I Thessalonians 2 Godly Leadership
Paul had had to leave the bustling seaport of Thessalonica after only a short stay. He had begun his ministry there in 49-50 AD on his second missionary journey. As was his habit he first visited the synagogue and there he taught them that Jesus is their Messiah arguing this from the Scriptures. The result was that some Jews were persuaded about Jesus as were an even larger group of the ‘God-fearing’ Greeks. However the orthodox Jews caused a riot so within a short time Paul had to leave the city and moved on first to Berea then Athens, finally settling in Corinth.
It was probably from Corinth in 50-51AD that he wrote his two letters to the young church in Thessalonica. In the first letter he encourages the young Christians there in the trials they were facing. He also encourages the church leaders to follow his example and keep to Christ’s priorities. By describing his priorities he sets the scene for his successors who were to lead the church.
1 Thessalonians chapter 2 gives a great example of what godly leadership should involve.
1. Suffering
Paul starts this section by reminding his readers that a ministry facing difficulties is not necessarily a failure even if the number of those turning to Christ iss limited.
“You know brothers that our visit to you was not a failure.” 1 Thessalonians 2:1
Some people seem to think that opposition and having a bad reputation means that the witness is poor but Paul would not agree:
“We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know . . .” I Thessalonians 2:2
He recognised that a clear proclamation of the gospel about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ can result in serious opposition. It was this that caused most of Paul’s problems:
“. . . but with the help of God we dared to tell you the gospel in spite of strong opposition.” 1 Thessalonians 2:2
2. Bold proclaimers of the gospel of Jesus
This will always be the main feature of faithful servants of the Lord Jesus. Proclamation about the uniqueness of Jesus will need courage:
“. . . We dared to tell you the gospel . . .” 1 Thessalonians 2:2
It is because the fear of man is more important to many of us than our love for God that Christians stop looking and praying for opportunities to talk about their Saviour. Paul sets an example of this priority, that he and the early Christians had, in this passage. He was constantly urging all sorts of people to turn back to God, because of his genuine concern for them. To speak out on God’s behalf is the responsibility of all Christians and therefore it is the responsibility of church leaders to train and encourage people in this task by setting an example:
“For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
“We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4
The fear of man is regularly warned against in Scripture:
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
This verse encourages believers to prioritize reverence and fear of God over fear of human threats.
“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” John 12:42-43
This highlights how fear of human disapproval can hinder faithfulness to God.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
Here Paul emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s approval rather than fearing or seeking to please people.
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25
This ancient verse also warns us that fearing others can trap us, while trusting in God provides security.
The ultimate allegiance of all Christians should be to God, and we should not let fear of people override our commitment to Him. Jesus affirmed:
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the father except through me.” John 14:6
The disciples were equally clear that only by becoming followers of Jesus could people be acceptable to God. They boldly told the Sanhedrin who only weeks before had referred Jesus to be crucified that there was no salvation unless a person was a follower of Jesus:
“Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven, given to men, by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
3. Genuine motives
It is all too easy for people to want to take positions of leadership for their own motives. Paul could say:
“We are not trying to please men but God, who knows our hearts. You know that we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to coverup greed – God is our witnessWe were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6
In contrast many religious people enjoy the accolade that their status gives them. Jesus repeatedly warned his followers about the danger of hypocrisy in religious observance:
“Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.” Matthew 23:5-7
To be a ‘man-pleaser’ is a danger for us all:
“How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” John 5:44
On another occasion he said to some Pharisees who loved money,
“You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:15
Jesus often highlighted the Pharisees’ focus on external appearances and human praise, contrasting it with God’s concern about how we really think about god and about ourselves. He knows our motives through and through. Jesus warned:
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:1-2
Jesus instructed his followers to avoid the behaviour, typical of religious people, of seeking public recognition for the good things they do.
4. Caring as a mother
Church leaders must care for those in the church that they are responsible for just as a mother cares for her child. Young children will make mistakes and do wrong things but a good mother stills cares for and protects her child. What a lovely picture this is of a really caring pastor.
“As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” 1 Thessalonians 2:6
How was this love demonstrated? Paul’s answer is very revealing:
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9
It is clear that the most loving thing anyone can do for others is to ensure that they understand the significance of the coming of Jesus. Our love for others will be demonstrated in the way we go out of our way and accept difficulties in order to ensure that others understand the gospel. Thay is how a mother behaves for the good of her child.
5. Embodied Christlikeness
Paul, Silas and Timothy, the authors of this letter knew, before God, how they genuinely tried to live like Jesus and the members of the church recognised this. How important it is for church leaders to have such integrity. Integrity is doing what is right before God in our personal lives. Few recognise that the opposite of integrity is ‘dis-integrity’ or ‘disintegration’. When people stop doing what is right, first their own life begins to disintegrate, then their family and this spreads to their society and eventually to the nation.
“You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.” 1 Thessalonians 2:10
6. Encouraging as a father
Leaders do need to lead, just as a father needs to lead his family.
“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
What a wonderful picture this is of an ambitious father who longs for his children to succeed. He sets the highest ambitions for them and cheers them on through all the trials and tribulations. There is no weakness here. It is surely significant that this leader is not distant from his family but very involved with each individual in the church. Just as a caring father will ensure that his children do their homework, so a church leader will ensure that his church family is well trained in both the Word of God and in its practical outworkings.
7. Persistent prayer
So often most of the prayers of Christians are for what they would like to see happen in the future. Notice how Paul talks of what he prays about:
“And we also thank God continually . . .” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
This reflects the way in which he starts this short letter,
“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
What a great example this is to set before church leaders. Gratefulness before God is such an attractive characteristic.
John Wesley was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley's heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn't even have a bed. Yet he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man's misfortunes. “And what else do you thank God for?” he said with a touch of sarcasm. The porter smiled, and replied joyfully, :I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!” Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness.
Many years later, in 1791, John Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88. Those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of thanking God in every circumstance. Despite Wesley's extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, “I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath.”
8. Essentially a Bible teacher
Paul makes it abundantly clear that his prime role is to teach people what God has taught us in his word:
“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. “ 1 Thessalonians 2:13
As people were taught about what god says, so they learned to revere the word of God. Every Christian loves the bible because this is how god speaks to us. It is not through winsome personalities or convincing oratory that God speaks but through an explanation of the Bible. At the end of his life Paul gave Timothy this awesome direction that is relevant for all Christian leaders:
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:1-4
The great Bible teacher B.B Warfield summarised all this:
“A minister must be learned, on pain of being utterly incompetent for his work. But before and above being learned, a minister must be godly. Nothing could be more fatal, however, than to set these two things over against one another. Recruiting officers do not dispute whether it is better for soldiers to have a right leg or a left leg: soldiers should have both legs.”
How such men with these priorities are desperately needed today. This passage bears repeating:
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9
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