PAG Sermons: 1Thessalonians 2:1-12

The First Epistle To The Thessalonians

(1:1-12)

Sermon Three
A Great Minister

INTRODUCTION: In our previous look at this text we considered the Great Conflict that Paul experienced at Philippi. (See Acts 16.) Instead of avoiding conflict, Paul continues his ministry in Thessalonica. There's an old saying that declares, "fool me once shame on you, but fool me twice shame on me." You would think that Paul would have reconsidered his course of action after his experience at Philippi, but not so. Instead of taking a low key approach to ministry, he openly and boldly proclaims the Gospel in Thessalonica. Why would anyone continue doing something that placed them in harm's way? Our text offers three answers to this important question.

I.   THE MESSAGE (v.2) - "...we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict."
     A. Paul was bold to proclaim the Gospel because it had changed his life. (See Gal. 1:11-17.)
     B. Paul was bold to proclaim the Gospel because he had been commissioned to do so. (See Acts 9:15, 16.)
     C. Paul was bold to proclaim the Gospel because he was compelled to do so. (See Rom. 1:14.)

II. THE MOTIVES
     A. What They Were Not
         1. Not to please men (v.4, Gal 1:10)
         2. Not greed (v.5)
         3. Not glory (v.6)
     B. What They Were
         1. The validity of the message (2:13; Rom. 1:16, 17)
         2. A deep desire to please God by fulfilling His will (v.4)
         3. A motherly love (Vvs. 7-9)
         4. A fatherly affection (Vvs. 10-12)

III. THE METHODS - Paul's motives are validated by his methods, methods we would do well to imitate.
     A. Excluded
         1. No Error (v.4)
         2. No Impurity (v.4)
         3. No Deceit (v.4)
         4. No Flattery (v.5)
     B. Included
         1. Gentle (v.7) (See 2Tim. 2:23-25.)
         2. Sacrificial (v.8)
         3. Protective (v.9)
         4. Example (v.10)
         5. Encouragement (v.11)
         6. Exhortation (v.11). Advise and urge.

CONCLUSION: Paul perservered in spite of adversity and oppostion. He did so because his message and his motives were right. This resulted in right methods. Every beliver should use these three M's to evaluate their ministry.
     1. Is my Message right?
     2. Are my Motives right?
     3. Are my Methods right?

If we can answer yes to these then we too will boldly proclaim the Gospel in spite of opposition.