June 5, 2024

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12  (HCSB)
Paul’s Conduct
2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result. 2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. 3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. 4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness— 6 and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others. 7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. 8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. 11 As you know, like a father with his own children, 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Kimberly Ivey
Which of these possesses the character of a good servant leader? a) One whose purpose is to please God, not people b) One who does not use false flattery or pretend friendship in order to weasel money or gifts out of people c) One who is humble, and doesn’t perform for his/her own praise d) One who genuinely cares for those under his care and shares not only the Good News of Christ, but opens up his life to them as well e) One who actively works for a living and doesn’t sit back living off the generosity of others without doing anything to earn it f) All of the above. The answer should be all of the above. It kind of reads like the qualities we expect of our church staff, doesn’t it? What about our deacons, committee members, Connect teachers, Bible study leaders, Wednesday night teachers, children and youth volunteers, the praise team, or choir members? And it doesn’t stop there. Each and every Christian has this responsibility. Someone is looking to each of us to show them how to live the Christian life, how to grow closer in relationship to Christ. We all play a part.