Love is why we seek others for the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 2 (3)
Pray Psalm 113.1-3.
Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD!
Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its going down
The LORD’s name is to be praised.
Read 1 Thessalonians 2.7-9.
Reflect.
1. What can we learn from Paul about relating to the people in our Personal Mission Field?
2. What does Paul mean by “affectionately longing for you”?
Meditate.
Paul was motivated by love for God and for the Thessalonians as he came preaching the Gospel to them. He sought nothing for himself, but gave freely of his time and strength in serving them. His dedication was obvious to all (v. 9), as he labored “night and day” in the work of the Gospel.
Paul likened himself to a mother, caring for her small children. He encourages us to seek the Lord for grace to love our neighbors like this. They were dear to him, just as he and they were dear to God. Paul’s example suggests that we will be more faithful and consistent in making the Good News known to the people around us if we truly love and care for them.
What will it mean for us to impart “our own lives” to the people to whom God sends us? We’ll need to get to know them, and to be available to them to encourage and assist them any way we can. And we should pray for them, for God to make Himself known to them by every means, and to prepare their hearts to hear the Good News of Jesus and His Kingdom.
We must be ready at all times to share the Gospel, if only in part, and to talk about Jesus and what He has done for us. We won’t always preach with our words, but we must always bear witness with our lives, and that witness begins in genuine love for the people in our Personal Mission Field.
Prepare.
1. What are some things you can do to show the love of God more consistently to the people in your Personal Mission Field?
2. Summarize the Gospel you will proclaim to these people as the Lord gives you opportunity. Pray for the people in your Personal Mission Field, and ask the Lord to give you opportunities to share with them.
3. Is it always important to share all the Gospel whenever you have an opportunity to share? Explain.
These things tend to confirm what he had stated previously―that to spare them he did not spare himself. He must assuredly have burned with a wonderful and more than human zeal, inasmuch as, along with the labor of teaching, he labors with his hand as an operative, with the view of earning a livelihood, and in this respect, also, refrained from exercising his right. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on 1 Thessalonians
Lord, give me love for the people to whom You send me each day. Help me to serve them by every means, so that…
Pray Psalm 113.4-9.
Meditate on the Lord, high and exalted in glory. Then seek Him for grace for this day’s opportunities and needs.
Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 113 (Armaggedon: Who is on the Lord’s Side?)
Praise the Lord, O praise Him, all who know His Name!
From this day forever, magnify His fame!
From the time each morning when the sun is raised
to its evening waning, let His Name be praised!
Refrain vv. 1, 2
Praise the Lord, O praise Him, all who know His Name!
From this day forever, magnify His fame!
High above the nations, on Your glorious throne,
Who is like You, Savior, ruling all You own?
Sovereign and all-knowing, over all above,
praise to You is owing for Your perfect love!
Refrain
Though You rule from heaven,looking down on earth,
praise and thanks be given to Your holy worth!
Down You reach to touch us,clad in ash and dust,
Raising us with such as in Your favor trust.
Refrain
Seated now with princes‘round Your glorious throne,
we by grace are lifted to become Your own.
Barren women, joyous,glad their children bear;
joining in the chorus, they Your praise declare.
Refrain
T. M. Moore
Where do 1 and 2 Thessalonians fit in the unfolding of God’s covenant? Order our workbook, God’s Covenant, and find out how all Scripture fits within this redemptive framework (click here).
Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).
