The Love of God In Shepherds Part 1 | 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10

Scripture

• 1 Thessalonians 3:1–10

About this sermon

Introduction: “For you are our glory and joy.” Paul is saying, “You are a reason for our boasting in Christ, and His work in you fills our hearts with joy.” What kind of man says that — and means it? What kind of man’s life is wrapped up in the wellbeing of the church? What kind of man has the church as a focal point for his sense of purpose — as a focal point for his reason to rejoice? It is the kind of man who has been called by God and produced by God — produced by salvation, and by gifting, and by growth — to shepherd the church on behalf of the Chief Shepherd. To shepherd the church in SUBMISSION to the Chief Shepherd. Paul is that kind of man. HE IS ENGAGED IN A DEFENSE. Paul felt the need to defend, and to explain, his love for this church. He had to leave them suddenly. He had not been able to return to them. Either he heard of some who questioned his motives and his love, or he simply anticipated how the devil works. Either way, he has given an extended defense of his ministry and his missionary team. He has defended the integrity of the ministry. He has defended the genuine affection of the ministry. And now, when we come to chapter 3, and he continues to give details about what transpired from the time he left Thessalonica, to the present. IN THIS 3RD CHAPTER he pours out what is in his heart for this church. And, as he does, we meet with the kind of man who writes what he wrote at the end of chapter 2 — we meet with the heart of a pastor. God provides shepherds for His people. He loves His church through His servants. When the Lord, through Jeremiah, gave the promise of a spiritually fruitful kingdom in Israel with Christ reigning in Jerusalem — He promises a day of genuine shepherds. ESV Jeremiah 3:12 Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, "'Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. 13 Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD. 14 Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 "'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. 16 And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the LORD, they shall no more say, "The ark of the covenant of the LORD." It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again. 17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart. 18 In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage. Until the day of that kingdom, Christ is giving shepherds where His kingdom is spiritually known. It is our Lord who gives His church shepherds right now. Christ has ascended into heaven, and He has given gifted men to care for His people. ESV Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. ESV Ephesians 4:8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." 9 (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ESV 1 Peter 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. THE GREAT APOSTLE WAS ONE OF THOSE MEN. Paul is one of the apostles given to the church by Jesus. And as an apostle, he serves as a model for others who will follow the apostles and take care of the Lord’s sheep. So that what we see in this section is a great lesson to us about what characterizes the love of God in true shepherds.

Topics

• Love & Compassion