A MIGHTY CHURCH (committed to service)

I Thessalonians 2:1-16

If I asked you what were the marks of a mighty church, what would your answer be? Would you say a great youth program, a great musical program, or great facilities? None of these are the marks of mighty church.

As a pastor, I do not fear failing as a church, but I do fear succeeding in the things that really should not matter for us as a church. What should matter to a church?

What are the marks of a mighty church?

Let me say that a church is made up of individuals, and it can only be as mighty as the individuals that make up the church.

I. A MIGHTY CHURCH IS BOLD AMID CONFLICT (1,2)

Paul arrived in Thessalonica, a city of almost a quarter of a million people, where as far as we know, there was not a single believer. He came to them from Philippi where he and had been shamefully entreated.

Paul had done something that was quite phenomenal. He had come to a town where there was not a single believer. He had gone into the Jewish synagogue and preached the gospel. He had preached also to Gentiles in their homes. In three weeks by the grace of God He had founded a new church—a church which has come down through the centuries to us as an example of faith and faithfulness. How did he do it?

In verse 2 the secret of it is revealed. He had boldness.

One of the reasons why Paul was successful was that he was bold. The same reason holds true for the success of the early church.

A. He came AFTER WICKED CONFLICT

The city officials at Philippi stripped and beat Paul with rods and cast he and Silas into the inner recesses of a dark prison for the gospel’s sake (Acts 16:22-23). Paul came to Thessalonica with sore feet and back to match.

He was not looking for an easy life or he would not have come to them!

B. He came ARMED WITH COURAGE

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When Paul came to Thessalonica, instead of saying “I have suffered enough”—as some Christians might have done—he spoke boldly. A weakened message is an ineffective message.

He came boldly declaring the gospel. Secret believers do not lead souls to Christ. The way to lead people to Christ is to be bold in proclaiming the gospel.

Fear is why most people do not share their faith. They fear ridicule and rejection. It takes courage to talk to people about what they do want to talk about.

Paul was no coward. He never trimmed his sails to make the gospel more pleasing.

“in our God” - Paul got his courage from God.

“And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:  That your faith should not stand in

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the wisdom of men, but in the power of God,” (1 Corinthians 2: 3-5). Paul obtained his courage from his walk with God.

II. A MIGHTY CHURCH IS BLAMELESS IN CHARACTER (3-12)

Any church that desires to have an impact on people must be bold, but that boldness must be coupled with godly character.

Paul was a man of character.

There is a cemetery outside Florence, Alabama, near the remains of an ante-bellum mansion called Forks of Cypress. The mansion was built in the 1820s by James Jackson, an early settler of northwest Alabama. About a quarter-mile from the mansion is the Jackson family cemetery. There is no sign marking the spot, only a five-foot high stone wall surrounding about 50 graves. Inside the wall is a tall marker over James Jackson’s grave with a long inscription extolling his virtues, which were many.

On one marker that is one of his sons, William Moore Jackson is his name, the dates 1824-1891, and this simple five-word epitaph: “A man of unquestioned integrity.”

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I think the same could be said of Paul!

Let us observe the character of Paul.

A. His MESSAGE WAS PURE (3, 4a-b)

Some preaching is not according to the Word of God. Like the ancient Bereans, modern Christians need to search the Scriptures so that the message can be tested by the Book.

David Wells in his book, No Place For Truth shows how the American church today has on a wide scale abandoned Biblical truth and embraced whatever works and whatever makes us feel good. Paul stayed with the Word of God!

Paul’s message was pure because it was the Word of God, and the Word of God is pure truth.

1. The TRUTH WAS DISPLAYED (3)

Nothing was hid in the message of Paul. It was pure in its content and in its intent.

a. It was FREE FROM ANYTHING DECEITFUL – “not of deceit”

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Paul’s preaching was accurate. He set forth truth as it was rather than what he wanted it to be. His preaching was not FRAUDULENT.

b. It was FREE FROM ANYTHING DEFILING – “nor of uncleanness”

Paul’s preaching did not cater to the flesh. His preaching was not FLESHLY!

c. It was FREE FROM ANYTHING DOUBTFUL - “nor in guile”

“Guile” 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. “Guile” came to mean cunning, crafty, and treachery.

In the ancient world “guile” was used for a tavern keeper who would water down the wine of an intoxicated person.

There are those who also water down the Word, but Paul never did this. Paul’s message was not of FALSEHOOD.

Paul was above reproach in his methods. He never used the end to justify

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the means. God’s approval was the ultimate test for the way Paul did ministry.

Paul did not come to trick them or use methods that were questionable. He did not try to get a superficial decision for Christ, but he laid down plainly before them the truth of the gospel and the issues of heaven and hell that were concerned.

2. The TRUTH WAS DECLARED (4a, b)

Paul viewed the truth of the gospel in a two- fold way.

a. He viewed the gospel as a SACRED TRUST

God found in Paul someone He could entrust with the gospel message.

God had trusted Paul with a deposit of the gospel. The intent of making a deposit is to make money; we invest capital for making money. God has made a deposit in believers, and He expects compound interest. He expects dividends.

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b. He viewed the gospel as a SIMPLE TASK – “even so we speak”

Paul spoke out of a sense of the greatness of both the message and the mission.

B. His MOTIVES WERE PROPER (4C-8)

Motives are important. Wrong motives can even slip into our service for the Lord.

What motivates you? Let's learn from Paul's example, remembering that God tests our hearts.

The world sees what we do-God sees why we do it.

Paul’s pure motives are seen by:

1. What he SOUGHT – “not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts”

A great issue in life is whom are you striving to please. Do you strive to please people or God?

A man, his son, and their donkey walked along one day on a journey. Someone stopped the man and said that it was

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wrong to have a donkey and not to ride it. So, the man put his son on the donkey and walked on. When they came to the next town, someone stopped the man and said that it was wrong for him to walk and his son to ride. It showed disrespect for the fatherly position. So, the boy was removed and the father rode. When they came to the next town, someone stopped the man and told him that it was cruel to ride while his son walked. So, the man and the boy mounted the beast and they rode on to the next town. Someone stopped them and told them that it was not proper to be so cruel to a donkey as to have two people on his back. So, the father and son dismounted. The last time they were seen, the boy and father were carrying the donkey! Seriously, you can't please everyone. You must seek to please God.

If you live your life to please people, you are in trouble. If a man’s focus is on pleasing men, he will lack integrity because he will act one way around one person (in order to make a good impression) and another way around another person, and yet another way when he thinks no one he knows is looking. But if your focus is on pleasing the all-knowing, all-seeing,

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all-present God, then you’ll become a man of integrity.

2. What he SHUNNED (5) - “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory”

a. He shunned GUILE – “neither at any time used we flattering words”

The flesh loves flattery, but Paul used no flattery in his message. He told the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Flattery operates under ulterior motives; Paul did not do that. He was sincere in all that he did. He was a man of integrity.

b. He shunned GAIN – “nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness”

A cloak is both a pretext and pretense. Covetousness uses a cloak for its own ends.

Paul did not come with false pretense to flatter and manipulate his hearers to make money. He came only to them because of the Word of God and the work of God!

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He did not make the ministry a cloak or a covering for covetousness.

c. He shunned GLORY (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.”

The word “glory” carries the idea of honour or praise. Paul did not seek praise from the Thessalonians.

There was a time when Paul gloried in ritual, race, and religion, but now he gloried in the cross of Christ.

The problem today is not that we lack a credible message, but rather that we often lack credible messengers whose lives are not in harmony with the gospel.

3. What he SHOWED (7) -“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children”

Paul reveals here the secret why he was so effective in this Thessalonian church. He showed love to them.

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As a parent loves his child, Paul loved these little ones of Christ. Paul showed tenderness toward the Thessalonians.

“as a nurse cherisheth her children” – He showed warmth to them. Paul comforted and consoled, encouraged and instructed, cherished and treasured, appreciated and enjoyed those he ministered to.

Ministry is not programs; it is people.

4. What he SHARED (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.”

Paul SHOWED LOVE and SHARED LIFE with theses believers at Thessalonica.

A professional nurse will often do a good job of taking care of someone else’s child because she believes in a certain professional standard of duty; however, if it is her own child, that makes a tremendous difference. All the technicalities now become tremendously important and she is willing, if necessary, to give

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her own life, as Paul says he is willing to do for the Thessalonians.

The words “affectionately desirious” means to have a strong affection for, a yearning after. Paul had a yearning love for the Thessalonians.

“we were willing to have imparted unto you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls”

Paul shared himself with them by moonlighting rather than asking the Thessalonians to support him. He spared nothing so that he could advance the gospel in Thessalonica. He invested in their life. He poured out his life for them.

I remember hearing years ago preachers when they would get through preaching say, "I’ve delivered my soul to you." I used to wonder what they were talking about. I don't wonder anymore. I know what they are talking about. This matter of preaching is not just the delivery of a message; it's also the delivery of a life. When you've really preached you have given

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a part of your life. When you preach in the power of the Holy Spirit, some of your life has gone out.

“because ye were dear unto us” – Paul loved them dearly. Someone said, “I love ministry; it is just people I can’t stand!” True ministry has a deep love for people.

C. His MAINTENANCE WAS PERSONAL (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.”

Paul reminds the Thessalonians in verse 9 how he had labored in their midst. Paul did not have a forty-hour week. When it came to 4:30 or 5:00 o’clock, he did not say, “Now the rest of the day is mine; I can do with it as I please.” No, Paul was a bond slave of Jesus Christ. He was under orders like a soldier whether it was eight hours or twelve hours or twenty-four hours. Paul was on duty, and as he realized that his time was short so he labored night and day.

In Paul’s day times it was customary to stop work when darkness came and go to bed. When a person labored night and day it was the unusual thing, but that was what Paul did. Many a lonely hour in the night Paul would be trying to

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help some soul come to Christ, to understand the tremendous truths that were concealed in the Word of God, and praying with them. He was laboring night and day. There was many a late hour when Paul was alone on his knees before God praying for the believers and seeking the power, the strength, and the wisdom to know what to do the next day as he sought to be a true servant of God. Paul poured out his life in service for the Lord.

Paul was a tent-maker (Acts 18:3), and he worked long hours into the night, so that he could preach the gospel in the day. Paul burned the candle at both ends for the sake of others.

Paul wasn’t afraid of manual labor. He labored so as not to be a burden to the churches and so that no one could accuse him of being in it just for the money.

However, Paul did received support from other churches. Churches such as the one in Philippi supported him. Paul did not accept finances from a church he was establishing, but he did accept money from a congregation after he left them.

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Now in 1 Corinthians 9, he makes it clear in that passage that he doesn’t consider it wrong for a man to live off the preaching of the gospel. And in 1 Timothy 5 he says that an elder who both rules and teaches is worthy of “double honor,” which presumes that elders would in fact be paid for their work. But he himself apparently worked in secular jobs wherever he went so that he would be free of any accusations about his motives.

D. His MINISTRY WAS PURPOSEFUL (10-12)

Paul’s ministry had purpose to it. This purpose is seen in Paul’s walk before them and his words to them.

1. His WALK before them (10)

“Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:”

The word “holy” speaks of his life in the sight of God; the word “justly” of his life in the sight of man; the word “unblameably” is the result of being holy and righteous. No one could make an accusation against him and make it stick.

Years later Paul used the phrase “blameless” in 1 Timothy 3:2 to describe the

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quality of life demanded of an elder in the local church. The Greek word describes a garment without any folds. When applied to personal character, it means that elder must be free from any secret or hidden pockets of sins. It means that no charge could be brought against such a person that would withstand impartial examination.

2. His WORDS to them (11, 12) - “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

a. Words of EXHORTATION (11)

A good father will take his children aside to encourage, comfort, and instruct them in the right path. Paul knew the perils and the pitfalls of the Christian life, and he talked to them as a father.

As a mother nourishes, a father instructs and disciplines his children.

Paul CHALLENGED, COMFORTED and CHARGED them!

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“Exhorted” - Paul challenged the Thessalonians to mature in Christ and to take steps of faith in their growth.

“Comforted” - Paul supported, comforted, and cheered the Thessalonians in order to keep them moving forward for the Lord.

“Charged” – Paul insisted that the Thessalonians move beyond where they are at to a new place in their Christian walk.

b. Words of EXPECTATION (12)

The ultimate goal of Paul’s ministry was that his converts walk worthy of God.

The grand object of all teaching is that believers will walk worthy of God.

We do not behave in order to go to heaven, but we should behave because we are going to heaven. The believer’s life should reflect the presence and power of Christ.

God has called us to a walk that is in keeping with our destiny. We do not “walk worthy” in order to be saved, but we “walk worthy” of God because we are saved.

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Paul lays before the Thessalonian Christians the expectation to “walk worthy.” How many problems does this standard solves! Sometimes folks will come to a preacher and say, “Now, is this right? Can a Christian do this?” So many of those problems are solved in a moment if the question is asked: “Is it worthy?” Is it something that is honoring to God? Would God be pleased with this situation? There are many things that we cannot do as Christians simply because we are Christians, because God has called us to a holy walk and a life that is well pleasing to Him.

III. A MIGHTY CHURCH IS BIBLICAL IN CONVICTION (13-16)

Unless a church is scriptural in its convictions, boldness and blamelessness will be very ineffective.

A. The AUTHORITY OF THE WORD WAS RECOGNIZED (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.”

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We now see their attitude toward the Word of God. They recognized the Bible as God’s voice to them and received it as such.

The Thessalonians’ attitude to God’s Word made them one of the most outstanding churches in the first century.

The Thessalonians did not receive the Word of God as the word of men. They viewed the Bible as a revelation from God.

There was once a church that was going through a difficult controversy. No one could agree on anything. At a business meeting one night the various factions were arguing about the minutes of the last meeting. When the pastor read a passage of Scripture, an old man stood to his feet and said, “Mr. Chairman, I move that the Bible stand approved as read.”

So it must be for you and me. The Bible stands approved as read, without correction, without change, without deletion, and without addition.

1. They APPRECIATED the Word of God

The word of God was appreciated because they recognized it was

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a. INSPIRED

b. INERRANT

A god who cannot write a book without making mistakes is not the God of the Bible.

A certain clergyman was called by a church to become its pastor. Having been strongly influenced by critical scholars who downgrade portions of the Scripture as myths, he himself doubted the accuracy of the whole Bible.

About two years after his coming, the pastor visited one of his members who was very sick. When he learned that the man had a terminal illness, he suggested, “Perhaps you would like me to read and pray for you?”

“Yes,” replied the man as he took his Bible and handed it to the minister. When he opened it, he was somewhat shocked at what he saw. Many of the pages were torn away, some of the chapters were missing, and a number of verses were actually cut! It was a terribly mangled volume.

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Reluctantly the pastor asked, “Haven’t you got a better Bible than this?”

The dying man replied, “When you came to our church, I believed the entire Book. But as soon as you told us that certain sections were not true, I removed them. When you said that some stories were probably fiction and referred to them as fables, I tore them out. I think if I had another year under your teaching, I would have nothing but two covers left.”

c. INEXHAUSTIBLE

d. INESCAPABLE

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day,” John 12:48.

In the booklet The Reason Why, the author pictures a man from England arrested in the United States for driving his car on the wrong side of the road. He is brought before the judge, who hears his plea: “Your honor, I am from England. There we always drive on the left-hand side of the road.”

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The judge answers, “Sir, you are not being judged by the laws of England, but by the laws of the United States. The law in the United States declares that you are to drive on the right hand side of the road. Your plea is unacceptable. You are responsible to acquaint yourself with the law by which you will be judged?”

How foolish is any person who ignores the Word of God which they will one day be judged by!

BIBLE stands for BASIC INSTRUCTION BEFORE LEAVING EARTH.

Just RECONGIZING the nature of the Word of God has three implications for our life.

Its nature should determine its RANK – the priority we give it in our lives.

Its nature should determine our RESOLVE. Every word and phrase should be studied.

Its nature should determine our RESPONSE. It should be believed. Psalm 119:128 “… I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right…”

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2. They APPROPRIATED the Word of God

When the Word is appropriated in a heart it really works! When the Word of God is mixed would faith it will profit the hearer.

Hebrews 4:2 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Unbelief in man's heart is the great cause of that unprofitableness which is found when the Word is preached: unbelief hinders the effectiveness of the Word preached.

“which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Paul ties the power of the Word of God to the response of a believing heart. There is power in the word of God when its divine authority is accepted in a believing heart.

As Warren Wiersbe said, “With the heart we appreciate the Word, with the mind we appropriate the Word, and with the will we apply the Word.” When that takes place enlightening, energetic and exciting things will happen in our lives.

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A little boy was in the habit of attending the preaching of the Gospel every Lord’s day. Being unable to attend one evening, he decided to go to his room and read his Bible. His mother was upstairs caring for the little ones and did not know what her boy was doing. However she noticed he was very quiet. Thinking perhaps he was up to some mischief, she called to him, "What are you doing?"

He replied, "I am watching Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead!"

He was reading from John 11. He was so involved and careful with his Bible reading, it was as if he were actually there watching this great miracle! It was all very real to him. He was appropriating the Word of God.

B. The ANTAGONISM OF THE WORD WAS REALIZED (14- 16)

If you believe the Bible, you’re going to have some strong enemies. The bad news is seen in the word “countrymen.” It means the people closest to you. If you decide to believe the Bible is the very Word of God, you will find that

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many people who are close to you will soon be against you.

If you believe the Bible, you might as well go ahead and accept the fact that persecution comes with it.

Christians in Judea suffered from the persecution at the hands of Judean Jews. Thessalonians were going to endured persecution from their Jewish neighbors in Thessalonica as well.

Paul, who was a Jew, was being persecuted by his fellow countrymen just as Christ had been crucified before by His own people. The Thessalonians were going through a similar experience.

Opposition to the apostles had gone so far as to be described in verse 16 as “forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” The opposition of the world and of the unbelieving heart is especially brought out when a person faithfully preaches the Bible.

There is a limit, a line, and a point of no return. No one knows when or where that point lies, but that point of no return comes for nations, for families, and for individuals who reject the Bible.

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Although our God is patient, his patience has its limits. Eventually the storm clouds rolls in and finally break over the heads of unbelievers. Though they be long delayed, the fires of hell will come at last to those who reject our Lord.

No nation or individual can reject the Word of God without begin judged. No nation can sin forever without reaping a divine punishment.

Our only basis of authority is the Bible. Like Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, we say, “Our conscience is bound by the Word of God. Here we stand. We can do no other.” Such a stand will not win us favor with others. Be that as it may, I will continue to stand on the eternal Word of God.

Conclusion

In closing, let me give you some good news, sad news, and some bad news

Good news is that Bible is true, and when we believe it, God’s power is released in your life.

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Sad news is that those closest to us will often oppose our belief in the Word of God and the God of the Word.

Bad news is that God’s wrath will eventually come upon all those who reject His Word.

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