In 1 Thessalonians 2 the apostle Paul offers what I will call a blueprint for ministry. Although 1 Thessalonians 2 will be our location, we should set the stage from Acts 17:1-10. Paul’s second missionary journey brought him to the European continent. He had been persecuted at Philippi. That suffering led him to Thessalonica but did not deter him from once again pursuing ministry. Thessalonica was, at the time, the capital of Macedonia. A number of individuals believed Paul’s message. An angry mob opposes Paul, and his mission comes to an abrupt end. The choice was made to send Paul and Silas away immediately. Was this an attempt to diffuse the situation? Was it to protect the Messengers or even the church? Regardless of why, we do know what. Paul and his companions move on to Berea. It should be remembered that the same troublemakers from Thessalonica pursued him to Berea and ran him out of there as well. Now Paul is far removed from the fledgling church in Thessalonica.

 

At some point Paul decides to write back to this fledgling congregation. In chapter one he acknowledges the church is healthy. They are elect, evangelistic, and expectant. Most importantly, it is clear that Paul loves them! However, we clearly see the residue of a hasty departure. Some of those who had stirred up problems seem to have enacted a smear campaign against Paul and the Gospel. In chapter 2, we have Paul’s defense, an apologetic. Have you ever felt like there was a bullseye pinned on your back? Whatever is said will sound defensive. But sometimes a defense must be mounted. However, Paul is not so much defending himself. He stands up for the Gospel, and for these new believers. 

 

At this point some are surely thinking, “How could ANYONE attack Paul?” It will help to keep in mind several things. First, folks criticized Jesus. They will certainly criticize anyone else, including the far lesser Paul. Second, these people clearly didn’t see the full scope of Paul’s ministry, they saw the moment. For some it was likely nothing more than jealousy. For others, it was clearly born out of the desire to go one’s own way. “No one is telling me what to do.” In the end, you and I should remember that sometimes criticism is warranted. Paul himself had criticized Peter. Moses was no stranger to unwarranted human criticism. But I suspect That Moses would have liked a bit of feedback from Aaron, or someone, before he struck the rock. “Like an earring of gold, an ornament of fine gold, is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear” (Proverbs 25:12). All these things aside, we must realize the great need for anyone in authority is courage. Just like Paul, we have several commitments to keep if we are to serve Jesus in ministry faithfully, especially in the face of opposition. 

 

Notice these commitments in groups of two. In verses 1 and 2 of 1 Thes. 2 we see a commitment to declare the gospel boldly. The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing. Christians do something. The mission was successful. Paul says, “our coming to you was not in vain.” A church has been established in Thessalonica. The mission had been successful. The mission involved great risk. They knew what had happened in Philippi. Now they see the risk firsthand. They would also need to stand up in the face of trial and boldly proclaim the Gospel. In order to do this, Paul models a commitment to operate with integrity. In verses 3-6 Paul emphasizes his willingness to suffer in order to share the gospel. He wasn’t motivated by money or self-glory. God had entrusted him with the gospel, and he will be true to that trust. His message is from God. His motives for preaching the gospel are pure. It is by integrity that Paul proclaimed the Gospel, and it will be by integrity that he defends it.

 

As a third commitment, Paul exemplifies the care that those who serve Jesus must have in verses 7-12. Just as a mother gently cares for her children, so Paul was gentle among them. Just as a responsible father encourages and instructs his children, so Paul acted as a father on their behalf. The Thessalonians could see that Paul was a righteous servant of God. He patiently prepared them to be disciples. We must always remember that a leader’s words and actions are powerful when they are godly. All of this is built not only on Godly care, but also a commitment to God’s word. As seen in verses 13-16, the Thessalonians responded positively to the Word of God. The Word had produced fruit in their lives. We remember Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” What better knowledge could one have than the word of God. Because the Thessalonians had shared in service to God, Paul reminds them that now they suffered like the original church in Judaea! Paul assures us all that those who oppose the gospel will be objects of God’s wrath.

 

Now we come to the crucial part. In the end, Paul relies on a commitment to God’s people in 17-20. He wants them to know that he longs to come see them, but the accuser hindered him from doing so. The Christians at Thessalonica are his glory and joy. In Christian ministry, people are held together by God’s love; despite time, distance, and the devil. These Christians were facing opposition and persecution. When you choose to follow Christ, you’re going to be going against the culture. You’re going to run head on into the devil. We must realize that this sort of combat is how we actively transfer faith from generation to generation. Those of us who run at the front of the pack set the pace for those who follow. We must work to fulfill a successful handoff. This passing of the baton is the result of a thousand practice runs. Once the handoff has been made, we must keep cheering on that next generation. All of this requires one last commitment. In fact, it is the greatest commitment. We must sacrificially, fully, and continually love people. To love to preach, or teach a class, or spread the Gospel, or sing, or whatever, is one thing. But to love those to whom we minister is quite another. Paul staked his entire Christian life on loving others. He staked his entire work in Philippi, Berea, and Thessalonica on loving others. That is the commitment that so many miss. Let us not miss it. Let us keep that greatest command.

 

-Phil Nuernberger lives in Vincennes, Indiana and preaches for the Central Church of Christ