{"id":55187,"date":"2024-08-26T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/?p=55187"},"modified":"2024-08-15T14:12:43","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T21:12:43","slug":"authentic-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/authentic-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"Authentic Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Paul provides a glimpse of his ministry among the Thessalonians that shows us what authentic ministry looks like. Let\u2019s see what we can learn from his example as he describes this for the Thessalonians. We\u2019re using content from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=49368\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSB Life Connections Study Bible<\/a> to shed light on his example and unpack what it means for us in the 21<sup>st<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background-color:#dadada\"><strong>OPEN:<\/strong> <em>What\u2019s been your favorite job in recent years?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and 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. For our exhortation didn\u2019t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives \u2014 God is our witness \u2014and we didn\u2019t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 Thessalonians 2:1\u20136<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A2&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:2<\/a> <strong>WE WERE EMBOLDENED BY OUR GOD TO SPEAK THE GOSPEL.<\/strong> Paul was as susceptible to fear in difficult situations as anyone (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Ac+18%3A9-10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ac 18:9\u201310<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Phil+1%3A20&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Php 1:20<\/a>). His strength, as he continually declares, is found in God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A3&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:3<\/a> <strong>ERROR . . . IMPURITY . . . INTENT TO DECEIVE.<\/strong> Philosopher-preachers, magicians, and advocates of exotic religions who circulated during this period were characterized as appealing to the superstitious sensitivities of people to enhance their reputations and pocketbooks. See Paul\u2019s rejection of these motivations in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A5-6&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vv. 5\u20136<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#dadada\"><strong>CONSIDER<\/strong> <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A1-6&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vv. 1\u20136<\/a>):<\/strong> <em>Reading between the lines, what do you think those opposed to Paul had been telling the Christians in Thessalonica? What did Paul accuse those who opposed him of practicing in that church?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Although we could have been a burden as Christ\u2019s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. 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. For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God\u2019s gospel to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 Thessalonians 2:7\u201312<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A7&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:7<\/a> <strong>GENTLE . . . AS A NURSE.<\/strong> Paul was not hesitant to use this female imagery for himself as he described his love for his spiritual children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A11&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:11<\/a> <strong>LIKE A FATHER WITH HIS OWN CHILDREN.<\/strong> In some respects, Paul was what a single parent must be\u2014both mother (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A7&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">v. 7<\/a>) and father. In the ancient world, the father\u2019s role was to see that his children learned how to live as responsible citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#dadada\"><strong>CONSIDER<\/strong> <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A7-12&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vv. 7\u201312<\/a>):<\/strong> <em>What metaphors did Paul use to describe his ministry? Who has been a spiritual caregiver in your life?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God\u2019s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us. They displease God and are hostile to everyone, by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit, and wrath has overtaken them at last.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 Thessalonians 2:13\u201316<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A14&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:14<\/a> <strong>THE SAME THINGS . . . JUST AS THEY DID FROM THE JEWS.<\/strong> As in John\u2019s Gospel, Paul often uses the term \u201cJews\u201d when referring to the entrenched opposition of the Jewish religious leaders to Christianity. While the prime opposition to Jesus and the early church came from these leaders, it must be remembered that the first church was almost entirely Jewish in its makeup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A15-16&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:15\u201316<\/a> <strong>HOSTILE TO EVERYONE, BY KEEPING US FROM SPEAKING TO THE GENTILES.<\/strong> Prior to their visit to Thessalonica, Paul had encountered Jewish opposition in Antioch of Pisidia (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Acts+13%3A50&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ac 13:50<\/a>), Iconium (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Acts+14%3A2&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ac 14:2<\/a>), and Lystra, where he was stoned (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Acts+14%3A19&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ac 14:19<\/a>). The Thessalonian Jews forced Paul not only to leave that city but also Berea (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Acts+17%3A5&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ac 17:5<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Acts+17%3A13&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">13<\/a>). In Corinth, from where he probably wrote this letter, he likewise suffered at the hands of Jewish opposition (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Acts+18%3A12&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ac 18:12<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#dadada\"><strong>CONSIDER<\/strong> <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A13-16&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vv. 13\u201316<\/a>):<\/strong> <em>What evidence has helped you accept the Bible as God\u2019s Word rather than a message from people? How are people and organizations attempting to limit the gospel message in today\u2019s culture?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#dadada\"><strong>WORSHIP<\/strong> <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A13&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">v. 13<\/a>):<\/strong> <em>Make a list of fellow Christians you have had the privilege of serving and ministering to. Spend time thanking God for each person on that list\u2014and thanking God for his grace in their lives.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. So we wanted to come to you \u2014 even I, Paul, time and again \u2014 but Satan hindered us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and joy!\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 Thessalonians 2:17\u201320<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A17&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:17<\/a> <strong>FORCED TO LEAVE YOU.<\/strong> Literally, this is \u201cto be bereaved.\u201d It was a term that was used to describe the anguish of a parent being forcibly separated from his or her children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A18&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:18<\/a> <strong>SATAN HINDERED US.<\/strong> Whether Paul\u2019s forced change of plans was due to sickness, inability to make travel arrangements, or some other factor is unknown, but ultimately, he attributes this frustration to Satan, God\u2019s adversary. At other times, Paul sees roadblocks to his plans as the leading of the Holy Spirit (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Acts+16%3A7&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ac 16:7<\/a>). The difference may be that whereas one set of difficulties ends up in the spread of the gospel, at another time those difficulties would hinder that process which delayed the mission that Paul was trying to accomplish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#dadada\"><strong>CONSIDER<\/strong> <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Thess+2%3A17-20&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vv. 17\u201320<\/a>):<\/strong> <em>How should we understand Satan\u2019s role in the world today?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background-color:#dadada\"><strong>APPLY:<\/strong> <em>When was a time when you failed in recent months? What important lessons have you learned from failure?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Keep Reading with the CSB Life Connections Study Bible<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CSBLifeConnectionsStudyBibleSocial-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CSBLifeConnectionsStudyBibleSocial-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CSBLifeConnectionsStudyBibleSocial-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CSBLifeConnectionsStudyBibleSocial-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CSBLifeConnectionsStudyBibleSocial-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=49368\">CSB Life Connections Study Bible<\/a> is built on the truth that when God\u2019s people gather to read and study his Word special things happen. The study notes on the text are accompanied by helpful questions to facilitate discussion or reflection of God\u2019s word, as well as assisting you to focus on the details of the text and apply it to your daily life. Pick up this resource in our store today and start experiencing God working through his Word!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=49368\" style=\"background-color:#77aa3c\">CSB LIFE CONNECTIONS STUDY BIBLE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paul provides a glimpse of his ministry among the Thessalonians that shows us what authentic ministry looks like. Let\u2019s see what we can learn from his example as he describes this for the Thessalonians. We\u2019re using content from the CSB Life Connections Study Bible to shed light on his example and unpack what it means<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":55189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7850],"tags":[7780],"class_list":{"0":"post-55187","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-study-bibles","8":"tag-csb-life-connections-study-bible"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Authentic Ministry - Olive Tree Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/authentic-ministry\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Authentic Ministry\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Paul provides a glimpse of his ministry among the Thessalonians that shows us what authentic ministry looks like. Let\u2019s see what we can learn from his\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/authentic-ministry\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Olive Tree Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OliveTreeBible\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-08-26T14:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ben-white-qM18dmqsTqk-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1703\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Brad Hoffman\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@OliveTreeBible\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@OliveTreeBible\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Brad Hoffman\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.olivetree.com\\\/blog\\\/authentic-ministry\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.olivetree.com\\\/blog\\\/authentic-ministry\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Brad Hoffman\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/staging-blog.olivetree.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a5aa5788c774e9c21340b24cb3f5091b\"},\"headline\":\"Authentic Ministry\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-26T14:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.olivetree.com\\\/blog\\\/authentic-ministry\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1220,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.olivetree.com\\\/blog\\\/authentic-ministry\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.olivetree.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/ben-white-qM18dmqsTqk-unsplash-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"CSB Life Connections Study Bible\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Study Bibles\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.olivetree.com\\\/blog\\\/authentic-ministry\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.olivetree.com\\\/blog\\\/authentic-ministry\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.olivetree.com\\\/blog\\\/authentic-ministry\\\/\",\"name\":\"Authentic Ministry - 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