Grosey's Messages

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12  THE MEASURE OF A MINISTRY

The great American entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller stated, "I will pay more for the ability to deal with people than any other ability under the sun." According to a report by the American Management Association, an overwhelming majority of the two hundred managers who participated in a survey agreed that the most important single skill of an executive is [the] ability to get along with people. In the survey, management rated this ability more vital than intelligence, decisiveness, knowledge, or job skills.

I find that fascinating. Relationships are more important to good leadership than temperament, technique, and intelligence. This is something I've learned myself over several decades of pastoral ministry . . . and something the apostle Paul illustrates for us in the first twelve verses of 1 Thessalonians 2.

 

Marks of a dysfunctional church

I've come up with my own humorous top ten list of the ways to tell if you're attending a dysfunctional church. You know you're in a dysfunctional church when:

10. The ushers frisk everyone before they enter.

9. Church survey includes option of increasing pastors pay.

8. The worship leader directs the worship practice with a whip.

7. Family Fun Day includes the Titanic ride, and Jumping Castle is named "Ten Plagues of Egypt."

6.  There is a pastor appreciation month every month.

5. There are parking metres in the church parking lot.

4. Session meetings begin with the chairman saying, "Let's get ready to ruuuuummble!"

3. Visitors are required to put their bank account number on the guest form.

2. Requirements for teaching Sunday school students include martial arts training.

1. The Church changes its name and address regularly to avoid complaints.

I love the little poem that says:

If you should find the perfect church; Without one fault or smear;

For goodness sake, don't join that church; You'd spoil the atmosphere!

But since no perfect church exists; (We're all imperfect men);

Then please stop looking for that church; And love the church you're in.

So keep on serving in your church; Until the Resurrection.

And then we all will be the Church; Without an imperfection!

Measures of a maturing church

Paul then turns their attention to a slide show of memories—reminders of things from their past that affected their present. Notice how often he refers to things the Thessalonians already knew because of past experiences. These words serve as mementos of the past, not to obsess over it but rather to let the past motivate them.

"You yourselves know" (2:1)

"After we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know" (2:2)

"We never came with flattering speech, as you know" (2:5)

"For you recall, brethren" (2:9)

"You are witnesses" (2:10)

"Just as you know" (2:11)

What was it he wanted them to remember? Above all, he wanted them to know that his coming to them "was not in vain" (2:1). The Greek word for "vain" means something that's empty, lacking purpose or earnestness.[6] But Paul's visit had purpose and meaning; it had accomplished more than he had hoped.

1 Thess 1: We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

Many ministries have slipped from majestic mountain peaks of glory to vicious valleys of defeat. Having measured their success by the standards of the world (crowds, cash, and concrete) they failed to measure their ministries by the standards of the Master. What appeared to be victory was really vanity. Paul's ministry in Thessalonica was "not in vain" (I Thes. 2:1). The ministry to the Thessalonica stands as a model for every age to consider (I Thes. 1:6)

The first four verses of I Thessalonians 2 help us understand how to measure a ministry that will stand the test of time. Let's consider how we measure a church.  Incidentally, this should show us the DNA of our church.  What makes us, us, at Hope.

Make the Main thing the Main Thing.

1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict

There are those who seek to reach their community for Christ through "lifestyle evangelism" and entertaining methods. There is, however, nothing more powerful than the message of the gospel (I Cor. 14:23-25). We must focus more on what men need to hear than what they want to hear! Ministries ought to be measured by their proclamation. The right message is . . .

UNDETERRED IN DIFFICULTY. The Apostle Paul and his companions knew what it meant to be "shamefully entreated." While in Philippi, Paul was accused, arrested, stripped, beaten, and jailed. His humiliation was worse than that suffered by slaves. Yet, Paul did not stop in Philippi. What if he had?

UNINHIBITED IN DELIVERY. To be "bold" means to speak openly (i.e. "all speech"). Great freedom to communicate only comes to those who are "in our God." Unlike political parties, churches are not to set about to reach a compromise in order to build a platform. Churches are called upon to declare the truth without regard for the consequences (I Tim. 3:15).

UNSTOPPABLE IN DETERMINATION. The gospel came to Thessalonica in "much contention." The Greek word is agoni or agony. Like a marathon runner, Paul was in the ministry for the long-haul.

3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

There are those who believe that "the end justifies the means." We must understand that God's work must be done God's way or it will never know God's approval (II Cor. 4:1-6). There are three ways to examine the operation that pleases the Lord.

THERE IS TO BE NO DEVIATION FROM TRUTH. While Paul was called "mad" by Festus (Acts 26:24) but he would not resort to "deceit" to build a following. Be careful of those who put "relevance above revelation."

THERE IS TO BE NO DEFILEMENT OF TRUTH. "Uncleanness" is moral deviation (sexual sin). The believer's behaviour must back the believer's message. Those who would promote truth must live truth (2Tim. 2:19-25). But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.

THERE IS TO BE NO DUPLICITY. No guile.

 Motivation is important in all that we do. Do you serve to be noticed? Is approval your goal?

WE MUST NOT BE MOTIVATED BY POPULARITY (v. 5 – "Flattering words"). Flattery was a well-accepted social practice in the apostolic age (Acts 24:1-4). Flattery dangerously diminishes the impact of your statements of sincerity (Prov. 20:19; 28:23). Ministry based upon flattery will get you nowhere you want to be!

WE MUST NOT BE MOTIVATED BY POSSESSIONS

(vs. 5 - "Cloke of covetousness"). True servants give without regard for getting. Never hide your desire for gain behind a pretense of giving.

WE MUST NOT BE MOTIVATED BY POSITION

(vs. 6 - "Nor of men sought we glory.")

WE MUST NOT BE MOTIVATED BY POWER

(v. 6 – "We might have been burdensome.") The idea of "burdensome" is that of putting a weight on someone.

People Matter More Than Programmes

(v. 4)  4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Our motivation will only remain right when we set about to please God not men! In order to please God, two truths must be kept in mind.

CONSIDER THE HONOUR YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN. To be "allowed" of God" carries the idea of being approved. There is no more blessed privilege than to carry the truth as an ambassador sent from heaven (II Cor. 5:20).

CONSIDER THE RESPONSIBILITY YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN. We are "put in trust" with the gospel.

1. We must discipline our bodies

2. We must discipline our minds

5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed---God is witness.6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

Any good builder recognizes the need for a proper measure. A ministry must be measured not by programs and personalities. A God-honouring ministry is recognised by its proclamation, its operation, and its motivation.

Multiply Ministry by Multiplying the Ministers

A few years ago Reader's Digest published a joke about a hunter in Africa who was walking through the jungle. He came upon a huge dead rhinoceros. Standing next to the slain rhinoceros was a Pygmy. He said, "Did you kill that rhino?" The Pygmy said, "Yes, I killed it with my club." The astonished hunter said, "Wow, how big is your club?" The Pygmy said, "There are about a hundred of us." There is power in numbers. Through the years I've notice when I meet a believer overseas, I feel an immediate kinship with them. When I met pastors in Kenya or PNG, I felt a closer relationship with them that I do with Australian pastors who don't follow Jesus.

Chuck Swindoll reflected on a conversation he had with a pastor.  "You don't fit in!

"Well, what could I say to that? The man had me pretty well pegged. It was that last statement, though, that really got me thinking. It woke up with me the next morning: You've even got some compassion! As though it was not supposed to be there. In other words, if you're committed to the truth of Scripture, devoted to preaching the gospel, and dedicated to the ministry, you shouldn't worry about people's needs. Don't get concerned about the heartaches, hunger, illness, fractured lives, struggles, insecurities, failures, and grievances of folks—because those are only temporal problems, mere horizontal hassles. Leave those things to the liberal pastors . . . or at least to paid counselors."

I met Chuck Swindoll 35 years ago. He strongly influenced me.  Why? He was compassionate. And more than anything else, that impressed me. 

Whether you are a pastor a Sunday school teacher a dance instructor someone who works for food bank, what ever you do for the Lord, without love, you ain't got nothing!

 

LOVE  LIKE A GENTLE MOTHER, WE CARE FOR EACH OTHER

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

We live in such an impersonal culture. People are electronically connected through texting, Facebook, and Twitter, but people are lonely. People are longing for real relationships. That's what we should offer to people, the gentle caring like a mother loving her child.

 

WORK LIKE A TROJAN HARD WORKER, WE SERVE EACH OTHER

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.Paul was careful to point out that he wasn't a financial burden to the church. He carried his own weight. He wrote, "Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you." (1 Thess 2:9)

We know from Acts 18 that Paul had a skill as a tentmaker. When he came to Thessalonica, he didn't expect the church to pay him any money. Instead he worked hard to earn his keep as a tentmaker.

There is a problem that existed in Paul's day and it still exists. There are people who use religion or faith as a means to get rich. There is a heresy going around today called the prosperity gospel. It's where preachers tell people to give money to their ministry and they will get rich as a result.

Paul wrote elsewhere that a workman is worthy of his hire and those that teach the Word are worthy of double honor, but he demonstrated he didn't receive money from the churches. He could work for a living. In his second letter Paul wrote, "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."

Here in the church, we serve one another. We aren't here to see what we can GET. We're here to see how we can give. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

ENCOURAGE LIKE A LOVING FATHER, WE EACH OTHER

10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.11 For you know how, like a father with his children,12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Not only did Paul love them like a mother, and serve them like a worker, he encouraged them like a good father. He wrote, "We dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12) That's what dads do, we encourage our kids. Dads, here are two things you should be saying to your children on a regular basis. "I love you and I'm proud of you."

And the Bible teaches that the main reason we gather together as a church is to encourage one another. . "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)