HELPING BELIEVERS GROW
1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
- Three pictures of Paul’s ministry to help believers in Thessalonica to grow:
1. A Faithful Steward (vv. 1-6)
- Verse 4 says that Paul had been “put in trust with the Gospel,” (i.e. entrusted with it in order to teach it, preach it, share it, etc.). Paul saw himself as a steward of the Gospel message.
A steward owns nothing, but possesses and uses everything that belongs to his master (e.g. Joseph with Potiphar; parable of the pounds, talents, etc.).
How was Paul a faithful steward in his Gospel ministry?
1) The
- Paul was bold to preach the Gospel with much contention. Paul relentlessly struggled against the enemies of the Gospel and persevered to preach it boldly.
2) The message of his ministry (v. 3a)
- Paul’s message was not of “deceit.” It did not spring forth from error. The point is that Paul’s message was
- The truth is that there is only one TRUE Gospel. There is only one message that can bring forgiveness of sin and a relationship with God. Truth is a person. Truth is Jesus Christ. The only way to salvation is through Him.
3) The motive of his ministry (v. 3b)
- Paul’s motivation was not guilty of “uncleanness.” Paul’s motive was
- Paul was motivated to preach the Gospel because of his love for God and people. Paul was not motivated to preach the Gospel for
4) The
- Paul did not use “guile” or trickery to win people to the Lord.
- The word “guile” carries with it the idea of “baiting a hook.”
- Paul did not trap people into being saved. Salvation does not lie at the end of a clever presentation or argument. Salvation is the result of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. (v. 5, cf. v. 13)
2. A Loving Mother (vv. 7-8)
- In these verses we see Paul acting as a mother would act with her newborn baby.
- The emphasis in these verses is gentleness. Paul was an apostle, a man of authority, but he operated in love.
These new believers needed someone to love them and care for them. That is what Paul did.
1)
- Just like a mother must spend time with her children, believers that are more mature must spend time and effort caring for believers that are less mature.
2)
- “Even as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.” What is the lesson here? A nursing mother imparts her own life to the child.
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.
- This is what Paul was doing. He was nourishing the believers in Thessalonica.
3)
- A mother also provides protection for her young.
This fact is what allowed King Solomon to discover which woman was the real mother of living child. (1 Kings 3:16-28)
Paul was willing to give not only the Gospel but his own life as well. He would have died for them that they might know the truth.
3. A Concerned Father (vv. 9-12)
Paul considered himself to be a “spiritual father” to those he led to the Lord in salvation. (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15)
A father not only begets sons and daughters; he also carries out fatherly duties toward his children.
Note the duties Paul fulfilled:
1) His
- A father works to support his family. This is exactly what Paul did while he was in Thessalonica. Paul worked so as to provide spiritually for the Thessalonians. He labored to provide financially for himself so that he could provide spiritually for the Thessalonians.
2) His walk (v. 10)
- Fathers must live in such a way that they are good examples to their children.
Paul did this. He called God as his witness. He called the Thessalonian believers as his witnesses that his life had been exemplary.
1] Holy life
2]
3]
3) His words (Vv. 11-12)
A father must not only support his family by working, and teach his family by being a good example, he must also take time and speak to his family.
1] Paul spoke
2] Paul spoke
3] Paul spoke a