“Never Flatter, Always Glorify”

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

When we strike out in ministry or mission, we never know where it is going to lead. It might turn out to be a wonderful effort, succeeding far beyond our hopes and dreams. On the other hand, it could be a total flop!
Why would one effort on behalf of Christ be a victory, and another fail so miserably? Simply this – if the effort is initiated by the leading of the Holy Spirit, it will flourish – not always in the way we would like it to, but it will. But if it never bears any fruit, it’s usually because it is our desire, our plan, and not the Lord’s. We can have the grandest plan to evangelize, or to build, or to serve, or to witness, but if it isn’t the one that God has laid out for us, it will go nowhere!
The disciples and the early apostles knew this. As we read the gospel accounts of the 12’s early walk with Christ, they failed far more often than they succeeded. Paul’s venture into faith as the persecutor of the early church didn’t fare any better. But as each one discovered the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, they began to listen closer, and walk closer, and their efforts in faith began to not only blossom, but sprout wings!
Paul’s second missionary journey had been a real trial. There had been some notable joys, and a few that weren’t quite so joyful. Philippi hadn’t been all that pleasurable a stop, but they would reach a few folks. (Acts 16:11-40) As an abbreviated summary, He and Silas had to go outside the city to even find some people who would listen, and they only met a few women who showed any interested in their message. The rest of the city turned against them, they were dragged into court, were flogged and imprisoned, and eventually asked to leave the city for good. When they got to Thessalonica, they reached a few Jews and a number of Greeks, and even though they would eventually be thrown out of that city, too, their efforts were a bit more rewarding. (Acts 17:1-9)

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6a

Ministry in the Holy Spirit’s leading isn’t always easy, but it will always bring results. The men had been directed away from some cities, and lead to others. And in it all, they did as the Lord planned, and never what they desired. In all things, “[they spoke] as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.” They weren’t about to preach or teach in a way that would make people feel good. Their mission was to carry the message of Jesus Christ to the Gentile nations, and they did.

They didn’t “fake” the Holy Spirit, they didn’t twist the call on their lives around to suit themselves, they didn’t turn Jesus into a “warm-fuzzy” to make the Gospel message more appealing to the Jews and Greeks, they didn’t invent or dream up spirit dreams so they could justify whatever they felt comfortable in. They trusted God implicitly, and followed him wherever they were lead. Any glory that came of their mission was for the Lord and no one else; they gave none to others and took none for themselves.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:6b-12

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well”. Think about the images that Paul was sharing with the church – a Mother or Father caring and loving their children, encouraging them, comforting them, urging them to live their lives in a way that was worthy of God. Sound like the way that Jesus lived? You’d better believe it! Not reinventing or softening the message, not avoiding the tough places, but loving the people with every word that was spoken, every body that was healed, every heart that was strengthened, every mind that was changed, every life that was saved. Paul and Silas and Timothy found joy, not in the victories that were gained, but simply in the faithful witness that they were able to offer.

Our life in Christ is not about the victories, not about the glory, and it’s especially not about how much others appreciate us and the things we do and say. It’s all about how much we trust God, and whether we walk with him in joy and faith. Victory and glory and thanksgivings for our ministries and missions are not for us to keep – they are for God’s honor.

As we prepare for our healing service today, I want to encourage you to put your thoughts completely in the Lord, just as Paul and Silas and Timothy did. They trusted him, and looked to him for all of the victories.
Can God heal? Absolutely!
Can he change you? Absolutely!
Can he make all things new in you? Without question?
Does he love you implicitly and want only the best for you? Yes, and Yes again!

Come, knowing that he, too, is your source of encouragement, comfort, love, and hope.


(Note: Follow the message, a number of people at each church came forward for anointing and prayers.)