Read 1 Thessalonians 2.
The Roman Empire was full of traveling philosophers and wandering religious charlatans. Unbelieving Jews criticized Paul for being just like that. They were saying that he lacked love and care for these Thessalonian Christians. After all, he started this church and then left them. What is more, they accused Paul of only wanting to take advantage of this church for his own personal profit.
But, in response, the Apostle Paul evidences his firsthand knowledge of the people. Four times in the first twelve verses of chapter two, he used the term "you know". Despite the statements by the critics, this church knew otherwise. Paul had proved his genuineness to them. He left them a powerful example of the absolute essential elements of a true servant of God that every church needs.
1. The Message. (vv.1-3)
First and foremost was the declaration of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). If that message is not being proclaimed with urgency for people to respond in faith, then that is not a New Testament church. It is only a spiritually empty religious gathering. Note that Paul could have made excuses due to his own personal sufferings. He could have focused on those experiences to gain sympathy and support. Instead, he preached Jesus with even more boldness.
To represent the Lord, one must have confidence in this life changing message. The word of God (v.13) is without "error or impurity or any attempt to deceive" (v.3). There can be no hidden agendas in what the minister says or who he is.
2. The Motive behind the Message. (vv.4-6)
He never altered, downplayed, or ignored parts of the word of God in order to please the people. His true motive was to please an audience of One. It was not his message. These were not his people. This was not his opportunity. The results were not his. All of these things belong to the Lord. Therefore, he did not employ the tactics of the false teachers: flattery, greed and seeking personal glory.
Paul knew all too well that he would one day stand before the Lord and give an account of not only the message he delivered but the motive of why he was there.
3. The Manner behind the Ministry. (vv.7-19)
In great contrast to what his accusers were saying, Paul presented three metaphors to describe his manner in ministering to the people. Each carries a context of intimate family relationships.
-A Nursing Mother. No one is more loving and gentle than a mother of newborn baby. Attention is given around the clock to the health, feeding, cleanliness, and care of that child. The Thessalonians were Paul's spiritual children. Notice the words he used in writing of his manner toward them: gentle, being affectionately desirous, to share our own selves, "you had become very dear to us."
-A Working Brother. Paul did not come to boss them but to work alongside them to reach others and to build the ministry. He even worked to support himself so as not to be a burden upon this new church. As a result, his life had been transparent. They watched his behavior in real life circumstances. His conduct proved to be "holy and righteous and blameless."
-A Caring Father. Three aspects of what a dad does are mentioned here. There are times when a father must exhort or make strong, positive appeals. Second, along with exhorting, children need to be encouraged with soothing, comforting, confidence-building words. Third, fathers must charge or implore children toward right behavior. This may involve a confrontation.
The ministry goal of all these actions is so that each person will "walk in a manner worthy of God" (v.12).
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