Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Sermon notes
POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES TO PAUL’S SUCCESS IN THE MINISTRY.
A series of expressions and illustrations impress these upon us.
- Exhortation, v3. This term will be familiar to those who know the title given to the Holy Ghost as the Comforter. Paul’s was a ministry marked by the character and work of the Spirit. He was a ‘comforter’ to God’s people—responding to their call, and coming alongside to help. He responded to the cry of souls for gospel help! His preaching was in order to help the spiritually needy, to strengthen and encourage their faith.
- Approved by God, v4. This was the standard that he sought to conform everything in his ministry to. This altered his view of man! He was conscious of the ‘trial’—present and future—he must undergo before God, giving account of his ministry. He knew that trial probed down into the heart—where no man could see. He lived and preached before the eye of God.
- Gentle, v7-9. His ministry was the nourishing, tender care of a mother for a nursing infant. He as ‘mild’ and ‘kind’; he ‘yearned’ and ‘longed’ for them; they were ‘beloved’ to him. This love moved him to invest himself in meeting their needs. He labored night and day for their good at his own expense. He was willing to die for them so they could have the gospel! This is an exhibition of the spirit of Christ Himself. Such self-sacrificing love marks a ministry God will bless with fullness. It cannot be in vain.
- Holiness, v10. Paul lived in this irreproachable fashion, exhibiting a life of gospel purity. Holiness is always an essential part of useful service. Cp 2 Tim 2:21.
- As a father, v11-12. Paul represents himself as a loving father, with gentle, calm authority. Again the word exhorted appears; comforted has the idea of speaking calmly to console; charged = testified/witnessed—solemn instruction from first-hand experience of God. The substance of his message is given, v12—their high, holy and royal calling.
HIS MINISTRY WAS WITNESSED BY GOD AND MEN.
- Paul was conscious of God, v4, 5, 10. His burden was to please God in everything. He was conscious that it was the gospel of God that he handled and that he must give account to Him.
- God’s people must be able to see these things too. Cp 2 Cor 8:21. They must see the importance of these characteristics to fruit in the ministry. These are the qualities saints must look for in a preacher! It is striking to see how Paul places the saints alongside God as witnesses to his ministry. They must learn to look at things like the Lord!