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7 DISTINCTIVES OF AN EFFECTIVE, GOD-HONORING CHURCH PLANT – THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

Initial message for the starting of a new church – very important… just as the last words of someone would be

Distinctives: not something that makes us weird; areas of core competency – things that must define us – these are things that should characterize every church – but sadly not the case

Background: the Macedonian Call – Acts 16:6-10

• You see the Holy Spirit in charge of Paul’s second missionary journey (right around 50 AD.) – forbidding him to go certain places; opening doors in other cases and even giving very explicit call
  • We have no such apostolic vision – but God is calling us to preach the gospel somewhere in this greater metropolitan area
• Adventures in Philippi – a leading city in Macedonia; Philippian jailor saved; Paul and Silas and Timothy depart – pass through a couple of cities and come to Thessalonica – the chief city of Macedonia – received its name from Cassander, who founded it in 315 BC – after the name of his wife who was a step-sister of Alexander the Great

I. Plurality Partnership – Ministry Team (:1A) – Leadership Style = Humble Servant Love

1 Thess 1:1, 2 Thess. 1:1 "Paul and Silvanus and Timothy
1 Thess 5:12 – multiple pastors

"Now when they" – always speaks in the plural throughout 1 Thess – "our coming to you"

Paul and his companions, Silas and Timothy – not a one-man show

As great as Paul was … as gifted … with all of the authority invested in him as the Apostle to the Gentiles … still he always went out as a member of a ministry team (Acts 15:35); the ultimate servant leader; If circumstances worked out so that he was alone – as he was at Athens – he urged Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible – Acts 17:15

Testimony: Been searching since seminary days to be part of such a ministry partnership; never had the desire to go it alone; know my own weaknesses and limitations; we are a body that is just forming … but even from the very beginning we need one another; how we model things from the beginning is how things will end up; you cannot start a one-man show and then try to convert that over to a team ministry model – just won’t work; you must have respect and appreciation for one another that is humble and that is genuine; you have to know your own limitations; it must be nothing of ourselves, but all of Christ

Privilege of having support and encouragement of godly wife; not easy for the kids to do a pioneering work – but opportunity to be a blessing to others

Problems of a one man dominated ministry: (Just going to list 5)

• Biggest one: You miss out on the reality of Christ being the Head of His church and the elders being under-shepherds – that is why Christ is called the Chief Shepherd… How could you not think that a title of Senior Pastor takes away from this picture?
• You miss out on the checks and balances that God wants to build into leadership – Your blind spots never get addressed; you become arrogant and think you don’t have blind spots; the ministry is all about you
• You think that you are slowed down by having to wait for the agreement of others rather than seeing God as protecting you against presumptuous mistakes
• You make disciples of yourself – they have your strengths and weaknesses – they never move beyond that relationship of being your disciple and you being the Master
• You stifle the ministry of the other men rather than encourage its development

Danger of overreacting – we need strong leadership; there must be a distinction so you know who are the recognized leaders; just need a healthy functioning of a godly plurality;

II. Missionary Mindset (:1B) – Outreach Outlook — Aggressive Faith in Action

1 Thess. 1:8

"had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia" probably only halted for a night at each of these lodging places; 30-40 miles between each city – must have ridden on horses? Probably these other 2 cities did not have a synagogue or were not large enough to target at this time

1. Men on a Mission — The Apostle Paul and his ministry companions were men on a mission. Motivated by the Great Commission
   1. Not going through life planning where to travel for their next vacation; not concerned with the material comforts of this life
      1. "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness"
      2. "for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain"
   2. Life is a lot more exciting if we get up in the morning with a mission that motivates us
2. Men on the Move – going where God directed them – Spirit Directed
   1. Not sitting around; not couch potatoes; what if God wants us to leave our home and our community at some point for the spread of the gospel?
   2. Is our heart cry: "Here I am, send me"??

End goal is NOT to plant one church – we are called to turn the WORLD upside down – in fact that is what they were accused of doing – but their opponents were thinking in terms of a physical kingdom rather than a spiritual kingdom

We need to be thinking in terms of developing leadership and teams that can be sent out to start other churches

How will we know that we have a missionary mindset?

• look at where our money goes
• look at what we pray for
• look at who we eventually send out and how connected we stay to their ministry
• look at our heart and our compassion for the lost world

III. Opportunistic Orientation — Metropolitan Strategy (:1C) – Perceptive Discernment.

1 Thess 3:1-4 – sending Timothy to check up on the progress and endurance of the church

Following a Plan, a Strategy: "they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews"

This was the next city after Philippi chosen for an extended period of evangelization

Sometimes Christians act like it is unspiritual to plan and set priorities; you can’t do everything; even as a church we have to fill a certain niche – must be strategic in what we do

1. Significance of the City of Thessalonica – Taking advantage of strategic opportunity
   1. Strategically located on the water and on one of the main land highways — so it was a center for travel and commerce
      1. it linked the rich agricultural plains of the Macedonian interior with the land and sea routes to the east; large city of perhaps 200,000 people
      2. Significant politically as well as economically; 100 mile journey from Philippi to Thessalonica
   2. Not that other rural and outlying areas were unimportant – but they would be secondary targets after the more strategic areas had been reached
2. Significance of Targeting the Jewish Synagogue
   1. Prepared audience
   2. Background in OT Scriptures
   3. Used to giving visiting speakers a hearing
   4. Followed the transitional gospel priority — going first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles

Book of Acts – you see the pattern of concentric circles – start at Jerusalem … then branch out to Judea … then make inroads into Gentile areas … then reach the whole world …

IV. Biblically Based (:2-3A) – Methodology of Bible Exposition

1 Thess 1:6-8 – Receive the Word and Proclaim it to others

1. Consistent Methodology – steady diet; keep at it; Preach the Word
   1. "And according to Paul’s custom" Acts 13:43; 18:19 same practice in Antioch, Ephesus
   2. "and for three Sabbaths"
      1. Probably the missionary team stayed longer in the city – but at the minimum they kept up this practice of going to the synagogue for three weeks with a Jewish emphasis:
         1. Philippian church had time to send money at least twice to Paul during this stay (Phil. 4:15-16)
         2. Paul stayed long enough to enter into a job situation – supporting himself and his team with manual labor (1 Thess 2:9; 2 Thess 3:7-10)
2. Seeker Methodology — Seeking After Converts
   1. "he went to them": The opposite of a Seeker-friendly church – let’s get it right – we are the ones called to seek after the lost – you don’t find the blind hollering: "Send the light, Send the light"
   2. People are not going to flock to our little church – we want to pursue the lost and see them won to the Lord and discipled – We must be the seekers – not just trying to have the Lord’s people play musical chairs and move from one church to another – we need to reach the lost
      1. Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost"
      2. John 4:23: "for such people (those who worship in spirit and truth) The Father seeks to be His worshippers"
      3. Matt. 22:9: "Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast"
3. Biblically Based Methodology – in Apologetic Approach and Doctrinal Content
   1. Biblically Based in Apologetic Approach
      1. "reasoned with them from the Scriptures"
      2. "explaining and giving evidence"
   2. Three different Greek words to describe this presentation by Paul to the Jews in the synagogue
      1. diele,xato – Reasoning Discuss, debate, address, speak; discussion rather than a formal sermon
      2. dianoi,gwn – explaining
      3. paratiqe,menoj – Proving, giving evidence
   3. Patiently entertaining questions and doubts, gentle spirit, not losing control or getting angry
   4. All of the time skillfully using the Scriptures – especially the prophetic passages speaking about the Messiah

Dr. Fullerton: Illustration:

Use the sword – it is self-authenticating; you do not have to debate its divine origin
You must appeal to the mind… not just some emotional appeal
You must keep hungering and thirsting to know the Scriptures better

4. Biblically Based in Doctrinal Content – the Sufficiency of the Scriptures
   1. "from the Scriptures"

Do we really believe in the sufficiency of the Word of God

• Biblically based when it comes to preaching and teaching – doctrine is not boring or outdated
• Biblically based when it comes to our music and worship – content is important
• Biblically based when it comes to our counseling – if the psychologists have the answers to behavior problems… we should have them preaching on Sunday morning
• Biblically based when it comes to the roles in our family and how we manage our relationships
• Biblically based when it comes to our world view and how we relate to society and submit to governing authorities; how we view our work
• Biblically based when it comes to how we confront sin and how we resolve disputes and reconcile with one another

V. Christ Centered (:3) – Major on the Essentials of the Gospel – The Sufficiency of the Person of Jesus Christ – Book of Colossians

1 Thess 1:3 – everything revolves around our union with Jesus Christ

1. Focus on Christ on the Cross – the Death of Christ
   1. "that the Christ had to suffer"
      1. Repugnant concept to both the Jews and the Greeks: 1 Cor. 2
         1. "to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness"
         2. "but the power of God"
2. Focus on Christ risen from the Empty Tomb – the Resurrection of Christ
   1. "and rise again from the dead" 1 Cor. 15
      1. Everything hinges on the resurrection .. if no resurrection we are still dead in our sins
      2. We must preach the genuine gospel message – believers need this gospel every day
      3. Our union with Christ in His death and resurrection is the key to spiritual victory Rom. 6
3. Focus on the Messianic Prophecies – Second Coming is huge theme of 1 Thess.
   1. "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ"
      1. Is 53; the many Messianic psalms; so many references fulfilled in detail
   2. Look at approach that Christ took on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection
      Luke 24:19-27
   3. He is alive; I can serve Him today by faith; He is coming again soon

VI. Divinely Diverse (:4) – Diverse in Race and Gender and Age and Economic Status – Importance of Unity and Brotherhood

Love for the brethren – 1 Thess. 4:9: "And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women"

1. Irresistable Grace – Sovereign Salvation of the Elect – 1 Thess 1:4-5
   1. Only "some" were persuaded
   2. Not persuaded because they were smarter than the others – Sovereign salvation
   3. Expect to find that the way is broad that leads to destruction
   4. Parable of the Sower and the Soils – we will find some good soil if God so wills
2. Knitting members into the Body – "joined"
   1. Not joining a social club
   2. Immediate joining – not some long period of probation (will have to think thru membership issues)
   3. Organic unity of the Body of Christ – close, intimate partnership – they might not have been there from the beginning… but once there… they are just as much a part of the partnership in the gospel; not second class citizens of the kingdom
   4. Separation from the synagogue – loss of financial revenue – would create jealousy on the part of the Jews – felt threatened by this exodus of some of their leading contributors
3. Ethnic Diversity – beauty of the unity of the body
   1. Jews – only some believed; cf. Jason – house where they stayed – this was the Greek name assumed by many Jews names Joshua
   2. Large number of the God-fearing Greeks
      1. Cf. 20:4 – Aristarchus (Jew, Col. 4:10) and Secundus (God fearing Greek) probably saved during this time – now joined together in one body, serving Christ together
4. Gender Diversity – Significance of different roles
5. Age Diversity (not stressed here) – Importance of the children and the older folks
6. Economic Diversity – different social status
   1. "leading women" – wives of the principal citizens; very impressive
   2. Key Point of Distinction – whether or not you Fear God
   3. Not how much money you make; what part of town you live in; what type of job
   4. God does not show partiality… neither should we

VII. Persevering through Persecution (:5-9) – Submitting to Suffering

1 Thess 2:1-2; 14-16

Phil. 3:10: "the fellowship of His sufferings"
2 Tim. 3:12: "All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution"

All types of false charges and accusations – very cleverly schemed

Jason and the believers had to post some type of special bond to guarantee that Paul and the missionary team would not cause political trouble… But the new believers did not back away from boldly testifying to the gospel

1 Thess 1:7-10; 2:14-16

Who knows what types of obstacles Satan will throw at us; it won’t be easy… that is for sure; we will be tempted to become discouraged and to quit

Plaque up in my study

DON’T QUIT

When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worse,
That you must not quit.

CONCLUSION:

We can have great confidence:

Matt. 16:18 "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it"

It’s not our church… it is the church of Jesus Christ

There is a lost world out there that is not calling for any rescue but is doomed to the wrath of God unless we go and reach out and proclaim the gospel message that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and die and to be raised from the dead to offer forgiveness of sins and new life and the hope of eternity with God

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1. Try to match up the fruit of the Holy Spirit with the seven distinctives mentioned above. How do you see them meshing together?
2. This list of distinctives is not meant to exhaustive. What other distinctives would you look for in a church plant?
3. What are some weaknesses you have seen in other churches where you need to guard against overreacting and swinging to the opposite end of the spectrum?
4. How was the church at Thessalonica able to maintain a positive, thankful spirit in the midst of such opposition and persecution?

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION:

Blaiklock: The charge was subtly conceived and dangerous. The mention of treason compelled the politarchs to act, and under the circumstances their binding over of the accused on Jason’s bond of security was a mild action. It was none the less effective. It seems to imply a guarantee from Jason that Paul would go and not return. Hence 1 Thes. ii. 18. From 1 Thes. i. 13, 14, iii.3, it appears that local persecution continued. Still the church became a centre of evangelism, and included elements of the first audience (1 Thes. i. 8,9). The first two chapters of the first letter to Thessalonica imply a stay of some length, in spite of the brevity of Luke’s account.

Constable: Paul evidently spoke in the synagogue only three Sabbath days (cf. 13:5, 14; 14:1), but he seems to have stayed longer in Thessalonica (cf. 1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Thess. 2:5). We know he supported himself there by making tents (1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:7-10), and the Philippians sent two monetary gifts to him there (Phil. 4:15-16). Perhaps he ministered primarily to Jews the
first three weeks and then turned to the Gentiles.

Luke described Paul’s method of evangelizing in Thessalonica as reasoning (Gr. dielexato, cf. v. 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8-9; 24:25) from the Scriptures, explaining (dianoigon), giving evidence (proving, paratithemenos), and proclaiming (katangello). These terms imply that Paul dealt carefully with his hearers’ questions and doubts. He showed that the facts of gospel history confirmed what the Scriptures predicted. His subject was Jesus whom Paul believed was the Christ. His Jewish hearers needed convincing that their Scriptures taught that Messiah would suffer death and rise from the grave (cf. 3:18; 13:30, 34; Luke 24:13-27; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). Paul used the Old Testament to prove that Jesus was the Messiah (Christ)…

The city officials could not find the missionaries to bring them to trial. Consequently they made Jason and his friends pay a bond guaranteeing that Paul would cause no further trouble but leave town. If trouble continued, Jason would lose his money. If it did not, he would receive it back. Paul did leave town and wrote to the Thessalonians that Satan hindered his return (1 Thess. 2:18). His inability to return may have been the result of this tactic of his enemies. The Christians, however, carried on admirably for which Paul thanked God (1 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:14-16).

Deffinbaugh: Preaching in the synagogues was an effective means of reaching Gentiles. In nearly every synagogue there were Gentile "God-seekers" or "proselytes" of one kind or another. In Paphos, on Cyprus, was Sergius Paulus, the proconsul (13:6ff.).In Philippi, it was Lydia (16:14ff.). In chapter 17, we learn of a number of Gentiles who were saved through Paul’s preaching in the synagogues of Thessalonica and Berea (17:4, 12). These Gentile "God-seekers" had already come to the point of looking for salvation from a Jewish Messiah, and they also had some knowledge of the Old Testament. These converts would not need as much instruction as raw pagans, and thus they were potential leaders in the churches which were formed as a result of the evangelism of Paul and Barnabas and Silas and others…

To insure that no further violence would occur, a pledge or a bond was secured from Jason. It is possible that it was either implied or clearly stated that Paul would be sent out of town as a part of the agreement. At least this was the immediate result of Jason’s release "on bond." Paul and Silas left by night for Berea. The ministry of these men in Thessalonica was cut short, from a human point of view, thus "forcing" Paul to minister to these saints "by mail" (1 and 2 Thessalonians), so that in the providence of God we could profit from Paul’s teaching and exhortation, even as they did. How often reversals and setbacks, from a human point of view, prove to be advances from a divine and eternal perspective!

Stedman: Among them, Luke is careful to point out, was a group of the leading women of the city. You find that emphasis in several places in this book. The gospel had a particular appeal to women, especially to women of the upper classes who were prominent citizens of these Greek cities. There is a reason for that. These were educated women and were therefore instructed in the philosophies of Greece. But they had found that these Greek philosophies were dead and empty, offering nothing for the heart, nothing for the spirit within. They instructed the mind but did nothing for the soul. And further, they were philosophies full of voluptuous and degrading practices which left these women devastated and filled with self-loathing if they gave in to them. So they had turned from their philosophies to Judaism. But in Judaism they found themselves burdened with difficult and cumbersome regulations which again left them empty. Then the gospel came with the glad good news that, in Jesus Christ, there is neither male nor female, bond nor free, black nor white, nor any other distinction, that all the distinctions men make were broken down, all the middle walls of partition removed. These women responded joyously! They found a liberating, fulfilling, and satisfying glory about the gospel and they responded to the grace of God in Jesus Christ, inviting the Lord Jesus to enter their hearts.

Related posts:

1. Introduction to Acts: Commissioned to Witness — Acts 1:1-5
2. The Coming of the Holy Spirit — Acts 2:1-4
3. Final Preparations — Acts 1:12-26
4. Final Preparations — Part 2 — God’s Choice for Spiritual Leadership — Acts 1:21-26
5. The Coming of the Holy Spirit — Part 3 — The Authentication of Jesus as the Promised Messiah — Acts 2:14-24