Motherhood as A Model for Ministry & Life

Acknowledge Mother’s Day. The Sermon is entitled A Mother-like Ministry. Although it will have a special emphasis on motherhood, it is an exposition of an Apostolic Defense. In that sense, it is an expository sermon. And insofar as it is that, it is, therefore, applicable to all of us here. Furthermore, 1 Thess 1:6 says:

1 Thessalonians 1:6 ESV

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Intro: A couple of things to know about today’s text:

For the Thessalonian Church

Founded in Paul’s 2nd missionary journey as narrated in Acts 17.

Paul spent at least a month there, some commentator speculate that he could have spent more than a month there before moving elsewhere. However, as we will see, the relationship and love he develop with the Thessalonian church was deep.

Paul was made to flee that place because of the hard opposition to the Gospel that some Jews still had.

As I said before, the text we are going to read today is an apostolic defense.

Hence, by the time Paul is writing this, there are still some people that are trying to convince the church there that Paul does not have a real authority, nor a real ministry.

His defense argument consist in a series of contrast between what his ministry is not, and what his ministry is.

At the discourse-level the center of the argument comes in verse 7 when he compares his ministry to a nursing mother.

Hence, at many points in this sermon, I will speak about both appreciation for motherhood and mothers, as well as about appreciation for ministry and ministers.

So, too things to be attentive to while I read the text for us this morning:

Look for the not this but that…

See how verse 7 is a culmination of all what precedes concerning the argument.

My purpose this morning is simple:

To convince you that, because the ministry of motherhood is a vivid image of the gospel, we ought live appreciating it.

We appreciate it by valuing its calling

We appreciate it by imitating it’s character

We appreciate it by considering it’s content

With this in mind, let us read from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 (ESV)

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.

Prayer:

Father, God. As we come to the text this morning, we ask that your Spirit may visit us. Give me strength to preach, give me wisdom to discern your text. As I place some special emphasis on honoring mothers this morning, make it so, nonetheless, a sermon that is deeply rooted in Scripture, and not in my own imaginations. Be glorified, Lord, and nurture your church through your word, for they are yours, and you are theirs, and they look to you. Bless me, Oh Lord, for I need your blessing. In Christ Jesus we pray, Amen.

We Appreciate Motherhood by Valuing its Calling

English Standard Version Chapter 2

2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

2 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.

Paul begins his apostolic defense by explaining that having come to the church in Thessalonica was not in vain.

He reminds the church in Thessalonica of two important things.

First, that the purpose of him being there, the message he carried with him was the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hence, reminding the Thessalonian church, and us, that the Gospel bring an intrinsic value to everything we do, especially ministry-wise.

Sometimes we might be tempted to ask ourselves if praying for such and such is worth it. If sharing the gospel is still needed if someone is not likely to repent. If coming to church is still “a thing” especially after surviving without it for so long. Here’s Paul’s response: The gospel makes ministry valuable. As long as the gospel is present, the work is not in vain.

Second, that sharing the gospel came at a price.

Paul reminds them that their visit to share the gospel of Jesus took place after they had suffered and been mistreated in Philippi.

Later, in Thessalonica, they also encountered much opposition.

Mom, as your ministry to your children focuses on sharing the gospel, remember that everything you have done, do, and will do will not be in vain!

Certainly, there will be opposition.

There will be difficult seasons; some more than others.

There will be pressure from the world not to raise your children as the Word commands.

But God can provide to you with the courage to continue sharing the gospel with your children, in word and with your way of life.

For the rest of Us:

How does this challenges our view of both ministry and motherhood?

Many of us think of other vocations as worthy to pursue, and that’s fine! We need all kinds of people in the church, but…what about being a mom? what about being a minister?

How highly do we think of these vocations?

How often do we thank the Lord for raising people that delight in doing these things!

So, how do we show appreciation for both motherhood and ministry?

Let me share some ideas:

In addition to setting apart a day like today to celebrate mom,

Pray for her, thank her, help her.

Husbands, ask her how her day was, and listen to them.

Children, obey. Let’s start there. Adult children, ask for counsel.

Many of these are also things you can do for your minister.

Pray for him, thank him, ask him about his needs.

So, as long as the gospel is present, two things are to be expected: motherhood and the ministry are valuable and opposition will come. So, how did Paul have the courage to continue sharing the gospel in the midst of such difficult circumstances?

We appreciate Motherhood by imitating it’s character

From God

English Standard Version Chapter 2

3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,

4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,

One reason Paul can stand firm in the ministry the Lord has given him to the church is precisely because he considers the origin or source of his ministry.

Paul reminds the church in Thessalonica that his ministry does not proceed from error, from impurity, nor is it from deception.

Rather, the Lord has approved of his ministry to care for his children in the faith.

God has entrusted Paul with the gospel to share it with the members of that congregation.

In other words, Paul's assurance and encouragement is not found in himself, nor in the congregation he loves; but in the God who is the source of the gospel.

Mom, in difficult seasons, when you don't want the burden that comes with the blessing, remember this:

your ministry comes from God.

The Lord has entrusted you with the gospel to share with your children, regardless of their age.

And the assurance and encouragement of this ministry is in God Himself.

Your job as a mother is to be faithful, and trust the Lord to preserve your own.

Not only ministers and mothers, but, to a certain degree, all of us christians have been entrusted with the core message of the Gospel.

Do we find encouragement in that fact? Rom. 1:16-7

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Do we live in light of this truth? Christian, this is my calling for you this day: Believe! Believe that the gospel is the power of God for salvation. It comes from him, and it bears his power.

For God

But ministry and motherhood are not only from God, but also for God.

English Standard Version (Chapter 2)

so we speak, (v.4 continues) not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Paul goes on to explain that this ministry of exhortation in the gospel not only comes from God, but is for him.

The biblical text is quite clear. The gospel message is not to please men.

What people think about the content and nature of the message is to a degree, irrelevant.

The message Paul shares is to please the Lord.

Thus, God is not only the source of the ministry, but also the object and the end.

In other words, the reason you and I are to share the Gospel is yes, to bring many into God’s family, but even more important than that, to please the Lord. We share the Gospel as an act of worship and submission of him who test our hearts.

We share the gospel amid a culture that rejects christianity because God is the most important thing in our lives.

And when our hearts are tested and we fail, there’s a great opportunity to ask God for grace, and for the help of his Spirit to make us understand who he is.

Mom, while your children benefit from your work as a Mother, the main goal of your ministry to them is to please God.

They certainly won't appreciate

a spanking in their childhood.

They probably won't appreciate you setting limits and boundaries in their teen-ages.

They may not like your biblical counsel and wisdom in their adulthood.

This can be sad, and it is good to pray that the Lord will enlighten their hearts and they will be able to appreciate your work.

But even more important is to remember that your faithfulness in being a mother is pleasing to the Lord, regardless of what your sons and daughters think about you.

What God thinks of you and your ministry as a mother is what really matter.

And so, for the rest of us, let me ask:

Are we appreciating ministry and motherhood by living lives that care more about pleasing God than about pleasing people?

Now, knowing the source and end of motherhood and ministry are only the begging to understanding its character. Motherhood, such as ministry, is Gentle at its core.

Gentle at its Core

English Standard Version Chapter 2

5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

After considering the source and purpose of the ministry in Thessalonica, Paul goes on to describe this ministry.

He reminds the church in Thessalonica that this ministry does not come from an attitude that is carried away by false praise, greed, or vainglory.

The contrast it makes is striking.

The attitude with which Paul ministered to this church is one characterized by gentleness, like a Mother tenderly nursing her baby.

Two things are to draw attention here.

First, the word used for mother is most often used for nurse or maidnurse.

That woman who feeds a child that is not originally hers.

On the other hand, the word for children is quite common.

In addition, the emphasis is that this woman has seen these children as her own.

This gives us an image of a mother who has decided to adopt a baby;

a mother who has taken a baby to nourish it from her own breast.

This is the image Paul uses to consummate the description of his ministry.

This tells us a lot about Paul's ministry,

but at the same time it tells us a lot about the work of a mother.

Mom, your ministry, your labor is exemplary.

Your life is exemplary. Your gentleness is exemplary, as long as those are christ-centered.

This is true not only of those mothers who raise biological sons, but of those who raise adopted sons, and even of those who pour their lives into sons and daughters into faith.

It is interesting how Paul is able to use these examples of fathers and mothers without ever having had children of his own.

And yet, he acknowledges having children in the faith.

Mom, your labor in gently caring for your child is being used by the apostle Paul as a picture of his own ministry because of the gentleness inherent in it. How can that inform your motherhood?

How does that inform our lives? How often do we see our own mothers as examples? What about our ministers?

Sometimes in the Reformed Presbyterian world we are somewhat annoyed by exemplary preaching:

But consider...:

1 Cor 11:1

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Philippians 3:17 ESV

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 ESV

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

A great way to appreciate motherhood in general, and your mother in particular, is by taking notice on the way they are constantly being gentle to us, or the ways they have been gentle to us in the past; and imitating that as Paul instructs us to imitate those who walk according to a good example.

So, we’ve spoken about God’s calling for both ministry and motherhood as something valuable. We’ve spoken about gentleness as a central characteristic of Motherhood and one to be imitated. Now let us turn finally to the content of Motherhood’s Ministry.

We appreciate Motherhood by considering it’s content

English Standard Version Chapter 2

8 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.

We have spoken in large part of Paul's ministry as one characterized by the gospel he shares.

Definitely, his ministry cannot be less than that, but it may be more.

Paul, after comparing his ministry to the work of a Mother raising her baby, reminds the church that they did not simply impart the gospel to them: they gave themselves.

When my wife gave birth to our first daughter, the days, weeks, and months that followed were tremendously difficult (for everyone, but especially) for her.

Our baby had some problems that led her to be hospitalized a few days after being born, and to needing special therapy when she was discharged.

My wife had more physical consequences from her birth than the average woman.

It took months for her body to recover from a natural birth. Her soul was hurt from carrying around the normal tiresomeness of an infant, plus a much longer recovery than normal.

And yet, day by day, she was there. Nursing. Even when it hurt. Waking at night, even when she was tired. Praying, even when she was discouraged. Reading Scripture, even when she didn’t feel it.

Many mothers, by this point, may be able to identify with her. If you’ve had children you know what is like. My wife didn't just give our baby milk, she gave herself. And continues to do so.

The reason Paul uses motherhood to talk about his ministry is because motherhood is a precious image of the gospel. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for those loved (Jn 15:13).

And a mother can understand in a special maybe unique way what it means to give her life for her children.

Finally, the explanation Paul gives for why he carried the gospel and gave himself for the church in Thessalonica is love.

The people in the church were made the object of Paul's love.

An interesting note in the Greek text is that the verb to be is found in a passive voice. In other words, it would be something like: "... you were made beloved to us."

Perhaps the immediate question is: who made Paul love the church? God did it.

Mom, the love that comes from God allows us to love one another (1 Jn 4:7-12).

This love allowed Paul to love his church, and it allows you to love your children as well.

This will be important in difficult times.

Yes, there will be times when loving the one who won't let you sleep, the one who took your makeup to make art on the couch, or the one who constantly challenges your authority will be difficult.

But, since the love with which we love children comes from God, we can always pray.

We can ask the Lord to give us more of His love to better love our children.

We can remember the love with which Christ has loved us, and thus love our difficult little ones, or even our prodigal adults.

We said that motherhood is a beautiful image of the Gospel. Here’s how:

Biblical motherhood is the image of one dying to self, living to serve others with gentleness our of love. Just as Christ gave his life, and gently deals with you and I out of love.

Let me end with words of encouragement for three groups of people.

First, moms: again, your ministry is not in vain. Thank all of you who are faithful mothers, for being an example for the church of love, gentleness, and sacrifice. Keep centering your ministry on the gospel, and the Lord will reward you.

Pastors, elders, leaders, keep an eye on your wives as mothers and listen to godly ladies in the congregation. If a mother's work was good enough for Paul to use as an image of his ministry, let's open our eyes to what the Lord is showing us from how good mothers are faithfully serving God by loving their children.

Finally, the encouragement is for the rest of us. Fathers are not exempt! (Then Paul will also use the example of fatherhood [1 Thess 2:11-12].) Each of us, parent or not, young, child, or adult, is called to be imitators of those who do what pleases the Lord (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17; 1 Thess 1:6;).

As beautiful as motherhood is, the call for appreciation of biblical motherhood is not for motherhood’s sake. The strenght of Paul’s argument is not motherhood by its own. Motherhood, biological, by adoption, or spiritual, it doesn’t matter; motherhood is beautiful because it is an image of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our call for appreciation of motherhood, is a call upon our appreciation of the beautiful gospel, to the beautiful Christ, to which it points.

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