1 Thessalonian 2:8-9 – But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing 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 dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

A. Be Gentle

1 Thessalonians 2:7 – But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

BUT – he is contrasting him and his ministry team with those false teachers who are trying to confuse the Thessalonian believers.

Gentle (ἤπιος erios) – mild, kind, easy, tolerant

2 Timothy 2:24 – And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all

AS A NURSING MOTHER – beautiful picture of intimate, tender love

Cherishes (θάλπω falto) – literally means to provide warmth with your own body heat.

B. Show Affection

1 Thessalonians 2:8 – So, affectionately longing 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 dear to us.

Affectionately longing (ὁμείρομαι homeironai) – have a strong yearning, loving longing.

RESULT – gave them not only the gospel, but also their very lives.

1. Gave them the Gospel

God’s holiness

Man’s sinfulness

God’s solution – the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus

Our responsibility – repent and believe

Matthew 28:19-20 – Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

2. Gave them themselves

2 Corinthians 12:14-15 – Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

C. Love Sacrificially

1 Thessalonians 2:9 – For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

2 Corinthians 8:8-9 – I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

A. Be an Example

1 Thessalonians 2:10 – You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe

3 things

Devoutly (ὁσίως hosios) – in a manner pleasing to God

Justly (δικαίως dikaios) – upright, correctly (how a person responds to God’s law).

Blamelessly (ἀμέμπτως amemptos) –

1 Thessalonians 5:23 – Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

B. Be an Encourager

1 Thessalonians 2:11 – as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children

3 things

Exhorted (παρακαλέω paracaleo) – called along-side

Comforted (παραμυθέομαι paramutheomai) – to console in the midst of tragic events

1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

Charged (μαρτύρομαι marturomai) – to implore, to urge because it is important.

Ephesians 4:17 – This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk

C. Always Aim for the Right Goal

1 Thessalonians 2:12 – that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Walk – daily conduct

Walk worthy of God – live a mature godly Christian life!

Ephesians 4:1 – I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called