How to labour in love
Is it really only results that matter, or is there something more important? In God’s Kingdom motive and method matter more. Paul’s letter to the Church in Thessalonica exhorts them to be ready for Jesus’ return by working in faith, labouring in love and persevering in hope. This exhortation is an encouragement and a warning, so it both commends them and calls them to imitate the Apostles more earnestly. In verses 5-8 they are reminded of the methods and motives of the Apostles that brought them the Gospel to assure them that they are on the right path, and to keep them on it. In the same way we learn how to go about labouring for God’s Kingdom with the right methods and motives. If we do this, we will be ready for Jesus’ return.
Scripture
1 Thessalonians 2:5-8 ESV For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. [6] Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. [7] But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. [8] So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
Bible Study Questions
In 1 Thessalonians 1:3 the believers were commended for walking in faith, persevering in hope and what else?
What were the believers commended for in 1 Thessalonians 1:6? While Paul is defending the message and methods of the Apostles in today’s reading – do you think he would have expected them to do the same with respect to the Apostles methods and motives in 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6?
Paul reminds the people that the Apostles didn’t use flattery when they preached the Gospel to them. What is flattery? Should believers practice flattery if it could help spread the Gospel? (Job 32:21-22)
What two motives were the Apostles not driven by as they ministered to the Church in Thessalonica. (1 Thessalonians 2:5-6)
Rather than be motivated by greed or a pursuit of personal glory, what were the Apostles motivated by? (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
Persevering in hope is one of the central themes of the letters to Thessalonica. How is perseverance implied in 1 Thessalonians 2:7?
What happens to the hearts of believers as the Holy Spirit works to change us into the image of Jesus? (Ezekiel 36:26). How do we see this playing out in the way the Apostles related to people? (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
Prayer
Dear Loving Father in heaven. Thank You that You know us inside and out. Thank You that although we fall short of Your perfect will for us and sin against You in our thoughts and actions - that You still love us and want to transform us into the image of Your Son Jesus. Please help us, by the power of Your Holy Spirit to act in obedience while we wait for You to change our hearts and motives. Please forgive us when we try to manipulate, or when we labour for our own gain rather than for Your Glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
I long for freedom to live in the truth
I want to be more like You
But every time I try to bring about change
I only touch the visible me
There's only one way I'm really gonna change
Just like King David, I cry out to You
Create in me a clean heart
I've grieved You again, I need Your release
From patterns that keep me in sin
There's only one way I can finally break free
Change me on the inside
Change me on the inside
Change me on the inside
Serving
There are many ways to serve in the Church, from greeting teams, to audio / visual setup, prayer and worship ministry. There are home groups, a feeding ministry, youth ministry and many more. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to stir a desire in our hearts to serve each other in love as we wait for His return. The more we serve the more He will give us a heart for His work.