Young People's Group

BEARING WITNESS THROUGH OUR LIVES

by Pastor Mitch
April 20, 2008

The Example Of Paul In Showing Love

How far would you go to bear witness to a friend? For Paul and team, the way they went about sharing the gospel to the Thessalonian Church was nothing less than exemplary. They went the extra mile in reaching out to the people at Thessalonica. He and his team did not just bear witness of the reality of the Lord Jesus and His salvation with words only. They did it through their lives.

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only… and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” 
1 Thessalonians 1:5

The kind of life that Paul and his team lived out brought about great assurance to the people as the gospel was shared with them. They testified of the truth of the gospel through their lives. They made a deep impact on the Thessalonian Church through their conduct and how they related with them. What were some of the ways?

1. With Motherly Gentleness

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

Paul and his team related to the Thessalonian Church with a deep sense of gentleness. They showed great tenderness, as a nursing mother would for her own children. A nursing mother will take that extra amount of care in relating to her children. She will specially cherish and treasure them. In the same way, Paul and his team showed great tenderness and care in how they related to the Church. Young people, do we also know how to show gentleness towards those we are reaching out to? Let’s be kind in our approach towards them.

2. With Deep Affection

“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.” 
1 Thessalonians 2:8

Paul and his team had deep feelings of affection for the Thessalonian Church. There was a tremendous show of care for them as he wrote this epistle. He and his team longed for them with deep fondness. The Thessalonian Church had become very dear to Paul and his team of servants of God. They were more than willing to not just impart to them the gospel, but to also give them their own souls. Such was the rapport and closeness that Paul and his team had with the Church. Young people, it is also our challenge to cultivate such rapport and friendships with people whom we are reaching out to. We bear witness with not just our words, but we also do it through our lives. Through acts of love for people and good relationships, we can make a greater impact on others. Let’s seek to care for others with deep affection for them.

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