Encouraged in Your Faith SeriesPaul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians

Commending them in their relationship with the LordChallenging them to step it upFilling in the gaps of their understanding How now they should live Expectation of the Lord’s return

Ministry Motives and Matters

1 Thessalonians 2Encouraged in Your Faith Series

I. Examining Motives

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6Opposition in PhilippiIn spite of that, God gave us courageBoldly declaring God’s good news without deceit or impure motives

God examines the motives of our heartOur purpose Please God as messengers of the

Gospel Not win you with flattery Not pretend to be your friend Not try to get your money Not to get your praise

II. Ministry, Money, and Manipulation

1 Thessalonians 1:7-9 A Minister’s rights – the right to make some demands of you…

Don’t muzzle the ox… the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it (1 Corinthians 9:9,14)Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching…you must not muzzle the ox. (1 Timothy 5:17,18)

Deferred RightsToiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to youI never used any of these rights (1 Cor. 9:15,18)The opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone

ManipulationFriendshipEmotionGuilt

Motive – we loved you so much we shared not only God’s good news but our own lives too

III. Ministry Relationship

1 Thessalonians 2:10-13We treated you as a father treats his childrenLike a mother caring for her own childrenWe urged you to live in a way God would consider worthy – like parents to childrenYou received his message from us as the word of GodThis word continues to work in you who believe

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 – dealing with opposition

Suffered persecutionYou are in good company Other believers Jesus

John 16:33 (NLT) 33  I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”2 Timothy 3:12 (NLT) 12  Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-19Separated by distance but not relationally – our hearts never left youTried hard to come back – Satan prevented usTo fill gaps in your faith (3:10)

What really matters – and it makes no difference if you are in the equipping ministry (5-fold) or in the body ministry (doing the work of the ministry) – what really matters is…

Our reward and crown – our pride and joy – you as you stand before the LordFulfillment, satisfaction, joy – affecting someone for eternitySpiritual parenting – motivated by loveGiving them the word – which continues to work in themYour eternal reward – people standing before the Lord