1 Thessalonians 2:9-16

The Quality of Paul’s Service (2)

Introduction

Paul was subject to criticism at Thessalonica. His enemies hoped that in discrediting him, they would discredit the Gospel he preached. Paul’s response was to explain his aims and his work using four pictures – a steward, a mother, a father and a herald. So we come to the third and fourth of these pictures.

Paul’s role as a “father” (2:9-12)

Once again he reminds them he had not been a burden to them. Instead of depending on the church for support, he had worked hard at tent making to pay his own way. He had preached by day and worked by night. So he had paid Jason for board and lodging during his stay in Thessalonica. While he received gifts from the Philippian church (Philippians 4:16), this was not enough, so he made up what he lacked by his own work.

Also as a father, Paul had been an example to them and instructed them. They and God were witnesses to how holy, righteous and blameless he had been, i.e. his life was pleasing to God, he was correct in his dealings with men, and without any black marks in his public reputation. They were witnesses to this, and so was God. Once again this points to a transparent character. All was above board, he could stand any examination and scrutiny.

Then as a father he had encouraged, comforted and urged them to live lives worthy of God who calls you into His kingdom and glory (2:12). So as a father he had set an example and comforted and encouraged his spiritual children.

How often Paul emphasises a worthy walk. Here we have “worthy of God”; “worthy of the Lord” in Colossians 1:12; “worthy of the Gospel” in Philippians 1:27; “worthy of your calling” in Ephesians 4:1; and he gives instruction that Phoebe is to be received in “a way worthy of the saints” in Romans 16:2. If we claim to belong to God, to believe His Gospel, that we are called by Him and are part of the people of God, then we must prove and demonstrate it in our lives. We can claim what we like, but if our lives are not consistent with our claims, no one will be impressed.

Our relationship to God and His dealings with us are to be reflected in our actions and words. Live up to your name. Do not let the side down. Avoid anything unworthy or inconsistent. Live worthy – here is Christian conduct in a nutshell. It is all summed up in this one powerful phrase. Here is a test to apply when decisions have to be made – “What would Jesus do?” – “How can I be worthy of Him?”

Paul’s role as a “herald” (2:13-16)

Paul had preached to them the Word of God. The normal word for “preach” is khpussw, coming from the noun khrcz. But the word used in v.9 and implied in v.13 is ekhruzamen, “we proclaimed”. As Paul had acted as herald, they had received the word and accepted it as the Word of God, as it really is, and not as the word of men. Proof of its power is that it is at work in you who believe (2:13). So the Thessalonians were like the first churches, i.e. those in Judea. And like them they had suffered for their faith at the hands of the Jews.

Paul goes on the say the Jews have always persecuted the true people of God even though they claimed to be His chosen people. They killed the prophets, and even killed the Lord Jesus and drove away the Christian Apostles. They did everything to prevent the Gentiles from hearing the Gospel of salvation, therefore they are under God’s wrath and judgment.

So Paul heralded forth God’s word and their response was to accept it. They accepted it as the Word of God and it was at work in them. So strong was its power in changing them and transforming their lives that it led to a reaction and others resented it and caused Christians to suffer.

We saw earlier how the Gospel caused them to turn from idols to serve the living and true God. They became different, and possibly not only did people notice the difference, but they felt convicted and ashamed. So a reaction was inevitable When God is at work in lives, and they are going in a new direction, suspicion and hostility is inevitable.

The more God’s Word works in us, the more we become different, and sharper will be the collision with the world. This is especially so at present because the world in which we live is more and more secular and anti God. There is bound to be a reaction to the Christian, and antagonism. Suffering for Christ, however it takes place, is proof that our faith is genuine. It is not a sign that God has forgotten us but that He is with us.

Our attitude to the Word of God

This passage tells us how we should regard the Word of God and our attitude to it when we read it and hear it preached. Roughly speaking there are two kinds of preaching.

(1) The word of man – a man gives his congregation the benefit of his opinions on religious and moral matters. He may start with a verse of Scripture but does not expound it or seek to bring the congregation under its authority. As someone once said, this kind of preacher may as well start, “This is my text.. We may meet again, my text and I, and we may not.” Have heard of someone visiting a church and hearing the preacher announce his text as 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, he thought he was in for a good message. He was soon brought down to earth – the preacher’s sermon was all about the government’s Youth Training Scheme!

(2) The Word of God – when the preacher expounds a passage of Scripture and reminds his congregation that this is the Word of God, and therefore they should obey it. He explains and applies the Word of God to his congregation’s situation.

God’s Word comes with God’s authority, and demands to be heard carefully and obeyed. It is not given for us to discuss or approve if we feel we like it or reject it if we do not like it – as we ought to do when the word of man is preached. When it comes with God’s authority, we are to do what it says, heed its warning, put into practice a command, be encouraged by a promise, apply a doctrine to our life and conscience.

Does this mean the man who expounds the Word of God is above challenge and never to be questioned? Not exactly. Preaching is “truth through personality”. Sometimes something in the preacher’s personality can hinder the truth. We may not hear or understand because he is not clear, or perhaps he has misinterpreted a passage because he has misunderstood it. Preachers are not infallible. They need correction, and should be constantly trying to improve their sermons. But the truth they teach, if true to the Word of God, is to be heeded and obeyed. We are not obeying the preacher – who after all is only a sinner saved by grace – but we are obeying God.

This in turn greatly influences our attitude to the church service. How easy to become blasé about it, detached and critical. We may go along to church for a good sing, we may endure the prayers, wonder what’s new in the notices, come to see and hear a man do his stuff like a form of entertainment or performance. Could we hear him? Did he tell any good stories this week? Some congregations are at the edge of their seats waiting for the first joke, to decide whether the preacher is on good form today. What was he like compared with the performance of last week? Or how many things did we disagree with this week? Did he confirm our own opinions and prejudices?

This passage is clear that God’s Word is to be accepted as God’s word. The preacher is the instrument through which God will speak and change lives. When we respond to it in faith and submission, it will affect us and be a means of grace to us. When we go to church to hear and respond to the Word, it will influence our attitude and behaviour. We will be careful to prepare our hearts. Am I right with God? (C.f. the Word works in those who believe.) The Word must be mixed with faith. The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). The Word is not profitable if it is not mixed with faith. The message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith (Hebrews 4:2). And there is no faith if we arrive at the house of God with a detached, uninterested, critical and superior spirit. Paul urged the Colossians, Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16).

And this will prompt us to pray for the preacher in the prayer meeting. He is subject to many problems and temptations. Also pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit in him. Before the service – examine and prepare your heart. After the service – pray the message in. How often after a good message the blessing is immediately lost because it has not been prayed home, or because we are immediately engaged in some silly frivolous conversation.

Years ago, if people arrived late for church and the Word of God was being read, the late-comers would be made to wait outside until the reading was over, such was the reverence for the Word of God. In parts of South America, the congregation still stand for the reading of the Word of God. The “wee frees” in Scotland, known to arrive at church half an hour early to sit in silence to prepare their hearts, and, immediately after the benediction, to leave the church without taking seats again. All conversation takes place on the pavement outside. This includes the minister’s pastoral talks. The reason – because the Word of God has just been preached, and they do not want to defile the church by silly chatter about this and that.

We may laugh at these “extremes”, or “funny traditions”, but the underlying attitude to the Word of God has much to teach us. Let us read the Word of God as the Word of God. It works in us who believe.