Make Disciples & Be Discipled
Hope and Holiness Part 6: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
— 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
Paul has just given the Thessalonian church ways to share the gospel in action. As he thinks through what obstacles they may be facing - either in their mindset or in their practical steps - he reminds them of how Paul and his “team” (if we give it a more modern term) served with all their heart. He knew that the example they set in real life was memorable, worth emulating, and would light the way when the church was bogged down by their current discouragement.
What are the first things he points out?
How can we take God at His Word and emulate Paul’s obedience?
1. Work ethic and integrity are not in competition with one another.
Paul said they were working “day and night” supporting themselves and sharing the gospel. They didn’t create more work for the people they were in the midst of serving. They valued the spiritual and honored the physical. In the midst of this, they remained blameless. We often see leaders through one of two lenses: success-driven or spiritually-driven. We see leaders working overtime for a dollar or sitting in their prayer closets for hours on end. I love that we don’t have to choose hard work or vibrant prayer lives! We don’t have to choose between the spiritual and the physical — we start by spiritually serving in the physical. This is a mission embodied in our own skin, geographic location, and church body that God has provided for us.
2. Move toward fellow believers with holiness and humility.
If Paul had operated from arrogance and constantly cut corners, there would be no motivation for the church to follow his way of life. We need to take a look at our lives and ask: “What are the people around me witnessing?” Could I look back on this season years from now and say, “I walked righteously and faithfully. Practice doing the same, just like me.”? The goal here is to not shine up our reputations but to consider if our life follows Christ closely enough to advise others to walk closely with us. Are we puffed up by our positions and men’s approval? Or will we open our arms with wide smiles on our faces toward others, asking them to join us in the ways of Jesus?
3. Be open to correction and encouragement from loving parents in the faith.
Paul says that they came towards the Thessalonians as loving fathers, encouraging and directing in the way they should go. Eugene H. Peterson shares it in the Message in this way: “With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.”
May it never be said of us that we thought we were too far along in our spiritual lives to be ministered to. It is so easy to get caught up in the emotional toll and logistical busyness of our own ministry lives that we don’t leave any space for others to care for us. Just this week, my husband and I were talking to one of our pastors after the service and he encouraged us with a specific practical step in choosing our house church (what our church calls their small groups). I couldn’t shake it for awhile afterward. Pride was continually poking me - did he not think we could figure that out on our own?
I stepped back. I looked at everything that this advice would lead to in our life: discernment, God’s design for leadership, unity in our marriage, and longevity in our church community. Strong leaders give words that lead to your true flourishing in the Kingdom of God - regardless of how those words fall on our prideful hearts.
If you’re struggling to know whether the correction or encouragement you received is truly from the Father, briefly think through what their encouragement or insight would lead to in your life. Does it line up with Scripture, or is it just personal preference? Is there a conflict underneath their comment that needs to be resolved first? Does it make the Father smile, or does it merely please the advisee? And after the emotions have worn off and you can tackle this thought with much grace, consider whether you want to emulate the individual’s legacy. Are they farther ahead on the path you want to be on? If so, let your pride take the fall.
4. Walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Live a delightful life that exudes the joy of the Lord.
Work hard with your hands.
Care for the needs of others, and allow them to care for you.
Cut out the habits you can’t thank God for.
Don’t merely avoid the wrong things, but pursue what is good and lovely and true!
Unwrap every single gift that He has given you, for your inheritance is rich!
Make disciples in every season of your life.
Be continually discipled by loving spiritual parents.
Follow the pace of Jesus so closely that you can confidently invite others to walk in love, righteousness, and freedom beside you.
