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Exhortations for Blameless Living #2 Walk Worthy of God I Thessalonians 2:12
Turn to Heb. 11:2,4,5,39 A life that speaks.
Alive or dead…How dowe live in a way each day that prepares us for the unexpected COMING [return] or CALLING [our death] of our Lord Jesus Christ? If he called you home or came to get you – are you ready? The folks in Thessalonica were. In fact, some even made it their epitaph to be “blameless” as a life’s goal.
So – how did Paul teach them to do that?
IN TWO WAYS: By Example and By Exhortation
Let’s rehearse just some of the elements of his example:
HE WAS: • Thankful [1:2] • Spoke with power and assurance [1:5] • Asked others to imitate his life [1:6] • Bold in Christ [2:2] In spite of adversity
Now hold on because he was also: Genuine Honest Humble Loving Passionate and Dedicated
Let’s look at those in the text: 2:3 – Paul’s claim was genuine exhortation as a way of life
How does he portray that? • “our exhortation does not come from error” [Greek word planes] -wanderings • “or impurity” • “or by way of deceit/guile” Lit. trap/bait Next, v.5 HONEST • “neither at any time use we flattering speech” • Straight talk! See Christ Matt. 15:8,18; James 3:1-12 Then, v.6 HUMBLE • Paul never expects glory, He gives it to God
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• John 5:39 Echoes Christ • 2 Cor. 4:5-7 Paul’s ministry motto And v. 7-8 LOVINGLY PASSIONATE • St. Augustine commented “as nursing mom talks in baby talk” • “Fond affection” as parent for beloved one giving anything to see make it as ICU babies – • PASSIONATE LOVE FOR SAINT’S EDIFICATION So we have an example of – Chap. 1 Ø Thankfulness [2] Ø Empowered assurance [5] Ø Imitating Chirst [6] Chap. 2 Ø Fearless boldness [2] Ø Genuine words [3] Ø Absolute honesty [5] Ø Humility [6] Ø Tender and passionate love [7,8]
Finally, Paul speaks v. 9-11 of the urgency that led to his dedication: For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You [are] witnesses, and God [also,] how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father [does] his own children, (NKJV)
The word for witness or testify is the greek martureo. In Hebrews 11 it is found 4 times: • verse 2 elders obtained a good report • verse 4 obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts • verse 5 he had this testimony, that he • verse 39 having obtained a good report through
Paul’s LIFE testified, witnessed, as well as his WORDS – he lived an unblameable life. IMPOSSIBLE! That’s right. With man impossible, not with God
Remember what the Christian Life is: • Gal 2:20 “Christ liveth in me” • 2 Cor. 5:21 “That we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” • James 3:17 “The wisdom that is from above…” • Ezekiel 36:26-27 “A new heart, a New spirit”; A divine enabling
That’s what we celebrate tonight at the Lord’s Supper • 2 Cor 2:14 “But thanks be to God who always leads us in HIS TRIUMPH in Christ” • Gal. 2:20 “The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and delivered Himself for me” What is blameless living? It’s seeking Christ to live through me so that dead or alive my life speaks…of Him!