“For you yourselves know, brethren, that
our coming to you was not in vain.”
– 1 Thessalonians 2:1
In the final part of The Faithful Minister series we will
turn our eyes to the attitude of the minister toward those they serve. Thus far
we have seen a faithful minister practices what they preach, is not prevented
from ministering by persecution or difficulty whether it is from within the
church our outside the church. We have seen the minister exhorts with honest
and pure motives, and speaks and ministers to please God not people.
There are three more
characteristics of the faithful minister fond in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. They
focus on the minister’s attitude towards those they serve. Let’s see if we are
in line with this faithful standard.
Fifth, a faithful minister cherishes those they
minister to (2:7-8). Paul then builds his case by stating:
·
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 - 7 But we were gentle among
you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8
So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not
only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to
us.
Paul
said he was “gentle” (ἤπιος ēpiŏs, ay´-pee-os) affable, mild, tender, like a
mother is with her nursing child. Have you ever seen a mother with her nursing
child? She receives that little baby into her cuddling arms, holds him or her
up close in the tenderest loving way as she feeds them. It’s the tenderest
loving warm comforting embrace. The baby is delicate, new, and vulnerable. The
mother holds the infant close to communicate her love. It’s a tender expression
of love unmatched and embedded by the Lord in the mother child relationship.
Paul uses that “gentle” imagery to express how he felt and ministered to the
Thessalonians.
The
word “cherishes” (θάλπω thalpō, thal´-po) means
to keep warm, or brood over. Like a hen and her chicks, a cat and
her kittens, or a dog with her puppies, Paul looked after those he ministered
to. This imagery is used in reference to our relationship with the Lord (Psalm
17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7). God loves and cherishes us. He protects and cares for
us. God uses ministers as the conduits of such cherishing love of His flock.
Paul
uses others words to express his feelings toward the Thessalonians. Words like
“affectionately longing for you” (ἱμείρομαι himĕirŏmai, him-i´-rom-ahee) or yearning
and longing for. Like a mother who has just delivered her baby and
is waiting that first embrace. Paul uses the words “dear to us” (ἀγαπητός agapētŏs, ag-ap-ay-tos´), a word that is derived from the agape love
word meaning beloved or dearly, preciously loved. The words Paul
used to relate how he felt toward the Thessalonians were tender loving words.
Paul valued those he served.
If
you are a minister or involved in ministry, do you affectionately long for and
cherish those you minister to? Do you see them as dearly beloved people? It
isn’t always easy to do so is it? Children cry. When they get older they throw
tantrums and later will likely rebel and challenge your authority as parent.
They will disobey and disrespect you. Through it all do you still cherish them?
Yes, if you are a good parent. It doesn’t mean you won’t be hurt by your
child’s behavior. But you will still cherish your children. Ministers are
called by God to cherish and parent His children like Paul communicates with
these words.
If
you are in ministry for yourself you won’t cherish the people you minister to.
You will complain about them just like they complain about you. It will be a
dysfunctional relationship. Love is the only antidote to the dysfunction. Love
holds ministry together. This love is from the Spirit (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22f.).
This heaven sent love is the only way we will be able to say, like Paul did, “we were well pleased to
impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you
had become dear to us.” Paul gave his life for the Lord and for the people he
served. Love never fails (1 Cor. 13:4-8). Can you say this?
Sixth, a faithful minister labors night and day so as
not to be a burden to those they minister to (2:9). After these tender words
Paul says, “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.” Paul uses the word
“labor” (κόπος kŏpŏs, kop´-os) which means a cut, pains, trouble or weariness. Ministry
is hard work! The word “toil” (μόχθος
mŏchthŏs, mokh´-thos) carries the idea of sad, painful,
travail. Ministry can be a no pain no gain effort. The word “laboring” (Present
tense of ἐργάζομαι ĕrgazŏmai, er-gad´-zom-ahee) means an ongoing occupation, commitment,
or task that one is involved in. Ministry requires perseverance!
Paul labored “night and day.” Ministry is not a 9-5 job! The labor, toil, and
laboring on was so that Paul “would not be a burden to any of you.”
“Burden”
(ἐπιβαρέω ĕpibarĕō, ep-ee-bar-eh´-o) refers
to being heavy upon, expensive, an overcharge, or severe cost. Paul
didn’t cheapen his ministry, but he absorbed the cost rather than have those he
ministered to do so. Does this mean a good minister will not charge or never
receive compensation for ministry? There are times when a minister should not
charge so as not to become a burden to the flock of God. When a church is first
being planted a minister may have to be bi-vocational for many years before the
church can afford to financially support them. But a church, if able, should
support the minister(s) and their family. A minister if they are a pastor is
called to devote themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer (Acts 6:4).
“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables”
(Acts 6:2). Each situation is different and the Body of Christ and
minister/pastor need to follow the leading of the Spirit in order to fulfill
their respective calling.
Ministry
is a lot more than preaching or teaching a couple of hours a week! There is
time for preparation and seeking the heart of God in what to communicate to the
flock of God. There is paying attention and performing due diligence with
rightly handling the word of God (e.g. 2 Tim. 2:5). There is praying night and
day (1 Thess. 3:10). There is ministering to the needs of the body of Christ as
well as reaching out to the local lost community where God has placed you. Then
there is overseeing the administration
and stewardship of the church, supporting the unity of the Body of Christ
beyond one’s local church, missions, social services, and a myriad other
aspects of ministry that the Lord opens the door to be involved in. Ministry is
hard work! But the minister has to always remember, “It is the Lord!” (John
21:7). It is not by might, nor by our power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that
ministry is done (Zech. 4:6). It is all by God’s grace. Apart from Jesus, we
can do nothing! (John 15:5). For those who are exhausted under the labor of
ministry Jesus calls him to give Him the burden and take His yoke and follow
beside Him (Matthew 11:28-30). If we are laboring in the power He provides and
casting our ministry net where Jesus directs us to, we won’t burn out and we
will bear fruit.
Seventh, a faithful minister is devoted to seeing people walk worthy of God (2:10-12). Lastly Paul says:
·
1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - 10 You are
witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we
behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we
exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does
his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you
into His own kingdom and glory.
Paul
calls the Thessalonians to recall what they have seen with their own eyes. He
has served “devoutly” (ὁσίως hŏsiōs, hos-ee-oce´) holily, “justly” (δικαίως dikaiōs, dik-ah´-yoce) equitably and righteously, and
“blamelessly” (ἀμέμπτως amĕmptōs, am-emp´-toce) or unblameably,
faultlessly. Paul lived a holy, fair
and unblameable life before the Thessalonians. Paul counted the cost. He lived
a high standard of ministry.
Paul
“exhorted” (Present tense of παρακαλέω parakalĕō, par-ak-al-eh´-o) or
continuously called near, invited, implored, and beseeched the
Thessalonians. He “comforted” (Present tense of
παραμυθέομαι paramuthĕŏmai,
par-am-oo-theh´-om-ahee[1])
or continuously encouraged and consoled them.
And he “charged” (Present tense of
μαρτυρέω marturĕō, mar-too-reh´-o) continuously witnessed to, charged, and testified to these people. And he says
he did this to, “every one of you.” Paul was impartial and
ministered to everyone he could impartially. He didn’t minister to crowds
as much as he did to individuals. In this regard he seems to be suited
for something other than a mega church. And he did this “as a father does his
own children.” Again we see the parental imagery only this time the image was
as a father with his children. Fathers have a great responsibility to minister
to their children. Paul would not have used such an illustration if this was
not the case. Fathers need to step up and minister to the needs of their
family. Fathers need to spend time with their children and know where they are
at with the Lord. Whenever Paul speaks of parental responsibility, he focuses
on the responsibility of the father first and foremost.
[1]Strong,
James: The New Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville
: Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1996, S. H8674
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