Sermon Cloud

    Sermon 4: The Review that Matters Most
    Series: “Playing your Part in the Gospel Drama
    1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
   

INTRODUCTION: –
Sea anemone & the clown fish.  The Clown Fish protects the anemone from a certain species that feeds on it, and the anemone protects the clown fish.

Egyptian Plover (about the size of a finch) eats parasites from the Crocodile.  Legend says the crocodile will even open its mouth to allow the plover to clean its teeth.

Bad reviews will come.  Last week we spoke about some things we need to do to overcome the hardship of bad reviews.  This week I want to look at one more aspect: if both messenger and hearer focus on pleasing God a mutually beneficial and dependent relationship will form.  A symbiotic relationship. READ TEXT

The Symbiosis of the Gospel
1.    The messengers “really live.” cf v. 8 – I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10  the abundant life isn’t self-indulgent.  It is others-focused.
    a.    Because faith. you believe the right things
        i.    Different ideas of faith (spiritual strength, steadfastness, believe the right thing) I think this is probably the last.  They believed the right thing.
        ii.    Paul had to leave before he could teach them everything they needed to know b/c he had to leave early.  Not much doctrine in 1 Thessalonians as opposed to 1 Corinthians where he gave all kinds of instruction.  He was in Thessalonica only a short time, but in Corinth 1.5 years.  What was the difference?
        iii.    God made up the difference
    b.    The joy of victory.  It may have looked like Paul lost, but actually, the gospel won.  It was also a stepping stone to bigger things, as we will see in a moment.
    c.    Because of faithfulness–that they have remained true in light of persecution.
        i.    Once the message is spoken it is no longer the responsibility of the messenger, but the hearer & God
            (1)    One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. Acts 16:14

        ii.    It didn’t look good for fruit, but God brings the increase.
            (1)    There was persecution & Paul was run out of town.
            (2)    And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, Matthew 16:18a
            (3)    We sow the seed in season and out of season – God said to Jonah: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I will give to you.”  The prospect for fruit didn’t look good there, so Jonah refused to go.  When he finally went, God gave a great increase.
    d.    Because joy & thanksgiving.
        i.    Paul’s situation
            (1)    Paul was having a very similar experience in Corinth while he was writing this letter as he had in Thessalonica, but more intense
            (2)    Since the ministry was effective in Thessalonica, Paul was encouraged about Corinth, even though he was afraid. – One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.  Acts 18:9-11 (Compare Sosthenes who became a believer in Corinth to Jason who was a believer in Thessalonica)
        ii.    The joy of the victory of the gospel–and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18b
2.    The hearers are nurtured – Almost all the discipleship we learn about in the NT is by proxy because it is done long distance.–being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phillipians 1:6
    a.    Supply what is lacking–there is always more to learn, both intellectually and practically
    b.    2 goals
        i.    Their Love will increase to overflowing.  This is an abundant life that Paul wants his hearers to experience.–For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6
        ii.    They would be blameless and holy

CONCLUSION: 
There is something special that happens when one finds symbiosis.