LOVING IN MINISTRY
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
(1 Thessalonians 3:7, NLT) “So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.”
LOVING WITH YOUR HEART
1. I love with an intense longing.
(1 Thessalonians 2:17, NLT) “Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again.”
a. Truth without love is a power play.
(Jesus in John 14:6, NLT) “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
(John 1:14,17, NLT) “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. … For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.”
b. True love invests in people.
(1 Corinthians 13:1–3, NLT) “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels… If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains…If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body…but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”
2. I love people with my heart and mind.
(1 Thessalonians 3:10, AMP) “[And we] continue to pray especially and with most intense earnestness night and day that we may see you face to face and mend and make good whatever may be imperfect and lacking in your faith.”
a. Love without judgmentalism. See 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13
b. Speaking the truth in love redeems.
c. Learn the virtue of peacemaking.
3. I face my fears.
a. The fear that people may fall to temptation.
(1 Thessalonians 3:5, NLT) “I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you…”
b. The fear of personal failure.
(1 Thessalonians 3:5, NLT)… and that our work had been useless.”
4. I learn the secret of encouragement during times of stress.
(1 Thessalonians 3:3, NLT) “You know that we are destined for such troubles.”
a. God has a plan for my life.
b. God will not waste my pain.
c. I look for encouragement.
(1 Thessalonians 3:7, NLT) “So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.”
5. I enjoy relationships.
(1 Thessalonians 3:6, NLT) “But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you.”
(1 Thessalonians 2:19–20, NLT) “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.”