1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 KJV Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
You do not start a letter with “finally” or “furthermore” unless there is a preceding context. In this chapter, the author used the phrase “more and more” twice. This is not a tautology or mere repetition; it is an emphasis, similar to when Jesus said, “Verily, verily”. It is a direct point to show what we must pay attention to.
Paul the established the church in the great city of Thessalonica. After he traveled back to Greece, he sent Timothy to re-establish them. Timothy returned with a report that the people were doing well, even better than expected. Paul wrote this letter to encourage them that although they were doing well, they should do “more and more”.
He also gave them precautions. The Thessalonians were predominantly idol worshippers before they were converted to serving the living God.
1 Thessalonians 1:9. This scripture reveals that they were predominantly idol worshippers before they were converted.
Paul instructed them to abstain from sexual immorality and to follow the sanctification of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5, 7 KJV For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
He further exhorted them regarding brotherly love and their daily conduct.
1 Thessalonians 4:9, 11 KJV But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Paul was a man totally and exclusively sold out to the work of ministry. For him, ministry was his food, his friend, his family, and his future.
The Ministry of Reconciliation is what we have all received. This is not a ministry of agriculture, labor, or sports, but a spiritual assignment handed over to us.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-6 KJV reveals that the core of this assignment is the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:12-17; this scripture reveals that our mission is to reconcile men back to God. Any pursuit outside of this is void. If we consider the weight of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, we realize that His sacrifice must not be in vain. Jesus died in our stead
Matthew 27:15 . This substitution is clearly seen in the story of Barabbas. The name Barabbas is derived from the Aramaic Bar (בַּר), meaning “son,” and Abba (אַבָּא), meaning “father”. Barabbas was the “son of the father,” a notorious prisoner, a murderer, and a rebel who deserved to die for his crimes. The son of man was released that the son of God might die in his place. The son of God without wrinkle or sin, died in the place of man, that is Jesus Christ and that is the ministry committed to us.
Luke 23:13 KJV
The people clamored for the “son of man” to be released so that the Son of God might die in his place. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us.
Matthew 27:26 KJV Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
This is the message we are to carry: that someone has paid for the sins of the world.
Luke 24:47-48 KJV And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.
We need to tell sinners that their sins have been forgiven. All they need to do is to come into that space.
Working While It Is Day When Paul speaks of doing “more and more,” he is talking about the work of ministry. We should not need external motivation to do this work; the weight of what Christ did on Calvary is enough.
We must not allow the issues of life to hinder us. Paul faced hindrances himself.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 KJV Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Hindrances can come as discouragement, lack of finance, or personal challenges, but the work must continue. We are the prevailing army of God, and we must stay strong in this mandate knowing that our reward is with our master. We need to stay strong. It’ is the desire of the enemy for us to be discouraged.This is an instruction, not a suggestion.
We must maximize our time, especially while we are young. Night is coming when no man can work.
John 9:4 KJV I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
As you advance in age, your strength will change. What you can do now in your youth, evangelizing, carrying speakers, serving fervently, you may not be able to do in ten or twenty years. Do not wait for a convenient time; there is no convenient time. Many people serve God faithfully despite having deeper issues and challenges than you can imagine.
Finding Your Place in Ministry The day you receive Christ is the day you receive a ministry. You do not need a big hall or a microphone to do ministry. You can reach your neighborhood, your office, your friends, and your family.
Ministry also includes everything done to make the service of God glorious. Whether it is cleaning the sanctuary, praying for the service, or opening the gates, it is all the work of ministry. Find your place and fill the gap. We will all give an account of our stewardship. There is no boundary in ministry. Ask yourself what you can do to to move the ministry forward. The soldier of Christ is devoted to attending services even when it’s not convenient. Many people do not evangelize. The day a man gives his life to Christ his ministry starts from that day. We need to follow the instruction to do the work of ministry.So the work of ministry with all your heart.
Three Truths About Ministry
1. Ministry is Received: We are saved to serve. After salvation, the next thing a man receives is the work of ministry.2nd Corinthians 2:5,17-18
2. We are meant to be equipped for the ministry: Equipping is the process of training, mentoring, and fortifying believers with spiritual wisdom and doctrine.
Isaiah 50:4 KJV The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
3. Ministry must be Fulfilled: We must take action to complete the assignment given to us.
.Colossians 4:17 KJV And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
You cannot fulfill what you do not start. Paul fought battles, was beaten, and faced shipwrecks, yet he continued until he could say he had finished his course.We need to fulfill ministry because we will give account.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Let a newer version of you emerge today—one that is committed to the work of ministry more and more, better and better, and through and through.