05-25-2025 - EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT - 1 Thess 2:1-12

MESSAGE BY  PASTOR ROB INRIG

FROM BETHANY BAPTIST IN RICHMOND, BC

With my heart broken with pain, sadness, and helplessness in the face of the inevitable, without words to express this feeling of having lost a battle, I cannot continue writing because the tears that do not fall on my face, this lump in my throat, prevent me from letting out the cry of “Why?” Why do things change in a minute, and why do they happen? The battle against this devastating disease takes its toll, and we who are left behind are shattered by the pain that consumes us as we realize that it is all over. My beloved friend Gaby is gone; cancer won the battle. My faith has been shattered, and this loss has hit me hard because she was very dear to me. I have not been able to shake off that pain, which is still there, stuck like a dagger in my heart. I feel spiritually weak, and my muffled cries call out to a Merciful Father. I ask Him to give me the strength to continue with this task, which may help someone read the scriptures discerned by Pastor Inrig, because I know that someone will be feeling the same way I am. I ask Our Lord Jesus to give me the strength to regain my faith that everything will be all right, that Gaby is in that final sleep waiting for Him to wake her with a cry of triumph to enjoy His glory with Him, and that someday I will see her again and be able to hug her and tell her that she always had the love of a sister, that she was very dear to all of us who loved her, and then be able to enjoy, if I am worthy of being in that glory with a loving Father, laughing with her, hearing her laughter, see her beautiful hair, and that special smile. Rest, dear friend, sleep and wait in the Lord's time, which is like a minute of His time, to enjoy that glory you deserve for all the suffering you endured during your time on this earth. For my part, I will continue to pray for you, dear friend, until I see you again in the time of Our Lord Jesus and God the Father.

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I invite you to pray together: O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servants for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon them with the eyes of thy mercy (Gaby P+, Vicky O, Nancy R, Tere G, Liz N, Stevie A, Socrates D, Sara's mom H, Margarita G, Fega G,  Rosy Ch, Patricia L. Lina J. Manuel D. C, Yuya N. Mercedes L, Magda-)   Comfort them with a sense of thy goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the residue of their life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally they may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

You can add names from family and friends who need prayer

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When Paul looks at the Thessalonians, he is encouraged knowing they are a people who walk in truth.  Though he had left them in person, he had not them left them in heart.  More importantly, they had not left their faith in Christ despite great opposition.  Seeing this, Paul is able to say, my work was, Not in vain :1.  Despite the opposition faced and mistreatment endured, the truth ‘stuck’.  They hadn’t been knocked off course, hadn’t waived a white flag.  They believed and believing had changed their lives.

In almost a brief summary of what follows in these verses, Paul’s assurance that:

:2 Our Capacity - our boldness is IN GOD    

:4 Our Message - our approval is BY God  

:5  Our Actions -   our witness is BEFORE God 

:12 Our Walk -   our worthiness is OF God 

These things he wants us to be anchored in.  So as we look at what this chapter brings us, what are the events that got us here?  By way of review, prior to arriving in Thessalonica, Paul had been in the city of Philippi, there, Paul and Silas encountering great persecution.  

Their great crime?  In the name of Jesus, they had set a demon possessed girl free.  Great for her, not great for the profiteers who were making outrageous profit from what demons empowered her to do. The money pot emptied for employers and customers alike, not to mention all the spin off markets arising from what she did. Which meant   anger and a lot of it.

Upset by their lost revenue, her owners reported Paul and Silas to the authorities who had them flogged.  Acts 16 describes it, Silas and he were dragged before two magistrates who ordered them stripped and beaten with rods AND they were “severely flogged”.  

The rods delivering pain but the flogging delivering even more hatred as it damaged.  Flogging which meant being whipped with a flagellum, a short whip made of two or three leather thongs often embedded with chunks of glass.  Following that, Paul and Silas thrown into prison and put in stocks.  Then a God orchestrated escape that ended up bringing Paul to Thessalonica, he still bearing fresh marks of persecution.

Not long after his arrival, religious leaders, some from Philippi stirred up people to persecute these who had newly become Christians.  The main target of their hatred was Paul but he for a second time, had slipped their grasp.  Paul noting in :15 and 17 that he was driven from the city, heartbroken by having to leave, saying he was bereft of you or orphaned Gk - torn away.  

In Paul’s absence, these new believers were troubled and left susceptible to error and so Paul wants to fortify their faith.  

Fortification needed because remember, here they were surrounded by and bombarded with countless numbers of east-west belief. Magicians,  astrologers, philosophers and opportunists; the sincere intermingled with the spurious. In religious practice, sexual indulgence accepted as part of worship - morality, actually immorality religious teachers were happy to entertain. 

That backdrop of Thessalonica not terribly different from what surrounds us today.  Some of that surround, leaking (in some cases pouring) into the church where the truth of God’s word has been mixed with cultural belief, psychological belief, self-help belief and flavour of the month, choose what you like, spiritual belief.   

Against this backdrop and aware some were causing significant unrest both outside and inside the church, Paul emphasizes don’t be taken in by the flamboyant and the successful.  Don’t be mesmerized by the hype and the show.  He expressed a similar theme in Galatians where he states, You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?  Gal 3:1.

Paul draws a clear line between himself and these others making it clear that his message does not come from error, he is not spreading falsehood or seeking personal gain. 

As he writes, Paul first outlines his credentials from which he speaks.  He wants them to understand, more importantly, for you and I to understand – that he hadn’t endured what he had IF he were basing his words on a lie.  These were no ivory tower sentiments to believe.

And in case they’d forgotten, Paul reiterates, he had suffered, treated outrageously.  Outrageously for more than obvious wounds – the first, that he had been beaten and thrown into prison without a trial.  Even more outrageous, he was flogged something that was almost never done to a Roman citizen.  Which is why Paul writes, After we had previously suffered and were TREATED OUTRAGEOUSLY in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition :2. 

Say again?  Enduring all that and you become more bold, not less?  

Now if we only understand this as historical background, we mis things important to us.  First, how this would have presented to the Thessalonians.  Paul wasn’t coming to them as some pitch man for a better way of life, a believe it and be happy presentation of how to live the good life.  Of follow Jesus and all will be well.  Fresh scars from torn off flesh from flogging dispelled beliefs like that.  Bruises and welts from the rods still in evidence.  His appearance likely having some question why should this obvious ‘criminal’ be believed at all and others, seeing the same, wondering how could what he was saying be doubted by any?  

his to say that the evidence of his wounds and is continued practice to state what was true is standing right in front of them.  Despite his enemies’ attempts to discredit what he had to say, he is not backing down.  That same boldness that would transform 11 terrified men into faithful disciples who would horrifically die for what they came to believe.  The gospel - God’s good news, received then and now by some even they do so amidst great opposition.  

With that as backdrop, his credibility at stake, Paul re-asserts what he’s taught and who he is:

No doctrinal error    :3  Not flattery :5

No impure motives  :3  Not greed :5

No deception           :3 No attempt to 

Get praise from people           :6

No pleasing man, Only god    :4

His message taught and ours believed – true!  And when we forget and begin to doubt - what we are shown of Jesus, I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it   is called FAITHFUL AND TRUE, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. Rev 19:11

For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.  Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. :3.4 

We are in a time when the Bible is brought alongside current beliefs and it, the Bible, adjusted to fit what science tells us; what current views of morality tell us; what technology tells us OR as Rom 3:4 tells us, Let God be true and every man a liar. In their wisdom, they became fools Rom 1:22.  God’s truth unfailing even though we don’t always understand.  

That said, though Paul’s first assertion is that there was no error in what he taught :2, he spends most time here not defending the truth of his message rather he gives most emphasis to the truth of his life.  Look – examine – test.  And having looked – believe.

But first the truth of no error.  He didn’t water down the gospel, didn’t make it more palatable.  What He taught centered on two things: a Messiah who would save and a people who needed saving – these people, you and I, dead in our sins.  His teaching predominantly coming from the Old Testament and what the prophets had foretold about the One who would come.  

Alongside those prophesies, an examination of Jesus and how He fulfilled what they had said.  In essence, he laying out the  evidence for them to determine where that evidence takes them.  Some sources claiming 324 such prophecies, among them that the Messiah would be:

born in Bethlehem         Mic 5:2

preceded by a Messenger Is 40:3; Mal 3:1

enter Jerusalem on a donkey  Zech 9:9

be betrayed by a friend   Ps 41:9; 55:12-14 

sold for 30 pieces of silver  Zech 11:12

have betrayal money thrown to the potter in God’s house  Zech 11:13  

born of a virgin             Is 7:14  

hated without cause  Is 49:7, Ps 69:5

silent before His accusers  Is 53:7

executed by crucifixion, hands and feet pierced         Ps 22:16

given vinegar to quench His thirst  Ps 69:21

executed having no bone broken Ex12:46; Ps 34:21

buried with the rich           Is 53:9

raised from the dead    Is 53:9-10; Ps 2:7; 16:1

executed, crucified as a thief  Ps 22:16; Zech 12:10; Is 53:5,12 

I state these to make very clear that our faith isn’t based on a collection of popular beliefs, it is based on evidence - evidence also corroborated by extra-biblical sources.

Paul in essence challenging them to line up what they know and see how it, fits with what they see.  Presented to them and us without error.  No facts distorted.  No deception made.  No personal gain in what’s presented.   Nor are we trying to trick you :3. The Greek word for trick is of a lure to catch fish. That was how the traveling philosophers worked. They lured the people in and by the time people knew what happened, the hook was set.  

He goes on to say, We never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives - God is our witness - and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others  :5,6.

In Corinthians Paul’s detractors claim that Paul’s speech is, of no account 2 Cor  10:10  and Paul willing to grant that he may be a poor speaker saying, Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge 2 Cor 11:6.  

Connecting this with Thessalonians is important to understand as Paul makes clear, I never used flattering speech or greedy motives.  He didn’t manipulate, didn’t pull emotional strings, didn’t promise health, wealth and happiness.  The truth is gifted speakers, using skill and charisma, can set a mood as they ‘work’ the audience.  They know the stories to tell that win hearts, convince minds and simultaneously open wallets. Make no mistake, there are those gifted communicators in the ‘church’ today, their audience people entertained and lifted up – a compelling story given, a Biblical phrase used then what follows teaching far distant from Scripture, communicating beliefs the Scriptures doesn’t teach or emphasize.   

Paul could have done the same – emotionally drawing attention to the wounds on his body but instead he delivers life giving truth about His Saviour. Jesus center stage, and yet in that his apologetic - what Jesus meant to him, what Jesus had done for him.

His story not told to put himself in the limelight as is the case with so many but the very opposite, he caring for them. He didn’t wear his apostle regalia – looking for elevation, rather he served.

In a time of mega churches and celebrity pastors; in a time of Christian leaders owning private jets and large real estate holdings, of examples of outrageous greed and overbearing control, the model Paul gives – don’t elevate - serve.  Serve in humility and love.

Humility and love couldn’t have been said of Paul before he came to Jesus, particularly after all he had accomplished, all the credentials earned.  

His story now? of a life transformed.  The center piece of his story – Jesus and His grace, and because of that grace, Paul on his knees washing feet and cleaning pews - serving.   

So often, we try to convince people into the truth of God’s word, on most occasions, coming up empty  Truth is, we may not have answers to some questions they might ask.  We often can’t match their knowledge of science or have responses to their understanding of the origin of the world.  That’s not to say others don’t, nor is to say that we shouldn’t be equipped as well as we can in what we believe, but the most compelling evidence for what we believe, is our story.  OUR LIVES ARE THE EVIDENCE

Like what one man said, What I do know is what my life was like before Jesus, and I know what it is like now that I follow Jesus. And I would never, ever go back to what my life was like before. I was saved in every way a person can be saved. It changed who I am from the inside out. It changed my marriage. It changed the way I parent. My  entire family life went from crazy to amazing. I had so many broken relationships, destructive patterns… all healed. If that can happen for me, it can happen for you. I know God is real and alive and personal because I have a real and alive and personal relationship with Him.

This story of no error, no impure motives, no deception, no attempt to please man, no flattery no greed, no attempt to get praise from people     

No one can ever legitimately argue against your story. They can only listen to it.

Paul putting his credentials aside Paul now uses two pictures that flesh out what the Christ life should look like, he painting pictures on their hearts - images to drive his point home, a nursing mother :7 and a wise father :12.  Not arguments or words, but pictures.  Consider Reagan didn’t restore the hearts of a discouraged America because of his intellect.  Churchill didn’t rally a tiny island nation by reciting data and pointing to charts and graphs.  Martin Luther King didn’t unleash a tsunami of hope by the power of argument.   

Instead they painted pictures of hope; of an, ‘It won’t be easy’ battle until victory; of a dream. 

Paul does the same thing – a mother sacrificially: nursing, feeding, providing, assuring with words of love, worth, value, security.  Constantly giving of herself even when her energies are low.  These just small captures of everything a mother provides.  

Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother) nurtures her own children. We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters.  Working night and day so that we would not  burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you.  :7-9.

FATHER – this father  As you know, like a father with his own children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you, and charged you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.  11,12 ESV

EXHORTING

The word translated exhort parakaleo means to stand beside or come alongside to help a person take the next step, to strengthen and come to one’s aid.  This picture of someone standing alongside, cheering me on.  This a great capture of the word used of the Holy Spirit - the paraclete – whose primary purpose is to glorify Christ.  

His exhortation doesn’t condemn, his exhortation doesn’t load on guilt.  It just cheers me on no matter if I’m running far behind; if I missed three bars of music on the test or if my creation is less than stellar.

Cheering me on - run well.  Run steady.  Run hard.  But no matter where you place, you’re my child and I’m proud of you!  Your finish reward far greater than you can possibly imagine.  The race the Holy Spirit calls us to run is to be more and more like Jesus.  

ENCOURAGING _ Encouraging, carrying to the finish line; or consoling someone who is losing heart and feels like giving up.

Encouragement is a powerful tool, one that when used the right way can make an incredible impact on the life of another. 

While breaking baseball’s “color barrier”, Jackie Robinson faced  jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. His own fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while they jeered. Then shortstop “Pee Wee” Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said, that arm around his shoulder, saved his career.

And lastly, this father, CHARGING  martyro mai - call to witness  

Charging – prepare well to live well; to live courageously; to live victoriously; to live faithfully.  

Witnessing the Christ we follow.  Caring that out by the integrity we live by.  Caring that out by the compassion we model.  Caring that out by a life authentically lived.

Lives worthy of imitation.  Not perfect but prioritized.  Christ focused.  My eye on the prize.  

Walking in a manner WORTHY of the God who calls us  :12.

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