Kress Biblical Resources :: Paul’s Pastoral Integrity—Recounting the Evidence of a God-Honoring [Sincere] Ministry (1Th 2; 1Th 3)

Detailed Outline of 1 Thessalonians

The Coming of Christ for His Church Calls Us to Excel Still More in Holiness, Hope, and Love

3. Paul’s pastoral integrity—recounting the evidence of a God-Honoring [sincere] ministry (1Th 2; 1Th 3)
   1. A preaching ministry focused on pleasing God, not men (1Th 2:1-6)
      1. A preaching ministry characterized by veracity [substance and truth] and conviction (1Th 2:1-2)
         1. There is obvious substance and truth—not empty words (1Th 2:1)
         2. There is opposition and suffering—but an obvious commitment to the gospel of God (1Th 2:2)
      2. A preaching ministry characterized by purity and devotion—not man pleasing (1Th 2:3-4)
         1. Purity of doctrine (1Th 2:3a)
         2. Purity of motive (1Th 2:3b)
         3. Pursuing devotion to God—not the approval of men (1Th 2:4)
      3. A preaching ministry characterized by sincerity and humility—not self-promotion (1Th 2:5-6)
         1. Sincerity of speech—without flattery (1Th 2:5a)
         2. Sincerity of motive—without greed (1Th 2:5b)
         3. Seeking God’s approval—rather than glory from men (1Th 2:6)
   2. A pastoral ministry focused on shepherding the flock as a family, not a business (1Th 2:7-12)
      1. A pastoral ministry characterized by motherly love and affection (1Th 2:7-8)
         1. Motherly love and affection illustrated (1Th 2:7)
         2. Motherly love and affection imparted—in soul as well as Scripture (1Th 2:8)
      2. A pastoral ministry characterized by fatherly leadership and exhortation (1Th 2:9-12)
         1. Fatherly love and leadership by example (1Th 2:9-10)
            1. Pastors should model the reality that the gospel is a calling of love, not a career choice (1Th 2:9)
            2. Pastors should model the reality that the gospel calls us to obvious integrity, not inordinate influence over other believers (1Th 2:10)
         2. Fatherly love and leadership by exhortation (1Th 2:11-12)
            1. A father’s methods of instruction (1Th 2:11)
            2. A father’s motive for such instruction (1Th 2:12)
   3. A prayer-filled and personally concerned ministry, focused on the sustaining work of God, and perseverance of the saints in faith (1Th 2:13-20; 1Th 3)
      1. Persistent thanksgiving for the sovereign work of God in salvation, which sustains believers in the midst of great persecution (1Th 2:13-16)
         1. Thanksgiving for the sovereign work of God in those who come to faith (1Th 2:13)
            1. The sovereign Person Who constantly deserves thanks for enabling faith in the Word of God (1Th 2:13abc)
            2. The sovereign power of the Word of God in those who believe (1Th 2:13d)
         2. Thanksgiving for the sustaining work of God, even in the midst of deadly suffering (1Th 2:13d-16)
            1. The source of believers’ steadfastness (1Th 2:13d)
            2. The steadfastness that endures severe persecution (1Th 2:14)
            3. The sins of those who oppose the gospel, and their final reward (1Th 2:15-16)
      2. Personal concern and prayer for fellowship and the perseverance of the saints (1Th 2:17-20; 1Th 3:1-10)
         1. A passion for personal fellowship (1Th 2:17-20)
            1. The desire for personal fellowship [possessed and expressed] (1Th 2:17-18a)
            2. The Devil’s opposition to personal fellowship [confirmed] (1Th 2:18b)
            3. The delight of fellowship at Christ’s coming [anticipated] (1Th 2:19)
            4. The delight of fellowship now [possessed and expressed] (1Th 2:20)
         2. A passion for the perseverance and encouragement of God’s people (1Th 3:1-10)
            1. A genuine concern for those whose faith is tested (1Th 3:1-5)
               1. A concern that leads to self-sacrificial action (1Th 3:1-2a)
               2. A concern that seeks to strengthen and encourage those who are being tested (1Th 3:2b-4)
               3. A concern that seeks the steadfastness/perseverance of those who profess faith (1Th 3:5)
            2. A genuine joy for those whose faith is triumphant in the midst of such suffering (1Th 3:6-10)
               1. A joy that comes from truly life-changing news about brothers who are persevering in faith and love (1Th 3:6-8)
                  • The coming of good news (1Th 3:6)
                  • The comfort it brings (1Th 3:7)
                  • The connection between joy and the perseverance of other believers (1Th 3:8)
               2. A joy that can’t help but thank God for those who persevere in faith—and yet continues to intercede for the fitness of their faith (1Th 3:9-10)
                  • Gratitude to God as the ultimate Source of such good news (1Th 3:9)
                  • Going before God for the furtherance of others’ faith (1Th 3:10)
         3. A prayer focus that reflects faith in God’s sovereignty in our sanctification (1Th 3:11-13)
            1. The Sovereign to whom Paul prayed (1Th 3:11ab)
            2. The supplication for personal fellowship (1Th 3:11c)
            3. The supplication for increased love (1Th 3:12)
            4. The supplication for holiness while waiting in hope (1Th 3:13)