When Others Help You

Pastor Richard Toh, 14/12/2008

Background (1 Thess 2:1-16, Acts 17)

Thessalonians is one of the earliest books written in the NT along with Galatians. Paul passed through Thessalonica in his 2^nd missionary journey. Paul didn't start his letters to the Thessalonians (and Colossians and Philemon) referring to himself as the apostle. This is probably because he didn't need to exert his authority. He spoke to them in excitement because they were growing.

Whenever Paul planted churches, there were oppositions from the Jews. Opponents were demeaning the messenger and the message. They suggested Paul was a troublemaker who came with ulterior motives. Paul reminded them of his motives and behavior in teaching and nurturing them. We can pattern like Paul to be teachers and help others learn the Scriptures. The bottom line of the Thessalonians to walk worthy of God's calling. Majority of the congregation listening to the sermon are Christians but are they living in a way worthy of God's calling. When people see us can people see the difference?

Paul noted the work of faith, the labour of love and the endurance in hope in the Thessalonica church. There are always people in the church who discourage us and make comments. The last line of our church vision is to fulfill the Great Commission. We need to share the Gospel and disciple people. We are responsible.

When teaching others (1Thess 2:1-16)

1. Teaching Boldly (vv 1-4)
   
2. Teach Out of Love (vv 5-8)
   
3. Live What You Teach (vv 9 -12)
   
4. Teach for Results (vv 13-16)
   

Teach boldly

1Th 2:1-4 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. (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.

1. Teachers known and Paul reminder them what they already know. (v1) We learn as a family.
   
2. We taught boldly from experience of persecution to suffering, agonizing Thessalonians. (v2) We cannot just share out of head knowledge. Our testimonies are our experiences. A preacher gets more convicted as he preaches more. In Project Timothy, the tutors learn more because they need to research more and they need to internalize what they learn. The more we share the more we are drawn to Christ.
   
3. Teachers spoke from truth and honesty to please God and authenticated by God (vv 3 – 4). There are counterfeits but Paul said he was approved by God. He was speaking against the false accusations of his attempts to hoodwink the Thessalonians.
   

Teach Out of Love

1Th 2:5-8 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. (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.

1. God's approval is everything, not as men having authority or use devious means (vv 5 – 6)
   
2. Out methods were gentle, caring, nurturing like a nursing mother (v7) A father normally runs around to make money and hence has less contact with the children. Children normally run to the mother. Mothers give their lives for their children.
   
3. We did not exploit you instead demonstrate love and self-giving. (v8) Paul started the church and left soon after that. But Paul told the Thessalonians he gave them himself. He didn't just preach but desire to see transformation in their lives.
   

Live What You Teach

1Th 2:9-12 For you remember, brothers, our labour 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. (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.

1. We toil and labour to finance ourselves and not a burden to you. (v9) Paul was beaten up. He worked hard to sustain himself. Silas and Timothy were with him. The Jews accused Paul of preaching and demanding offerings from the Thessalonica church. Paul worked hard (night and day) and still preached to the Thessalonians. Paul financed his own way. Non-believers or new believers may have the wrong idea of tithing.
   
2. You know our exemplary life – devout, righteous and blameless. (v10)
   
   1. Paul was devoted to God. There was a preacher who sinned. A good friend confronted him how he could preach and sin at the same time. The preacher confessed that he gave up his devotion. He did his exegesis and hermeneutics but the message he delivered did not influence him. We need to be devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. Devoted denotes desire, fervency and passion. If becoming a Christian does not change the way we think, speak or act, something is wrong.
      
   2. We are to be righteous or just. We don't cheat.
      
   3. A blameless man is one whom no one can put a finger on him. There is no question mark in his life. No one can find any fault in him.
      
3. We sound authoritative (charged) but actually benevolent like a father (encouraged) so that you can walk worthy of God (vv 11 – 12) Paul supported the Thessalonians in their sharing of the Gospel. He was behind them.
   

Paul lives how he preaches. We must walk our talk.

Teach for Results

1Th 2:13-16 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (14) For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, (15) who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind (16) by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved--so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last!

1. Honest respond to God is proof of God working effectively in you. (v13) Paul pointed out the Thessalonians' honest respond to God as evidence of God working in them. They were energized. Enthusiasm is not something we can buy.
   
2. Became imitators of the churches of God in handling persecution. (v14 cf Acts 17). The Thessalonians endured persecution and stood firm. How do people know we are Christians? When we are afraid to be identified as Christians, we are under the subtle persecution of the world.
   
3. Judgement awaits those who opposed the Gospel, meanwhile gentiles are being saved. (v16) We can use Psalms to express our feelings.
   

Questions

1. What keeps you from teaching God's Word to others? What's keeping you from sharing? If we don't know enough, we must give ourselves avenue to learn.
   
2. How would you handle opposition as you take a stand for Jesus? Ps Richard always smiles and laughs. The Bible teaches that blessed are those who are persecuted.
   
3. Paul demonstrated his love for the Thessalonians by being a mother and a father to them. Which image of concerned is most meaningful to you?
   
4. In there a difference in teaching people and teaching material?