Paul’s heart as a leader is clearly shown in 1 Thessalonians 2. Read this chapter and focus on the leadership mindset of Paul and his attitude toward the Thessalonians. Paul is vulnerable in this chapter and lays out his heart for his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica.
There is a lot here that Paul says about what attitudes they DID NOT have as leaders and teachers of the gospel.
- Not a people-pleaser. He did not live to please men (verse 4), though you will see later that he deeply cared for their hearts and souls.
- No empty flattery and dollar signs on his mind. He never spoke with flattery, nor did he come to them with money on his mind (vs. 5).
- Not a glory hound. Paul wasn’t a glory hound, always seeking attention and accolades (vs. 6).
- Not demanding. We also see that he was not demanding, though as an apostle of Jesus Christ he could have made demands (vs. 6).
On the other hand, Paul shed light on the heart that he did have among them. He was bold, even in heavy conflict and shameful treatment (vs. 2). Paul’s heart was that he was entrusted with God’s amazing gospel, and he was honored to be approved by God to speak it (vs. 4). His foremost desire was to please God who alone tests our hearts (vs. 4).
The first 6 verses talk a lot about what Paul was not like as a leader. Now we see how Paul truly felt toward them and how he described his leadership and relationship with them.
- Like a nursing mother (vs. 7) – Affectionate and intimate. How many guys do you know that would describe their relationship with others as a nursing mother with her kids? Well, it may seem weird to you and non-man-like, but that’s how Paul described his affection for them. There is an intimacy, affection, and desire of that momma to be close to her baby. That’s how Paul felt about them.
- Vulnerable and transparent (vs. 8) – Some leaders think they need to be stoic, aloof and a fortress to those they are leading. Not Paul. He told the Thessalonians that he didn’t just share the gospel with them, he shared his very life and soul with them. This is how he was with the Corinthians, his “heart was wide open” to them (2 Corinthians 6:11-13) in hopes that they would also open their hearts to him.
- Working above and beyond expectations to help them and to set an example for them (vs. 9) – Paul could have made demands as an apostle and preacher, but he worked with his hands to make an income while he was preaching there in Thessalonica. This was done for at least two reasons: One, he didn’t want to be a burden to them (1 Thessalonians 2:9), and two, he wanted to set an example for them on how to work and care for others (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9).
- Holy, righteous and blameless character among them (vs. 10). Paul practiced what he preached. He disciplined his body and his life so that when he preached to others, he would not be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:23-27). Isn’t it better to live a sermon than to preach one?
- Like a father with his children (vss. 11-12) – Not only was Paul like a nursing mother to them, he was like a father to them. He called them close to his side to teach, encourage, comfort, testify of God, and to solemnly charge them to walk with God. That’s what a dad does, and that’s what Paul did for the Thessalonians as a leader.
As we wrap up our look into 1 Thessalonians 2, let’s take a look at verses 13-20. The text is below this article. You will once again see Paul’s heart as a leader.
- Paul was thankful for them. He used the word “constantly.” Paul was always thanking God for them. How will that transform your mentality as a leader, parent, spouse, etc.? Are we like Paul, constantly thanking God for the people we are leading?
- Paul was thankful that they listened to his words and accepted them, not as Paul’s words but as God’s words. This is humility as a leader, Paul’s emphasis was that they listened to God. Sometimes as parents, church leaders, etc., we get caught up in egos. It is not about people listening to you, it is about people listening to God (1 Samuel 8:7). In fact, your child may actually respond better to someone else giving the same advice you did. What matters is that they listened to godly counsel, whether it came from you or not.
- Paul’s great desire was to be with them, to have fellowship with them. He kept fighting to be with them to encourage them, and he had to overcome obstacles thrown down by Satan to hinder him. In order for us to encourage each other, we will have to constantly face Satan’s attempts to stop us. Paul’s love and desire for his Thessalonian brethren gave him the strength to keep trying.
- Paul thought about the glory and joy of seeing these brethren saved when Jesus comes. He thought about the end, the coming of Jesus, and what that would look like. Paul pictured in his mind the amazing sight of these brethren ready to meet Jesus. That made him so thankful and full of joy. So he kept that future image in mind to help him deal with the present. His ultimate goal that drove him was to see them with Jesus in heaven.
Meditate on your heart as a leader. Ask God to help you see where you can grow as a parent, spouse, business leader, church leader, etc. May God help us to keep from seeking attention, being demanding and out for impure motives. Help us Lord, to be bold in conflict, to be trustworthy with Your Gospel, and to seek above all things to please You.
1 Thessalonians 2
(1) For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. (2) But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. (3) For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, (4) but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. (5) For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. (6) Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. (7) But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. (8) So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. (9) For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. (10) You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. (11) For you know how, like a father with his children, (12) we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (13) And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (14) For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, (15) who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind (16) by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! (17) But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, (18) because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. (19) For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? (20) For you are our glory and joy.