Making a Difference

Introduction

The word “family” carries different meanings for different people. Some have a strong sense of belonging and love. Others have a strong sense of rejection and apathy. Some had good childhoods and have lots of good memories. Others have memories that are tainted for the effects of sin. Whatever your vision of family, most of us ultimately want to have a good family. Most of us do not wake up in the mornings trying to conceive of ways to make life harder for our family nor do we want dysfunction within our family.

Paul uses the analogy of mother and father to characterize his work among the Thessalonians. He reminds them that his work among them was to embrace them even as he sought ways to assertively lead them in the way of truth. Paul invested in them in ways that can best be described that he loved them like they were family. Our time today will be spent looking at Paul’s memories of his time in Thessalonica and the reminder that it is God who calls them into his kingdom. Family is important on this earth and God has a place for us later.

From Infancy to Maturity

Our text is a continuation of a personal section of this letter. Paul did not come to Thessalonica looking for glory. He didn’t come to be a burden. The idea is that Paul didn’t come with a demand or burden for authority. In other words, he didn’t throw his weight around. You know those who try to intimidate or control others. Maybe they have a special connection and that use that connection to be in charge. Or maybe they have earned a position and then use that position to be condescending. Instead, Paul says we treated you as a nursing mother does her child. There are few images that capture the idea of intimacy, care, and love as that image of a mother tenderly feeding her baby.

Verse 8—Paul gave them his heart. Paul didn’t just share the gospel, he shared himself. Paul is painting a picture that he along with those who came with him weren’t interested in what people could do for them but what they could do for others. You have asked us as elders about our search for another minister. We have high expectations. One of the things that we are looking for is a man who wants to give himself to us and not be as concerned about what we can do for him. Some interviews started early on with a young man telling us what he wanted us from us in terms of time off and activities he wouldn’t be interested in. That isn’t the person we are looking for. Paul says he gave them not only the gospel but his heart as well.

Verse 9—proof of that truth is found in how hard he worked. He made no financial demands on them. He worked hard and long as a tentmaker or leatherworker to meet his own needs and so to not be a burden to them. According to Philippians 4:15-16, he received money from the church in Philippi while in Thessalonica again and again. But the point was he could not be accused of greed (2:5). His long days of hard work was proof that what he had to offer was the gospel and himself.

Verse 10—Paul’s character was beyond reproach. Paul was not perfect. But there were no major character flaws. His life could be considered blameless because there was consistency between how he lived and his words about the gospel. Because of the quality of his life, verse 11, he became like a father to them. The father’s role in the 1st century is well attested. Powerful role and position. But there are documents that demonstrates that fathers were kind, loving, and compassionate as well. But fathers in the 1st century had a very significant role—to educate and train their children. Their authority was found and completed in making sure that children grew and matured.

Verse 12—the three words used to describe the work of the father are really indistinguishable. This is a piling up of synonyms to have the desired effect. Paul urged, encouraged and comforted his children in the faith to live lives that reflected the God they loved. To live a life that demonstrates that they are following the God who calls them into his kingdom. Acts 17:6-7 demonstrates that this was one of the key components of Paul’s message. The accusation is made against these believers that they teach that there is a new king. Paul acknowledges that this is true. They are part of a different kingdom and they are waiting to share in God’s glory.

Lessons

There are lessons from this text that I have chosen not to focus on.

I believe it is possible to speak about the role of mother and father in the family. How important it is for moms to love their children and for fathers to train their children. It is important that children be able to see from parents that their lives are set on following God. Seeing that they are encouraged to follow God as well.

I believe it is possible to speak about the importance of working hard to not be a burden on others. In fact, Paul is going to discuss that very thing later on in this letter and so we will talk about that later.

I have chosen to focus on one lesson that has two parts. The lesson is simply stated but it isn’t a simple lesson. Here it is—This life is about God and not about me. While I am often challenged by Paul, Paul would be the first to say do not put me on a pedestal. And when the field is level, then the lesson becomes real. Paul invested in the lives of people because the gospel mattered. Paul gave his heart to people because the gospel was more significant than his emotional and too often physical pain. Paul had learned that leading people to love God means that you love them even at your own peril and cost. The gospel of Christ mattered more than his own ease and comfort. He was willing to exchange his ease so that another could hear about Jesus.

But to love a person doesn’t mean we leave them in the dregs. It means that we want them to experience something better. Something that only the gospel can give them. People live in this world moving in a direction of doing the best they can with the ultimate goal being satisfaction. They long for the right things, job, relationships, and goals that will make life good and pleasing. And there are people who will spend their lives seeking this and may find it from time to time and may even get to the point of saying they have it all, but there is more. And the more is not about more things of this life but of the life to come.

This is the second part. We belong to another kingdom. We have another king. We are Americans because God has chosen to place us here. There are billions of others living in other nations. While we are defined by a nation, we actually belong elsewhere. We are part of a kingdom that has no borders. We are part of kingdom that is ruled by a ruler who is perfect and holy and just and cares deeply about us. We invest in the lives of people because we are part of this kingdom and because we want them to be part of this kingdom as well. We allow ourselves to be hurt, because our King did the same thing. We invest in people just as our king did. Our speech, our thoughts, and our actions reveal another kingdom. And the King of that kingdom wants all to know him. So we invest in people so that they can be impressed with our King not with us.

What does that look like? Your work looks like you are working for God. You listen with the heart of love. Your character is above reproach. You don’t try to intimidate or control others but instead let them see that you belong to another kingdom. And you pray that you have the courage and boldness to accept discouragement and lack of ease with joy because you live with the full knowledge and faith that there is another place for you. You try to live like your King who sacrificed for others so that they could see Father.

As residents of another kingdom we are temporarily assigned to a place and time. We want our King to be seen through us. We give our heart to him and allow ourselves to be available for his will and purpose. We live knowing that we are here for our Father and we invest in people so they will know it Him too. Invitation.

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