Some in Thessalonica were questioning Paul’s character and motives.
They were trying to undermine his ministry by attacking his character.
They may have been saying that Paul left Thessalonica quickly because he wasn’t committed.
That he was self-serving and cowardly.
Paul was forced to defend his character for the sake of the Gospel and the credibility of his ministry.
In this defense, we get a glimpse of what a faithful and effective Christian leader looks like.
I. A Faithful Steward
A. Entrusted With The Gospel V. 4a
1. The effective and “good” Christian leader realizes that God has called him to a ministry. a. His efforts are not just a “nice & helpful” thing to do, but are a calling.
2. He knows that he needs to be faithful with his assigned task.
3. He is called to be faithful, not successful. (“Successful” varies among many)
a. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.4 For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
4. Paul was able to endure much & be effective b/c of this sense of calling.
5. Without the sense of calling, one might be ambivalent, or quit b/c of hardship.
B. The Efforts Of A Good Christian Leader Vs. 1-6
1. V. 1- Effective, not vain. Of substance, not empty.
2. V. 2a- Not deterred by physical suffering.
a. Acts 16:16-24; 17:1-10, 13-Paul suffered “many stripes”, prison, run out of town, mobs.
b. Paul was willing to endure both verbal and physical sufferings
3. V. 2b– Bold to speak the Gospel in spite of conflict.
a. Conflict- agon-from the Greek games. A race, a struggle, a battle.
b. The faithful steward sometimes cannot wait until the conflict dies down.
c. The conflict may be internal or external, but he/she must push forward.
d. That is not to say that there aren’t times of rest and retreat.
e. Sometimes the faithful servant must push through conflict.
4. V. 3- Pure motivations
a. Thessalonica sat on a major east-west highway. Religious opportunists of all sorts passed thru regularly. Roman & Greeks idol worship, emperor worship, Greek intellectual & philosophical teachers, & even shrines to Egyptian deities. Evangelists were often opportunists, taking from people
b. Paul insisted that he & his companions were not religious opportunists.
c. Deceit- speaks of a fishing lure. Looks like something good, but designed to ensnare you. Paul told the truth openly w/o hidden agendas. No tricks
5. V. 4b- Not men pleasers, but God pleasers. Not out to please men or self.
a. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
b. If a man wants the approval of men, he should never plan to serve God.
c. God will test the heart of the Christian leader.
d. God sees how the Christian leader handles adversity, and if their motives are pure.
6. V. 5- Sincere in speech & motives
a. Paul & his team did not use words to gain an emotional advantage over people
b. They did use words for personal gain.
7. V. 6- Didn’t seek glory or make selfish demands
a. Christian leadership is not to be used to gain affirmation or security
b. That attitude will either discourage one when affirmation doesn’t come, or it will cause a CL to adjust his words and actions to gain affirmation
c. Poole- “Honour is to follow men, men are not to follow it”.
II. Like A Mother Vs. 7, 8
A. Gentlessness V. 7
1. Nursing mothers are careful in caring for their babies. Not just feeding, but careful, gentle feeding.
2. It is a gentle, careful, attentive caring for the baby according to the baby’s needs.
B. He Shared His Life, Not Just His Gifts V. 8
1. Godly Christian leaders don’t just teach, counsel, evangelize, but as they are able, they impart their lives to others. On some level with some people, they are personal.
2. Not a matter of obligation, but a godly affection leading to sharing their lives.
III. Like A Father Vs. 9-12
A. Not Burdensome, But Laboring For Others Vs. 9, 10
1. Paul had a right to receive financial support, & sometimes he did. (1 Cor. 9:3-14)
2. He often refused support so that he would not be blamed by his accusers.
3. Fathers work hard to provide for their loved ones. Paul labored to give sp. food.
4. Paul was not hesitant to ask others to look at his life.
5. Didn’t say, “Don’t look at me, look at Jesus”. He was able to say, “Look at me”.
B. Fatherly Words Vs. 11, 12
1. Like a father, Paul said what needed to be said; his life backed it up. Consistent
2. He was able to say, “Do as I do”.
3. He told them to live like the Christians they had become.
4. There is often a wide disparity between the Bible’s description of a Christian, and how many Christians live.
5. Gandhi is quoted as saying, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
6. As a father, Paul was not afraid to tell Christians to live like Christians. Many Christians do not want to ever be told that they are not walking worthy of God.
IV. Why Does It Matter?
Leaders equip, counsel, comfort, and mobilize other Christians to reach their world.
The world needs Jesus.
Leaders are used to equip people so that they can reach the world.
Christian leadership is to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, our Great Example.