Dedicated To The Men of God
Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
THE PASTOR AND THE MODEL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
TEXT: I Thess. 2:8, 11
INTRODUCTORY BACKGROUND
A. The commendation of the Apostle Paul to the church at Thessalonica (1:1,7,8)
B. The word "church" defined
1. The erroneous concept of the world-"Religious society"
2. The Biblical concept-two aspects
a. The church which is the body of Christ
b. The local church
(The word "chur'ch" 114 times in the N.T.; 85% local church)
C. Characteristics of the model church as seen in I Thessalonians 1:9,10
1. Transformation of their lives-"regenerate membership"
2. Vision of their task--"service"
3. Expectation of their Lord-"urgency"
I. THE ALL IMPORTANT OFFICE AND MINISTRY OF THE PASTOR IN A MODEL CHURCH
The Old Testanient refers to the statement "as with the people, so with the priest." As one observes churches, he is inclined to believe that a principle is operative in our time: "Like.pastor--like people." There are some exceptions where a given situation may be beyond a pastor control or direction. But normally the church reflects the convictions, service, efficiency, or dedication of the pastor. Much material for the pastor is offered in I and II Timothy and in Titus, but I Thessalonians offers an opportunity to study the work of the pastor over against the background of the model church.
II. THERE ARE THREE THINGS PAUL GAVE TO THIS CHURCH AT THESSALONICA (I Thess. 2:8-11)
HE GAVE THEM THE GOSPEL
HE GAVE THEM HIMSELF
HE GAVE THEM THE WHOLE COUNSEL OP GOD
A. HE GAVE THEM THE GOSPEL
1. The Gospel declared (I Thess. 1:5)
a. In power
b. In the Holy Spirit
c. In assurance
d. Other references (1:8)
Paul did not speculate on the unrevealed, but declared that which was revealed. He did not declare the philosophies of men (I Cor. 1:18-21).
2. The Gospel defined
a. Historic-Foundational Literal death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:1-4)
b. Provisional "He died for our sins and arose for our justification" (Rom. 1:16; c.f., 4:25)
c. Redemptive-the blood of Christ is essential to the forgiveness of sins (Rom. 3:25)
d. All other spurious gospels rejected, exposed and opposed (Gal. 2:5; 2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:9)
3. The Gospel demonstrated
a. By a consistent godly life (I Thess. 2:10)
b. By an intense fatherly concern (2:11)
c. By a perpetual passionate plea (2:12)
B. HE GAVE THEM HIMSELF
1. He laid aside all human desire and ambition to come to them.
When at Troas he desired to go east into Asia, Galatia, etc.
But God called him west into Macedonia. His coming to Thessalonica was the result of obedience to that call (See Acts 16, 17).
2. He did not let fear or persecution hinder (I Thess. 2:1-3)
3. He was appreciative of the saints (1:2)
4. He was consistent in prayer for them (1:3)
5. He was exemplary before them (1:6)
6. He was possessed of a godly optimism (I Thess. 2:1)
7. He was industrious and not lazy (2:9)
8. He provoked them to good works (2:14)
9. He had a passionate concern for souls (2:19)
10. He had en equal concern to establish them in the faith (I Thess. 3:2)
11. He was strong in exhortation (I Thess. 4:1)
12. He was compassionate in comfort (4:13-18)
13. He was faithful in warning (I Thess. 5:1-8)
14. He was local church oriented in outlook and service (I Thess. 1:1; 5: 12,13--church, pastor)
15. His confidence was not in self but in the Lord (I Thess. 5:24)
16. He exercised not his own personal authority but the authority of the Lord in the Word (5:27)
C. HE GAVE THE CHURCH THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD (I Thess. 2:11)
1. This approach is inherent in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19,20)
a. Disciple
b. Baptise
c. Instruct
2. This approach was the practice of the early church (Acts 2:42-- salvation, baptism, sound doctrine, fellowship)
3. The whole counsel of God is as necessary for saints as the Gospel is for sinners (Acts 20:26-28)
4. The Word in its entirety is essential to spiritual growth and stability (Col. 2:7,8; Col. 3:16; I Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18)
5. The Word of God in its entirety is the only safeguard against error (Acts 20:26; Isaiah 8:20; Jobn 17:17; I Thess. 5;27; I Tim. 4:1)
6. The Word in its fullness is essential to the pastor 's preparation (2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 3:16,17)
7. The Word in its fullness is sufficient and no more is needed for the edification of God's people (2 Tim. 4:2)
OUT ATTAINMENTS ARE ALWAYS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF OUR ASPIRATIONS!
III. SOME PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS BASED ON THE ABOVE STUDY
A. No amount of study ABOUT ThE WORD is a good substitute for the study OF THE WORD itself.
B. Every pastor must guard a well-planned program for his own study of the Word.
C. Every pastor must be self-disciplined and learn how to study and then apply himself consistently to the task of study.
D. Every pastor should cover great and salient portions of The Word in his preaching and teaching. This should lead to an expository approach to the ministry.
E. Every pastor should keep full notes and a complete record of all that he preaches and where, and when.
F. Every pastor should take time to re-evaluate his ministry by going over those records to'see what had been preached and what has been neglected.
G. He should then set his plans for the future ministry in view of that which has been neglected and the current need of the church.
IN THE PROPER EXECUTION OF THE OFFICE OF PASTOR HE CAN CONFIDENTLY LOOK
FORWARD TO THE APPROBATION OF THE HEAVENLY SHEPHERD (I Peter 5:2-4)
STUDY BY THE LATE DR. R.L. MATTHEWS
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Tom Walker