Fall Micro-Church - Week 2

We had the honor of having our Mississippi District Assemblies of God Secretary and Treasurer, Pastor Scott Davis with us Sunday morning. I want to pick up where his text left off to discuss the idea of being a church on mission. When we reflect on the mission of Hub City Church. Each of our Micro-Churches must own that same mission, which then trickles down to our own lives individually.

Before we read our passage, take a moment to share a bit about your week so far:

What are you thankful for this week?

What circumstance or situation have you found challenging to see the good in this week?

Take a moment to pray that the Holy Spirit would bring clarity and peace in these areas as we begin our study.

1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 (ESV)

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.

If we read this passage in the context of the Apostle Paul on his missionary journey, we understand that he is bringing the Gospel into new areas, training disciples, planting churches and is now writing letters to check in on the progress of that church. In many ways, that resembles us as a church plant. Do not be mistaken. I (Pastor Justin) am not the apostle Paul, but in the sense that we are a young church, we can find ourselves in many of the New Testament letters.

As disciples, let's put ourselves in the place of Paul and he early church as they established the kingdom of Christ in places where it was not previously.

In verses 1-4, what is the motivation of Paul as he brings the Gospel to a new city?

What do you think that Paul meant in verse 4 to "have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel"?

In our current day, who has been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel?

We see that Paul's motivation was to please God. He explains that he was not there to please people, and affirms that he was there on mission from God. Being on mission with Christ comes a certain boldness. Consider Acts 1:8 -

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Application:

Paul concludes this thought with the following statement in verses 7 & 8:

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.

The idea tonight is that we must balance the tension of being bold and being gently. We must be courageous and courteous. Let's end our discussion tonight talking about how we can become better at:

What did Paul mean by being "affectionately desirous" of the Thessalonians?

Verse 8 is important: Paul states that we cannot effectively share the Gospel without also sharing ourselves.

What is one way that you can share the Gospel by sharing yourself this week?

As we close, take a few moments to pray together that God would open up opportunities to share ourselves this week. We are on mission with Jesus as a church, as a micro-church, and as individuals. We need God to fill us with a commitment to Him, and to give us the boldness to live our lives in a way that dares to share ourselves with the people around us.