I Thessalonians 2:7-12

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Yesterday we discussed the first of the three universal ingredients of persuasion, to move people to action with proper reflection, so that they embrace it and own it for themselves. These were the three dynamics that Paul, Silas and Timothy employed to most effectively touch the hearts of the Thessalonians. The first was ETHOS or ethical appeal. It answers the question, "Can I trust you?"

The second ingredient was PATHOS or emotional appeal. The first one had to do with personal qualities, but PATHOS has to do with relational sensitivity. This one answers the question, "Do you care for me?" Once the trio demonstrated that they could be trusted and had pure hearts with no hidden agenda, they then demonstrated that they cared for these Thessalonians. They give two illustrations as to how they showed their care.

First, as a nursing mother. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

They cared for the Thessalonians as a mother cares for her children. I like this. "Because we loved you so much." The primary purpose of our lives is twofold: to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. This they did! Then they point out that this love was so great that they were very happy to not only share the gospel of God, but their own lives. This is the dynamic of love that you give yourself. This is what a mother does and this is what the trio did toward the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica.

Now, in between these two illustrations the trio returns to the ETHOS theme. Check it out in verse 9: 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

This is most impressive to me. The trio didn't hold meetings or mass crusades in order to fill their coffers or to even pay their bills. They worked on the side in order not to be a burden to the Thessalonians in any way. This took away one of the most common barriers that seems to block people's acceptance of God's message to man. This is a great illustration for us today.

So, they showed how much they cared for the Thessalonians as a nursing mother would do. Then, second, as a father: 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Just as a father's encouragement, comfort and gentle push toward living a life that counts, so did the trio relate to the Thessalonians. The interesting thing about a mother and a father is that they do CARE FOR and give themselves up for their children. This is a terrific image regarding the trio's relationship with these believers.

Years ago, when speaking at the university campuses around the country, I discovered that speaking to a large group of students was somewhat limited with respect to true persuasion. I spoke on a given message and then I opened it up for questions. This candid interchange of questions, answers and ideas was much warmer and it was easy to communicate how much I cared for them as people. And again, the smaller the crowd, the warmer the atmosphere.

This is another dynamic that is sorely missing in most of our Christian settings. This is why there is such an emphasis placed on getting people in smaller groups. Growth just doesn't happen in a vacuum, but in the nurture and support of a few...a few who really care.