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AN EFFECTIVE
F irst T hessalonians 2 contains a majestic description of a successful gospel ministry. In verse 1, Paul de clares, “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain.” Note the words, “not in vain.” This is a double negative. It underscores the positive. Paul is saying, “Our ministry in Thessalonica was a success. It was effective.” What constitutes an effective missionary work, an effective pastoral work, an effective administrative work? What is the secret of success in our enterprise for Christ? , First Thessalonians 2 is a masterpiece, a classic. Here is one of God’s key secrets to an effective ministry. Several clues are given in this chapter. THE MESSAGE The first clue is in verse 2: “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much conten tion.” The first item in any effective ministry — in Thes salonica, in Nigeria, in the islands of the sea, or in Chicago, Illinois — is found in these words. The mes sage is first and foremost. Elsewhere Paul calls it “the gospel of Christ” as in Romans 1:16. Here he calls it “the gospel of God.” The basic item in an effective min istry lies in the message, the Gospel the Good News. There is a great vagueness in the United States as to what precisely constitutes the Gospel of Christ. People are confused. Thank God for the clear proclamation of I Corinthians 15, where the apostle Paul writes, “I declare unto you the gospel . . . how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve” — historical, empirical, actual facts. Messengers come and go, but the message of redemption goes on. Apart from this message, there is absolutely no effec tive ministry. THE METHOD In verse three we have the apostolic method. Notice the words, “our exhortation was not of deceit” •— it was not sly or deceitful. “Nor of uncleanness” — it was pure. “Not in guile” — it was sincere. This has to do with the method of getting the message across. Paul had a supreme message to declare. He had glad
tidings to announce. Note his method. When one heard the apostle Paul preach, he knew exactly what was meant. Paul was not sneaking up on anyone’s blind side. He was not adopting the method sometimes used today — delaying for weeks to mention Jesus’ name in public in the effort first to make friends and influence people. When Paul opened his mouth, it was perfectly clear that here was a man sold on what he was doing. There was not a scintilla of an iota of insincerity in his make-up. The Gospel which he proclaimed was true. It was pure. He used no deceit. This was Paul’s methodol ogy. It is his second clue to an effective ministry. THE MOTIVE The third item is in verse 4: “But as were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth [or testeth] our hearts.” Here is a window opening upon the soul of Paul. The words explain the motive which drove Paul on. Our supreme objective, our chief motivation, must always be to please Almighty God. I may not always be pleasing to men. As a matter of fact, in Thessalonica they threw Paul and Silas out of the city. But, Paul says, his ministry among them was not in vain. It was eminently successful. He was shamefully treated at Philippi; and when he came to Thessalonica, there was trouble, affliction, persecution. Nevertheless, he had a message to proclaim. He had a God-given method and his motive was pure. It behooves us who are Christian workers periodically to examine our motives. Why am I doing this? Am I seeking pri marily to please man, or God? The first question in the Westminster Shorter Cate chism is: “What is the chief end of man?” The answer reflects the teaching of the Scriptures. “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” Paul’s motive was ever to please the living God. But do not misunderstand Paul. He is not even intimating that one must go out of his way to displease men. If as a by-product of our gospel ministry men are pleased, that is splendid. But even if they are displeased, our motive does not change. We get our marching orders from the Almighty. We have a Textbook, the Word of God. TH E KING'S BUSINESS
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