You Are Our Glory And Joy - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

It is obvious that men and women do not choose to plant churches in villages because they want to grow rich in money or material goods. And those who are seeking fame and renown don’t go to villages to start churches among the unchurched. It’s hard to become famous far from the bright lights of the city.

So what is it that motivates church planters to go to a place that does not know Christ? Why do they work so hard so that the people there will know and trust Jesus? We know the cost of church planting is high. It takes so much time. It is often emotionally draining. There are so many difficulties, so many challenges.

Frankly, I think most church planters are motivated by hope. They go to a new place and preach Christ in hope that some will respond. They pray for the sick and declare the goodness of God in the face of much opposition because they hope that the light of Christ will dawn in darkened minds and in hardened hearts. They preach under a tree in hope that someday the believers in the village will want a roof so much that they will sacrifice to build it. Church planters walk beside the weak who constantly give in to temptation in hope that one day they will grow strong.  Yes, it’s hope that motivates the beginning church planter.

But after a few years of ministry the beginning church planter gains a new motivation. Because after a few years of sewing and reaping, village church planters have more than just hope for motivation.  They have fruit. They see transformed lives; they regularly join in worship of the living God with people who just a few years ago were idolaters. They enjoy a meal with a husband and wife who once almost hated each other. They marvel that they have now found peace in their home and peace in their marriage because of Christ. Church planters’ hearts swell with pride when their disciples lead others to Christ, when they pray with authority, when they teach with deep conviction.

The apostle Paul was just this sort of church planter. He loved his disciples so much! He longed to be with them! He grieved when he could not be by their sides.  Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 1:17-20, “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”

Why did Paul struggle and suffer and fight in prayer as a church planter? Certainly he was motivated by a deep love for the people he shared the Gospel with. Yes, he shared the good seed of the Gospel in hope. But more than that, Paul had tasted the glorious joy of having spiritual children who were living transformed lives in the power of the Gospel. His heart swelled with joy. He tasted here and now a little bit of the glory that is to come when Christ is revealed and that foretaste of glory kept him moving, kept him preaching, kept him planting churches.  

How about you? What keeps you going when you get discouraged?  If you are motivated by hope, that is good.  But if you can, take a moment to reflect on the grace of God at work in the lives of your disciples. As you do, your heart will feel joy and you will sense just a little bit of the glory that will be revealed when Jesus comes.  

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?