First Thessalonians (3)

First Thessalonians   •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  55:15
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A Pauline Heart to Minister

Last week we finished the message by saying, “may God give us a Thessalonian heart”
This morning I want to start out the message by saying, “may God not only give us a heart like the Thessalonians but may He give us a Pauline heart to minister to those we interact with.”
Paul was called to start and minister to a church that was full of born again Greeks, pagans and some Jews.
All had different personalities
All had different experiences
Paul would also face many false prophets and many Jews who did not like what he was doing.
But Paul did not let that distract him from ministering to this church becasuse....
Paul had a heart to minister
A heart to minister comes from a desire
to please God and God alone
Paul knew the best way to please God was by serving this church, loving this church and caring for this church.
Paul leaves us with a great example of how we are to minister to those around us.
So lets take the next several minutes and see how Paul ministered and prayerfully when we are done, we will want a heart to Minister like Paul as we live with heaven on our mind.
Verses 1-6

Paul was Faithful like a Good Servant

First thing we see this morning is that Paul was a faithful servant to God and to what God had intrusted to him.
When a servant was brought into a household, he was not always faithful. But those that were faithful to their masters would usually rise to a place of respect and or honor among the other servants.
Joseph was brought into Potiphers house as a servant but because he was found faithful, he rose quickly to the place of overseer. (Gen.39:4)
Joseph became a steward over all the Potipher placed in his hands.
Paul had been “put in trust with the Gospel” (1 Thes. 2:4).
It was not a message that he made up or that he received from men (Gal. 1:11–12
Galatians 1:11–12 (KJV 1900)
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul looked on himself as a steward of God’s message.
A steward owns nothing, but possesses and uses everything that belongs to his master.
Every steward one day must give an account of his stewardship Luke 16:1–2 (KJV 1900)
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
If he is found unfaithful, he will suffer.
The message of the Gospel is a treasure God has entrusted to us.
We must not bury it; we must invest it so it will multiply and produce “spiritual dividends” to God’s glory.
Faithfulness is the most important quality a steward possesses (1 Cor. 4:1–2).
He may not be popular in the eyes of men;
but he dare not be unfaithful in the eyes of God.
as Paul states in verse 4 “Not as pleasing men, but God who trieth [testeth] our hearts” (1 Thes. 2:4).
The Christian who “plays to the grandstands” will lose God’s approval.
When we see the characteristics of Paul’s ministry as a servant of God and a steward of the gospel, we can better understand what faithfulness means.
(vv. 1–2)
The Manner of his Ministry
(The custom; habitual practice)
Paul and Silas had been beaten and humiliated at Philippi; yet they came to Thessalonica and preached.
Most of us would have taken a vacation or found an excuse not to minister.
Paul was courageous—he was not a quitter.
He had a “holy boldness” that was born of dedication to God.
Like the other Apostles before him, Paul boldly proclaimed the Good News (Acts 4:13, 29, 31).
His preaching was “with much contention.”
This is an athletic term that means “a contest, a struggle.”
The Greek world was familiar with athletic contests, and
Paul often used this idea to illustrate spiritual truths (1 Cor. 9:24–27; Phil. 3:13–14; 2 Tim. 4:7).
He used this same word in Philippians 1:30 where he pictured the Christian life as an athletic contest that demanded dedication and energy.
It had not been easy to start a church in Philippi, and it was not easy to start one in Thessalonica.
Paul undertstood this was a race not a sprint.
a. The Manner of his Ministry
b. The Message in his Ministry
(v. 3a exhortation was not of deceit).
Here he assured them that his message was true.
Six times in this letter he mentioned the Gospel.
This message of Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1–6) is a true message and is the only true Gospel (Gal. 1:6–12).
Paul received this Gospel from God, not from man.
It is the only Good News that saves the lost sinner.
a. The Manner of his Ministry
b. Message in his Ministry
c. The Motive for his Ministry
(v. 3b).
He was not guilty of “uncleanness,” for his motives were pure.
It is possible to preach the right message with the wrong motives (Phil. 1:14–19).
Unfortunately, some people in Paul’s day used religion as a means for making money.
Paul did not use the Gospel as “a cloak to cover his covetousness” (1 Thes. 2:5).
He was open and honest in all his dealings, and he even worked at a trade to earn his own support (see 2 Thes. 3:8–10).
Paul was very sensitive about money matters.
He did not want to give anyone a reason to accuse him of being a religious salesman (1 Cor. 9:1–18).
As an apostle, he had the privilege of receiving support.
But he gave up that right in order to be free from any possible blame that would disgrace the ministry.
a. The Manner of his Ministry
b. Message in his Ministry
c. The Motive for his Ministry
d. The Method to his Ministry
(vv. 3c–6).
Paul did not use guile or trickery to win converts.
The word translated “guile” carries the idea of “baiting a hook.”
In other words, Paul did not trap people into being saved, the way a clever salesman traps people into buying his product.
Spiritual witnessing and “Christian salesmanship” are different.
Salvation does not lie at the end of a clever argument or a subtle presentation.
It is the result of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thes. 1:5
1 Thessalonians 1:5 KJV 1900
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Often we hear, “I don’t care what your method is, just so long as your message is right.”
But some methods are unworthy of the Gospel.
They are cheap, whereas the Gospel is a costly message that required the death of God’s only Son.
They are worldly and man centered, whereas the Gospel is a divine message centered in God’s glory.
Paul’s enemies in Thessalonica accused him of being a cheap peddler of this new message.
They said that his only motive was to make money.
In describing himself as a faithful steward, Paul answered these critics;
Paul appealed to the witness of God (1 Thes. 2:5) and to their own witness.
He had “a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
Paul abhorred flattery and covetousness (1 Thes. 2:5).
Ive heard that 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.
Flattery is another form of lying.
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.
Paul’s method was as pure as his motive: he presented the Word of God in the power of the Spirit, and trusted God to work.
V.6 - He knew what he was doing was not for his own glory or anyone else.
He was an apostle of Christ and that ment everything he said and did was for God’s glory.
Verses 7-8

II. Paul was Gentle to Them Like a Mother

As an apostle, Paul was a man of authority; but he always used his authority in love.
The babes in Christ sensed his tender loving care
He was indeed like a loving mother who cared for her children.
It takes time and energy and sacrifice to care for children.
Paul did not turn his converts over to baby-sitters; he made sacrifices and cared for them himself.
He did not tell them to “read a book” or watch tv, or hand them an Ipad as a substitute for his own personal ministry
a mother sometimes has to give up her own wants and desires so the child can be taken care of.
Paul did the same thing
a. Paul had patience
with the new Christians.
My mom had to have a lot of patience.
She had to raise two boys if that was not bad enough, she had to raise me. lol but To even things up, God gave me to wonderful girls. lol
Bobby, Im sure your mom had a lot of patience. lol
Children do not grow up instantly.
They all experience growing pains and encounter problems as they mature.
Paul’s love for them made him patient, because love suffers long, and is kind (1 Cor. 13:4
b. Paul also nourished them.
First Thessalonians 2:7 can read “even as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”
What is the lesson here?
A nursing mother imparts her own life to the child.
This is exactly what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:8.
You cannot be a nursing mother and turn your baby over to someone else.
That baby must be in your arms, next to your heart.
The nursing mother eats the food and transforms it into milk for the baby.
The mature Christian feeds on the Word of God and then shares its nourishment with the younger believers so they can grow (1 Peter 2:1–3).
A nursing child can become ill through reaction to something the mother has eaten.
The Christian who is feeding others must be careful not to feed on the wrong things himself.
Besides making sacrifices, having patience, and giving nourishment, a mother also
protects her child.
It was this fact that enabled King Solomon to discover which woman was the real mother of the living child (1 Kings 3:16–28).
Paul was willing to give not only the Gospel but his own life as well.
His love for the Thessalonians was so great he would die for them if necessary.
Verses 9-12

III. Paul Cared for Them Like a Father

Paul considered himself a “spiritual father” to the believers at Thessalonica, just as he did toward the saints at Corinth. 1 Cor. 4:15
1 Corinthians 4:15 KJV 1900
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
A true father not only begets the children; he also cares for them.
Paul points out three of his duties as the spiritual father to the Thessalonians.

His Work

(v. 9).
The father works to support his family.
Even though the Christians in Philippi sent financial help (Phil. 4:15–16), Paul still made tents and paid his own way.
No one could accuse him of using his ministry for his own profit.
Later on, Paul used this fact to shame the lazy Christians in the Thessalonian church (2 Thes. 3:6ff).
Paul uses the words “labor and travail.”
It was not easy to make tents and minister the Word at the same time.
No wonder Paul toiled “night and day” (Acts 20:31).
He toiled because he loved the believers and wanted to help them as much as possible.
I took this church not because of the pay, I took this church because it is what God wanted.
ever since i became involved in ministry not just pastoring, I have always said I will do this even for free
Its not about the money.
It would be great to be here full time, but I still would not be here for the money.
Ask my wife, I would have come here and pastored for nothing.
Paul would not take money because he did not want to give anyone a reason to bring an accusation.
*maybe say a few things about some pastors*
A father is a worker. He sets the standard and like Paul did, he will do whatever he has to to not be a burden on anyone.
2 Corinthians 12:14 KJV 1900
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
We also see

His Walk

v.10
Fathers must live so that they are good examples to their children.
He could call the Thessalonian believers as witnesses that his life had been exemplary in every way.
None of the members of the assembly could accuse Paul of being a poor example.
Furthermore, God had witnessed Paul’s life; and Paul was not afraid to call God as a witness that he had lived a dedicated life, while caring for the church family.
His life was holy.
In the Greek, this means to “carefully fulfill the duties God gives to a person.”
Our word pious is close to it, if you think of piety at its best and not as some fake kind of religion.
This same word is applied to the character of God in Revelation 15:4 and 16:5.
His life was also righteous.
This refers to integrity, uprightness of character, and behavior.
This is not the “righteousness of the Law” but the practical righteousness that God works out in our lives as we yield to Him (Phil. 3:4–10).
Paul’s life was also unblamable.
Literally, this word means “not able to find fault in.”
His enemies might accuse him, but no one could level any charge against Paul and prove it.
Christians are supposed to be “blameless and harmless” as they live in this world (Phil. 2:15).
My pastor told me, if anyone ever makes an accusation against you, dont defend against it, just out live it. Live your life so that people will know that it is nothing more than an accusation.
Let me ask you, who could we call to be your witness that you are living a holy and justly life?

His Words

vs. 11-12
A father must not only support the family by working, and teach the family by being a good example.
He must also take time to speak to the family members.
Paul knew the importance of teaching these new believers the truths that would help them grow in the Lord.
1. His words were Personal
As busy as he was, Paul still had time for personal counseling with the members of the assembly.
While it is good for church leaders to address the larger group, spending time with people on a one-to-one basis is also needed.
Our Lord was never too busy to speak to individuals, even though He preached to great multitudes.
To be sure, this is difficult and demanding work.
But it is rewarding work that glorifies God.
1. His words were Personal
2. His Words were Encouraging
Paul encouraged the new believers.
This is what a father does with his children, for children are easily discouraged.
New Christians need someone to encourage them in the Lord.
The word exhorting in our Authorized Version means “to call to one’s side, to encourage.”
It does not mean that Paul scolded them.
Rather, it means he encouraged them to go on with the Lord.
Ive sat under a lot of good preaching, I have heard it all too.
There are some preachers that I will never have in this pulpit because I know they are nothing more than sheep shearers
Oh they can plow a row for sure, but they are so mean doing it that the sheep leave nicked and cut up.
I heard a preacher say one time, “You should preach to were when you are done there is guts on the wall and blood on the floor.”
Im sorry that is not what Paul did, Paul was loving and compassionate.
He preached it straight and he preached hard when needed but he still did it with love.
I strongly believe you should never leave church feeling better about yourself but you should never leave licking your wounds either.
We are to preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove (negative), rebuke (Negative), and exhort (positive)
yes its 2/3 negative but I believe a single message can contain all three and should.
I may nick you once in a while but just like a good Shepard would do, I should apply the balm before I send you back out into the field.
1. His words were Personal
2. His Words were Encouraging
3. His Words were Comforting
Paul also comforted them.
This word carries the same idea of “encouragement,” with the emphasis on activity.
Paul not only made them feel better, but he made them want to do better.
A father must not pamper a child; rather, he must encourage the child to go right back and try over again.
Christian encouragement must not become an anesthesia that puts us to sleep.
It must be a stimulant that awakens us to do better.
1. His words were Personal
2. His Words were Encouraging
3. His Words were Comforting
4. His Words were Challenging
Finally, Paul charged them.
This word means that Paul “testified to them” out of his own experience with the Lord.
It carries the idea of giving personal witness.
Sometimes we go through difficulties so that we may share with new Christians what the Lord has done.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (KJV 1900)
God..comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 John 4 KJV 1900
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

Conclusion

Now, what difference does all of this make in my life?
First, Paul's ministry should remind us that no matter what capacity God has us in, wither we fold the bulletins or teach a class we are to do it with integrity and selfless service.
Integrity isn't just about avoiding wrongdoing; it's about consistently aligning our actions with the character of Christ and the ethical standards set by God.
It means living with a clear conscience, knowing that our conduct honors God and inspires others.
Second, Paul's ministry should be an example on how to treat others.
Ministering like a gentle mother puts the willingness in our hearts to give up our own comfort, time, and resources for the benefit of others.
Ministry, whether in the church or in everyday life, demands a willingness to prioritize the needs of others above our own comforts and ambitions (Philippians 2:3-4).
It's about sacrificially investing our time, resources, and talents to advance God's kingdom and demonstrate His love to the world (Matthew 20:28; Galatians 5:13).
And third, Pauls ministry should remind us that we should care for others like a father does his children.
We should work hard in everything we do, we should Walk right to be an example to others, and we should speak words that express our care and love for them.
Paul’s aim was that his children might “walk worthy of God” (1 Thes. 2:12).
Just as a father wants to be proud of his children, so the Lord wants to get glory through the lives of His children.
Paul ministered to them in such a personal way because he was teaching them how to walk.
Every child must learn how to walk.
He must have good models to follow.
We are to walk worthy of the calling we have in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:1).
​The verb in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 is in the present tense: “who is continually calling you.”
God called us to salvation (2 Thes. 2:13–14), and He is constantly calling us to a life of holiness and obedience.
1 Peter 1:15–16 (KJV 1900)
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Our ministry to those around us should resemble that of Pauls to the church of Thessalonica, Because One day we that are born again will enter into the eternal kingdom.
This assurance ought to govern our lives and make us want to please the Lord.
When He does call us home and we have lived our lives with heaven on our mind, then when it comes time to knell before God, we wont have to hang our head in sadness, we will be able to lower it in humble gratitude. When we hear those precious words, Matt:25:23
Matthew 25:23 KJV 1900
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Will those words be said to you?
If not, it is still not to late to start living with heaven on your mind.
wont you come
Parts of this message were taken from Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 2:163–170
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