First Thessalonians 2:3-8: Qualities of Paul's Ministry - Conclusion
If you have not been following along in our little mini-series on the qualities of Paul’s Ministry, I am going to try to summarize what we have seen so far, but I highly recommend that you take ten minutes and read the first three parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).
A Quick Summary
Timothy has reported to Paul that there are those outside the church in Thessalonica who are charging Paul with false intentions, and probably false teaching, in his ministry to the Thessalonians. His apostolic defense really starts at the beginning of chapter two and one of the things we gleaned from the the first couple of verses was that what happened in Thessalonica was all the work of God. Paul is in the middle of defending his ministry and we have detected at least four qualities of his ministry in 2:3-8.
We saw that he came with a desire to please God and not men. Paul was loved by the Lord and therefore loved him. His greatest desire was to please his Savior. Though this might have meant suffering for the sake of the gospel, Paul was pleased to please the Lord above all else.
We saw that he came in humility. Though Paul was an apostle he did not use his status for his own selfish gain or seek to glorify himself. He put the interest of Christ and the Thessalonians above his own.
We saw that he ministered with gentleness. Paul treated the Thessalonians like newborns. Like a nursing mother, he was kind, tender and showed them his willingness to provide for them at his own expense.
We saw his willingness to give his very life to them. Though Paul proclaimed the gospel of God to them, it was not the only thing he longed to share. He loved them so much, he was ready to hold nothing back. For their sake, he, the chief of sinners, would share himself with a bunch of sinners.
Let’s Bring this All to a Conclusion
You might have felt throughout this mini-series that each of the parts were a little unfinished. They were! And that was on purpose so that we could come to this concluding post and bring it all together. I have been hinting at where we were going and many of you have probably finished what I have left undone. That’s great! But let’s say it anyway.
As I have said throughout, these qualities are not just for Paul or those in pastoral ministry. They are for all of us. But where did they come from? Did Paul make these up? Do we say, “Well, this is just what Paul was like?” No! In some ways, we haven’t really been looking at the qualities of Paul or his ministry. We’ve been seeing Jesus being reflected and imitated in each of the four qualities we highlighted.
Jesus came, desiring to please God. He declares that he always does what is pleasing to the Lord (John 8:19). He pleased his Father by not coming to do his own will, but the will of his Father (John 6:38). And get this, Jesus never displeased God. To please God, you must have faith (Heb 11:6). His was perfect. To please God, you must obey his commands (John 14:15). Jesus obeyed perfectly. And God the Father declared to his Son that he was well-pleased with him (Matt 3:17, 17:5).
Jesus came, with humility. He did nothing from selfish gain or conceit. He put the interests of others ahead of his own. Though he was God, he emptied himself and took the form of a servant. He humbled himself even to the point of death on a cross (Phil 2:4-8).
Jesus came, with gentleness. Jesus tells us that he is gentle and lowly in heart, and that it is in him our souls find rest (Matt 11:29). As you read through the gospels, the gentleness of Jesus bursts from the pages. Even now, our High Priest is gentle with each one of us as he molds us into his image.
Jesus came, to give his very life. Jesus laid down his life for his sheep. He gave himself as a ransom for many (Matt 20:28) and I can say, “He gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). But he also gave himself to us, sharing his very life with a bunch of sinners. He is in us (Col 1:27) and we are hidden in him (Col 3:3). He holds nothing back, not even his throne (Rev 3:21). He has died and risen, and in him we are given all things (Rom 8:32). We share in the life of God through Jesus.
What we have been seeing in Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians is nothing less than a reflection and imitation of Jesus Christ. Paul is simply following in the footsteps of his Savior as he seeks to please God, walk in humility and gentleness, and share his very life with the church.
In this way, we can see that Paul not only told them about Jesus, he showed them what he is like. Paul knows, just as we know, ultimately, we don’t need Paul. We need Jesus.
As we reflect on who Christ is for us and to us, may we rejoice in him and may he be pleased to make us more like him. It’s a promise he has made to you and me.
Here is a song from CityAlight to remind you of these things.