The Gospel and Service
Series: Gospel Life
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 10th August 2025
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13
00:00:00 --> 00:00:08 The Apostle Paul who wrote this letter is regarded as one of the most influential people in the history of humanity.
00:00:09 --> 00:00:13 ! He's often ranked up there in the list that the people make of these things.
00:00:13 --> 00:00:24 He's in the top 50 or 25 or 10 and on some list he's regarded in the top five of the most influential people in human history.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:29 What is remarkable about that is that Paul didn't have political power.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 He didn't have armies at his command.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:38 He wasn't a wealthy man. He had lots of money at his disposal.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:45 He didn't have any position of authority and yet he changed the course of human history.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:52 In fact he was the most significant Christian missionary in the first century.
00:00:52 --> 00:01:05 So how did he become so influential even 2 years later when he had nothing of the trappings of power?
00:01:05 --> 00:01:14 And in fact not just that but the content of the message that he spread as a missionary in the Roman Empire
00:01:14 --> 00:01:20 was entirely unpalatable to both Jew and Gentile.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:25 In other words it wasn't a message that anyone in the first century said,
00:01:25 --> 00:01:30 Oh, that's a good idea. Yes, there's logic there. No one.
00:01:31 --> 00:01:38 Richard Stengel was the managing editor of Time magazine from 2006 to 2013.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:49 And in the introduction of Time magazine's 2007 list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:57 In that moment he actually gives us a clue as to the substantial influence of the Apostle Paul.
00:01:58 --> 00:01:58 He wrote this.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 Influence is hard to measure.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:11 And what we look for is people whose ideas, whose example, whose talent, whose discoveries transform the world we live in.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:21 Influence is less about hard power of force than the soft power of ideas and example.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 Yes, there are presidents and dictators who can change the world through fear.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:29 But we're more interested in innovators.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:43 So what he's saying there is in the 2007 list of most influential people in the world is that power changes people from the outside in.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:45 Conformity, coercion.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:52 But influence through ideas and example changes people from the inside out.
00:02:52 --> 00:03:01 And if you can change someone from the inside out, you get genuine change, not just compliance.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:10 Genuine change happens from the inside out as a person's heart and mind and the driving force of their life is changed.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:22 And we see in today's passage is that the startling endurance and influence of the Apostle Paul is a life of sacrificial service.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:32 And a message that declares that Paul himself and all people have been served by God.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 That's the astounding influence.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:36 So I've got three points today.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:56 And Paul here is defending his ministry amongst the Thessalonian church and giving us an example to follow in how we might follow in his steps and see more and more people influence for the sake of God.
00:03:56 --> 00:04:01 And so three points, love deeply, speak the truth and receive the crown.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:02 That's where we're heading today.
00:04:02 --> 00:04:12 Now the first thing we learn here in Paul's defence to the Thessalonians is that he served them and others by loving them deeply.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 The language is very strong.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:19 Paul's life is bound up to their life.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:29 He was so personally invested in them that when they were persecuted, when they were struggling, when they were hurting, so was he.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:31 So was he.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:37 It's sort of, you know, you put money into a business venture.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:43 When it fails, when the business venture fails, you fail financially.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:47 That is, you're bound to that business venture.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 If it financially loses, you financially lose.
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 If it financially gains, you financially gain.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:57 And Paul does the same here with the lives of these Thessalonians.
00:04:57 --> 00:05:01 His investment to them is absolutely remarkable.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 Chapter 2, verse 17.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:10 Brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time, in person, not in thought.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:16 That his concept here is he was torn.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 He was torn away from them.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 He was bereft of them.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:22 He was orphaned.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 He was ripped away from them in person, but not in thought.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:36 Or quite literally, that I was ripped away from you in person, but my heart was still attached to you.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:48 The image that he's using here is like the death of a loved one.
00:05:50 --> 00:05:57 I lost your presence, but my heart and my life and my emotions is still bound to you.
00:05:57 --> 00:06:01 That's the image here.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 So strong.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 That's the grief he is feeling.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:14 And what he's expressing here is so rare these days when it comes to church.
00:06:14 --> 00:06:27 We don't often even come to church with the longing expectations to see each other because we haven't done so in the last seven days.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:41 It is possible, in fact, to have enduring connections with another person over a very long period of time,
00:06:41 --> 00:06:47 but still have a barrier between your heart and theirs.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:57 Too often our joy is not bound up in their joy, nor our pain in their pain.
00:06:57 --> 00:07:08 It's much easier, I think, in today's day and age to, in fact, provide a meal than it is to give a heart.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:16 To provide our hearts to bind our time for those who are suffering and afflicted.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:20 Paul then adds,
00:07:20 --> 00:07:25 Out of our intense longing, we made every effort to see you.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:32 The statement there, our intense longing, literally means in the New Testament an over-desire.
00:07:34 --> 00:07:39 It's normally translated in a variety of ways in the New Testament.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:47 But the concept of an over-desire is the idea of an idolatry in the heart.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:56 But the intense desire here expresses a very strong passion.
00:07:57 --> 00:08:04 And virtually everywhere in the New Testament, this word, this statement is used negatively.
00:08:06 --> 00:08:11 Only here and a couple of other places is it ever used positively.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:14 And it's the word translated lust.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 Lust.
00:08:17 --> 00:08:25 He is so bound to these Christians that he is lusting after their personal presence.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:29 There's more in verses 19 and 20.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:33 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown?
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 Is it not you?
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:45 If their hope and joy is inhibited, so is his.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 There's even more in chapter 3, verse 8.
00:08:49 --> 00:08:55 You see, you read in chapter 3, verses 1 to 6, that Paul sent Timothy back to find out how they're getting on in the faith.
00:08:55 --> 00:09:00 Since Paul and his team had to leave Thessalonica under persecution.
00:09:00 --> 00:09:06 And Timothy comes back with a report that is so encouraging that Paul writes in verse 8,
00:09:06 --> 00:09:13 For now we really live since you are standing firm in the Lord.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:19 It was like a death thinking that you had died in the faith.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 And now we really live.
00:09:22 --> 00:09:28 When Paul thought it was all going wrong for them, and he thought they were turning away from Jesus,
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 he was like he was dying inside.
00:09:31 --> 00:09:37 And the news from Timothy about their progress in the faith means that he really lives.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:41 This good report has revived him.
00:09:41 --> 00:09:53 What we are seeing here is just how closely Paul has bound himself to his fellow believers,
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 brothers and sisters in Christ.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 He loved them deeply.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:08 Now we exist in a time and a culture where everything is telling us to hold ourselves back.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:15 The safest option for you in life is to not love anyone.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 You don't want your heart broken, don't love anyone as C.S. Lewis said.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 Hold ourselves back.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 Protect your hearts.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 Don't give yourself away.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:31 And so we don't invest in others unless there is some level of personal benefit out of it.
00:10:31 --> 00:10:37 And there's most likely a raft of reasons for it in Western culture.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:44 We are encouraged again and again and again to pursue your self-actualisation.
00:10:45 --> 00:10:49 It's about you achieving who you are, regardless of people.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:54 It could be that there's past hurts from broken relationships.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:58 Things like divorce do untold damage to our hearts.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 Not just those who are being divorced, but everyone around them.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:06 It means it's difficult to trust and invest in others.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:10 The death of a loved one caused the heart not to want to hurt again.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 It becomes so fragile to hurt again.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:20 Cancer culture makes us fearful of getting too close and revealing our heart too much.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:25 Our mobile society of people moving regularly.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:32 Even if they don't move house, moving jobs, moving churches,
00:11:32 --> 00:11:37 has taught us that people aren't going to be in my life for too long.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:40 So don't invest too much.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:50 There are so many reasons why we have developed Teflon in our hearts.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:56 And so when we get too close to someone else, they just slip off.
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 Don't get too close.
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 Don't get too close.
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 Don't invest too much.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:03 And it's self-preservation is the reason.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:11 So many reasons why we should push against the trends of individualism
00:12:11 --> 00:12:16 and transactional relationships and shallow interactions and isolationism.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:21 One of the main reasons is because you need it.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 Personally, we all need it.
00:12:24 --> 00:12:28 That is, none of us will see any change in our lives at all
00:12:28 --> 00:12:31 if we keep beating people at arm's length.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:34 We need them as much as they need us.
00:12:36 --> 00:12:40 No one changes, me or you, without others.
00:12:42 --> 00:12:46 And unless we invest in others by giving self away to them
00:12:46 --> 00:12:50 and loving them like Paul does, we ourselves will never change.
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 That's the first thing, love deeply.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:56 That's the remarkable impact of Paul's influence
00:12:56 --> 00:13:00 was his example in loving others sacrificially.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:05 But giving himself to the Thessalonians were not the only aspects of his service
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 and remarkable influence.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:10 He gave away his heart, but he also spoke the truth.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 And this one, I think, when you put these two together,
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 it's very interesting.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 It's rare, so rare.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 Paul is clearly emotionally connected to them.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:22 He's given his heart to them.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:26 He wasn't disconnected from them relationally.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:31 He wasn't just an academic or someone with their ideas.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 He had example in his life.
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 But that in itself is not enough.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:41 Sacrificial love for someone in itself is not enough.
00:13:41 --> 00:13:46 And it does not explain in itself the remarkable influence of his life.
00:13:46 --> 00:13:55 If that was it, you could conclude that Paul was emotionally reliant upon them.
00:13:55 --> 00:14:02 That is, the reason he so gave himself to other people
00:14:02 --> 00:14:06 was because his ego was so fragile,
00:14:06 --> 00:14:09 he needed their affirmation and love back.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:18 We see here that Paul gives them his heart and his life,
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 and he speaks the truth.
00:14:20 --> 00:14:24 Someone with a fragile ego does not do that.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 That's how he served them.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:30 And it's the secret of his great influence.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 Have a look at verse 10, chapter 3.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:36 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again
00:14:36 --> 00:14:39 and supply what is lacking in your faith.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:44 New Testament scholar Leon Morris says the statement,
00:14:44 --> 00:14:50 what is lacking, means quite literally deficiency, shortcomings.
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 He wrote,
00:14:52 --> 00:14:57 in spite of his great enthusiasm for the spiritual achievement of these converts,
00:14:57 --> 00:15:01 Paul recognises that they come short of what they should be.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 Paul's saying here in this letter,
00:15:06 --> 00:15:10 my heart burns, it burns to see you again
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 so that I can address your shortcomings.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 How would you receive a letter like that?
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 We're longing to see you, Steve,
00:15:18 --> 00:15:21 so that I can point out where you're wrong.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 Delete.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 That's the instinct of the heart, is it not?
00:15:34 --> 00:15:37 Paul hasn't loved them in the hope that they're going to love him back.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:41 He hasn't sacrificed for them
00:15:41 --> 00:15:45 so that they could puff up his ego and make him feel important.
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 He is giving of himself,
00:15:48 --> 00:15:52 is not hiding something of a deeper motive for their approval and affirmation.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:57 He isn't afraid to bring feedback.
00:15:57 --> 00:16:02 He isn't afraid to bring truth.
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 He isn't afraid to tell them,
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 you need to take your next steps,
00:16:08 --> 00:16:12 to live what it is that you believe.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 Crucially though,
00:16:14 --> 00:16:17 it's not just his opinion.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 It's not just his truth.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 He's just not someone here who,
00:16:22 --> 00:16:22 you know,
00:16:22 --> 00:16:25 I'm loving you and you're not responding the way I want you to,
00:16:25 --> 00:16:25 so let me just,
00:16:25 --> 00:16:29 let me just shed some light for you.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 He's not trying to attack them.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 He's not trying to tear them down.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 He's not trying,
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 it's not revenge.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 It's not payback.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 Back in chapter two,
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 verse 13,
00:16:43 --> 00:16:47 he is thankful because the Thessalonians received the word of God,
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 which you heard from us.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:52 You accepted it not as a human word,
00:16:53 --> 00:16:56 but as it actually is the word of God,
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 which is indeed at work in you who believe.
00:17:00 --> 00:17:05 He wants to come to bring God's word to bear on their life,
00:17:05 --> 00:17:07 that they might progress in the faith.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 That's his service,
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 not just in serving and loving them,
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 with his life,
00:17:15 --> 00:17:17 but with the gospel,
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 the word of God.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:26 The late theologian J.R. Packer wrote that preaching is the event of God
00:17:26 --> 00:17:29 bringing to an audience or a congregation,
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 a Bible-based,
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 Christ-related,
00:17:33 --> 00:17:38 life-impacting message of instruction from himself
00:17:38 --> 00:17:40 through the words of a spokesperson.
00:17:43 --> 00:17:50 What he unpacked there was the preacher doesn't bring a message about God.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:54 God brings a message to the people through the preacher.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 That's what he's saying.
00:17:58 --> 00:18:02 Every time the church gathers under God's word,
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 in corporate worship,
00:18:03 --> 00:18:08 every time you meet together as a community group,
00:18:08 --> 00:18:14 you are experiencing a word mediator encounter
00:18:14 --> 00:18:18 between your soul and the living God
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 as the scriptures are open.
00:18:19 --> 00:18:25 And the whole purpose of it is life-impacting instruction.
00:18:28 --> 00:18:32 Transformation is the word that Packer would use.
00:18:32 --> 00:18:37 Paul gave his life to them
00:18:37 --> 00:18:40 and spoke the truth of God's word to them
00:18:40 --> 00:18:46 for their progress in holiness and joy in Christ.
00:18:46 --> 00:18:49 That is his remarkable service.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 Not just an example,
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 but a message.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:57 He wasn't seeking the transfer of information.
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 The goal was transformation,
00:19:00 --> 00:19:03 bringing God's word to bear for progress.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:07 I remember sitting on the bank of the Namoi River,
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 fishing one afternoon
00:19:10 --> 00:19:13 with the pastor of the church in Narrabri
00:19:13 --> 00:19:17 as I was a very young trainee under him,
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 talking loads of questions.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 And he said to me,
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 Steve,
00:19:22 --> 00:19:25 as a pastor,
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 if this is what you're going to do
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 for the rest of your life,
00:19:28 --> 00:19:30 you really have one job.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 And that is to bring God's word to bear
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 in the life of the people who are there.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 And you do that,
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 not just through teaching,
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 but through a life that's living it.
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 I think that's what Paul's saying here to the Thessalonians.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 Paul is modelling,
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 I think,
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 a very rare balance
00:19:49 --> 00:19:52 in terms of personality.
00:19:52 --> 00:19:54 Some of us like the first bit
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 about Paul loving people.
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 You know,
00:19:55 --> 00:19:58 we have a natural disposition
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 towards kindness
00:19:59 --> 00:20:01 and gentleness
00:20:01 --> 00:20:01 and love
00:20:01 --> 00:20:03 and compassion for people.
00:20:03 --> 00:20:05 It's who we are.
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 And normally,
00:20:09 --> 00:20:11 in that scenario,
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 those who have such a deep compassion
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 and forgiveness
00:20:14 --> 00:20:17 find it hard to bring God's word to bear.
00:20:17 --> 00:20:19 Find it hard to speak truth.
00:20:20 --> 00:20:22 I find it hard to see someone
00:20:22 --> 00:20:24 make actual progress.
00:20:24 --> 00:20:29 You might be able to see error.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 You might be able to see patterns of behaviour,
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 bad behaviour,
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 and say nothing.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:37 It's just more loving to have compassion on the person
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 than to speak truth.
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 That is,
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 some of us are quick to compassion,
00:20:42 --> 00:20:44 but slow to assessment
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 and seeking,
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 bringing God's word to bear for progress.
00:20:47 --> 00:20:50 others have a natural disposition
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 towards logic and facts
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 and arguments
00:20:52 --> 00:20:54 and truth and theology,
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 much slower towards compassion.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 You need to know something.
00:20:59 --> 00:21:01 There's something I need to tell you.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 Quick on assessment,
00:21:03 --> 00:21:05 but slow on compassion.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 As I said at the beginning of this year,
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 King of Our Vision series,
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 that's my natural bent.
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 That's who I am.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 God's working on me,
00:21:14 --> 00:21:16 but it's my natural bent.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 All of us are like,
00:21:20 --> 00:21:22 I forget who used this illustration,
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 we're all like the drunk peasant.
00:21:24 --> 00:21:26 We fall off one side of the donkey or the other.
00:21:26 --> 00:21:28 None of us can stay up straight
00:21:28 --> 00:21:31 on one way or another.
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 Whatever your natural bent is,
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 you need to be pushed in the other direction.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:38 Love without truth
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 and truth without love
00:21:39 --> 00:21:41 are both distortions.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 And neither of them
00:21:43 --> 00:21:46 brings about the change in life,
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 in our life or the life of others,
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 that the Apostle Paul had
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 on the Thessalonian church
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 and on human history.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 One of the greatest examples
00:21:55 --> 00:21:57 of someone who was closer
00:21:57 --> 00:22:00 to staying up straight on the donkey
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 was,
00:22:03 --> 00:22:05 and therefore a challenge for me personally,
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 the famous English pastor,
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 John Newton of Amazing Grace,
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 him fame.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 He was a,
00:22:12 --> 00:22:14 if you read his life,
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 he was a,
00:22:15 --> 00:22:17 he was formerly a slave trader
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 and in fact,
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 a very cruel slave trader
00:22:21 --> 00:22:24 who mistreated people brutally,
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 so badly.
00:22:27 --> 00:22:29 And then he met Jesus.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:33 And as a pastor,
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 people who,
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 not just his friends,
00:22:37 --> 00:22:39 but people who disagree with him theologically
00:22:39 --> 00:22:41 or thought he was weak personally,
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 they,
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 as a pastor,
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 he was described as someone
00:22:46 --> 00:22:50 who had a theological backbone of steel,
00:22:50 --> 00:22:54 so fixed on speaking truth,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:59 but a heart of tenderness,
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 like clover,
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 described by one biographer
00:23:04 --> 00:23:06 as a mighty,
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 you know,
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 the massive trees in California,
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 redwood,
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 massive redwood
00:23:12 --> 00:23:15 of theological truth and conviction,
00:23:15 --> 00:23:19 and yet like a field of clover
00:23:19 --> 00:23:23 with a heart towards his pastor,
00:23:23 --> 00:23:23 towards his people.
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 He did not string back
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 from proclaiming the truth
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 of God's word to correct,
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 but it came from a heart
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 and a life
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 and actions of compassion.
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 I want to be more like him.
00:23:37 --> 00:23:39 I want us as a church family
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 to be more like that,
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 to be known for that.
00:23:41 --> 00:23:44 Church that gives itself in love
00:23:44 --> 00:23:44 for all,
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 the joy of all people
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 while speaking the truth
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 of the gospel
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 and not shrinking back
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 from that at all.
00:23:50 --> 00:23:52 That brings me to the last point.
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 Why would we want to do that?
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 We actually sung it
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 in one of our songs,
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 I saw it there
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 right at the beginning,
00:23:58 --> 00:24:01 about the world needs to know.
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 What is it?
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 Why would we want to
00:24:04 --> 00:24:06 pursue such a life?
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 This is the fight.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:10 What Paul had here
00:24:10 --> 00:24:12 was he actually had a vision
00:24:12 --> 00:24:15 for everyone's life,
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 for all relationships,
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 for all people.
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 He had a particular vision
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 for their life.
00:24:20 --> 00:24:22 Chapter 2, verses 19 and 24.
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 What is our hope,
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 our joy,
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 or the crown
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 in which we will glory
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 in the presence
00:24:27 --> 00:24:29 of our Lord Jesus Christ
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 when he comes?
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 Is it not you?
00:24:33 --> 00:24:35 Indeed, you are our glory
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 and our joy.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 When he writes,
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 you are our glory and joy,
00:24:38 --> 00:24:41 he means that
00:24:41 --> 00:24:44 the life that you are living,
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 Thessalonians,
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 are doing us credit.
00:24:48 --> 00:24:51 You're imitating the gospel.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:54 It means that they were clearly
00:24:54 --> 00:24:57 a product not just of his life,
00:24:57 --> 00:24:59 but also his message.
00:24:59 --> 00:25:03 And it validated his service of them.
00:25:05 --> 00:25:07 As I said last week,
00:25:08 --> 00:25:11 we know that Paul is defending
00:25:11 --> 00:25:14 his pastoral ministry
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 amongst the Thessalonians,
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 and he's setting an example
00:25:16 --> 00:25:20 really for pastors in this,
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 but not just that.
00:25:22 --> 00:25:25 We know it's crucial
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 that the life
00:25:26 --> 00:25:28 of the pastor
00:25:28 --> 00:25:31 matches the message
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 that they preach,
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 that they're in sync.
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 Belief and behavior must align.
00:25:37 --> 00:25:39 But it's also
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 not just for the pastors.
00:25:40 --> 00:25:42 He's writing to the Thessalonians church
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 that your belief
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 and your behaviors
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 are aligned.
00:25:45 --> 00:25:48 So I want to ask you,
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 have you ever thought about that?
00:25:51 --> 00:25:53 Have you ever thought
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 about how
00:25:54 --> 00:25:56 you reflect the gospel
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 that is preached here
00:25:57 --> 00:25:59 week in and week out
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 in this church?
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 When someone
00:26:03 --> 00:26:05 not known to us
00:26:05 --> 00:26:07 walks in amongst us,
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 is there sometimes,
00:26:09 --> 00:26:11 and I do this myself,
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 I sometimes go,
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 I hope it's a good day.
00:26:15 --> 00:26:18 Nothing goes wrong.
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 I hope the preacher,
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 normally me,
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 makes sense.
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 I hope the music's good.
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 I hope the video works
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 this week.
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 The slides appear
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 when they're made.
00:26:33 --> 00:26:35 I hope it works well.
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 And the idea is,
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 behind all that,
00:26:39 --> 00:26:41 that somehow that might be
00:26:41 --> 00:26:43 an influence on those people.
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 Do you ever think
00:26:44 --> 00:26:46 that maybe people
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 aren't just looking at me
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 and what happens
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 on the platform,
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 that they're actually
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 looking around at you too,
00:26:53 --> 00:26:55 assessing you as well?
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 Do these people's lives
00:26:58 --> 00:27:00 reflect the priority
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 of the gospel message
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 that's currently being preached?
00:27:02 --> 00:27:08 Do their hearts appear
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 to be lifted to this message?
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 That's what Paul's
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 actually saying here
00:27:13 --> 00:27:15 in verses 19 and 20.
00:27:15 --> 00:27:17 There is a sense
00:27:17 --> 00:27:19 where a church,
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 a congregation,
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 is the minister's glory
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 and joy.
00:27:23 --> 00:27:26 And why should anyone
00:27:26 --> 00:27:28 listen to
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 and honour the gospel
00:27:29 --> 00:27:31 if the Christian community
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 does not reflect it
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 in any way?
00:27:33 --> 00:27:35 Why would I believe that
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 when it doesn't seem
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 to impact here?
00:27:39 --> 00:27:41 And he's saying something
00:27:41 --> 00:27:43 even more than that.
00:27:43 --> 00:27:47 He's saying that he
00:27:47 --> 00:27:49 and his team
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 live
00:27:50 --> 00:27:53 because the Thessalonians
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 stand firm
00:27:53 --> 00:27:55 in the Lord.
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 Remarkable.
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 Absolutely remarkable.
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 Paul gives them his life
00:28:02 --> 00:28:04 and God's word
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 for their progress
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 in the faith.
00:28:06 --> 00:28:10 He is so bound up
00:28:10 --> 00:28:10 in their life
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 that if they're not
00:28:11 --> 00:28:13 progressing in their faith,
00:28:13 --> 00:28:15 he himself is dying.
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 So discouraged.
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 There is,
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 I can tell you this
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 because I've done it
00:28:22 --> 00:28:22 for three decades.
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 There is nothing
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 more discouraging
00:28:25 --> 00:28:28 to a minister of the word.
00:28:28 --> 00:28:30 Nothing more draining
00:28:30 --> 00:28:32 than to preach
00:28:32 --> 00:28:34 your heart out
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 week after week,
00:28:35 --> 00:28:37 year after year
00:28:37 --> 00:28:39 and see no change.
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 See no change.
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 I've been there.
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 I'm not there at the moment.
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 I want you to know
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 I'm not there
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 although I do have
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 fleeting moments.
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 Generally don't talk to me
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 until midday
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 Monday morning.
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 Please do though
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 if there is an emergency.
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 I'd be more than happy to.
00:29:00 --> 00:29:02 But as a general rule,
00:29:02 --> 00:29:04 there's a slump
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 on a Monday.
00:29:04 --> 00:29:06 It's an all minister thing.
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 But I read during the week
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 a sermon
00:29:09 --> 00:29:11 that Charles Spurgeon
00:29:11 --> 00:29:13 once preached
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 on this passage.
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 And specifically
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 just on verse 8
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 of chapter 3.
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 For now we really live
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 since you are standing firm
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 in the Lord.
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 And he said this
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 to his church
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 in that sermon.
00:29:27 --> 00:29:30 I live by your spiritual joy.
00:29:30 --> 00:29:32 I suffocate
00:29:32 --> 00:29:34 under your spiritual indifference.
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 I choke to death
00:29:36 --> 00:29:38 on your spiritual misery.
00:29:38 --> 00:29:40 I am tied to you.
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 I can't help it.
00:29:41 --> 00:29:50 That is why Paul
00:29:50 --> 00:29:52 calls the Thessalonians
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 his joy
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 and glory.
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 His service of them,
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 his vision
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 for them
00:29:58 --> 00:30:00 to not just start
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 as Christians
00:30:01 --> 00:30:03 but to make progress
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 in the faith
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 in such a way
00:30:05 --> 00:30:07 that they
00:30:07 --> 00:30:09 cross the finish line.
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 It's there
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 at the end of verse 19.
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 We will glory
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 in the presence
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 of our Lord Jesus
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 when he comes.
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 Paul there
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 is referring
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 to the future
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 when Jesus Christ
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 comes back,
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 breaks into human history
00:30:24 --> 00:30:26 at the end of time
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 as we know it,
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 winds up things
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 as we know it.
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 Paul's vision
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 for the Thessalonians
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 is that they
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 would be his crown
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 on that day.
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 And he says
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 the same thing
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 at the end of chapter 3.
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 May he strengthen
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 your hearts
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 so that you
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 will be blameless
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 and holy
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 in the presence
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 of our God
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 and Father
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 when our Lord
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 Jesus Christ
00:30:46 --> 00:30:48 comes with all
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 his holy ones.
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 Notice the word
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 blameless there.
00:30:52 --> 00:30:52 That's his goal
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 for the Thessalonian church.
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 Blameless and holy
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 in the presence
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 of God.
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 And he uses
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 the same word
00:30:59 --> 00:31:01 in Ephesians
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 chapter 5
00:31:02 --> 00:31:05 when he writes
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 to husbands,
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 husbands love
00:31:07 --> 00:31:07 your wives
00:31:07 --> 00:31:10 just as Christ
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 loved the church
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 and gave himself
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 up for her
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 to make her holy
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 to present her
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 to himself
00:31:16 --> 00:31:18 as a radiant church
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 holy
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 and blameless.
00:31:20 --> 00:31:25 so this passage
00:31:25 --> 00:31:27 is not just about
00:31:27 --> 00:31:29 you know
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 ministers be like me
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 pastors
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 do what I do
00:31:32 --> 00:31:34 it's actually
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 about relationships
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 within the church
00:31:36 --> 00:31:38 it's about every relationship
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 and it is
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 absolutely remarkable
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 that what Paul
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 does here
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 in using the word
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 blameless
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 he actually
00:31:44 --> 00:31:45 connects
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 the goal
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 of
00:31:47 --> 00:31:50 our relationship
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 as a church
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 family
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 with the goal
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 of Christian marriage
00:31:53 --> 00:31:55 and that is
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 to present
00:31:56 --> 00:31:56 each other
00:31:56 --> 00:31:58 perfect in Christ
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 blameless
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 in Christ
00:31:59 --> 00:32:03 has the same purpose
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 the same commitment
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 the same goal
00:32:05 --> 00:32:08 the final glory
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 of each other
00:32:09 --> 00:32:11 not my final glory
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 but the final glory
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 of each other
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 in the presence
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 of God
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 and so why
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 would Paul do that
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 why would he
00:32:18 --> 00:32:20 serve the Thessalonians
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 why would he
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 give himself away
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 why would he risk
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 them being ticked
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 off with him
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 because he speaks
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 the truth of God's
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 word to them
00:32:27 --> 00:32:28 as he has
00:32:28 --> 00:32:29 suffered
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 persecution
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 throughout
00:32:31 --> 00:32:33 the Roman Empire
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 already because
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 of this gospel
00:32:35 --> 00:32:38 his life
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 of service
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 in love
00:32:40 --> 00:32:41 and truth
00:32:41 --> 00:32:41 was not
00:32:41 --> 00:32:42 a principle
00:32:42 --> 00:32:44 it was not
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 an ideal
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 he wasn't
00:32:46 --> 00:32:47 brought up
00:32:47 --> 00:32:48 by his parents
00:32:48 --> 00:32:48 saying
00:32:48 --> 00:32:49 Paul
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 when you grow up
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 be a person
00:32:50 --> 00:32:51 of service
00:32:51 --> 00:32:52 of others
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 it's not like
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 it was a value
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 that was instilled
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 to him
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 it was not
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 his natural
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 disposition
00:32:59 --> 00:33:01 he was a lecturer
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 !
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 a lawyer
00:33:01 --> 00:33:03 a legalist
00:33:03 --> 00:33:04 he persecuted
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 Christians
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 he was brutal
00:33:06 --> 00:33:10 he did not
00:33:10 --> 00:33:10 have a victim
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 mentality
00:33:11 --> 00:33:16 what drove him
00:33:16 --> 00:33:18 the gospel
00:33:18 --> 00:33:19 message
00:33:19 --> 00:33:19 that he spread
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 throughout
00:33:20 --> 00:33:24 the Roman Empire
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 it's about
00:33:25 --> 00:33:25 what Jesus
00:33:25 --> 00:33:26 has already
00:33:26 --> 00:33:27 done for him
00:33:27 --> 00:33:29 at the beginning
00:33:29 --> 00:33:30 of chapter 3
00:33:30 --> 00:33:31 Paul talks
00:33:31 --> 00:33:32 about his loss
00:33:32 --> 00:33:33 his pain
00:33:33 --> 00:33:34 the great
00:33:34 --> 00:33:36 risk he took
00:33:36 --> 00:33:38 as he sent
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 Timothy
00:33:39 --> 00:33:39 back to
00:33:39 --> 00:33:41 the Thessalonians
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 to
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 as he says
00:33:43 --> 00:33:44 to strengthen
00:33:44 --> 00:33:45 and encourage
00:33:45 --> 00:33:46 them in their
00:33:46 --> 00:33:46 faith
00:33:46 --> 00:33:48 in the hope
00:33:48 --> 00:33:49 that it would
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 not be a
00:33:50 --> 00:33:50 vanity
00:33:50 --> 00:33:53 that their
00:33:53 --> 00:33:53 faith in
00:33:53 --> 00:33:54 Jesus would
00:33:54 --> 00:33:54 not be a
00:33:54 --> 00:33:54 vanity
00:33:54 --> 00:33:57 Paul
00:33:57 --> 00:33:58 Paul talks
00:33:58 --> 00:33:58 about the
00:33:58 --> 00:33:59 great loss
00:33:59 --> 00:34:00 of sending
00:34:00 --> 00:34:00 Timothy
00:34:00 --> 00:34:02 so dear
00:34:02 --> 00:34:03 to him
00:34:03 --> 00:34:03 so loved
00:34:03 --> 00:34:04 to him
00:34:04 --> 00:34:05 and in
00:34:05 --> 00:34:06 1 Timothy
00:34:06 --> 00:34:06 chapter 1
00:34:06 --> 00:34:07 verse 2
00:34:07 --> 00:34:08 he calls
00:34:08 --> 00:34:08 him my
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 true son
00:34:09 --> 00:34:09 in the
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 faith
00:34:10 --> 00:34:12 and he
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 sent
00:34:13 --> 00:34:13 Timothy
00:34:13 --> 00:34:13 away
00:34:13 --> 00:34:16 his love
00:34:16 --> 00:34:16 for the
00:34:16 --> 00:34:17 Thessalonians
00:34:17 --> 00:34:19 sent him
00:34:19 --> 00:34:19 away
00:34:19 --> 00:34:21 sent Timothy
00:34:21 --> 00:34:21 his son
00:34:21 --> 00:34:21 away
00:34:21 --> 00:34:23 and in
00:34:23 --> 00:34:23 doing that
00:34:23 --> 00:34:24 he's reflecting
00:34:24 --> 00:34:24 the gospel
00:34:24 --> 00:34:25 that saved
00:34:25 --> 00:34:25 him
00:34:25 --> 00:34:27 for God
00:34:27 --> 00:34:28 so loved
00:34:28 --> 00:34:28 the world
00:34:28 --> 00:34:29 that he
00:34:29 --> 00:34:30 gave his
00:34:30 --> 00:34:31 one and
00:34:31 --> 00:34:32 only son
00:34:32 --> 00:34:34 that whoever
00:34:34 --> 00:34:35 believes in
00:34:35 --> 00:34:36 him should
00:34:36 --> 00:34:36 not perish
00:34:36 --> 00:34:37 but have
00:34:37 --> 00:34:38 eternal life
00:34:38 --> 00:34:40 it's the
00:34:40 --> 00:34:40 sending of
00:34:40 --> 00:34:41 the son of
00:34:41 --> 00:34:41 God
00:34:41 --> 00:34:43 Jesus Christ
00:34:43 --> 00:34:43 as a
00:34:43 --> 00:34:44 sacrifice
00:34:44 --> 00:34:44 for the
00:34:44 --> 00:34:44 sin of
00:34:44 --> 00:34:45 all humanity
00:34:45 --> 00:34:46 that changed
00:34:46 --> 00:34:47 absolutely
00:34:47 --> 00:34:47 everything
00:34:47 --> 00:34:48 for Paul
00:34:48 --> 00:34:51 Jesus
00:34:51 --> 00:34:51 Christ
00:34:51 --> 00:34:53 according to
00:34:53 --> 00:34:54 Hebrews
00:34:54 --> 00:34:54 chapter 12
00:34:54 --> 00:34:55 is the
00:34:55 --> 00:34:55 author and
00:34:55 --> 00:34:56 the perfecter
00:34:56 --> 00:34:56 of our
00:34:56 --> 00:34:57 faith
00:34:57 --> 00:34:58 Jesus
00:34:58 --> 00:34:58 has lived
00:34:58 --> 00:34:59 the life
00:34:59 --> 00:34:59 of trust
00:34:59 --> 00:35:00 in his
00:35:00 --> 00:35:00 father
00:35:00 --> 00:35:01 that we
00:35:01 --> 00:35:01 should have
00:35:01 --> 00:35:01 lived
00:35:01 --> 00:35:02 and he
00:35:02 --> 00:35:02 died the
00:35:02 --> 00:35:02 death
00:35:02 --> 00:35:03 that we
00:35:03 --> 00:35:03 should have
00:35:03 --> 00:35:03 died
00:35:03 --> 00:35:04 because we
00:35:04 --> 00:35:04 have failed
00:35:04 --> 00:35:04 to do
00:35:04 --> 00:35:05 that
00:35:05 --> 00:35:06 and as
00:35:06 --> 00:35:07 Jesus
00:35:07 --> 00:35:08 was crucified
00:35:08 --> 00:35:08 on the
00:35:08 --> 00:35:09 cross
00:35:09 --> 00:35:10 his enemies
00:35:10 --> 00:35:11 mocked
00:35:11 --> 00:35:11 him
00:35:11 --> 00:35:13 they mocked
00:35:13 --> 00:35:14 him
00:35:14 --> 00:35:15 for his
00:35:15 --> 00:35:16 claim
00:35:16 --> 00:35:17 to be
00:35:17 --> 00:35:17 the king
00:35:17 --> 00:35:18 of all
00:35:18 --> 00:35:19 kings
00:35:19 --> 00:35:21 and so
00:35:21 --> 00:35:21 they
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 wound
00:35:22 --> 00:35:22 together
00:35:22 --> 00:35:24 a crown
00:35:24 --> 00:35:25 of thorns
00:35:25 --> 00:35:27 and stuck
00:35:27 --> 00:35:27 it on his
00:35:27 --> 00:35:28 head
00:35:28 --> 00:35:30 there's your
00:35:30 --> 00:35:30 crown
00:35:30 --> 00:35:34 the king
00:35:34 --> 00:35:34 of the
00:35:34 --> 00:35:35 universe
00:35:35 --> 00:35:36 the one
00:35:36 --> 00:35:36 who owns
00:35:36 --> 00:35:37 absolutely
00:35:37 --> 00:35:38 everything
00:35:38 --> 00:35:39 the one
00:35:39 --> 00:35:39 who flung
00:35:39 --> 00:35:41 stars into
00:35:41 --> 00:35:41 space
00:35:41 --> 00:35:41 and put
00:35:41 --> 00:35:42 the planets
00:35:42 --> 00:35:43 in their
00:35:43 --> 00:35:44 orbit
00:35:44 --> 00:35:44 the one
00:35:44 --> 00:35:45 worthy
00:35:45 --> 00:35:45 of all
00:35:45 --> 00:35:46 praise
00:35:46 --> 00:35:46 of all
00:35:46 --> 00:35:47 honour
00:35:47 --> 00:35:47 of all
00:35:47 --> 00:35:48 glory
00:35:48 --> 00:35:48 the one
00:35:48 --> 00:35:49 who already
00:35:49 --> 00:35:50 had
00:35:50 --> 00:35:51 the ultimate
00:35:51 --> 00:35:53 crown
00:35:53 --> 00:35:54 the greatest
00:35:54 --> 00:35:55 crown
00:35:55 --> 00:35:56 surrendered
00:35:56 --> 00:35:57 his hands
00:35:57 --> 00:35:57 and his feet
00:35:57 --> 00:35:58 to nails
00:35:58 --> 00:35:59 on a cross
00:35:59 --> 00:35:59 he lay
00:35:59 --> 00:36:00 aside
00:36:00 --> 00:36:01 his power
00:36:01 --> 00:36:02 he lay
00:36:02 --> 00:36:02 aside
00:36:02 --> 00:36:03 his glory
00:36:03 --> 00:36:04 he lay
00:36:04 --> 00:36:05 aside
00:36:05 --> 00:36:06 his crown
00:36:06 --> 00:36:07 why
00:36:07 --> 00:36:10 Hebrews 12
00:36:10 --> 00:36:11 for the joy
00:36:11 --> 00:36:12 that was set
00:36:12 --> 00:36:12 before him
00:36:12 --> 00:36:15 and the joy
00:36:15 --> 00:36:16 that was set
00:36:16 --> 00:36:17 before him
00:36:17 --> 00:36:18 the vision
00:36:18 --> 00:36:19 that was
00:36:19 --> 00:36:19 before him
00:36:19 --> 00:36:20 the goal
00:36:20 --> 00:36:21 that was
00:36:21 --> 00:36:21 before him
00:36:21 --> 00:36:22 the aim
00:36:22 --> 00:36:23 of his life
00:36:23 --> 00:36:24 of his death
00:36:24 --> 00:36:24 that was
00:36:24 --> 00:36:25 before him
00:36:25 --> 00:36:26 was to bring
00:36:26 --> 00:36:27 us back
00:36:27 --> 00:36:28 to God
00:36:28 --> 00:36:29 holy and
00:36:29 --> 00:36:30 blameless
00:36:30 --> 00:36:32 that was the
00:36:32 --> 00:36:32 goal
00:36:32 --> 00:36:32 that was his
00:36:32 --> 00:36:33 vision
00:36:33 --> 00:36:34 that was his
00:36:34 --> 00:36:34 joy
00:36:34 --> 00:36:36 he gave
00:36:36 --> 00:36:37 away his
00:36:37 --> 00:36:38 life with
00:36:38 --> 00:36:38 joy
00:36:38 --> 00:36:40 so that we
00:36:40 --> 00:36:40 might receive
00:36:40 --> 00:36:41 forgiveness
00:36:41 --> 00:36:43 his
00:36:43 --> 00:36:43 approval
00:36:43 --> 00:36:45 the presence
00:36:45 --> 00:36:45 of the
00:36:45 --> 00:36:46 holy spirit
00:36:46 --> 00:36:47 eternal
00:36:47 --> 00:36:47 life
00:36:47 --> 00:36:48 and that
00:36:48 --> 00:36:49 we might
00:36:49 --> 00:36:50 receive
00:36:50 --> 00:36:51 the crown
00:36:51 --> 00:36:52 that will
00:36:52 --> 00:36:53 never perish
00:36:53 --> 00:36:53 spoil
00:36:53 --> 00:36:54 fate
00:36:54 --> 00:36:56 he lay
00:36:56 --> 00:36:56 aside his
00:36:56 --> 00:36:57 crown
00:36:57 --> 00:36:58 that we
00:36:58 --> 00:36:58 might have
00:36:58 --> 00:36:59 his
00:36:59 --> 00:37:03 see jesus
00:37:03 --> 00:37:03 had a vision
00:37:03 --> 00:37:04 for what paul
00:37:04 --> 00:37:05 could be at the
00:37:05 --> 00:37:06 throne of god
00:37:06 --> 00:37:08 and that
00:37:08 --> 00:37:08 broke into
00:37:08 --> 00:37:09 the heart
00:37:09 --> 00:37:09 of paul
00:37:09 --> 00:37:10 and entirely
00:37:10 --> 00:37:11 changed his
00:37:11 --> 00:37:11 life
00:37:11 --> 00:37:13 and paul
00:37:13 --> 00:37:14 had a vision
00:37:14 --> 00:37:15 for what the
00:37:15 --> 00:37:15 thessalonians
00:37:15 --> 00:37:16 could be
00:37:16 --> 00:37:16 at the throne
00:37:16 --> 00:37:17 of god
00:37:17 --> 00:37:19 and paul
00:37:19 --> 00:37:19 gave away
00:37:19 --> 00:37:20 his life
00:37:20 --> 00:37:20 for them
00:37:20 --> 00:37:21 and our
00:37:21 --> 00:37:22 vision for
00:37:22 --> 00:37:23 each other
00:37:23 --> 00:37:24 should be
00:37:24 --> 00:37:25 the same
00:37:25 --> 00:37:25 vision of
00:37:25 --> 00:37:26 what we
00:37:26 --> 00:37:26 could be
00:37:26 --> 00:37:27 each of
00:37:27 --> 00:37:27 us
00:37:27 --> 00:37:29 before the
00:37:29 --> 00:37:29 throne of
00:37:29 --> 00:37:29 god
00:37:29 --> 00:37:32 paul's
00:37:32 --> 00:37:33 joy
00:37:33 --> 00:37:33 and goal
00:37:33 --> 00:37:34 is their
00:37:34 --> 00:37:35 final glory
00:37:35 --> 00:37:36 their
00:37:36 --> 00:37:36 crown
00:37:36 --> 00:37:38 he is so
00:37:38 --> 00:37:39 filled with
00:37:39 --> 00:37:40 joy
00:37:40 --> 00:37:40 that they
00:37:40 --> 00:37:41 make
00:37:41 --> 00:37:41 that they
00:37:41 --> 00:37:41 are making
00:37:41 --> 00:37:42 progress
00:37:42 --> 00:37:43 he is longing
00:37:43 --> 00:37:44 for them
00:37:44 --> 00:37:45 to see
00:37:45 --> 00:37:45 them to
00:37:45 --> 00:37:46 just continue
00:37:46 --> 00:37:47 to take
00:37:47 --> 00:37:47 their next
00:37:47 --> 00:37:48 steps
00:37:48 --> 00:37:49 next steps
00:37:49 --> 00:37:50 and so
00:37:50 --> 00:37:51 chapter 3
00:37:51 --> 00:37:52 right at the
00:37:52 --> 00:37:52 very end
00:37:52 --> 00:37:53 there is
00:37:53 --> 00:37:53 paul's
00:37:53 --> 00:37:53 prayer for
00:37:53 --> 00:37:53 the
00:37:53 --> 00:37:54 thessalonians
00:37:54 --> 00:37:55 it's a
00:37:55 --> 00:37:55 summary of
00:37:55 --> 00:37:56 his service
00:37:56 --> 00:37:56 to them
00:37:56 --> 00:37:57 and he
00:37:57 --> 00:37:57 and he
00:37:57 --> 00:37:58 prays that
00:37:58 --> 00:37:58 they will
00:37:58 --> 00:37:59 do the
00:37:59 --> 00:37:59 same for
00:37:59 --> 00:38:00 each other
00:38:00 --> 00:38:01 may the
00:38:01 --> 00:38:01 lord make
00:38:01 --> 00:38:02 your love
00:38:02 --> 00:38:02 increase
00:38:02 --> 00:38:03 and overflow
00:38:03 --> 00:38:04 for each
00:38:04 --> 00:38:04 other and
00:38:04 --> 00:38:05 for everyone
00:38:05 --> 00:38:05 else
00:38:05 --> 00:38:06 just as
00:38:06 --> 00:38:07 ours does
00:38:07 --> 00:38:07 for you
00:38:07 --> 00:38:09 may he
00:38:09 --> 00:38:09 strengthen
00:38:09 --> 00:38:10 your hearts
00:38:10 --> 00:38:11 so that
00:38:11 --> 00:38:11 you'll be
00:38:11 --> 00:38:12 blameless
00:38:12 --> 00:38:13 and holy
00:38:13 --> 00:38:14 in the
00:38:14 --> 00:38:14 presence
00:38:14 --> 00:38:15 of our
00:38:15 --> 00:38:16 god and
00:38:16 --> 00:38:16 father
00:38:16 --> 00:38:17 when our
00:38:17 --> 00:38:17 lord jesus
00:38:17 --> 00:38:17 christ
00:38:17 --> 00:38:18 comes
00:38:18 --> 00:38:19 with all
00:38:19 --> 00:38:20 his holy
00:38:20 --> 00:38:20 ones
00:38:21 --> 00:38:21
00:38:21 --> 00:38:21 won't
00:38:21 --> 00:38:21
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