1 Thessalonian Bible Study

Review - Paul plants this church amidst great challenge, stays like a few months. Jews and others come to faith in the city.  But some Jews and others are jealous (). The form a mob, drag Jason (wealthy Jew who hosts the church in his home) out and fine him. Attempt to charge with civil disobedience, trumped up. Apparently the situation is so dangerous that Paul & Silas are sent out that night to Berea.  This group follows them to harass them in Berea too. They are relentless in their false accusations and condemnations of Paul and Silas. This text is Paul’s defense to the Thessalonians.  He doesn’t know what they’ve heard (or at least can guess) and he wants to put their minds at ease.

In so doing, he gives us a glimpse into the realities of professional ministry.

1. MINISTRY IS HARD (v. 1-2, 14-16)

“great opposition” there is always opposition to the Gospel.  Opposition to change (right now at Broadway).

Persecution on them, along with Paul, not to mention Jesus.  This is normal and to be expected.

Gavin Ortlund on Twitter - "The devil starts many deliberate lies about God's servants, and thousands of Christians grasp them, believe them, and pass them on in ugly gossip.... I shall continue to preach the gospel and not stoop to mudslinging."

-Billy Graham, amidst harsh criticism from fundamentalists

2. MINISTRY IS PURE (v. 3-6)

Not trying to work my way in, deceive, and get money.  That was apparently part of these accusations…”they’re just playing you. They are in it for themselves.” 

John Stott in Gospel At The End - “Happy are those Christian leaders today, who hate hypocrisy and love integrity, who have nothing to conceal or be ashamed of, who are well known for how and what they are, and who are able to appeal without fear to God and the public as their witnesses!”

Notice he appeals to their real experience, not what they have heard.  “as you well know.”

Purpose is to please God, not people.  We need to get tattoos of that!  If you serve in ministry to make friends, might not be a wise thing to do.  Yes, there will be great relationships that forge, but sadly many relationships are lost because of ministry. ILL - at start of the Edge, Rick Hodshire - “Those who start this with you will not be with you to finish this.” 

3. MINISTRY IS SELFLESS (v. 7-12)

Notice the family imagery he uses here. “We were like children among you.”  “Like a mother feeding and caring for her own children.” “Dear brothers and sisters.” “As a father treats his own children.” 

This can be a challenge at times because there are always people who we would be happy to love like this, but there are always people we will struggle to love like this. This is how God uses ministry to shape us into Christlikeness.

Hanz Finzel in Empowered Leaders - “Servant leaders must be willing to live with submission on many levels: submission to authority, submission to God the Father, submission to one’s spouse, submission to the principles of wise living, and submission to one’s obligations. Though conventional wisdom says everyone should submit to their leaders, the real truth is that leaders, to be effective, must learn to submit.”

4. MINISTRY IS PERSONAL (v. 17-18)

While there are those who are hard to love, there are those who are a delight to love.  We become friends, our lives are better because we have them in our lives. This is one of the richest parts of ministry.  This is when it really feels like a privilege to do what we do.  It doesn’t always feel that way, but sometimes the rays shine through the clouds.

James Stalker, Scottish minister and author, end of 19th century - “When I first settled in a church, I discovered a thing of which nobody had told me, and which I had not anticipated, but which proved a tremendous aid in doing the work of the ministry.  I fell in love with my congregation.  I do not know how otherwise to express it.  It was a genuine blossom of the heart as any which I have ever experienced.  It made it easy to do anything for my people.”

5. MINISTRY IS REWARDING (v. 13, 19-20)

They heard the Word of God and accepted as the Word of God.  People lovingly submitted to God’s authority and their lives were changed.  This is why we do what we do.  And when it happens, there is nothing like it.  It can become addictive, it never gets old. You counsel from scripture and they follow it; you preach or teach and they have a lightbulb moment; you see the tangible difference your leadership makes. 

Paul drills down on this personal/relational idea so much that did you notice what he said in v. 19?  Our people are the reward.  They are the crown we wear as we stand before the Lord.  They are our pride and joy.

Questions for Reflection and Application

1. Since ministry is hard, what steps do I need to take to ensure I cross the finish line faithfully?

2. Since ministry is pure, what actions, word, or thoughts do I need to repent of?

3. Since ministry is selfless, how can I begin to treat the people in my care as a mother or father treats their children?

4. Since ministry is personal, how can I further invest in life-giving relationships?

5. Since ministry is rewarding, how can I live for the glory of God and not for tangible rewards?