An Example of Effective Service

I Thessalonians 2

When Paul wrote this letter, he had a twofold purpose. He wanted to encourage the church to go forward in faithful service to the Lord. He also had to combat the effects of the attacks that some had brought against him and his service to the Lord. Out of this, we have an excellent example of how we can be effective in our service to the Lord.

• The motive in service (I Thessalonians 2:1-6)
  • Speak persistently (I Thessalonians 2:1-2)
    • Paul tells of his recent experiences
      • In Phillipi
      • In Thessalonica
    • He did not allow hardship to stop him
  • Speak truthfully (I Thessalonians 2:3)
    • The message – the truth of the Gospel
    • The manner – with purity, no uncleanness or deceit
  • Speak by God’s directive (I Thessalonians 2:4)
  • Speak in plain terms (I Thessalonians 2:5)
  • Speak without a view to self-glorification (I Thessalonians 2:6)
• The manner of service (I Thessalonians 2:7-12)              
  • Tenderly (I Thessalonians 2:7)
    • Like a nursing mother
  • Sacrificially (I Thessalonians 2:8)
  • Tirelessly (I Thessalonians 2:9-10)
    • Not a burden
  • Fatherly (I Thessalonians 2:11-12)
• The manifestation of ministry (I Thessalonians 2:13-20)
  • The reception of the Word (I Thessalonians 2:13)
    • They saw it as God’s message
  • The restructuring of their lives (I Thessalonians 2:14)
    • They shared the same things as Christians in Judea
      • Persecution
  • The resource of their hope (I Thessalonians 2:19-20)
    • They had the hope of eternal life