Bible Reference: 1 Thess. 2:7-8, 11-12, 19-20
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (NKJV) 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 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…. 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory…. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
In these passages of Scripture the apostle Paul is speaking as a father. Paul didn’t just teach – he lived it out every minute of the day. His language is not that of an authoritarian – only that of a father.
Paul and his team were carriers, role models of the message, not just tutors, teachers or instructors.
1 Corinthians 4:15 (NKJV) 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
Paul IMPARTED his life – not just knowledge to the Thessalonians.
He speaks to the Corinthian church as a father to his children that he has begotten.
At this point we must ask ourselves two vital questions:
Question 1: Who is our spiritual father?
Question 2: Who has God given you as children for you to be a spiritual parent; a true model of your heavenly Father’s love.
We are to be both child and parent.A true child receives admonishment and is focussed, like Jesus on only doing what he sees his father doing.
John 5:19 (NKJV) 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
What does being in relationship with a spiritual parent give you?
It gives you an inheritance
It places you in divine order (Timothy is a model of what a spiritual son in the ministry is like. Paul was his spiritual father.)
It provides correction, guidance, leadership, admonishment, encouragement, and ministry drive
It allows you to discover the joys of impartational relationship; father to a son in ministry. We can do good work but not do what God created us to do.
It allows us to draw on what our spiritual parent sees. sometimes they see things differently. It is not easy to receive a spiritual parent into our life. It makes us transparent and vulnerable.
Spiritual father’s know the way of God, His nature – not just His acts:
Trustworthy
Faithful
Responsible
Loving
Accepting
Real
Reveal God’s nature
This is our inheritance as spiritual children. Who do you receive this from and who will you pass it on to?
Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except through Him. Your destination is only ever to the Father – His arms – His bosom – His embrace.
In Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, he sets out a model that he lives in reality:
Gentle v.7
Nursing mother v.7 (nurturer)
Affectionate v.8
Imparts himself v.8
Transparent living v.8
Exhorts his children v.11
Comforts his children v.11
Encourages his children v.11
Implored v.11
Pleads
Dear (close deep relationship)
These are the characteristics of a spiritual father/mother.
Not only was Paul a spiritual father he was a dear friend.
You can’t be taught this. It is imparted through relationship father to a son; father to a daughter. It is an inheritance that is passed on by close, personal relationship.
What inheritance have you received and what inheritance will you leave?
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