The Undershepherd’s Chief Concern-2

THE UNDERSHEPHERD’S CHIEF CONCERN—1Thessalonians 2:17—3:13

Previously we have seen....

‘A Faith that Soothes the Soul’—1:1-10

‘A Ministry that Shepherds the Soul’—2:1-12

‘The Work of the Word’—2:13-16

Paul’s deep concern for the Thessalonian Christians was foundational to his apostolic ministry.

A deep concern for the well-being of the flock underlies an apostolic/undershepherd’s ministry.

How do the underlying concerns of the undershepherd ministry become obvious/evident?

5 occasions when the underlying concerns of the undershepherd’s ministry become evident.

The undershepherd’s chief concern is evident thru the....

1. BEREAVEMENT Experienced(:17-20)

2. PREOCCUPATION Experienced(3:1-5)

3—The undershepherd’s chief concern is evident thru

The RELIEF Experienced(3:6-8)

Explanation/Argumentation:(:3:6-8)

:6—“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, & brought us good news of your faith & love, & that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you-- ”

“Think Kindly/Good Remembrance”— mneian hmwn agayhn—Good memory/remembrance. —mneian—Remembrance, memory, mention.—agayhn—Of good constitution or nature; Useful, salutary; Good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; Excellent, distinguished; Upright, honorable.

“Longing”—epipoyew—to long for, desire; To pursue with love, to long after; To lust, harbor forbidden desire.

:7—“therefore, brethren, in all our affliction & distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.”

“Distress”—anagkh—Necessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one’s advantage, custom, argument; Calamity, distress, straits.

“Comforted”—?????????—To call to one’s side, call for, summon; To address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

—Translated —“Encouraged” in :2.

:8—“For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.”

“We live”

“Live”—???—To live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead); To enjoy real life; To live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living & acting; living water, having vital power in itself & exerting the same upon the soul; Metaph. to be in full vigour & thus....to be fresh, strong, efficient, active, powerful, efficacious.

“If you”....

“Stand firm/Fast”—?????—to stand firm; To persevere, to persist; To keep one’s standing.

2Cor. 11:24-29—“Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night & a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor & hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger & thirst, often without food, in cold & exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?”

Illustration:

Sam relating how he failed a test/Kidding!/RELIEF

Danger of failing college course & losing funding/Exceptionally well on exam/RELIEF

Threat of losing leg/Drs. save it/RELIEF

Application:

?You offer RELIEF that answers undershepherd’s chief concern?

?Are the Concerns of apostolic ministry Apparent?

4—The undershepherd’s chief concern is evident thru

The GIFT Experienced(3:9-10)

Explanation/Argumentation:(3:9-10)

:9—“For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,”

“For all the joy with which we rejoice”

“For your sake”

—Due to the Thessalonian Christian’s commitment to Christ, joy & thus rejoicing—in the Lord— were part of Paul, Sylvanus & Timothy’s lives.

Acts 20:35—""I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’""

:10—“night & day praying exceedingly that we may see your face & perfect what is lacking in your faith? ”

We may lack opportunity to enter into certain elements of God’s will, however we are always able to enter into supporting those who have been given opportunity— Calling, drive, giftedness, etc.

A church body who will not support key elements of administration of the Good news of Christ is a sorry church. Sunday School, Bible Study, Worship, Preaching, Visitation(Inreach & Outreach), Discipleship, etc.

Col. 4:12—"Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect & complete in all the will of God."

Col. 1:28—"Him we preach, warning every man & teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."

“Perfect/Complete”—?????????—To render, to fit, sound, complete.

Illustration:

Pat Miller’s funeral/Not a member of this church but her daughter & son-in-law are/Some of Ladies & men missed open support of family—Provided a meal for family & friends of family/Completing what was lacking in your faith—Gracious offering to Miller family/GIFT