Ministry That Makes A Difference

Ministry That Makes A Difference
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Faith Country Chapel
December 28 2008

Introduction

This morning I would like us to look together at 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. As I studied this passage in preparation to teach the Abundant Life Class last Sunday, it struck me that there are some lessons to be learned here that can inspire us as we move into the New Year.

You see, we just celebrated Christmas. Though, it’s a busy season of gift buying and wrapping, celebrations, family gatherings, special church services and programs; and many of us were exhausted Christmas night thinking the weeks leading up to that day were just a blur and wondering why we go through this year after year, I believe many of us, if not all of us here, get it. We get what Christmas is all about.

In the midst of all the craziness of the season, we understand why we celebrate Christmas. We know it’s about the birth of Jesus Christ. We know that He came to be our Savior—to save us from our sins; that in his death and resurrection we have the promise of eternal life. Many of us have given our life to Christ. We have had that moment where we have asked Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. Our faith in Him defines who we are and what we are about.

We get that even though this time of year is busy and we get caught up in all of the commercialization of the season, that deep in our hearts we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and sharing in the joy of such a life-changing gift from God, our Father. This is not meant to make any commentary, positive or negative on how we celebrate Christmas. I am simply saying that I think I know most of us here well enough to say that we know “the reason for the season” as is so commonly heard this time of year.

I also think that a lot of us want very much to see that other people “get it” especially, those in our circle of influence—be they family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. We long for them to find the joy and hope that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We long for a world where “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” as it says in Scripture. We long for the peace and the love that would abound in such a world.

But, do you ever wonder how what we know in here gets lost in translation out there? In other words how do we take what we know and experience here and put it out there in a way that meaningfully impacts others?

After all, that is what we are supposed to do as Christians. That’s what the Great Commission is all about: Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matt. 28:19 & 20a) Our motto here at Faith Country Chapel is to Impact Families for Jesus Christ. So how do we go about doing that?

In our passage today, we will learn some valuable principles from the example of the Apostle Paul that can significantly change the way you and I go about our daily lives and the way we do ministry together as a church.

So let’s look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. We need to understand the context of this letter. The church at Thessalonica is a young church—about 2 or 3 years old. This young church is full of young Christians. Paul wrote to them to encourage them with practical advice and the hope of Christ’s return. They were confused by the “delay” in Christ’s return. Worse yet, they were being persecuted for their faith.

Paul spent time there planting the church. He came to them following a time of imprisonment in Philippi so he knew a thing or two about persecution. After he moved on from Thessalonica, he writes this letter to them to encourage them to follow his example of integrity even in the face of persecution and hostility.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

As we examine this passage, we see that Paul sets the example for us in 4 ways:

1. Paul modeled a clear sense of priorities.
· Verse 2: but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.
· Paul did not shrink in the face of persecution. He was committed to sharing the Gospel.
· Now here is something interesting to note. I would suggest to you that a lot of Paul’s “preaching of the Gospel” did not come in the form of sermons and bible studies. Look at verse 9—Paul and his associates were tent makers or leather workers in Thessalonica in order to support themselves. They did not want anyone to think they were ministering simply for financial gain. So even though as an Apostle he should have been supported by the church, he chose not to receive support from young believers so as not to have his ministry be called into question. All of this to say, that a lot of Paul’s ministry probably took place where he spent the most time—in & around his business. Work was simply a means of ministry both in terms of the support it gave him and the opportunities he had to interact with the Thessalonians.
· What is your workplace for you? What is your school? The band? Your hunting group? Your kids’ sport team or scout group? Is it just simply a paycheck or another activity or has God placed you there for a greater purpose?
· Having a clear sense of priority like Paul can change how you look at your daily schedule. Your work, your family, your school, your activities become more than just a job or something to do—they become places of ministry. Places to either verbally share the Gospel or to live the Gospel before men and not just in righteous living but in serving and ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of others.

2. Paul modeled a clear sense of concern for the integrity of the gospel.
· Paul’s motives were pure. As we read in verses 3-6, Paul knew how important the message was that he was given to preach and his desire was not to please men but God. In fact, the persecution he suffered was proof enough that he was not trying to please men. If he was, he was not very successful in doing so!
· Paul was careful about how he presented the gospel and as we already noted, he was concerned about how he handled financial matters. He did not want his behavior to call into question the message he proclaimed.
· I heard a speaker once share the message that “you are the only Jesus that someone knows.” For many non-Christians, their first impression of Jesus is you and I.
· Let’s be honest, we are not Jesus. But He is our Lord and Savior; we have a relationship with Him. We have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are capable of representing Him well. And if our heart is pure, grace is more than sufficient to redeem our failures.

3. Paul modeled a clear sense of love and commitment to those whom he ministered.
· Something special happened to Paul while he was in Thessalonica. The city became more than just another place to plant a church. The people became more than just new believers in Christ. Read verse 8.
· Paul loved these people. He was committed to them. There was a strong bond of friendship that developed among them. That only happens when we spend time together. When we fellowship together, share our lives—the good, the bad and the ugly! We laugh together, cry together, pray together, and encourage each other on in the truth of God’s Word and His Will for our lives. I know that sounds too much like a Hallmark movie for some of you but, God wants us to have a relationship with Him and with each other. That is why Paul was successful in his ministry in Thessalonica. That’s what made the difference in his ministry.
· I want to suggest something to you for 2009. Don’t overlook a small but important part of our worship—the Time of Fellowship. Yes, it may be a time to dismiss the kids to Jr. Church and Wee Church but it is also a time to introduce yourself to someone you may not know very well.
· Someday that person may read your name on our prayer list and be praying for you or they may need you to pray for them. Someday that person may need your help through a rough time in their life or they may be contributing to the Joseph Project from which you may receive help in a time of need. Someday you may be sitting side by side in a Bible Study on Wednesday night or serving together in Power JAM or on a Mission Trip. The Time of Fellowship is an important part of worship. Don’t miss the opportunity
· This is a warm and welcoming church. As your Associate Pastor, my family and I have felt it from the very beginning. Thankfully, the size of our fellowship continues to grow and it is important that we grow in our love and commitment in direction proportion to the numerical growth of our church.
· So shake a hand, give a hug and get to know one another. Better yet, get involved there is no better way to get to know others than to spend time together in a small group or Sunday School class or working together side by side on a project or a ministry program. (Hint: New Year’s Resolution)
· Better yet, let’s extend our warm and welcoming fellowship to the community around us. Let’s continue to find new ways to minister in our community, like we did with the Angel Tree Ministry motivated, as Paul was, by our desire to serve God and to love His people.

4. Paul modeled a clear sense of the goal toward which he worked.
· Read v. 12. Paul wanted to live a life worthy of God and to encourage others to do likewise.
· Notice how he did it. In verse 7, he described himself as “gentle like a mother caring for her little children” and in verse 11 & 12, like a father encouraging, comforting and urging his own children.
· Paul was bold and unashamed of the Gospel in which he lived and proclaimed before men even in the face of persecution. Yet, he was gentle and encouraging in the manner in which he conducted himself.
· It is imperative that we, as the Body of Christ remain committed to a bold proclamation of the Gospel and the Truth of God’s Word. We need not be ashamed of it. Increasingly, we stand in the midst of a world that rejects that truth and even mocks it. We may find different means to proclaim it, as the Church has done throughout the ages, but we must not compromise what we proclaim. We speak the truth and nothing but the truth so help us God!
· Yet, we must be winsome in our approach to others, as Pastor Brian has spoken of before. Just as God meets us where we are and moves us forward, we must be willing to meet others where they are and gently & purposefully urge them to the life that Christ has called them to—a new & everlasting life that can only be found in Him!

So let me leave you with 3 important reminders for ministry in 2009:

1. The importance of goals & priorities. I’m not talking about “New Year’s Resolutions”—losing weight, or exercising more or whatever may be on that list for you. What we are talking about is “what is the purpose of your life?” What are the priorities in the mission fields of your life—family, friends, work, your neighborhood and community and beyond. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with working to provide for your family and pushing to get good grades in school but see beyond those priorities to the overarching priorities that God has called you to. Look at your schedule in the light of The Gospel you are called to live and to share with others. What a privilege that is.

2. Integrity. Knowing right from wrong and acting upon that knowledge even at a personal cost and without shame. Our faith should inform our decisions and motivate our actions.

3. Love and Commitment. We admire Mother Theresa but we avoid following her example. Bill Hybels once said, “Tell me how to show love without spending time, energy, or money, and I will gladly sign up. Tell me that love means sacrifice, however, and I become reluctant to commit myself.”

Are you at the fringes of Christian fellowship or are you like Paul “sharing your very life as well”? Make a commitment to your relationship with the church, your family and your community.

A life of faith, be it individually or as a church, that is clear in its priorities, lived with integrity and expressed in love and commitment, will make a tremendous, life-changing impact for the Kingdom of God. It truly is ministry that makes a difference!

This is the point of the message where a good pastor likes to bring it home; make it relevant to your life today; give you some practical application, some things to do that will make it stick and then you respond with “thank you Pastor for showing me the way!”

As much as I’d like to do that (and I have done some of that throughout the message), this is not one of those “one-size fits all” messages. Today, through the example of the Apostle Paul the principles of priorities, integrity and commitment have been presented to us. Each of us, myself included which is why I think I labored with this message, must prayerfully, and I stress prayerfully, consider how God is directing us to respond.