“For you yourselves know, brethren, that
our coming to you was not in vain.”
– 1 Thessalonians 2:1
In
part 1 of The Faithful Minister we saw that the first characteristic of
a faithful minister is to practice what you preach or walk the talk. We can
only do that in the power of the Spirit. And we can only hope to live out the
rest of this holy standard of ministry in the power of the Spirit as well.
Let’s continue in our look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 and the characteristics of
The Faithful Minister.
Second, a faithful minister is not prevented from
preaching the gospel by persecution (2:2). Paul goes on to state: “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully
treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the
gospel of God in much conflict.” (2:2) Paul was not a
fair weather warrior. He had been mistreated in Philippi prior to coming to
Thessalonica (Acts 16). This did not discourage or deter Paul from sharing the
gospel with the Thessalonians. Paul and his mission’s team met with opposition
at Thessalonica as well, but nothing could stop Paul. Later to the Ephesian
elders he said, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear
to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God”
(Acts 20:24). Paul suffered greatly during his life of ministry but he
persevered faithfully until the end of his life (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7-18; 11:22-33).
Such perseverance is evidence of calling. It is the hireling that runs in the
face of opposition (cf. John 10:12-13).
Paul wrote Timothy about why he was able to press
on. He stated, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am
not ashamed for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to
keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Tim. 1:12). Paul’s deep
personal abiding relationship with the Lord sustained him throughout his
trials. Jesus was there with him throughout. He was able to say, “But the Lord
stood with me and strengthened me” (cf. 2 Tim. 4:16-17). And Paul heard the
comforting words of Jesus saying, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep
silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have
many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10). That is the heart and confidence of a
faithful minister. Without that a minister will crash and burnout.
Paul was “bold” (παῤῥησιάζομαι parrhēsiazŏmai,
par-hray-see-ad´-zom-ahee[1]) meaning he was frank and confident. This doesn’t mean Paul was belligerent or harsh. He simply
didn’t beat around the bush but spoke straightforwardly the gospel of God in
Christ. But notice Paul’s boldness was “ín our God.” His confidence came from
relying on God not anything within himself. He wasn’t confident because of his
schooling or even his experience. He was confident because as he said earlier
the Spirit empowered him to be confident (cf. 1:5). It is the Holy Spirit who
empowers and gives boldness in the face of opposition.
Furthermore,
by Paul linking his boldness to “our God,” he was pointing out to the
Thessalonians that they too could share in the boldness that comes from their
common God in the Spirit. Paul used inclusive words so the Spirit could use
them to call others into ministry. Paul was always looking for “faithful men who
will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). This is a great need in the
church today.
Everyone in ministry will suffer difficulties
from within the church (e.g. Acts 15:36-41; 1 Cor. 9; 2 Tim. 4:10) as well as from outside the
church (e.g. Acts 9:20-25; 13:50-52; 14:19-20; 16:16-40; 17:5-9; 18:9; 19;
21-28). All who seek to live a godly life of ministry will experience
persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). That’s a promise. That’s a fact. Ministry is not for
the faint of heart. Truly ministry will prove like no other station in life
whether or not you truly are willing to deny yourself, pick up your cross and
follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). No one should enter ministry without seriously
counting the cost and without a clear grasp of God’s call on their life (Luke 14:25-35).
Ministry is not a vocation or profession; it is a calling from God. The person
who enters ministry without God’s calling will discredit the Lord or themselves
and very likely both. Pray your calling through. Be a Thessalonian who,
“Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God” (1:4).
Third, a faithful minister exhorts honestly with pure
motives (2:3). Paul says, “For our exhortation
did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.” To exhort is
to strongly encourage and rally people to a cause. Paul said he didn’t do this
“from error” (πλάνη planē, plan´-ay) or because he was wandering from the
path of truth or delusional. Paul had no delusions of grandeur! He
wasn’t caught up in “uncleanness” (ἀκαθαρσία akatharsia, ak-ath-ar-see´-ah) or ritual or moral impurity. His motives for ministry were
pure. He wasn’t motivated by “deceit” (δόλος dŏlŏs, dol´-os) or craftiness.
He wasn’t a manipulator looking to fleece the flock of God. No, his motives
were pure and as we proceed further in his testimony we will see what those
pure motives were.
Minister
what are you motives for what you do? Are they to exalt yourself or the Lord?
Are they to enhance your position of power or the Lords? Are they to enrich you
or the Lord and His Bride the church? What are your motives in ministry? Wrong
motives in ministry grieve the Spirit and quench what the Spirit desires to do.
Wrong motives, self-centered, self-promoting, self-reliant motives are a betrayal
of the Lord and those being served. If you are involved in ministry check your
motives.
[1]Strong,
James: The New Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville
: Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1996, S. H8674
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