5 Ways to Walk Worthy of the Calling

5 Ways to Walk Worthy // 1 Thessalonians 2

 

Even though history tells us during WW II, the Nazi Regime wiped out entire villages in the Thessaloniki area.  But this wasn’t the first time that the Thessalonians experience persecution.  It is clear from Paul the apostle and in this chapter that the early church was experiencing fierce opposition to the Gospel and severe persecution, yet these Christian Jews had significant resolve and a tenacious spirit when it came to their faith in Christ. 

 

The church in Thessalonika was a new church plant and had exploded, becoming very known for a mighty move of God and transformation in the city. 

In the second chapter, Paul encourages and exhorts the believers to walk worthy of the calling on their lives.  A calling to honor God and to persevere in the midst of trials and persecution that they were facing. 

He also reflects on his time with the church which we understand was about 3 weeks.  He reminds them of his motivation, and heart and desire for the people and for his deep gratitude for how appreciative the  preaching ministry that he and his team brought to them. 

 

This chapter is great reflection for those entering into ministry or any leadership position in the church, but it is also applicable to all of us, we are all called to walk with God in a worthy way. 

Micah 6:8 tells us what does the Lord require of us? To do justice, love mercy and “WALK HUMBLY” with your God. 

So today, I felt led to share 5 ways that we can walk worthy of this Calling that God has for each of us as we reflect on Paul’s ministry to the church here in Thessalonika.

 

#1. Avoid Dishonest or Misleading Encouragement towards others. (v. 3-6)

 

• • • Paul expresses that they have been “approved by God” and “entrusted with the Gospel” and makes it clear that he did not come to “please man” nor did they seek “glory from man” but came obediently under God’s command.   

 

• • • • This was a CORE VALUE to Paul’s ministry, for he said in Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” 

 

• • • • Paul says we did not use “flattery, in other words, sweet talk or drip honey from the mouth.  They did not walk with “cloaks of Covetousness”, in other words, greed was not their motivation or even a self-gratifying purpose.  And he says we did not “make demands”, in other words demand respect, submission, praise, or special treatment because of their apostleship.

 

#2.  Impart your life towards others with gentleness and concern.  (2:7-12)

 

• • • Paul had a desire to not just impart content, but to impart his life.  He wanted his ministry to have blood, sweat and tears.  He wanted his ministry to go beyond paper and into the person.  He wanted an impartation an investment in the life of others
    • Paul describes their ministry with the illustration of being like parents, an Affectionate Mother — and a Motivating Father
    • He was gentle, kind and sensitive to the needs of the early church, but also lived his life by setting an example for others what it means to walk worthy of the calling of God. 
    • Gentleness and Concern are the greatest way to invest in the lives of others.

 

#3.  Appreciate the Effectiveness of the Ministry of the Word.  (2:13)

• • • Paul found his deepest gratitude in this church’s appreciation and appropriation of the word of God. 

 

• • • He uses this term that they “welcomed it”, not critiqued it, scrutinize it or become skeptical of it, they did not dismiss it or reject it, they did not deny it, resist it, or oppose it, they were not indifferent or disinterested in it and they did not misappropriate it but rather applied it directly to their own lives.

 

• • • They believed in its “effective work”.  The Thessalonian Church was hungry for Paul’s ministry.  They were not filled up from all the other preachers in town or even from their own study of God’s word, nor were they satisfied with small groups of fellowship that they had with other christians,  they welcomed the effective powerful anointed preaching of the Gospel from Paul, Silas and Timothy.

 

#4. Do not live up to the measure of man’s sinfulness but rather Christ’s righteousness. (2:14-16)

• • • Paul begins to reference the persecution that he and they had faced from the religious authorities, and he finishes it with this statement that they have filled up to the measure of their sin, and wrath has come upon them.

 

• • • Jesus and his message of the Gospel challenges man’s righteousness, when the woman caught in adultery was brought to him, the pharisees tried to challenge Jesus with the law, but Jesus turns the condemnation of this woman completely around to be pointed at every one else…he who has no sin cast the first stone.  A challenge to man’s righteousness.  He challenged the pharisee’s righteousness with this woman’s sin, and proved the weakness of that method of judgment.

 

• • • In other  words we are tempted to measure our righteousness and our status with God based upon the failures and sins of others…well, I’m not as bad as they are…and we keep those people around us, so that we can continue to remain “perfect” in our own perception but perfection in Scripture is not measured by the sins of others, but measured by the righteousness of Christ.

 

#5.  Eagerly desire to worship and rejoice with other believers.  (v. 17-20)

• • • I’ve “endeavored more eagerly”, in other words there was an increase of ENTHUSIASM and DETERMINATION to gather with these people.  Enthusiasm built on the fact the Paul saw the  church as his hope, his joy…everything was built on “shared” glory, worship, experiences in God’s presence…and he determined with great desire to “see your face”…he didn’t FaceTime, zoom, YouTube, instagram…when he said I desire to “see your face”, it meant, I want to be with you, in the same space and time as you are…because this is my hope, my joy and my crown. 

 

• • • But Satan hindered me…there is always a reason to not come to church…look, walking worthy of the calling of God, in respect to the return of Christ, when He comes for His church, I don’t want to be found indulging in the world, lusting after the flesh, pursuing worldly wealth or earthly pleasure… when Jesus comes, I want to be rejoicing with His church, I want to be worshipping with His church, I want to be praying and weeping and living and sharing moments with His church …because its His Church that He’s coming for…Its the bride of Christ that He’s coming for…

 

• • • Hebrews 10:25 — don’t forsake the gathering together…

 

Don’t forget what Paul said, our ministry is not in vain. What we do here, what is happening in our services, in our gatherings, in meetings is not in vain, the preaching of the word, the worship and praise that is released, the prayers that are prayed in the faith, the fellowship that is enjoyed all of it is NOT IN VAIN.

 

So in summary 5 ways to walk worthy of the calling of God on your life:

1. Avoid dishonesty.
2. Live with kindness.
3. Appreciate the Preaching of the Word
4. Measure your life by Christ
5. Gather together with the Church.