This morning we are going on in our look at 1 Thessalonians and living victoriously as Christians.  Not just living - or getting by - or just hanging in there - but living the victorious life that God makes available to us in Jesus.

Last Sunday we looked at being victorious in salvation - that is that source of the victorious life is God.  That it is essential that we have received His offer of salvation in Jesus and given Him our lives.  This morning we want to look at living Victorious In Mission.

To get us going we’re going to begin with a short missions quiz. 

Who is this?  Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Known for what?  Bonhoeffer was a pastor in Nazi Germany - who stood up to the Nazis and even his own church - which went along with the Nazis.  Bonhoeffer became a part of a movement called the Confessing Church.  Bonhoeffer stood up for Jesus and it cost him his life.

Who’s this?  Andy van der Bijl - otherwise known as... Brother Andrew.  Known for what?  Brother Andrew became one of the first westerners to evangelize behind the Iron Curtain.  Became known as... “God’s Smuggler.”  Risked his life - over and over again - risked his life to get Bibles into communist countries.  Today - millions of Bibles later - Open Doors International - Brother Andrew’s organization is still taking Bibles to people who are starving for God’s word.

How about this couple?  William and Catherine Booth.  Who are known for what?  Founders of the Salvation Army.  Experienced huge conflicts within the Methodist Church over their passion for taking the Gospel to whoever would listen.  They eventually founded a small independent ministry in London’s East End - among the worst conditions and the most hurting people - a ministry that became The Salvation Army.

This is who?  Hudson Taylor.  Founder of China Inland Mission which eventually became Overseas Missionary Fellowship.  Hudson Taylor ran up against opposition from other missionaries in China when he gave up living in a missionary compound - put on Chinese style clothes and a pigtail - died his hair black - moved to the interior of China.  He went on to experienced all kinds of hardship.  He eventually died in China.

Two more.  How’re you doing?  Who’s this?  Richard Wurmbrand.  Spent 14 years in a communist prison being tortured for Jesus.  Founded Voice of the Martyrs.

Last one.  Who’s this?  Jim Elliot.  How many of you saw Tale of the Spear - Nate Saint?  That mission was spearheaded by Jim Elliot.  In 1956 Jim and four others - including Nate Saint - were martyred trying to share the gospel with the Waodani people down in Ecuador.

Anyone - besides the people in the booth - did anyone know who all those people are?  What’s one thing they all had in common?  All of these people share a relationship with Jesus Christ that motivated them to live out their relationship with Jesus sharing Him with others - even at a huge cost to their own lives.  They - and so many others - are humbling examples to us of what it means to be victorious in mission.

The Great Commission is what?  Matthew 28:19,20 - say it together with me:  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you…”

That’s the bottom line purpose statement of what we’re doing here as the church.  Fellowship - potlucks - Bible study - worship - those all are great - significant and important.  But one thing we will not be able to do in heaven is fulfill the Great Commission.  When Jesus calls us home to heaven or when Jesus comes back - and its pretty obvious that he didn’t come back yesterday at 6:00 p.m. - that opportunity will be gone for eternity.  This is the time.  This is our time to reach others with the Gospel. 

The great purpose of the church - the great purpose of each individual Christian - on earth is to obediently work at fulfilling the Great Commission.  And - grab this:  Living victoriously comes as we live out God’s purpose for our lives - living out what God has created us to do.

Look with me at 1 Thessalonians 2.  Along with a floatation device under your seat - if you need one there should be a Bible someplace under a chair in front of you.  There are also message notes in your bulletin that will be helpful to you.

Paul is writing to the believers in Thessalonica - which was a significant trade city in northern Greece - in Macedonia.  A place - that like the greater Merced metroplex - a city that needed Jesus. 

Verses 1 to 6 describe Paul’s Passion For God.  Let’s say that together, “Paul’s passion for God.”

Verse 1:  For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

Before Paul came to Thessalonica - Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke went to Philippi - which is here.  Philippi was a Roman colony about 75 miles northeast of Thessalonica.  When they arrived they went to a Jewish prayer meeting - right outside the gates of this city - down by a river.  There they joined the meeting and shared the Gospel.  In time, a number of Jews and Gentiles began trusting in Jesus as their Savior.

Also, in Philippi there was a slave-girl who had been possessed by a demon which spoke through her - and this demon would tell people’s fortunes.  The slave girl - possessed by the demon - was owned by some men who were using her “talent” to make a fortune.  Does this sound familiar?

One day, when Paul and Silas were heading to the prayer meeting, this slave-girl began to follow them and she kept crying out, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.”

Which was true.  But annoying.  Because, this went on for days.  Until finally, Paul had had enough and so he turned to this woman and said to the demon, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!”  And the demon left her.

What happens next?  She’s no longer telling fortunes.  Which means that the owners of this slave-girl were not too happy that they’d lost their source of income.  So they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place - which is this place - the main square of the city - dragged them before the authorities.  Made all kinds of false accusations against Paul and Silas.  They said, “They’re Jews who are attacking our customs.  They’re traitors to Rome.”

A mob rises up against Paul and Silas.  They’re stripped naked - beaten with rods.  Paul’s rights as a Roman citizen are severely violated.  Finally, humiliated and hurting they’re thrown into prison - traditionally this place - their feet are locked into stocks.  Its brutal - inhumane.

As the night goes on Paul and Silas do what?  They begin to pray and to sing and to praise God and share their faith with the prisoners.  Then there’s a what?  There’s an earthquake - the jail collapses - the jailer and his household come to trust in Jesus as their Savior and are baptized.  Finally, in the morning, Paul an Silas are asked to leave Philippi. (Acts 16:12-40) 

From Philippi they go to Thessalonica where they begin the process all over again.  First, meeting with the Jews in the synagogue and the conversions of Jews and Greeks.  Then, the customary riot and mob - the false accusations - and finally they escape at night to go on to the town of Berea - which is here - just west of Thessalonica.  (Acts 17:1-10)  Where, Paul and Silas went to the synagogue and began the whole process all over again. (Acts 17:11-15)

Its almost formula.  Enter town.  Preach Gospel.  Some believe.  Our lives our threatened.  We get thrown in jail.  God gets us out.  Head for the next town.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:2, Paul simply says we suffered and were mistreated in Philippi - and were opposed in Thessalonica.  Its an understatement - not worth making a huge issue out of.  “Oh look how much we suffered for Jesus.” 

Grab that:  What’s important is not the suffering but the mission - who they’re suffering for and why. 

Paul writes that the Thessalonians know that we had boldness in God to speak the Gospel to you.  The shame - the suffering - the humiliation in Philippi didn’t matter.  We didn’t water down the Gospel.  We didn’t play down the message or sneak into town.  We used the same tactics - shared the same message - and with confidence in God - boldly proclaimed the Gospel to you.  That’s passion for missions.

Notice where that passion comes from - verse 3:  For our exhortation - what we’re sharing - does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

Paul’s passion doesn’t come because he’s preaching some man thought up false philosophy based on man’s warped understanding of things.  God’s word is God’s word.  It comes with the infallible authority of God Himself.  It stands eternal - unchangeable - proclaiming light in darkness - truth in the midst of falsehood - the way to life in the midst of death. 

God’s word is to be believed and obeyed.  The gospel is God’s word - given that we would know with certainty how to know God and live in relationship with Him.

Verse 5:  For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed - God is witness - nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

Paul didn’t come into Thessalonica and immediately go to the rich people and try to butter them up - bilk them for cash.  He didn’t come into town and say, “Look!  Thessalonians!  I’m Paul. That’s, The Apostle - Paul.  And, I’m on a mission from God.  I’ve chosen to come here and bless you with my presence.  I deserve your honor and respect.  I need a suitable place to live and all of my needs met - to be wined and dined and entertained - and whatever I say you need to listen to and obey.  Maybe we’ll even build a church building here and give you the privilege of calling it The Cathedral of Paul the Apostle.”

That wasn’t the passion that motivated Paul.

There are many religious leaders today - just as there always have been - who really get their egos inflated by all the flattery and the distinction of their so called “position.”  Clergy dressed up religious costumes demanding the honor and respect of the laity.  Spiritual leaders who expect to be followed without question.  Pastors who live a lifestyle focused on their own gratification and glory.

All those degrees and honors and elevations and titles are a disaster for the mission and ministry of the church.  The passion gets focused on leadership and individuals and buildings and not on the people who desperately need to hear and respond to the gospel.

People are going to be lost to hell.  People who’ve never heard the truth about God - His salvation and forgiveness and healing.  So many people today have been driven away from the church - wounded by the church - suffering - because the church is passionate about the wrong things - congregations focused on themselves - their own pettiness and pride.

“But - verse 4 - different passion - just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel - called by God to share His gospel with you - so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts” - who knows our motivation.

Remember this from last week?  God loves you.  God chose you.  Say it with me, “God loves you.  God chose you.”  That’s approval.

Paul is passionately devoted to serving the God who met him on the road to Damascus - who changed his life forever - from Saul the persecutor of the church to Paul the proclaimer of the gospel.

We share our faith - in boldness - regardless of the consequences - because we want to please God who has saved us through the broken body and spilled blood of His Son Jesus.

We passionately serve God who has entrusted us with this privilege of sharing His gospel.  We share because we have passion for God.

Bottom line:  We’re not in this for us.  We’re in this for God.  Share that with the person next to you.  “We’re not in this for us.  We’re in this for God.”   

Verses 7 to 12 describe Paul’s Passion For People.  Let’s say that together, “Paul’s passion for people.”

Verse 7:  But - instead of being in this for ourselves - but we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.  Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

Anyone know who this is?  This is Dick Hillis.  Dick Hillis was a missionary to China.  He founded what is now OC International which has about 500 missionaries in about 65 countries.  Dick Hillis died in 2005 just up 99 in Ripon.

Dick Hillis - in his book, “Love is a Costly Thing” Dick writes about a mother lying on the ground.  In her arms this mother held a tiny baby girl.  Maybe you’ve heard this account.  This is a hard picture of what being a mother is all about. 

Dick writes, “As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand - this mother lying on the ground - I wondered if she would live until morning.  Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift.  The sweet potato could help so little.  But, it was all I had.

“Taking a bite she chewed it carefully.  Then, placing her mouth over her baby’s mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat.  Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive.

“Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes.  In a few minutes the baby was asleep.  I later learned that during the night the mother’s heart stopped, but her little girl lived.”

Sometimes we see examples of God’s kind of love lived out in the lives of others - like in that mother.  Love that’s sacrificial - that gives outrageously - love that’s committed beyond reason - love that simply goes beyond what we can wrap our minds around.

A quick word study.  In the Greek the word “gentle” has the idea of being like and infant - small - helpless.  Childlike - not arrogant.  “Tender care” has the idea of cherishing someone - keeping them warm by keeping them close - meeting their most basic needs.  “Having so fond an affection” has the idea of an affinity - a longing - a desire to be with someone.

Paul writes that they were gentle like a nursing mother - imparting not only the gospel but also humbly sacrificing their own lives - for the Thessalonians.  Because their deep passionate desire was to care for the Thessalonians - meeting their most basic need for life with God through Jesus.

Verse 9:  For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.  You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

This is Gayle D. Erwin - who is a speaker and author of “The Jesus Style” among other publications.  Gayle - in sharing his personal testimony - Gayle shares this about his father:   

“When I was six years old, my father was severely injured in an airplane accident and was left partially paralyzed and brain damaged.  My mother then became the breadwinner of the house.  Since my mother was often ‘not there’ as she attempted to make a living and my dad was ‘not there’ physically or mentally, the stage was set for family failure.  But our family did not fail!  Through difficult times, both parents stayed faithful to God and to us.  Prayer, belief, steadfastness and love surrounded us - money and fine homes didn't.

“When my father died, my two brothers and I stood in front of his casket and made the following statement to the friends who had gathered for the funeral service:  ‘Our father did not leave a financial empire for us to carry on.  Many things that a dad normally does with his sons, our dad was unable to do.  He was unable to teach us many things that a dad normally teaches.  But he did leave us something that he had.  He left us with a love of God, a love for the Bible, a love for people, an understanding of worship and an inability to hate.  We feel that he has left us only those things that will last.  So we stand here before you as his sons and declare publicly that we will follow his God.’” (2)

The goal of a parent - and here in these verses Paul is writing about being like a father - so the goal of a father - is to raise our child to that they will come to a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ and that they will obediently follow God through life bringing glory to Him.  Everything else is secondary.  Amen?

That’s Paul’s testimony - what Christian fatherhood is all about.  First, there’s our own behavior before God, our children, and the community:  devout - upright - blameless.  Second, how we act towards our children:  exhorting, encouraging, imploring.  Third, the goal - what we’re laboring for:  to produce children who themselves will walk worthily - following God’s calling for own their lives.

Paul made tents.  It was how he supported himself.  By day he taught in the market place - in the synagogue - in homes around the city.  Late into the night he made tents. 

The Greeks despised manual labor.  Manual labor was something that slaves did.  But Paul did whatever it took to make sure the Thessalonians heard the Gospel.  He sacrificed himself - like fathers sacrifice themselves for their children - working hard to provide - to protect - to be there for their children.

Paul wasn’t ashamed of his work.  He saw his work as a means to an end.  As the Thessalonians listened to Paul - perhaps they noticed his hands - rough - swollen - strong - the hands of a laborer who worked at his trade - out of love - to be able to share the gospel with them.

That’s how “father” Paul acted towards the Thessalonians.  The goal of Paul’s fatherly passion?  That the Thessalonians would also live in obedience to God - knowing Jesus as their Savior - following God’s calling for their own lives.  That they themselves would have a passion for God and for sharing His gospel with others.

On what we call Palm Sunday - Jesus - obediently following God’s will - God’s purpose for His life - Jesus fulfilling prophecy - Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem.  In the midst of all the palm branch waving and singing hosanna - Jesus some time during all that comes to a point - as He’s approaching Jerusalem - Jesus comes to a location where He can see the city of Jerusalem laid out before Him.  Luke 19:41 tells us that “when He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it.”

Wept - in Greek - means to mourn - to wail out loud in grief - in pain.  Deep from within passionate weeping.  Why?  Because Jesus saw Jerusalem for what it was - a city of people spiritual desolate - empty - without hope and yet stubbornly resisting God.  Much like many people today - running on empty and without God.  What’s coming is not good.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus because of “joy” endured the cross - Jesus “despising the shame” - went to the cross - obedient to God He died for us.  A passionate pouring out of love that’s costly - undeserved - outrageously sacrificial beyond reason.

Jesus passionate about God - obedient.  Jesus passionate for the people of God - experiencing joy. 

Paul followed the example of Jesus.  His passion for God led to his passion for people.  Grab that.  Passion for God leads to passion for people.  Let’s say that together.  “Passion for God leads to passion for people.”

As we grow in passion for God we become more passionate about people - a passion that leads us to do outrageous things as we obediently follow God’s will for our lives - living to share His gospel with others - and experiencing God’s joy as only God can give it..

It would be so easy to dismiss all of this and say, “Well, that was Paul and that was back then.” But, the Bible tells us that every believer is in ministry.  Every believer is a preacher - a missionary.  Its what we’ve been created for - fulfilling the Great Commission - our mission.  Its what God has for us to do here and now.

The more passionate we are about God the more passionate we’re going to be about people knowing God.

God in His love for us - and for a lost world - “spared not own Son” to tell the world of His love.  Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost.  Such love costs parents and sons and daughters.  It costs the missionary life itself.  In his or her passion for God the missionary often must give up all to make the Savior known.  If we would let our passion for God cost us something God will use us to advance His mission even here in Merced.

Do we care - passionately for our family - those we work with - our community - our nation - care enough to weep?  To speak the gospel with loving boldness - without consideration for the personal consequences?  To give whatever it takes - to live however it takes?  Passionate for God. Passionate for people.  There is no other way to live victoriously as a Christian.

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1. Dick Hillis, “Love is a Costly Thing”
2. Gayle D. Erwin, “The Jesus Style,” Word, 1988

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.