1 Thes Life-study 9: The Reward of Fostering

They lived what they preached.

Bible reading: 1 Thes. 2:10-20

1 Thes. 2:10 You are witnesses, as well as God, how in a holy and righteous and blameless manner we conducted ourselves toward you who believe,
1 Thes. 2:11 Just as you know how [we were] to each one of you, as a father to his own children, exhorting you and consoling [you] and testifying,
1 Thes. 2:12 So that you might walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
1 Thes. 2:13 And because of this we also thank God unceasingly that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted [it] not [as] the word of men but even as it truly is, the word of God, which also operates in you who believe.
1 Thes. 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they also from the Jews,
1 Thes. 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out; and they are not pleasing to God and are contrary to all men,
1 Thes. 2:16 In that they forbid us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so that they fill up their sins always. But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
1 Thes. 2:17 But we, brothers, having been bereaved of you for a little while, in presence, not in heart, were more abundantly eager with great desire to see your face.
1 Thes. 2:18 Therefore we wanted to come to you, indeed I Paul, both once and again, yet Satan hindered us.
1 Thes. 2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Are not even you?
1 Thes. 2:20 For you are our glory and joy.


Our understanding of Christian work
- Christian work is to grow instead of to educate or edification/improving characters.
- Paul considered the young believers are in a big family to grow together.
- Paul didn't give much teaching but gave life.
- A work of life - announcing the gospel to people without life. Therefore, our preaching the gospel is to impart life. As a father exhorting them and a mother nourishing them.


Education comes with growing as well so it is an important component but it is not all.
To imitate = to grow: Imitating in a family means to grow. Showing them (the children) the pattern.
Paul fed the young believers (his children) what he lived - his way of handling the Word of God, etc.


Paul was not trying to boast about himself but to feed the young believers what he lived. This kind of living can actually feed people.


Being a pattern is to feed people instead of trying to teach, teach, and teach. We might feel satisfied with our being able to teach others but it didn't feed people. The young believers can still be hungry.


What is the reward/crown (of fostering)


1 Thes. 2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Are not even you?
1 Thes. 2:20 For you are our glory and joy.


- Paul was emotional but the best father- he just wanted to let the new believers know that whatever he had is really for the young believers. His life would be meaningless without these young believers (children).


- The best way to foster your children is to touch their (the children) heart.
- You thought to be an overcomer, you will be happy before the Lord - but Paul here said no, the glory and the joy are these believers.
- In order to care for new believers, we have to be such ones who are filled with Christ and live Christ.

The example of Joseph

Probably because I have been struggling with my work and considering the future direction, the Lord has been reminding me of the example of Joseph in Genesis in the recent week.

There are several things that I touched, but I will just put the message I listened to this evening (https://tinyurl.com/yyw8nbak).

It was quite an enlightening message for young adults. The flesh, self, and natural concepts need to be dealt with via losing our soul life.

I enjoy several practical points including our work attitudes need to be perfected, our relationships with God and men shall be full of peace, and we shall pursue to grow in life.

One of the examples is the Joseph in Genesis. He had been dealt with by various situations arranged by the wise and loving God, and eventually, he became a person of life who provided food to save those who came to Him.

These practices pretty much define whether we can be used for the Lord to turn this age. Oh Lord, don't want to be left out.

Being not absolute for God

The message I listened- Leviticus message 18 (here).

The message today made it clear that where our transgressions come from. The transgressions are produced when our sinful nature marries our not being absolute for God.

"The reason for our mistakes and transgressions is our not living for God. Because we are fallen, we are not for God absolutely. Since we were created by God, we should be absolutely for God, yet we are not. We may be for God to a great degree, but we are not for Him absolutely. Our not being absolutely for God indicates that we are still in a fallen situation. We are fallen, a fallen person is flesh, and this flesh is sin, which produces trespasses as the children, as the fruit. (Retrived from Life study of Leviticus, chapter 21, LSM)

The apostles are "open vessels" and ready to be burned

Enjoying the message here concerning how to dispense life to young people (but I guess it can be applied to general services, too).

For which cause I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Tim 1:6)
In the brother's sharing, one thing that touches me the most is that our being must be "fanned into flame". We need the fire burning within us so that we can serve. What is the requirement to fan into flame the gift of God? Practically speaking it is not even calling on the Lord's name or whatsoever, The requirement is that we have to learn to be open. The apostles are the "open vessels". Therefore, they can learn how to follow the Lord because they are open. Being open also implies being empty.

Oh Lord, cause me to be open and empty to you even though I'm really busy these days, and I need to concern where to meet the financial need. I just open and love you. Lead me in my fellowship with You, Lord.

Repent, be in reality, and produce many Timothys

This is basically a recap of what I had enjoyed yesterday.

A. Repent 

Yesterday morning when I woke up, I had a sense of uneasiness. I felt that it was kinda stress concerning my dissertation. I called upon the Lord's name, and this thought shone on me. I'm not a person who's able to suffer, and that's why when I'm busy with my assignments or other work, I always feel stressed out and not happy. I'm also reminded that we Christians should have a mind of being willing to suffer. This has been revealed in 1 Peter 4:1,

"Since Christ therefore has suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same mind (because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin),"