Monthly Archive for April, 1999

Page 2 of 3

1 Thessalonians 2:3c

Published on April 20, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit“
 
nor was it in deceit
 
The third negative in this verse is “deceit.” “Deceit” originally meant bait for fish. We use guile when we fish by using bait that appears like food to the fish. It is not food but a decoy. “Deceit” came to mean cunning, treachery, and any cunning contrivance for deceiving or catching, such as the Trojan horse. It refers to any trick or stratagem, wiles, guile, craft, cunning, treachery.
 
The gospel team came to Thessalonica in a straightforward manner. No trickery was used in the preaching itself (2 Corinthians 4:2; 2:17; cf. John 1:47). Paul never used guile (2 Corinthians 12:16).
Secular literature used “deceit” for a huckster. They used this word for a tavern keeper of the ancient world who would water down the wine of an inebriated person. There are those who also water down the Word. They use guile and tricks with the message of Christ. These are spiritual hucksters.
Paul did not peddle sexual license by encouraging people to indulge themselves in pleasure. Such doctrine attracted a big following in that day. Others promised prosperity. He did not appeal to their greed. Paul was above reproach in his methods. He never used the end to justify the means. God’s approval was the ultimate test for the way Paul did ministry.
Principle:
Authenticity in content and delivery are the essence of the gospel.
Application:
Part and parcel of ministry is its environment of integrity. Those who minister should never do it for self-centered reasons. Both authentic content and delivery are at the heart of delivering the gospel message. We live it and state it straight. True ministry is the ability to communicate from truth and integrity (2 Corinthians 4:2).
“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2 ).
When communicators of the gospel use guile, deceit and delusion, this is duplicity, two-facedness and hypocrisy. Non-Christians can see the phoniness of it all. They should see that we set forth truth in an unadulterated fashion.
Share

1 Thessalonians 2:3b

Published on April 19, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit“
 
or uncleanness,
 
The second negative of this verse states that Paul says that his gospel team did not come with “uncleanness” in morals. “Uncleanness” means impurity, dirt. Literally, “uncleanness” means refuse. It came to mean a state of moral impurity (Romans 1:24; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:3). The gospel team did not come to Thessalonica seeking fame or greed.
 
Concerning his morals, Paul demanded a holy conduct devoid of all uncleanness. This was in contrast to many of the religions of Paul’s day, which not only permitted immorality but also prescribed it in their core rituals by worshipping with sex. Religions that cater to the natural and physical at the expense of divine holiness are always popular.
Principle:
The life of the messenger must be consistent with the message.
Application:
People who communicate God’s Word must live lives consistent with the message they speak. This requires the filling of the Holy Spirit. We cannot live the supernatural Christian life in natural power.
“Depart! Depart! Go out from there,
Touch no unclean thing;
Go out from the midst of her,
Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11).”For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
God will bless His Word even if a jackass preaches it. Yet, we can measure the impact of the Word of God upon any group of people by the spiritual calibre of the spokesman. Water flows through pipes. If the pipe is rusty, the water may flow but there will be discoloration and sediment in the water. The water may not flow freely. It will taste of the pipe. The Word of God will not taste right to those without Christ if the messenger is unclean.
“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. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (Ephesians 5:1-4).
Share

1 Thessalonians 2:3

Published on April 18, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit“
 
In this verse, Paul denies three allegations against his team about their message, morals and manner of communication.
 
Fierce antagonism did not discourage Paul and his team. He was in the business of pleasing God, not people. God entrusted him with the gospel. Accordingly, certain questionable practices common among unsound religious leaders found no place in his evangelistic labors.
 
It is amazing how much we can learn from negatives. Verse three begins a series of negatives that deal with the quality of ministry.
For our exhortation
The word “for” indicates Paul’s basis for boldness. When Paul and his team came to Thessalonica, they did not employ error, uncleanness or deceit.
did not come from error
First, Paul says that his gospel team’s message was not “from error.” The word “error” means wandering, roaming. This is error as opposed to deceit. Paul’s gospel team did not wander from the path of truth. They were under no delusions or deceptions when it came to truth. Never did they cause someone to hold a wrong view of God or mislead them about God’s Word.
“Error” has the idea of roaming off the right path in doctrine (James 5:20; 2 Peter 3:17; 1 John 4:6) or morals (Romans 1:27; 2 Peter 2:18; Jude 11). The Bible never divides doctrine and morals by a sharp line.
Concerning his message, Paul’s exhortations to those without Christ did not spring from a creed of error. His appeals did not reveal the ranting of a deluded fanatic. He did not peddle private revelation. A plethora of people peddle their own viewpoints in the church today. Paul did not come with his own viewpoint; he came with the Word of God.
Paul’s preaching was accurate. He set forth truth as it was rather than what he wanted it to be.
Principle:
We must set forth truth as it is rather than the way we want it to be.
Application:
We should not manipulate Scripture for the sake of elegance in preaching. We simply set forth truth as it is. Our preaching should be as accurate as the multiplication table.
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
We must never alter or water down the Word or the gospel. Inaccurately stating of God’s Word will ruin its message.
Share

1 Thessalonians 2:2d

Published on April 17, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict“
 
to speak to you the gospel of God
 
The gospel is not only “our gospel” (1 Thessalonians 1:5) but it is also the “the gospel of God.” The sole author and authority of the gospel is God. In the face of the persecution the gospel team faced in Philippi, they moved into Thessalonica with a bold message. They did not say, “We had better pull back on our message unless it disturbs some people.”
 
in much conflict
When the gospel team came to Thessalonica, they did so amid much conflict. The impact of the shameful situation at Philippi was still much on their minds. We get the English word “agony” from the Greek word for “conflict.” This is an athletic term used for demanding physical exertion. Advancing the cause of Christ is not an easy task. It is a demanding mission. A halfway effort will make no significant difference in reaching the maximum number of people for Christ.
Note the word “much.” The gospel team communicated the gospel in “much agony.” That speaks of their burden for getting the message out. Their consuming passion for those without Christ carried them through much personal suffering. Paul and his team were dead earnest. It is impossible to manufacture this kind of boldness.
Principle:
Intensity is necessary for the serious advance of the gospel in the world.
Application:
Are you dead earnest in your witness for Christ? Are you willing to take some “guff” in order to get the message to those without Christ?
“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 1:28-2:3).
Share

1 Thessalonians 2:2c

Published on April 16, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict“
 
in our God
 
We cannot expose ourselves to the life and ministry of Paul and fail to notice his great courage in the face of difficulty. Did he generate courage through operation bootstraps? Not at all. He got his courage from God. Paul’s power was no natural boldness. He was like most of us – a great coward.
 
“I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2: 3-5).
 
“For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears” (2 Corinthians 7: 5).
The phrase “in our God” qualifies “we were bold.” Boldness did not come from the gospel team; it came from God. The word “in” signifies that their God gave them the sphere of courage to press forward with the gospel. Understanding something of His sovereignty and sustaining grace gives us the environment needed for aggressive evangelism.
They knew He providentially moves on the hearts of people. They did not move recklessly into Thessalonica. They operated under the umbrella of the five principles of 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
They also used wisdom in their evangelism thrusts. They met people on their approachable side. It is one thing to get opposition for communicating the gospel; it is another thing to create opposition of our own making.
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
“Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:32-33).
Paul obtained courage from his relationship with God. He was not unaffected by fear. In his natural person, he would not be as bold as he would if he moved in the confidence of God providentially working in his life.
Principle:
Courage comes from God, not from self.
Application:
People who trust the providence of God are much bolder in sharing their faith. The more we love and trust God in His sovereign care, the more boldness we have in our faith.
Share

1 Thessalonians 2:2b

Published on April 15, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict“
 
as you know, we were bold
 
The word “bold” means to speak freely, openly, fearlessly, express oneself freely. The Greeks used this word for speaking in a democratic assembly.
 
The gospel team had such confidence in God that they proclaimed the gospel without fear (Acts 4:13). The New Testament always uses this word in relation to proclaiming the gospel (Acts 9:27, 29; 13:46; 14:3). Fear is why most people do not share their faith. They fear ridicule and rejection. However, courage is necessary to move beyond the status quo. It takes courage to fly in the face of what people do not want to talk about. People are hypersensitive about certain subjects, and the gospel is one of them.
“…and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:14).
Paul was no coward. He never trimmed his sails to make the gospel more pleasing. The gospel by its very essence stings and smarts those who hear it. It offends people, because it strips them of their religious defenses. The gospel shows people for what they are. No one likes that.
No one likes to communicate that, but this is part of the gospel message. That is why most Christians, including preachers want to remain in the safe cloister of the church. Everyone likes to be liked. If we love the Lord, we must set forth the unvarnished facts of the gospel. That means we have to reveal human nature in its stark reality.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).”Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word…” (Acts 4:29).
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:17-20).
Fainter hearts would have quailed before such outrageous indignities heaped on them. The gospel team was not only innocent, but they were also Roman citizens. Stripes, stocks and satanic malice brought no white flag from Paul or his team. Instead of giving up at Philippi, he pressed on to Thessalonica. Rather than giving up, he advanced the gospel further. Rather than caving into terror and persecutions, the pressure he faced made him bolder to advance the cause of Christ. Persecution did not paralyze him.
Principle:
Suffering for the gospel sharpens our boldness, if all things are spiritually equal.
Application:
No one can daunt people in ministry who have confidence in God. Nothing can drive them from telling about Christ and His gospel. They are far from the current consumer Christianity that seeks self-interest above all else. As the saying goes, “No pain, no gain.”
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me” (Philippians 1:29-30).
Most of us concern ourselves with self-protection, but the successful Christian life is no rosy bed of ease. Do you declare the gospel in spite of opposition, or do you fold up and silently steal away?
Share

1 Thessalonians 2:2

Published on April 14, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict“
 
But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi,
 
The Thessalonians knew only too well the hassle the gospel team had endured just before they came to Thessalonica. The city officials at Philippi stripped and beat them with rods and cast them into the inner recesses of a dark, dank prison (Acts 16:22-23). They came to Thessalonica with sore feet, and backs to match.
 
Not only did they endure suffering, but the Philippian officials dished out punishment in a shameful way. They were “spitefully treated” at Philippi. The Greek means that the Philippians abused them publicly. Their intent was to humiliate them and make them a public spectacle.
This was far more than teasing. They beat them publicly although they were Roman citizens. When the public authorities found out they were Roman citizens, they wanted the team to sneak out of town without a peep. The gospel team refused to go until the authorities came in person.
Principle:
True ministry withstands the blast of criticism and persecution.
Application:
Out of the crucible of Philippi came the pure gold of Thessalonica. The gospel team was clearly not in ministry for selfish purposes.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The Devil tried to cut Paul’s ministry off, but Paul did not stop communicating the gospel. His trials only became a platform for further ministry.
Share

1 Thessalonians 2:1b

Published on April 13, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain“
 
was not in vain
 
The word “vain” means empty or without purpose. The ministry at Thessalonica was not empty or without fruit. The gospel team’s ministry came with power. The gospel did not move into Thessalonica through empty motives and methods. Ministry cannot be some empty, shallow, flesh generated thrust. The gospel team’s ministry was short, abrupt, forceful, but fruitful. It was fruitful because the Thessalonians embraced the gospel.
 
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
 
The gospel’s team had success in Thessalonica. People came to Christ and their lives changed dramatically. The gospel team did not come with speculations about philosophy. They came with the Word of God. Therefore, their ministry had lasting effects.
Principle:
Personal integrity will prevent a vain ministry.
Application:
Our personal integrity speaks to the character of our ministry. Our character authenticates the genuineness of our ministry. True effectiveness in ministry has integrity at its root. Godly character and conduct is the ultimate valid evidence of God’s working and approval.
Christians minister for eternity. Therefore, their ministry is not in vain. The Devil will attempt to discourage them to the place where they will no longer be a force in ministry.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Share

1 Thessalonians 2:1

Published on April 12, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain“
 
Evidently, Judaizers outside the church of Thessalonica leveled charges against the legitimacy of Paul and his gospel team. They tried to discredit them. They said that they were in ministry for personal profit. Paul reminds Thessalonians that the gospel team came to them with the integrity one year previously (verses 1-12). In the first six verses, He makes his motives clear.
 
The gospel team managed ministry as stewards of God’s will (verses 1-6). In this chapter, we find a great model for ministry, an ideal minister of the gospel.
For you yourselves know, brethren,
The word “you” is emphatic in the Greek. The Thessalonians knew personally how Paul’s team came into Thessalonica with the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2:1, 2, 5, 11; 4:2). The word “know” occurs repeatedly throughout this chapter. The Thessalonians knew this gospel team intimately.
that our coming to you
The Thessalonian Christians knew of the “coming” of the gospel team. When the gospel team moved into Thessalonica, no one knew anything of the gospel. They never heard the life-transforming gospel message. Paul and his team went where the fish were. They took the initiative in evangelism.
Principle:
If we are going to advance the cause of Christ, we must go where the fish are.
Application:
Most of us find it fruitless to fish in our own bathtubs. We have to go to the fish; they do not come to us. As a rule, few fish come to church; few non-Christians move outside their element. God expects us to take the gospel wherever He places us, in life, school, work or neighborhood. We must take the initiative and make the contact.
Many times our contacts with non-believers are unproductive. We go away and they say, “What a nice person.” We receive their personal praise, but it is without eternal benefit. If they reject Christ, they go into a Christless eternity. Contact with the lost can only be effective if we declare the gospel to them.
Many Christians never share their faith. Their Christian community is simply a country club for them. They love to fellowship with believers, but do not like to connect to non-believers, because that is too uncomfortable for them. They find comfort in the presence of Christians.
What do you do of your contacts with unbelievers? Do you express the gospel with your integrity and personality? Do it with your vocabulary and your style? That is many times more effective than taking them to an evangelistic meeting. God entrusts us with the gospel. We need to bring our conversations around to the fact that Christ died for our sins. That is a wonderful product to sell. Are you concerned about the message?
We are witnesses for Christ whether we know it or not, for better or for worse.
Share

1 Thessalonians 1:10f

Published on April 11, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

 

“…and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come“
 
who delivers us from the wrath to come
 
Jesus will deliver Christians “from the wrath to come.” Thessalonian Christians do not have to be delivered from Hell sometime in the future. For them the deliverance is past (John 5:24). This “wrath” is the wrath of the Tribulation just before the Millennium (Revelation 6:17). Jesus delivers believers from this period of Tribulation.
 
The word “from” indicates that God keeps the church from “wrath.” The word “from” means away from. This means that the church will not go through the future Tribulation period. The tribulation period deals with Israel, with the evangelization of the nation Israel in order to establish the promised Millennial Kingdom for Israel.
 
It is apparent that Paul deals with the Tribulation as the “wrath” in this verse because his reference is to the rapture. The Thessalonians did not need to prepare for the Tribulation because Jesus would deliver them from it. Just think of those left behind after the rapture. The church will not be a conscience to society any longer.
First Thessalonians deals with the coming of Christ in every chapter (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23). Each chapter ends with a reference to this event.
Principle:
A role of the believer is to anticipate the rapture.
Application:
Jesus came to pay for our salvation in His first coming. In the rapture and Second Coming, He will bring full and final liberation from sin, death and Hell. An important function of every believer is to anticipate the rapture. We rejoice in it. We celebrate it. We place our hope in it. It becomes an ever-present blessing to our souls.
Looking for the Lord to return at any moment will change our lives. It will transform our way of doing things. It will change the way we deal with temptations. If you knew you were going to die in two years, would you change your priorities? Would you do something about broken relationships?
Many of us carry a great amount of spiritual flab. To deal with this, we must admit that we are out of spiritual shape. “There are a few people to whom I take exception. I am out of phase with them. I don’t talk to them anymore. I resent them. I envy others. Deal with me, Lord.”
Do you have animosity, resentment or anger toward some other Christian? Have you come to grips with this? You should not allow it to go on and on. If we expect that the Lord may come at any time, we must not allow ourselves to cherish these sins. We must bury the hatchet. We must shake hands with them. We must forget the past.
Share