A Ministry To Be Trusted Part 3 | 1 Thessalonians

Introduction:
Paul is giving an extended explanation concerning the motives and the practices that characterized his ministry.
Paul faces opposition - perhaps people slandering Paul to the Thessalonians, perhaps doubts or concerns coming FROM the Thessalonians - so that he now needs to access their memories in defense of his ministry.
We said that he supplied three reasons why they should remember that his ministry is trustworthy. Those three reasons also serve as three characteristics of any trustworthy ministry.
Review:
I. A MINISTRY TO BE TRUSTED IS PURE IN ITS MOTIVES (vs.1-6)
And we saw that the motives of ministry are most clearly on display in the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
A. PURE MOTIVES ON DISPLAY THROUGH DIFFICULT PREACHING
B. PURE MOTIVES ON DISPLAY THROUGH REFUSED MANIPULATION
C. PURE MOTIVES ON DISPLAY THROUGH FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP
D. PURE MOTIVES ON DISPLAY THROUGH ETERNAL AMBITIONS
II. A MINISTRY TO BE TRUSTED IS PARENTAL IN ITS AFFECTIONS (vs.7-12)
We noted, however, that a ministry to be trusted is characterized not only by pure motives, but also by godly affection. The kind of affection that God grants to genuine shepherds can be compared to parents.
A. THE SENSITIVE CARE OF A MOTHER (vs.7)
B. THE SACRIFICIAL CARE OF A MOTHER
C. THE SELFLESS RESPONSIBILITY OF A FATHER
D. THE SPIRITUAL CONCERNS OF A FATHER (vs.11)
Lesson:
What we see NOW, in our verses, could almost seem like an aside.
But if you go beyond verse 16 it is clear that Paul is continuing to explain himself.
No, I think the best way to understand these verses is that he’s vindicating their ministry in yet another way.
Robert Thomas - “A desire to vindicate his ministry continues to control Paul’s reasoning through ch. 3. He thus presents thanksgiving as another indication of his guileless interest in his readers.”
I AGREE WITH THAT, BUT I THINK THAT HIS THANKSGIVING IN THIS CASE POINTS TO SOMETHING BEYOND ITSELF. HIS THANKSGIVING HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THAT THE GENUINENESS OF THEIR MINISTRY HAS BEEN PROVEN THROUGH SUFFERING.
III. A MINISTRY TO BE TRUSTED IS PROVEN IN ITS SUFFERINGS (vs.13-16)
Faithful ministry results in fruit THAT LASTS.
Faithful ministry is proven by lives that ENDURE when tested.
Faithful ministry results in people who persevere - because they are God’s work - through suffering.
As one writer put it, “The spotlight now shifts from the evangelists to the evangelized.” (Thomas)
PAUL IS OFFERING TWO DEFENSES TO THE APPARENT CRITICISMS OF HIS MINISTRY.
*THE MINISTRY ITSELF (IT’S CONTENT AND CHARACTER)
*THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE RESULT OF THAT MINISTRY
He says, in effect, “You are the product of our ministry, so what has been produced?”
But as Paul will demonstrate, it is not just the FACT of perseverance through suffering that commends his ministry. It is THE SPIRIT of that perseverance.
God produces a kind of endurance that is much more than just gritting your teeth and getting through something.
God grants a perseverance that IS ENLIGHTENED.
It is an endurance that exists with thanksgiving, and it is strengthened by understanding.
A. IT IS AN ENDURANCE THAT EXISTS WITH THANKSGIVING (vs.13)
Paul now mentions his thanks to God for them for the second time (1:2-10).
HIS THANKSGIVING FOCUSES on their reception of the gospel, and what the Word of God has produced in their lives.