Sermon Helps

Last week we examined how Paul’s letter followed the structure used by philosophers and parents who wished to send advice to their students or children. The author would remind readers of their shared history and the importance of their relationship.

Today’s passage continues with more reminders of Paul’s missionary methods and the loving relationships he built. When he traveled, Paul avoided burdening the congregation with his housing, meals, and financial needs. He supported himself while in Thessalonica by working at his trade. Acts 18:3 identifies Paul as a tentmaker. However, the Greek word for “tentmaker” usually referred to a leather worker. The trade required long hours, meticulous care, and tireless energy. To support himself would have needed dedication, “both day and night.” Preaching the gospel would have occurred around the edges of his livelihood and further taxed his time and stamina. But self-sufficiency increased his humility and personal integrity with the people to whom he witnessed. He served as a model for their ministry.

Equally important was upholding a high standard of personal behavior. Paul affirmed that his motives were pure, upright, and blameless. He did not abuse his authority through force, deception, or wish for personal gain.

In previous verses, Paul compared his relationship with the Thessalonian church to a nurse caring for a child. In today’s text, he shifts to the image of a father with his children. A father provided care and guidance but also necessary correctives. Paul reminds his “children” of his own “urging,” “encouraging,” and “pleading” to help them in living their commitment to Christ, God, and the kingdom.

Note, however, that in verse 11, Paul specifies that he and his missionary partners dealt “with each of you” separately. There is no such thing as a generic Christian. Each person’s conversion, commitment, and faith journey are unique. Each needs individualized training and care to maximize growth and maturity. Like any family, the general expectations may be similar, but a parent’s loving response adapts to each child’s needs and character. In helping each new convert, the goal was to grow the community into a loving, compassionate family.

The family was the foundation for Jewish, Greek, and Roman societies. Converts often had to leave parents, spouses, or kinship groups to become Christians. People of faith bonded together as surrogate families in God’s kingdom. They referred to one another as “brother” and “sister,” a practice misinterpreted by non-Christians, especially when coupled with their emphasis on Christian love. Thus, one of the standard charges brought against Christians was the charge of incest. Still, persecution could not halt the spread of the caring families of God that provided sanctuary for the marginalized and voiceless ones bereft of family ties.

Verse 13 returns to the theme of thanksgiving. Paul reinforced the idea of constant gratitude in a few simple words and turned from looking backward to past experiences to focusing on the present. He reminded them that in the past, they accepted Christ not because of human words but because of the testimony of God’s Spirit, which is still at work in their lives. It is an affirmation of the continuity of their conversion experience into the present everyday life of faith.

1. Paul urged and modeled self-sufficiency in preaching and spreading the gospel, which was freely available to all.

2. Paul acted as a father to the young Christian community in Thessalonica, encouraging, nurturing, and urging them to live Christ-like lives.

3. Paul offered individual pastoral care to meet individuals’ differing needs and help them in their journey toward mature faith.

4. The Spirit that brings a person to commit their life to Christ continues to prompt lifelong commitment and actions worthy of God.

1. How is the tradition of ministerial self-sufficiency expressed in Community of Christ today? How could it be better fulfilled?

2. Who encouraged, nurtured, and guided you on your faith journey? Was it gentle and caring or stern and demanding? How effective was it?

3. What does it mean to “lead a life worthy of God” today? What would characterize such a life? How difficult or easy is it?

4. How is God’s word at work in you, as a believer? How is it at work in the congregation or community? How do you know?

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