The Pastor’s Heart

Temple Baptist Church - 7-19-2015

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We have seen the power, people, and presentation of the gospel in the preceding weeks.  Tonight, I want to take look at the men that God chose to bring the gospel to Thessalonica.  Though we are all to share the gospel, these men were God called men.

 

Acts 13:2-4  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  (3)  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.  (4)  So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

 

B.  These men were special men, not because they were better or even smarter than others, but because they were chosen vessels.  They were the biblical evangelists, gifts to the local churches.  Men chosen to carry the gospel to places where it had never been preached, establish local churches, appoint elders.  These men were to be examples as well as evangelists.  Men who would show forth a pattern to be followed.

 

C.  These men understood what the local church was and who the believers were in those churches.  They belonged to God!  These were His sheep!  His flock!  Something and someone to be handled with care.

 

D.  Though missionaries or evangelists, these men were also pastors or elders of the local church until such a times as God raised up men to take the work so that the church planting missionary could move on to another area and begin a new church.

 

E.  I want to look at the way these men of God behaved among and handled these new converts.

 

1.  They were men who sought no personal glory.  Vs. 6  “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others” 

 

Galatians 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

 

1 Corinthians 1:29-31  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  (30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  (31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 

2.  They were gentle with God’s children.  Vs. 7  “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children”

 

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  (25)  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  (26)  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

 

3.  They were loving towards God’s children.  Vs 8  “So being affectionately”

 

1 Corinthians 16:24  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

Philippians 1:8  For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

 

4.  They desired only the best for God’s children.  Vs 8-9  “desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.  (9)  For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.”

 

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Ephesians 4:11-15  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 

5.  They gave their lives for God’s children.  Vs 8  “have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls”

 

2 Corinthians 12:14-15  Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  (15)  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

 

1 Samuel 17:34-36  And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:  (35)  And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.  (36)  Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

 

6.  They labored with travail for God’s children.  Vs. 9  “our labour and travail: for labouring night and day”

 

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

Acts 20:26-27  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  (27)  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

 

7.  They behaved before God’s children.  Vs. 10  “how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves”

 

1 Timothy 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

8.  They were an encouragement and comfort to God’s children.  Vs. 11  “we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you”

 

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.