THESSALONICA: EXCEL STILL MORE

Pure Evangelism -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Thessalonica

Types Of Evangelists

• Confrontational – blunt, in-your-face

• Intellectual – logic and reason

• Testimonial – let me tell you how I became a Christian

• Invitational – simply inviting to worship• Service – helping others in the love of

Christ

Evangelism In Thessalonica

• Four reminders for a young church

• BOLDNESS in God• PURITY in mission• HUMILITY in life• DEVOTION in service

Boldness In God

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 -- 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.

How The Church There Started Macedonian Vision Acts 16:9 – “A vision

appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Slave Girl At Philippi

Acts 16:16-21 Demon possessed slave

girl following Paul and Silas for days

Proclaiming them as “bond-servants of the Most High God”

Paul tired of it, casts out the demon.

Owners of the girl have them arrested.

Paul/Silas Beaten and Jailed Acts 16:22-30 Stripped and beaten with

rods. Thrown into prison Feet fastened in stocks Praying and singing

hymns Earthquake sets them

free Philippian jailer saved

Thrown Out Of Town

Acts 16:39 – “…and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city….”

First Century Boldness Acts 4:31 – “And

when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”

1 John 2:28

“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on the alert,

stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

Purity In Mission

1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 – “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit … we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech…nor with a pretext for greed…nor did we seek glory from men….

Humility In Life 1 Thes. 2:7 –

“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children….”

Gentleness In Evangelism

Softer side of evangelism Gentleness vs. crusade Gal. 5:23 – “…

gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Devotion In Service

1 Thes. 2:8 – “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.”

Freely Received/Freely Given

Matthew 10:8 – “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.”

We Are Under Obligation

1 Corinthians 9:16 -- For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

We Are Here To Serve Others

Galatians 5:13 – For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.