principle:

What we are speaks so loud that people cannot hear what we say.

Application:

God expects us to live lives of high caliber. What caliber of Christian are you? Are you a shallow soul? Christians are transformed people. There is attraction in that.

"So the men marveled, saying, ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’" (Matthew 8:27).

Paul’s gospel team was of high quality. They wore well. Against insurmountable opposition, they persisted in living lives of excellence before others. The team was quality merchandise.

Many people use quality as an excuse for not going aggressively after as many people as they can for Christ. There is no choice between quality and quantity in ministry. Quality refers to the kind of product we are and the kind of end product what we want to produce. Quantity is the extent we want our ministry to reach. We do not have to choose between quality and quantity. When we go fishing, we do not ask, "Do I want quality or quantity?!" We want to catch the biggest and as many fish as we can! Christians want to win as many people as they can to Christ and we want them to become as much like Christ as possible. Quality produces quantity.

A ministry full of genuinely changed people will attract many others to the ministry. People who possess transformed lives and manifest maturity will draw those without Christ. If we do not draw the lost to our group, or to us personally, is it because we do not demonstrate a good quality of life to them? If our lives do not match the gospel, we will not draw people to us.

"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…" (Philippians 1:27).

If the quality of our lives does not match the gospel, it will be like switching positive and negative cables on our car battery — the sparks will fly.