Be the Church

Lesson Six • Back to Reach

Pastor Jayson Combs

This is week four of studying the mission of the church. We are called to Reach, Gather, Grow, and then go Back to Reach. This is the purpose of the church and should be the purpose of our lives. With Reach, we looked at a situation in the lives of Mary and Martha and were reminded that we need to figure out what is important. The most important thing is to be at the feet of Jesus. For Gather, we evaluated what was valuable and how that related to being together at church. Grow brought the concept of being broken and the whole concept of renewal. It is now time to examine Back to Reach.

1. What does Back to Reach mean to you?

When I think of Back to Reach the books entitled Where’s Waldo come to mind. Each page was a crowded scene and you needed to find a boy wearing jeans with and red and white striped shirt. He was also holding a cane. It sounded so easy.

2. Do you remember those books and did you like them?

I'd like to subtitle this chapter, “How Do You Look?”

3. What do you think that means?

Normally when we think about how we look we quickly look for a mirror to make sure everything is just right. However, this study guide is about the outward aspect of looking. It is about how we view others. We are called not to just look like Jesus but also to view people the way He does.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, we read about four ways that Paul looked at people. “For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”


Paul gave a recap of what happened to the Thessalonians and how many came to know Christ. This section points out how Paul viewed the people. It is a great challenge for us as we continue the mission of the church. Paul is clear on his priorities as stated in verse two, “But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” He ignored the obstacles and presented Jesus.

He exhibits four clear guidelines on how to view people.

Paul Looked to People Second

This might sound a little odd that Paul did not look to others first. However, that does not mean he looked at himself first. He looked to God. He was more interested in pleasing God than man. He looked to Jesus.

In verses 4-6, we read, “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

The goal was to please God not men. When you strive to please men, you will not please God. However, when you first please God, men are treated correctly. Hebrews 12:2 gives solid advice, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Basically, we need to look to Jesus.

By looking to God first, it mandated that he treat others well. Integrity and realness were important; it was not about trickery. Character and conduct are important. He made no empty promises and followed no humanly devised schemes.

He was not into flattery (verse 5). Flattery was the insidious practice of saying nice things to gain influence over others for selfish reasons. Wiersbe has said, “A flatterer is a person who manipulates rather than communicates. A flatterer can use either truth or lies to achieve his unholy purpose, which is to control your decisions for his own profit.” Flattering speech compliments someone else merely as a ploy to win favor with that person or to gain power over him.

4. How is flattery different from compliments and encouragement?

God hates flattery. Psalm 12:3 says, “May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts.” Integrity is not about tricks or traps. We should not give a sale’s pitch; we should give the Word of God. We need to remember that salvation does not lie at the end of a clever argument.

Paul also avoids any kind of pretext (verse 7). He denies putting on any type of mask that greed puts on too many people. In Paul’s day, people used religion as a means of making money. Paul did not use the Gospel as a cloak to cover covetousness.

Paul was not into ministry for the praise of men. A true ministry of the Gospel deals honestly but lovingly with sin and judgment and leaves the unbeliever with nothing to boast of in himself. It is why some churches try to flatter people with their lives. That is why some churches you walk into you just tell about how great and wonderful you are. They do not tell you that you truly need Jesus. We do not look at people in a way to use them. We look to love people because that is who Jesus is.

5. How do some “outsiders” view the church?

6. How is our church different?

Paul Looked to People with a Gentle Heart

Paul looks to people with a gentle heart like a mother for her child. I remember visiting a teen at the hospital. As I walked through the lobby, I saw her mother. Her head was in her hands and she was crying. She saw me approach and welcomed me. As we went into the hospital room together, I saw her change. She put on her “mom powers.” She was logical and loving with her daughter. She was confident. It was impressive. She did not want her daughter to become discouraged or fearful. I have also seen “mom powers” when someone has crossed her child. It is also referred to as the “mama bear.”

7. Do you remember a time when your mom stepped up for you?

In 2 Corinthians 1:4, we read about being gentle, “Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

The term gentle is at the heart of this verse. It means to be kind to someone and encompasses a lot of other virtues; acceptance, respect compassion, tolerance of imperfections, patience, tenderheartedness, and loyalty (John MacArthur).

Paul Looked at People as Ones Needing the Gospel

If we have no desire for people around us to know the Gospel, I am not sure we know the Gospel. Looking back at 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, we see that we came to them with the purpose of bringing the Gospel (verses 2, 4, 8, and 9).

We need to realize the Gospel is of first importance. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, we read, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

8. What is contained in the Gospel?

Paul Looked at People as Deserving of His Life

Finally, Paul adds that he not only shared the Gospel, but he also shared his own life. Looking at 1 Thessalonians 2:8, we read, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”

To give the Gospel involves giving our lives. I recently had a man share with me how he was struggling with his teenage son. He found an older man in the church who spent time with him giving counsel and encouragement. It was fantastic. That is what the church is supposed to be about. We share life together.

Paul adds more insight in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, “We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

Exhorting is literally to call alongside or come alongside. The apostle referred to coming alongside children for the purpose of aiding directing and instruction wisely as a source of character conduct. Encouraging is the process of sending comfort and consolation.

Recently, my son came home with an assignment from Awana on how to serve others so that they may hear the Gospel. He said he could grab the microphone at Kroger's and tell everyone about Jesus. I appreciated his enthusiasm but directed him toward service. I asked him how I could serve mom and he said to buy her a car. We laughed but then talked about how serving around the house by making his bed, cleaning his room, and doing the dishes screamed love.

9. How are some ways we can serve others so that they are more prone to be open to the Gospel?

It is important to check our eyesight. We need to see those around us the same way Jesus does.

Lesson Six • Back to Reach

Pastor Jayson Combs

This is week four of studying the mission of the church. We are called to Reach, Gather, Grow, and then go Back to Reach. This is the purpose of the church and should be the purpose of our lives. With Reach, we looked at a situation in the lives of Mary and Martha and were reminded that we need to figure out what is important. The most important thing is to be at the feet of Jesus. For Gather, we evaluated what was valuable and how that related to being together at church. Grow brought the concept of being broken and the whole concept of renewal. It is now time to examine Back to Reach.

1. What does Back to Reach mean to you?

When I think of Back to Reach the books entitled Where’s Waldo come to mind. Each page was a crowded scene and you needed to find a boy wearing jeans with and red and white striped shirt. He was also holding a cane. It sounded so easy.

2. Do you remember those books and did you like them?

I'd like to subtitle this chapter, “How Do You Look?”

3. What do you think that means?

Normally when we think about how we look we quickly look for a mirror to make sure everything is just right. However, this study guide is about the outward aspect of looking. It is about how we view others. We are called not to just look like Jesus but also to view people the way He does.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, we read about four ways that Paul looked at people. “For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”


Paul gave a recap of what happened to the Thessalonians and how many came to know Christ. This section points out how Paul viewed the people. It is a great challenge for us as we continue the mission of the church. Paul is clear on his priorities as stated in verse two, “But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” He ignored the obstacles and presented Jesus.

He exhibits four clear guidelines on how to view people.

Paul Looked to People Second

This might sound a little odd that Paul did not look to others first. However, that does not mean he looked at himself first. He looked to God. He was more interested in pleasing God than man. He looked to Jesus.

In verses 4-6, we read, “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

The goal was to please God not men. When you strive to please men, you will not please God. However, when you first please God, men are treated correctly. Hebrews 12:2 gives solid advice, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Basically, we need to look to Jesus.

By looking to God first, it mandated that he treat others well. Integrity and realness were important; it was not about trickery. Character and conduct are important. He made no empty promises and followed no humanly devised schemes.

He was not into flattery (verse 5). Flattery was the insidious practice of saying nice things to gain influence over others for selfish reasons. Wiersbe has said, “A flatterer is a person who manipulates rather than communicates. A flatterer can use either truth or lies to achieve his unholy purpose, which is to control your decisions for his own profit.” Flattering speech compliments someone else merely as a ploy to win favor with that person or to gain power over him.

4. How is flattery different from compliments and encouragement?

God hates flattery. Psalm 12:3 says, “May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts.” Integrity is not about tricks or traps. We should not give a sale’s pitch; we should give the Word of God. We need to remember that salvation does not lie at the end of a clever argument.

Paul also avoids any kind of pretext (verse 7). He denies putting on any type of mask that greed puts on too many people. In Paul’s day, people used religion as a means of making money. Paul did not use the Gospel as a cloak to cover covetousness.

Paul was not into ministry for the praise of men. A true ministry of the Gospel deals honestly but lovingly with sin and judgment and leaves the unbeliever with nothing to boast of in himself. It is why some churches try to flatter people with their lives. That is why some churches you walk into you just tell about how great and wonderful you are. They do not tell you that you truly need Jesus. We do not look at people in a way to use them. We look to love people because that is who Jesus is.

5. How do some “outsiders” view the church?

6. How is our church different?

Paul Looked to People with a Gentle Heart

Paul looks to people with a gentle heart like a mother for her child. I remember visiting a teen at the hospital. As I walked through the lobby, I saw her mother. Her head was in her hands and she was crying. She saw me approach and welcomed me. As we went into the hospital room together, I saw her change. She put on her “mom powers.” She was logical and loving with her daughter. She was confident. It was impressive. She did not want her daughter to become discouraged or fearful. I have also seen “mom powers” when someone has crossed her child. It is also referred to as the “mama bear.”

7. Do you remember a time when your mom stepped up for you?

In 2 Corinthians 1:4, we read about being gentle, “Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

The term gentle is at the heart of this verse. It means to be kind to someone and encompasses a lot of other virtues; acceptance, respect compassion, tolerance of imperfections, patience, tenderheartedness, and loyalty (John MacArthur).

Paul Looked at People as Ones Needing the Gospel

If we have no desire for people around us to know the Gospel, I am not sure we know the Gospel. Looking back at 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, we see that we came to them with the purpose of bringing the Gospel (verses 2, 4, 8, and 9).

We need to realize the Gospel is of first importance. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, we read, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

8. What is contained in the Gospel?

Paul Looked at People as Deserving of His Life

Finally, Paul adds that he not only shared the Gospel, but he also shared his own life. Looking at 1 Thessalonians 2:8, we read, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”

To give the Gospel involves giving our lives. I recently had a man share with me how he was struggling with his teenage son. He found an older man in the church who spent time with him giving counsel and encouragement. It was fantastic. That is what the church is supposed to be about. We share life together.

Paul adds more insight in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, “We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

Exhorting is literally to call alongside or come alongside. The apostle referred to coming alongside children for the purpose of aiding directing and instruction wisely as a source of character conduct. Encouraging is the process of sending comfort and consolation.

Recently, my son came home with an assignment from Awana on how to serve others so that they may hear the Gospel. He said he could grab the microphone at Kroger's and tell everyone about Jesus. I appreciated his enthusiasm but directed him toward service. I asked him how I could serve mom and he said to buy her a car. We laughed but then talked about how serving around the house by making his bed, cleaning his room, and doing the dishes screamed love.

9. How are some ways we can serve others so that they are more prone to be open to the Gospel?

It is important to check our eyesight. We need to see those around us the same way Jesus does.

Audience of One

Dr. Randy T. Johnson

Join The Team (JTT) is the opportunity of being part of something bigger than yourself. It is the calling of God to be involved with other believers in serving the Lord. Although it is a high calling, it is still a calling to all believers.

The coach is a vital part of every team. An effective coach places his players in the right position giving them needed instructions.

1. Who was your least favorite coach, director, or teacher?

2. What was it that made them (or any “poor” coach) ineffective?

3. Who was your favorite coach, director, or teacher?

4. What was it that made them (or other great coaches) influential?

Two of the biggest challenges for a coach are for the players to “buy into the system” and for them to listen to the coach above all other voices.

BUYING INTO THE SYSTEM

In football, “buying into the system” could mean that the wide receivers still perform strong routes even though they know the team is going to run the ball. Recently, Mac Jones of the New England Patriots only threw three passes on a windy Monday night game in Buffalo. It was the fewest pass attempts in an NFL game in nearly a half-century. They ended up winning the game. The “system” worked.

As a church, we believe the system is the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

As believers, we glorify God by reaching the world with the Gospel, gathering together as saints, and growing in the Word.

5.What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by reaching the world with the Gospel? What roles need to be filled during outreach events or even weekly?

6. What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by gathering with the saints? What roles need to be filled during a gathering?

7. What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by growing in the Word? What roles need to be filled concerning Growth Communities?

LISTENING TO ONLY THE COACH

Two of the biggest challenges for a coach are for the players to “buy into the system” and for them to listen to the coach above all other voices.

Parents seem to know more than every coach (and definitely the officials). It can be difficult as their parent yells for them to do something different than what the coach instructed. Often there are not enough balls on the field or court for every child to please their parents.

Friends can be another distracting voice. Players may want to prove the naysayers wrong. They get teased for not scoring and begin to focus on the wrong things during the game. Sometimes they listen to friends with their flattery and start to believe they deserve something different.

8. What kind of spectators were your parents? What kind of spectator are you?

In our daily walk, Scripture talks about the importance of listening to “the Coach:”

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4

“For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:43

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” Acts 5:29

9. What verses stand out to you? Why?

10. What principles can be learned from these verses?

There may be times when what you are doing goes unnoticed. You may feel unappreciated. You might feel taken for granted. You might not get the best roles. When others say this (including the devil or yourself), remember that you only listen to the Coach. You have an audience of One!