In his first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, Paul explains his "ministry plan" as it were. I think it was revealing. He said he avoided error, impurity, or any attempt to deceive (1 Thess 2:3). He was not interested in pleasing people (1 Thess 2:4). He didn't serve the gospel up with flattery or greed (1 Thess 2:5). He didn't concern himself with receiving glory from his audience nor exercising power (1 Thess 2:6). Instead, he was gentle (1 Thess 2:7), seeking to please God (1 Thess 2:4). He shared the gospel with them out of genuine affection (1 Thess 2:8), working hard so he wouldn't be a burden to them (1 Thess 2:9). The Thessalonians were witnesses of his holy, righteous, blameless conduct (1 Thess 2:10). Like a father, he says, he exhorted and encouraged and charged them to walk in a manner worthy of God (1 Thess 2:11-12) because of love (1 Thess 2:17-20).
Contrast that with modern leaders. Far too often they will use error or deception to achieve their ends. Greed is too regularly a motivating force. They certainly intend to receive glory from their listeners. For too many it is a power trip. Paul wasn't trying to meet their "felt needs;" he was desperately trying to meet their very real need of salvation. He didn't offer them warm homilies; he taught them the word of God so they would accept it as the word of God (1 Thess 2:13). He wasn't aloof like so many today. They will tell us to go forth and be better, but Paul "exhorted" them -- a word that carries with it the concept of "walk along side" -- and encouraged them because they faced hardships. He taught by his life as well as the Scriptures. He was an up-close-and-personal apostle to the Thessalonians.
It's a vital lesson for anyone in ministry or planning to go into ministry. You can't get your eyes off the gospel and God's glory. You can't get misled by greed or power or fame. It's about bringing people into a saving relationship and a longterm walk with God. Interestingly, then, it's not just a message for ministers. It's the same one Jesus gave His disciples. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt 28:19-20). That's a much taller order than it seems at first. Far more than making converts.
2 comments:
I can really see personal application here when, as Christian parents, we were raising our two children--the most important disciples we could ever seek to make--to know and walk with the Lord.
Exactly. Any ministry at all. In the home, at work, at church, discipleship, etc. Something that applies to all of us.
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