A Life Of Ministry Series

A Life of Ministry

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

A Life of Ministry affects us Emotionally (v. 2:17-20)

A Life of Ministry brings Challenges (v. 3:1-5)

A Life of Ministry brings Joy to our Life (v. 3:6-10)

A Life of Ministry Relies on the Lord (v. 3:11-13)

Introduction

Slide

I want to ask a question that I want you to think about it.

Who here has been called to minister?

Pastors?

For some of you, the first thing that popped into your heard was me or Andy. As the paid “pastors” at Hickory Creek, it is believed that we are the ones called by God to be ministers.

Elders?

Others of you may have expanded your thoughts to Jim and Tom as well as the other elders at Hickory Creek, recognizing a calling in their life to minister to others.

Deacons & Ministry Leaders?

Some of you may have thought about our Deacons and ministry leaders as others who have been called to minister.

All Christians!

The truth of the matter is that if you are a Christian, you have been called to minister to other people.

Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us that God gifted some people to serve in different capacities and that He has called “some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service”

That word translated service can also be translated ministry.

So it is the pastors and teachers who are to do the work of preparing God’s people, those who are Christians, to do ministry.

1 Peter 2:9 tells us that believers in Christ are “a royal priesthood.”

We are all “priests” in that we are all called to minister to others and to do ministry.

Maybe you are sitting here this morning feeling ill equipped to do ministry.

I don’t have training to minister to others.

I don’t know enough of the Bible to minister to others.

Ministry is too hard of a life for me.

What does a life of ministry even look like?

Well this morning, we are going to be continuing on in our series in 1 Thessalonians, Living with a View to the Future.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:13

Slide

Paul shares his heart for the Thessalonians that he has ministered to and we get to see a glimpse of what a life of ministry looks like.

Read along with me in 1 Thessalonians 2:17 through 3:13

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.