Isaiah 5:20-21 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight.”
God’s Mission, His Glory!
Thessalonica was about 40 miles from Apollonia. It was the capital of Macedonia with a population of around 200,000 people. This was prime target area to share the gospel in the Jewish synagogue that would have been very well attended. It’s still a significant city in Greece.
Those who play a role in turning the world upside down.
The Avenger vv.3-4
Defeating darkness by taking the truth of the gospel to mankind!
Characteristics
1) Courage v.1-2, 10. No one will ever influence the world for Christ lacking courage. The courageous ones who trust in the Lord will make the difference. 2 Timothy 1:7-9 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
2) Faith– Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” An avenger for Christ realizes they can do nothing apart from the power of Christ. Batman without his suit was just a rich guy named Bruce Wayne!
3) Purity– 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4) Hope– Romans 15:13
Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer, was an avenger for the truth. On October 31st, 1517 he nailed 95 items that he disagreed with concerning the church onto the church’s door in Wittenberg. One of those items was the selling of indulgences, or a payment given to the church in order to reduce a deceased family members’ suffering. Luther translated the Bible into German so the common person could read and understand it. He was an avenger.
God’s Mission, His Glory
The Adversary vv.5-6 Someone who may think they are doing right, but doesn’t want to further the gospel because it changes “their” world. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
“Never underestimate the energy some people will spend so that things remain status quo.” Dr. Ogeo
Characteristics
1) Discouraging – 2 Timothy 2:16-17 “But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene.”
2) Divisive– Titus 3:10-11 “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
God’s Mission, His Glory!
J
The Assistant vv.7-9
Someone who is an avenger at times and one who assist avengers at other times. They see the importance of the furtherance of the gospel and they wish to serve in some capacity.
Characteristics
1) Encourager– Acts 9:26-27 “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.”
2) Servant– Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
The end result is listed in 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
God’s Mission, His Glory!
The Analyst vv.11-12.
They analyzed the Jewish scripture to see if Paul and Silas were correct in their teaching! They knew scripture, but had not applied it! We are Oak Hill Baptist Church and our mission is God’s mission, to glorify God. We do this by knowing Him, growing in Him, and going for Him! We take on different roles in turning the world upside down, even the adversary role. The Bible tells us we are enemies of God before we come to Christ.
An analyst would be in the knowing stage
The characteristic of the analyst, they are eager to learn! They are thirsty for answers!
An assistant would be in the growing stage
An avenger would be in the going stage and the cycle repeats
God’s Mission, His Glory!
