Day 582: 1 Thessalonians 2- Gospel Leadership

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 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.
9 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. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 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.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,[f] 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!
Paul's Longing to See Them Again17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

​Meditation
The messenger of God must embody the message of God, manifest through the familial love of God. Disciples of Jesus who set their minds on the word of God are changed by the grace of God to lead and love with integrity for the glory of God.
 
Paul’s bold leadership was born of brotherhood, intimate heart connection cultivating authentic relationship (17). Like a mother, Paul’s leadership was marked with tenderness and compassion (7). Like a father, there was exhortation and encouragement (11).  Being “affectionately desirous” of the church Paul shared “not only the gospel of God but also” his very self (8). The leadership of Paul was authenticated by his familial life and love of the church.
 
The gospel creates a new community born of love and truth. Paul and his team of church planters loved the church in Thessalonica enough to share the truth with gospel boldness (2). Gospel boldness does not seek to please people (4) or seek glory from people (6). Rather, the gospel enables the Body to “walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (12).  Personal gospel transformation leads to corporate sanctification.
 
The one who exhorts the church to walk in gospel transformation must demonstrate personal gospel transformation. Christians are a new kind of family, governed by the gospel and geared for God’s glory. A key ingredient is sharing the truth of the gospel that transforms us personally in the context of loving relationship corporately.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Does your personal gospel transformation lead to corporate church sanctification? What does this reveal about your participation in Christ’s body?
 
-What descriptions of the familial love of God are most inviting from this passage?
 
-How can you respond to God’s grace through more fruitfully walking in a manner worthy of God? Who in the body can your life and love lead to do likewise?
 
Key Verse
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.