Chapel notes, 3/19/09.

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Paul's Ministry Manifesto. Dr. Dan Dumas.

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. 3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness-- 6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 NASB)

Background of Paul's ministry in Thessalonica: Acts 17:1-9.
Nature of critic's attacks on Paul, as reconstructed from Paul's arguments: That Paul and fellows in ministry were cowards, greedy, and deceitful.
4 gospel ministry necessities:
1. A tenacity for the advancement of the gospel in the face of opposition (1 Thess 2:1-2)
a. That Paul's ministry was genuine was demonstrated in the experience of the Thessalonians, that their lives were genuinely changed.
b. That Paul's ministry was genuine was demonstrated in the experience of Paul and his fellow ministers, in their suffering for the gospel.
2. A commitment to integrity and authenticity in the proclamation of the gospel (1 Thess 2:3-4)
a. Paul exercised integrity in never distorting the gospel message.
b. Paul exercised authenticity in having no self-serving motive in preaching the gospel.
3. A devotion to gentle and sacrificial care to others (1 Thess 2:5-8)
a. Paul and his fellow ministers were undemanding as far as personal rights or privileges.
b. Paul and his fellow ministers spent themselves in ministry to others.
4. A zeal for fatiguing and exemplary exhortation (1 Thess 2:9-12)
a. This section should not be used as a proof text that bi-vocational ministry is necessary, but should remind us of the need for self-sacrifice in ministry.
b. Paul was not only loving and tender as a mother to the Thessalonians, but a strong and exemplary father.