1 Thessalonians (Midweek lesson 3 of 8)

Thames Valley Churches of Christ

1. What God’s messengers are like inside, internally, their motives - and how
you can tell, vv2-7
A. Suffering, v2
Acts 16 - stripped, beaten with rods, severely flogged, prison, feet in stocks.
Yet bold in speaking
Why do that if likely to receive same treatment?
B. Motives, v3
Not tricky
If he had tricked them they would know by now
C. Flattery, v5
No greed
Does not get you beaten up
Authority from suffering and sacrifice for no personal gain. Apply to
leadership, of course, but also to how we treat one another because this is
an issue of Christ-likeness.
“The hallmark of well-entrenched greed, then, is a willingness to use people
to serve our love for money, rather than the use of money to serve our love
for people.” Glittering Vices, Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung
“When we process our leadership by our character, the quality of the
outcomes will be measured by a thriving culture where people are valued
and not used, where the leader is respected and not feared, where a leader
is trusted and not doubted, where the moral authority of the leader’s life
makes others glad to cooperate and achieve, where grace underwrites the
administration of the employee handbook, and where the leader’s example
stimulates those he serves to live and lead as the leader lives and leads.”
Redefining Leadership Joseph M. Stowell
2. What God’s messengers are like with people, externally, their actions -
and how you can tell, vv7-12
A. Child
QUESTION: In what way could an adult like Paul be a ‘child’ among the
Thessalonians?
Invisible
Not a ‘hero’
Dependant
B. Nursing mother

QUESTION: In what way could an man like Paul be a ‘nursing mother’
among the Thessalonians?
Skin-close
Bird keeping chicks warm
Feeding
C. Father
QUESTION: In what way could an person like Paul be a ‘father’ among the
Thessalonians?
Taking initiative by
Encouraging
Comforting
Urging
QUESTION: What would these look like?
“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your
labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord
Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Encouraging - put courage in - FAITH
Comforting - companionable compassion - LOVE
Urging - take action - ENDURANCE
"He exhorted them like a sports coach telling his team how to win; he
encouraged them like a friend strengthening someone facing a daunting
task; he testified to them like a witness in a court of law." N. T. Wright, The
NT for Everyone
Conclusion
A wonderful model for us to imitate in reaching out to those who do not know
God....
‘The true missionary is not someone specialised in the delivery of the
message but someone whose whole being, completely committed to a
message which demands all, is communicated to his hearers.’ Best, Tyndale
Commentary
You've found an upload from the Thames Valley churches of Christ. Thank
you for watching this video. If you'd like to know more go to
www.thamesvalley.church where you'll find news, information, resources and
much more.