A Ministry To Be Trusted Part 2 | 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Scripture

• 1 Thessalonians 2:1–16

About this sermon

Introduction: What characterizes a ministry that can be trusted? We are getting a divine lesson in that as Paul reminds the Thessalonians of what made his ministry trustworthy. Review: I. A MINSTRY TO BE TRUSTED IS PURE IN ITS MOTIVES (vs.1-6) This morning, we spent our time considering Paul’s motives. His motives were pure. His motives were God-glorifying, and God-focused. We said that motives become apparent by the pattern of our behavior. Paul talked about his motives in the context of his ways of ministry — how his motives were on display in what they had done. The purity of his motives on display through difficult preaching. The purity of his motives on display through refusal to manipulate. The purity of his motives on display through the reverence of a faithful steward. The purity of his motives on display through eternal ambitions. The fuel for faithful ministry consists of ambitions that have been imparted by salvation and are maintained by the work of the Spirit of God. II. A MINISTRY TO BE TRUSTED IS PARENTAL IN ITS AFFECTIONS (vs.7-12) A faithful ministry is not just known by its motives — it is known by its affections. Faithful ministry demonstrates the heart of God because it is driven by affections taught by God and GIVEN by God. After stating what DIDN’T characterize their ministry in verses 5-6, Paul describes the LOVE that they demonstrated for these people. HE DESCRIBES THE LOVE OF THE MISSIONARY TEAM IN PARENTAL TERMS. In verse 7 he compares their care for them to a mother in her nurturing devotion. In verse 11 he compares their care for them to a father in his encouraging and imploring devotion. A MOTHER AS A NURTURER, A FATHER AS A PROVIDER AND A TEACHER. A. THE SENSITIVE CARE OF A MOTHER (vs.7) He describes the sensitive care of a mother. The word for “gentle” is only used twice in the NT. Its other use is in 2 Timothy 2:24 and is translated “kind.” NAS 2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. The word translated “nursing mother” is only used here in the NT and it can mean “nurse.” But Paul ties this with the idea that she is taking care of her own children, so it is translated “nursing mother.” That is, a mother considered in her care giving role with her children. Paul’s point is that they did not come to the Thessalonians in the manner of authoritarians. His ministry was not characterized by harshness or insensitivity. They did not meet with the Thessalonians in a way that was cold, aloof, proud, or heavy handed. The attitude on display in their concern for these people was not FORMAL it was FAMILIAL ¬— It was the attitude of family love. Sensitivity, compassion, respect, care, for people marks the affections found in faithful ministry. B. THE SACRIFICIAL CARE OF A MOTHER (vs.8) In this way, in that same kind of care, with a yearning kind of affection for these people (think about how love for our children is a matter of strong desire) — so, out of this kind of affection — there was a willingness to give MORE than the gospel. There was a willingness to lay down the missionaries’ own lives for the sake of the souls of the Thessalonians. WHAT WILL A PARENT REFUSE TO GIVE FOR THE WELLBEING OF A CHILD? Once again, this is what CHARACTERIZED Paul’s ministry — not just at Thessalonica, but everywhere he went. NAS 2 Corinthians 12:14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less? Parental love is not just characterized by a sensitive heart toward children, it is also characterized by the willingness to sacrifice.

Topics

• Faith
• Service & Ministry