Tag: ministry

Six Realities of Experiencing

Rev. Cecil Thorn

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (ESV)

Experiencing God, Growth, and Ministry

produces results.

“our coming to you was not in vain” (1 Thess 2:1 (ESV))

KEY POINTS:

  1. Purposeful Ministry: The importance of Paul asserting that their coming was not in vain. This could lead to a discussion about the purpose and effectiveness of Paul’s ministry, highlighting that it bore fruit and had a positive impact.
  2. Avoidance of Vanity: The contrast between a purposeful ministry and a vain one. Paul is reassuring the Thessalonians that his visit was not empty or without significance.
  3. Setting the Tone: This verse sets the tone for Paul’s reflections on his ministry and the genuine nature of his relationship with the Thessalonians, topics that he further explores in the following verses.

requires boldness.

“as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God” (1 Thess 2:2 (ESV))

KEY POINTS:

  1. Suffering in Philippi: The reference to the suffering and mistreatment that Paul and Silas experienced in Philippi before coming to Thessalonica. He may highlight the challenges and opposition faced by the apostles in the early spread of Christianity.
  2. Boldness in God: The phrase “but with the help of our God, we dared to tell you his gospel.” This reflects Paul’s dependence on God’s assistance and the boldness that comes from trusting in divine support.
  3. Open Declaration of the Gospel: The openness and fearlessness with which Paul and his companions proclaimed the gospel. This could be seen as a testament to their commitment to the truth and their reliance on God’s guidance.
  4. Pure Motives: Paul’s purity of motives in preaching. The idea that they spoke “in the face of strong opposition” but with divine assistance suggests a sincerity in their mission, focusing on pleasing God rather than seeking approval from men.
  5. Approval from God: The idea that the proclamation of the gospel was not in vain, as it was approved by God. This divine approval would be a crucial element in Henry’s commentary, affirming the legitimacy and success of Paul’s ministry.

is an entrustment.

“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thess 2:4a (ESV))

KEY POINTS:

  1. Divine Approval: The idea that Paul and his companions have been approved by God. Their authority and commission to proclaim the gospel come from God, signifying the divine endorsement of their ministry.
  2. Entrusted with the Gospel: The notion of being entrusted with the gospel underscores the responsibility and stewardship that Paul and his fellow workers feel toward the message of salvation. This trust implies a divine commission to share the good news with others.
  3. Motivation to Please God: Henry would likely comment on Paul’s motivation for preaching. The apostle makes it clear that their goal is not to please people but to please God. This highlights the sincerity and purity of their motives in proclaiming the gospel.
  4. God as the Heart Tester: The reference to God as the one who tests hearts underscores the accountability and sincerity with which Paul approaches his ministry. This acknowledgment reflects an awareness that God examines the inner motivations and intentions behind their actions.

is built on pure motives.

“so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess 2:4b (ESV))

KEY POINTS:

  1. Consistency in Motivation: Stress the consistency in the apostles’ motivation. They speak not to please man but to please God, maintaining a steadfast commitment to the divine purpose rather than being swayed by human expectations or approval.
  2. Divine Audience: The idea that the apostles considered God as their primary audience. This would involve discussing the implications of speaking with the awareness that God is the ultimate judge of their words and actions.
  3. God as the Heart Tester: Reiterating the mention of God testing their hearts, Henry may delve deeper into the concept of divine scrutiny. This testing of hearts would involve a thorough examination of their intentions, sincerity, and loyalty to God’s message.
  4. Prioritizing God’s Pleasure: The apostles’ intentional decision to prioritize pleasing God over pleasing people. This choice reflects a commitment to spiritual principles and a willingness to endure difficulties for the sake of maintaining fidelity to God’s will.
  5. Authenticity in Ministry: We might use this verse to underscore the authenticity and integrity of the apostles’ ministry. By prioritizing God’s pleasure, they exemplify a genuine commitment to their calling and a desire for spiritual authenticity.

produces love for others.

“so being affectionately desirous of you” (1 Thess 2:7 (ESV))

KEY POINTS:

  1. Gentleness and Care: Paul’s metaphor of a nursing mother to describe the gentleness and care with which he and his companions conducted their ministry. This imagery reflects a nurturing and protective attitude toward the Thessalonian believers.
  2. Maternal Love: The comparison to a nursing mother emphasizes not only gentleness but also a deep, maternal love. Henry might discuss the sacrificial and nurturing aspects of a mother’s care, drawing parallels to the apostles’ love for the Thessalonians.
  3. Personal Connection: The personal and intimate connection implied by the metaphor. Like a mother intimately cares for her own children, the apostles had a close and affectionate relationship with the Thessalonians, fostering a sense of familial bond within the Christian community.
  4. Selfless Service: The nurturing image of a mother implies selfless service. How the apostles, in their gentleness, were not seeking personal gain or recognition but were motivated by a genuine desire to support and nourish the spiritual growth of the Thessalonian believers.
  5. Model for Ministry: This verse might serve as a model for Christian ministry in. The gentleness and care exemplified by a nursing mother could be seen as an ideal to emulate in pastoral and shepherding roles within the church.

share life together.

“to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thess 2:8 (ESV))

KEY POINTS:

  1. Gentleness and Care: The metaphor of a nursing mother emphasizes the gentleness and care with which Paul and his companions approached the Thessalonian believers. This imagery conveys a sense of tenderness, nurturing, and a deep concern for the well-being of the community.
  2. Maternal Love: The comparison to a nursing mother goes beyond mere caregiving; it suggests a profound, self-sacrificial love. Paul’s ministry is characterized by a mother’s love for her children, demonstrating a genuine and affectionate relationship with the Thessalonians.
  3. Personal Connection: The reference to “taking care of her own children” underscores the personal and familial nature of the relationship. Paul didn’t see himself as an outsider or a distant authority figure but as intimately connected to the Thessalonians, akin to a family member.
  4. Spiritual Nourishment: While the metaphor emphasizes gentleness, it also alludes to the provision of spiritual nourishment. Like a mother providing sustenance to her child, Paul and his companions shared the gospel of God with the Thessalonians, offering them the spiritual sustenance necessary for their growth.
  5. Emotional Bond: The phrase “because you had become very dear to us” reveals the depth of Paul’s emotional bond with the Thessalonian believers. It goes beyond duty; there is a genuine affection and attachment, reinforcing the idea that the ministry is driven by love.

NOTE: Some comments come from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Bible Commentary Resource • 1994 • by Matthew Henry

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Experiencing Ministry

Rev. Cecil Thorn

“I experience ministry as a result of experiencing growth

as a result of experiencing God….”

I prayed. (Psalm 40:1(KJV))

It expresses the psalmist’s patience and faith in waiting for the Lord’s response to their prayer. The psalmist waited patiently for God and, in due time, God inclined to them and heard their cry. It reflects the idea of trusting in God’s timing and having confidence that He will answer the prayers of those who seek Him with patience and faith.

He inclined to me. (Psalm 40:1(KJV))

expresses the idea that God, in response to the psalmist’s patience and cry for help, bent down or stooped to listen and respond to their prayer. It conveys the notion of God’s attentiveness and willingness to hear the pleas of the one who is praying. The verse as a whole conveys the message that when the psalmist waited patiently for the Lord and called out to Him, God paid attention and heard their cry, demonstrating His responsiveness and care for those who seek Him.

He heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1(KJV))

emphasizes that God not only inclined to the psalmist’s prayer but also listened to it and acknowledged their plea for help. It conveys the idea that when the psalmist cried out to the Lord, God responded by paying heed to their distress and responding to their needs. This verse underscores the concept of God’s compassion and responsiveness to the prayers and cries of those who seek His assistance, showing that God is attentive and caring toward those who call upon Him in their times of trouble.

He drew me up. (Psalm 40:2(KJV))

This verse describes a vivid image of God’s intervention in the psalmist’s life. “He drew me up” means that God lifted the psalmist from a situation of deep distress and despair, often symbolized as a “horrible pit” and “miry clay,” which represent a metaphorical state of being stuck in difficulty and sin. God rescued the psalmist from this dire condition, giving them stability and security, symbolized by setting their feet upon a rock. This act of salvation and establishment conveys the idea of God’s deliverance and the restoration of the psalmist’s life, providing a firm foundation on which to stand and move forward. This verse emphasizes God’s ability to rescue and establish those who trust in Him.

He cleaned me off. (Psalm 40:2(KJV))

The verse describes God’s intervention in the psalmist’s life by lifting them out of a difficult and troubled situation, symbolized by the “horrible pit” and “miry clay.” While the specific phrase “cleaned me off” isn’t used, the verse does convey the idea of being rescued from a state of spiritual or emotional distress and placed on a firm foundation, symbolized by setting the psalmist’s feet on solid ground (a rock) and establishing their path. The emphasis is on God’s saving and stabilizing work in the psalmist’s life, not specifically on the act of cleaning.

He set my feet. (Psalm 40:2(KJV))

In this verse, “He set my feet upon a rock” expresses the idea that God, in rescuing the psalmist from a distressing and difficult situation, provided them with a stable and secure foundation. The image of setting one’s feet on a rock represents finding a solid and unshakable footing. This is a metaphorical way of saying that God brought the psalmist from a state of instability, turmoil, or peril to a place of security and firm footing, both in a physical and spiritual sense. It signifies God’s role as a source of stability and strength in the life of the psalmist and, by extension, in the lives of believers who trust in Him.

He secured my steps. (Psalm 40:2(KJV))

While this verse doesn’t use the phrase “secured my steps,” it conveys a similar idea. “And established my goings” means that God not only rescued the psalmist from a dire and troubled situation but also provided guidance, direction, and security for their future steps and journey. It emphasizes God’s role in directing and preserving the psalmist’s path, ensuring that they can move forward in a stable and righteous manner.

The phrase “He secured my steps” is a valid interpretation of this verse because it captures the essence of God’s guidance and protection in the psalmist’s life, ensuring that their way is established and secure.

He changed my heart song. (Psalm 40:3(KJV))

The verse does not explicitly say “He changed my heart song,” but it does convey the idea that God has transformed the psalmist’s experience and response to life. “He hath put a new song in my mouth” signifies a change in the psalmist’s perspective and a deep, joyful response to God’s deliverance and grace.

This new song represents a transformation from despair to praise and thanksgiving, reflecting a change in the psalmist’s heart and attitude. The verse goes on to say that many will witness this change, be in awe of it (fear), and come to trust in the Lord themselves, as they see the transformation and witness the psalmist’s faith and praise. So, while the specific phrase “He changed my heart song” is not used, the verse conveys the idea of a heart transformed by God’s grace and a new song of praise being placed in the psalmist’s mouth.

Many see, fear, and trust. (Psalm 40:3(KJV))

This verse conveys a powerful message about the impact of the psalmist’s transformation and the praise and trust in the Lord that result from it.

  1. “Many shall see it”: This part of the verse suggests that the change and transformation in the psalmist’s life, symbolized by the new song in their mouth, will be visible to others. People will observe the psalmist’s faith, joy, and praise.
  2. “Fear”: In this context, “fear” doesn’t necessarily mean being afraid. Instead, it implies a deep reverence, awe, or respect for the work of God in the psalmist’s life. When others witness the transformation and the praise the psalmist offers to God, it can inspire a sense of reverence and recognition of God’s power and goodness.
  3. “Shall trust in the LORD”: The ultimate result is that those who see the transformation and are touched by the psalmist’s testimony will come to place their trust and faith in the Lord. The psalmist’s experience serves as a testament to the faithfulness and goodness of God, inspiring others to also put their trust in Him.

In summary, this verse speaks to the idea that a personal transformation, marked by praise and trust in God, can be a powerful witness to others. When people observe the change in someone’s life and recognize the work of God, it can lead them to revere God and place their trust in Him as well.

Conclusion:

Psalm 40:1-3 in the King James Version (KJV) conveys a powerful message of faith, deliverance, and transformation:

  1. Waiting on the Lord: In verse 1, the psalmist expresses patience in waiting for the Lord’s response to their prayer, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God’s timing.
  2. God’s Response: Verse 1 continues to describe how God inclined to the psalmist and heard their cry, highlighting God’s attentiveness and willingness to respond to those who seek Him in faith.
  3. Rescue and Stability: Verse 2 speaks of God’s deliverance, using powerful imagery of being lifted from a “horrible pit” and “miry clay” and having one’s feet set upon a rock. This symbolizes rescue from distress and the establishment of a secure foundation.
  4. Guidance and Transformation: Verse 3 reveals the transformation that occurs after this rescue, with God putting a “new song” of praise in the psalmist’s mouth. This transformation is not only personal but is visible to others. As a result, those who see it may revere God and place their trust in Him.

In conclusion, these verses depict a journey from distress and waiting on God’s help to a powerful transformation and testimony of God’s faithfulness. It underscores the themes of patience, rescue, stability, and the impact of personal transformation on others’ faith. The psalm serves as a testament to the transformative power of faith and God’s work in the lives of those who trust in Him.

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