Sometimes we look around us and think, “Surely God can not use me?” I am not so eloquent of speech. My knowledge is too little. I could never make a difference. Besides the world is so hostile. Sadness, pain, and suffering overwhelms us. So how does one really speak the Joyous Gospel Boldly in a hostile world. Ah but you see, even if we are surrounded by sorrow, God is the only truth we can rely on. It is a joyous gospel boldly proclaimed; because it is the only true hope we have. Particularly in a broken and hostile world, we need something that we can cling to, trust in when everything else is failing around us. As we watch the world spinning headlong into relativism with “truth” being farmed out to whomever spins the best tale, more than ever we need a rock foundation of truth to cling to.
Paul knew this. He also knew that if the newly found church in Thessalonica could stand strong against the tumultuous winds of the right and the left, they would need to be reminded of the truth. Reminding them of how it came to them, was a starting point. After all, the people trying to discredit the gospel began with discrediting Paul, himself as well as Jesus Christ. So, over the course of the first 12 verses of 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul reminds them of the time he was with them.
John Piper explains this very well when he wrote:
So what Paul is really doing is defending them and the reality of their faith. That’s the second reason why he talks so much about his ministry. He says in verse 1, “You know that our coming to you was not in vain,” and then for ten verses he talks about the authenticity of his own ministry. So what he is saying is, “Our ministry to you was not without effect. You were changed. … turned from idols. You were willing to suffer for Christ with joy. So don’t throw away your confidence when your opponents slander my ministry and my life, remember the way it really was when I was there. I was not flattering and covetous. (Also) was bold in God and risked my life to preach the gospel to you. I worked night and day. (And) I loved you like a nurse and like a father.
It was Paul’s boldness in evangelizing that kept his life from being in vain. And it will be our boldness that keeps our lives from being bland and tasteless and empty and weak and insignificant in the end.[1]
Additionally, Paul clearly outlines 5 characteristics to guide each of us. Therefore, we can also really speak the joyous gospel boldly in a hostile world. Even if at times, we are speaking it with tears pouring down our faces. Hoping that the suffering may end soon; but knowing that it will one day because of the joyous Gospel of Christ. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again victorious that we might one day stand before Him in glorified bodies. Tht day we long for; yet, for today we must continue speaking the joyous gospel boldly to a broken hostile world in need of Him.
Steps to speaking the joyous gospel boldly
I Thessalonians 2: 1For you yourselves know, brothers,[a] that our coming to you was not in vain.
You yourself know. This is a phrase used repeatedly through these verses. Remember, You know this yourself. You witnessed it. See the transformation within your own heart and spirit. That is proof itself the joyous gospel is true. Because it changed you.
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
What had happened in Philippi?
Paul had suffered in Philippi. He had been publicly dragged into the market of the city and charged with sedition because he cast the demon out of a girl. And then he spent the night in jail. Now in Thessalonica the mob was even more enraged and Paul barely escaped by night to Berea. That was the setting for his ministry. And in that setting he spoke the gospel courageously because he had boldness in his God.[2]
Not only had he been mistreated in Philippi, but from day one he was mistreated in Thessalonica and spoken ill of.
1 Thessalonians 2:
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
We do not have any impure motives. No desire to deceive. Nor are we speaking from erroneous belief systems. There is nothing they wish to gain for themselves by preaching the joyous gospel boldly. Indeed it may be at a great cost; but one they were will to pay so others might know Christ.
Speaking the joyous Gospel Boldly as servants to God.
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
5 For we never came with words of flattery,[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
They did not try to coax with flattering words. They did this for God alone.
7 But we were gentle[c] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
They spoke with gentleness of heart due to their love for lost and their excitement over these babes in Christ—so they talk and fed them with kindness and gentleness
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
Paul worked making tents, supplying for his own needs. He did not want to ever be accused that he took advantage of anyone. And certainly he did not want anyone to say he preached the joyous gospel boldly to make money from it.
Speaking the Joyous Gospel Boldly by Action and Deed
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
How Did Paul Speak the Joyous Gospel Boldly to a Hostile world.
His life was given up to God
Ephesians 1: 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
He counted his life as being hidden God
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
Because he totally trusted God
we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
He hoped in God
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15
The Glory of God was infinitely more attractive to Paul than any earthly comfort:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8: 18
God was so real, powerful, wise and so utterly committed to doing all for Paul’s good. Knowing this truth, Paul knew nothing could separate him from the love of God—not death or life or angels or principalities or things present or things to come or powers or height or depth or anything else in all creation.
And so, all his boldness was in God, and not in himself
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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[1] https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/we-had-boldness-in-our-god
[2] https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/we-had-boldness-in-our-god