The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

2.4 A FAITHFUL MINISTER'S CONDUCT IS NOT OFFICIOUS LORDING (1 Thessalonians 2:6)

1 Thessalonians 2:6 "Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ."

Paul points to the fact that he and those with him had a very real advantage as the apostles of Christ. Appointed to found churches, and with the power gifts of healings, miracles in evidence, it would have been easy to set up dominion over them and others. But they sought no lordship over others - and so as not to be a burden, even forewent their right support (1 Thessalonians 1:6, Galatians 6:6 ). The true messenger of God is not overbearing, lording it over people, officious, or dominating, or controlling and manipulative, but humble, and willing to waive his own rights in the interest of developing others; and jealously directs all the glory to the Lord Jesus to whom unqualified obedience must be given.

2.5 A FAITHFUL MINISTER CHERISHES THOSE WON TO CHRIST (1 Thessalonians 2:7-9)

1 Thessalonians 2:7 "But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children."

Instead of being burdensome officials, this apostolic team cherished them with tender care, like to that of a nursing mother. Towards these new converts they acted in the loving self-sacrificing spirit of the Good Shepherd (John 10 ). Dealing gently with the flock of the Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, is possible only with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22 ), and is a manifestation of the wisdom that is from above (James 3:17 ). Paul and company were men of strong character - teaching us that gentleness is to be equated with strength, not weakness.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 "We loved you dearly - so dearly that we gave you not only God's message, but our own lives too." (Living Bible)

Pioneers' success is guaranteed when compelled by love to reach the unreached with God's life-giving Word. As spiritual parents, there must be an ongoing travail until Christ is formed in those begotten by the truth. In the case of the Pauline team they took their lives in their hands for the sake of their spiritual children. Love is expressed in total self-sacrifice by those who care like a mother those for whom they are spiritually responsible.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 "For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God."

Hard, laborious work had become the lifestyle of the apostle. He was willing to work to the point of exhaustion in the effort to reach the lost, and build up the found. His daily habit was to labour more abundant. (2 Corinthians 6:4-5, 11:23 ). He laboured paying his own expenses (Acts 20:34 ).

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

Do you believe that true Leaders do not lord it over the people?
- Do you happily submit to Leaders who put your interests first?
- Whose glory should both Leader and led be seeking?
- To whom can you give unqualified obedience?
What do you think it cost Paul to be like a nursing mother to new converts?
- Would you be willing to pay the same price?
- Are there ways in which you would have to change?