Marks of Paul's Ministry
Book of 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2
What seems to be the problem with the Church today, is the fact that there are not enough strong preachers who preach the Word of God as the truth that it is.
It seems that far too many have their own concept of what the Word of God is teaching.
Many of them just tickle the ears of those in the pews so they can pad their pockets and keep their job.
God teaches us that we are not to have our own interpretation of the Word of God!
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Not one of the prophets of God came by their own interpretation of what God was saying.
They wrote down exactly what God was telling them to write and they were guided by the Holy Spirit to make sure what they wrote was the message that God intended for us to have.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
It is not the preacher's job to interpret what God is saying, it is the preacher’s job to explain what God is saying.
Neh_8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
Too many so-called preachers are just preaching their own version of the Bible when God said not to do that.
What were some of the marks of the ministry of the Apostle Paul?
*****1Th 2:1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
1Th 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
If we look at the city of Thessalonica, we can see the same things happening then are still happening in our own nation today.
Those that reject the Word of God were trying to convince the general public that the preaching of Jesus Christ would destroy their freedoms and affect their jobs and businesses, when the fact is that this is far from the truth.
We know that Paul had to flee from Thessalonica to save his life.
The Word of God did not flee, so the attacks upon the Church and its believers continued.
Since the persecutors could not get to Paul, they then attempted to destroy his reputation.
In America today we see that there is an attempt to destroy the Church.
In fact, these people have become so bold they attempt to destroy anyone and everyone who stands against their wicked and immoral ways.
Not much has changed in this sinful world as we approach the same sinful ways the days before the flood and the days of Lot.
Again the Word of God did not flee and the Church at Thessalonica prospered for many years.
The Word of God cannot be destroyed nor can the true Church with the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When Paul could not go to Thessalonica, he wrote the two books to this church that bear their name.
We also know that the writings of Paul were also shared with every church.
The Holy Spirit included these letters in what is known as the New Testament today.
Paul knew how the unbelievers liked to exaggerate the lies that they proposed, and stirred up as many problems for the Church as they could and we still see these same tactics today.
The tactics of the Devil do not have to change because most people want to do as they please rather than live righteously.
People are only concerned about themselves and not anyone else.
The Lord Jesus is our example in how to live righteously.
The Apostle Paul can be our example in how to serve in the ministry of God.
The Apostle Paul was good Church Planter because the Word of God is true and the cause of Christ is real.
The faith of the true Church is valid!
We are truly saved and our names are truly written down in the Lamb's Book of Life in Heaven!
Heaven is a real place just as Hell is a real place.
These things are real because they are true!
The message of the Apostle Paul was not empty, ineffective, or fruitless, because the message of the Lord Jesus Christ is a real message because it is a true message.
When we live for Jesus Christ were are living in reality!
The "fruit" of the "Gospel" is permanent and cannot be changed by this world.
The "Tempter" the Devil, may ruin our testimony if we succumb to his tricks, but he cannot change our outcome.
A good preacher will preach boldly the truth of God because he knows it is the truth.
A good preacher will preach boldly the truth of God even when he is opposed by those in the pews.
Thank God for our Pastor!
The Apostle Paul was opposed in every city he went to, but it did not change his message.
Those who change their message because of opposition to it, are then liars and no longer have the truth.
Bold preaching is one proof of a strong preacher.
Bold preaching is to preach the truth of God and not to concentrate on those who oppose his message because there will always be those who oppose it.
Those that oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ will also break the laws of the land to do so.
Act 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Act 16:38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
It was not an easy task to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles in Europe.
The secret of the bold preacher is that they always preach the message that the Holy Spirit has given to them!
Without the power of the Holy Spirit there are no true preachers!
*****1Th 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
1Th 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
When we speak the message of the Lord Jesus Christ, we know we are speaking the truth!
The Word of God is free from all that is false and impure.
It is true Christians that make brave Christians.
To exhort, is to incite which is good and that which is commendable according to the dictionary.
Listen to Jeremiah: Jer 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
Paul wrote to the Colossian Church: Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Col 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of the few truths that is left in this wicked world that is so full of deceit.
No one even expects to hear the truth anymore, especially from our politicians.
We do not get the truth from our news sources, or from our government, nor is the truth taught in our schools anymore.
The truth is being erased from all documents because the truth will upset too many people and change the narrative of our government which strives on deceit!
The Gospel stands out as the eternal truth of the Living Unchanging God!
The bold Preacher preaches a pure "Gospel", and lives a clean life, and certainly does not deceive the people of God!
The bold preacher does not follow the latest theological fashion in order to appear up to date with some so-called modern "Gospel".
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is pure and needs to be preached as pure.
No preacher has the right to change the message of God!
Every wicked rumor about the Apostle Paul proved to be false.
I can assure you, if we hear an immoral rumor about our own Pastor, you can bet it is a false rumor and should be ignored and our Pastor defended.
The Apostle Paul was sincere and genuine and he preached the truth so that people could be truly saved and their names written down in Heaven.
Paul preached for the glory of God and not for any personal glory which none of us have.
If we are not trying to please God then we are not who we say we are!
Most people do not want to hear about sin and judgment, but these are facts.
Most people do not want to hear that the Lord Jesus is the only path to Heaven, but it is a fact.
Most people do not want to hear that we are to commit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, but it is the truth.
Preaching the truth is not very popular, but a bold preacher will not tone down his message to appease those before him.
It is God's "Gospel" and it will be God who will judge that one He has called to preach that Gospel"!
Those that reject the truth of God are already doomed to Hell!
Every child of God will give an account of the ministry God has given to us, even that bold preacher.
It is God which tries our hearts to see if we have deviated from the truth of the Gospel!
This should frighten those who preach a false gospel, but they are not believers themselves and most of them are just in it for the money and the true Judge will eventually get them in His court and their judgment will be terrible.
*****1Th 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
1Th 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
That word "flattery" used in this Scripture implies compliments that are given in order to get something out of people.
Paul refused to flatter people in order to secure their friendship or their following, or their support!
Paul's message was that "we are all sinners".
Paul did commend many people and we read about those things in every epistle that he has written.
Paul said God was his witness to this truth.
The Apostle Paul was accused of being in the ministry of the Lord because of His greed, so Paul supported himself all his days by menial work.
Every church that Paul established in the Lord knew this to be true.
We should understand that there is much in the word of God that is distasteful to the unbeliever, and it is because they do not understand God's purpose for including these things in the Scriptures.
Even if the Word of God was considered to be perfect in the world, there would be many who would find fault in what God has said to us.
The Word of God exposes our depraved sin nature and our helplessness against the Devil.
The Word of God exposes us to some mysteries that the world says God should explain.
The Word of God has only one "judgment" for sin, when the world sees minor sin and major sin.
The Word of God says it is the truth of our world, yet earthly science rejects this truth because they reject the Divine God.
Just because the world objects to the truth of the Lord Jesus, our God, it does not make it any less true!
The strong Pastor and preacher does not minister for glory, nor for prestige, nor for authority.
They seek only to please the God that called them into His service.
This should be true of every child of God!
It is only the false preacher that has a selfish ambition.
The "Gospel" belongs to the Lord Jesus!
He is indeed the Author of our salvation!
There is no other "gospel" for mankind!
As a wise man once said, "The Gospel is that Star by which we can navigate through the Sea of Life and land upon the Shores of Eternity".
Those that preach the true "Gospel" are not angels nor can they ever be!
An angel knows nothing of the passions and the feelings of being a human.
Angels cannot understand the trials and temptations that we go through.
The "Gospel" must be preached by men such as Paul and Silas and James and the others called of God.
Men cannot be preachers who become Christians.
Preachers must first be Christians who have been called of God to preach the Gospel.
They must be sincere and bold because they preach the only truth of this world.
The Gospel contains no false theories, no wild imaginations, and no empty speculations!
The "Gospel" is the truth of our Creator and His message of truth for our eternal salvation!
*****1Th 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
1Th 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
This word nurse as used here means a nursing mother and not some baby sitter.
Most every mother are like a nurse to their children, especially that new born babe.
Paul said this is the same way he was around those who were at that time babes in Christ.
This is the same way the Lord Jesus is around all His children.
This is the same thought of our Heavenly Father as He looks down upon us from Heaven!
There is no better way to describe the love that the Lord has for us.
The Apostle Paul had a mother-like affection for all those babes in Christ in Thessalonica because this is the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mat_23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
That hen is a fitting example of a nursing mother who will shield her babies from all the evils of this world.
This was the way of Paul and all the Apostles and more important this is the way of our Heavenly Father who sent His Son, the Messiah, Jesus to provide us with Heaven's Security.
The Apostle Paul sacrificed all his personal goals and any private life to be that "mother hen" to the Churches he planted.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
This is the same gentleness and patient endurance that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ!
A good Christian is that person who uses utmost gentleness to have utmost strength in serving in that place where the Lord has placed us.
These are things we must consider if we are going to serve in the will of God for our lives!
This is the love that is the power of the good preacher.
I thank God for the Pastor God has placed in my life who expresses the love of God to all he meets.
*****1Th 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
The strong and true pastor preaches and ministers, laboring night and day.
Such was the Apostle Paul!
Paul was the servant of Christ Jesus trying to meet the desperate needs of this world and reach men and woman with the truth of the Gospel.
Paul only slept and rested only as he needed.
What did Paul mean when he said he would not be chargeable to any man?
Paul meant that every true called man of God has the blood of the world upon his hands, and will be held accountable for getting the message of Christ out to them.
That message was that they can be saved from death and receive eternal life.
Eze 33:8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Eze 33:9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
The Gospel is the greatest "Good News" that has even been conceived but the Gospel is also "a warning" to all those who would reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To the Apostle Paul the work he was doing was a labor of love.
2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
These things took a toll on the Apostle Paul but he never quit on God.
2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Paul was a tent maker by trade and this work was most always available.
By supporting himself, Paul was free to direct his own movements and raised himself above evil suspicions.
It was sometimes a telling thing when Paul would raise his hands in worship of the Lord showing the hands of tentmaker blackened from that work.
Act 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
No one could accuse the Apostle Paul of preaching for money.
It is also true that the preacher must lead an impeccable life.
*****1Th 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
1Th 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
1Th 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Paul lived a holy life before God after his conversion. A life separated from the world and set apart totally to God.
Paul lived a just and righteous life before men. A life that loved and treated men just as God said and just as he wanted to be treated himself.
Paul lived a blameless life before both God and man!
Paul told these Thessalonians that they were his witnesses to these truths.
It was not just Paul but those with Him, which would include Silas and Timothy and we know that Luke traveled with Paul much of the time and there were others.
We should understand that even in the day of Paul the world just did not want to hear the truth.
As Christians it is important that we walk worthy of God and this is a very high standard.
We must walk in harmony with the Word of God.
In today's world the Word of God has not changed, but those who will walk in harmony with the Word of God are not as many.
It is the same reason; the world just does not want to hear the truth.
They foolishly believe that they have no purpose, but to sin and they reject that there is life after death.
The best witness tool we have as Christians is the lifestyle we live!
The governments of today insists that parents of today do not know how to raise their children.
I submit to you that those governments do not want our children to know the truth and they certainly do not know how to raise our children.
It takes a good father to lead his family and our Heavenly Father gives us the example that we need to follow through His Son and His Word.
The Bible is about the family and it only works when we are in the family of God our Father.
We are invited to enter into God's Kingdom while we are on this earth and we can participate in its blessing, but we also know that we will one day live in God's Heavenly World.
The world teaches that society is made by groups when the Lord Jesus teaches that society is made by each loving individual.
As a father who earnestly gives his children the right guidance and the right instructions, this was the way of the Apostle Paul because this is the way of our Heavenly Father.
"Walking" should mean that we are on the path of the Lord and making steady progress in serving the Lord.
What did God tell Abraham?
Gen_17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; "walk before me, and be thou perfect".
This has never changed and as the children of God our Father we are to follow this same path!
We must continue to press forward in the name of the Lord!
Php_3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We seem to sometimes forget that we already have a place reserved for us in Heaven!
Jesus Christ requires that we live a Christian life.
Jesus Christ requires that we live as He did.
Jesus Christ enables us if we truly follow Him to live.
Without Jesus we cannot live a Christian life!
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We must understand that the Word of God is the ultimate truth of this world.
*****1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
A strong people will receive the Word of God as the Word of God!
It takes people to proclaim the Word of God.
No one can get the Word of God without someone else having a part in taking that Word of God to them.
This is the function of the Church.
This is the reason for giving away Bibles.
This is the reason for our tract ministry.
This is why we witness!
This Church in Thessalonica believed it.
The Apostle Paul believed it.
Those that traveled with Paul believed it.
I believe it.
Do you believe it?
Most of this world only believe that the Scriptures were all given by some man and they cannot be further from the truth.
Most of this world believe that the Old Testament is nothing but a book of fables, yet they will believe the lies writings such as those of Karl Marx.
Most believe that the New Testament just tells us what the Apostles believed about Jesus, when much of it is written by eyewitnesses to His existence.
The Bible proclaims it is the Word of God.
The fact of the unity of the Scriptures, written by so many different men over such a vast amount of time could not have been completed unless it came from one mind.
These Scriptures have change millions of lives for God.
God can speak only the truth and it is the truth we need, not a pack of lies by our own government and a reckless society.
We must understand that the Supreme Authority for accepting the Word of God is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Jesus Christ was a historical person.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
The Bible is the Word of God!
The Bible is what we are to base our faith upon.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
It is time we based our life on the truth and not the lies of this world!
Amen
