“…and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith…“
and sent Timothy,
Paul personally sent Timothy, giving him the endorsement he needed to minister while in Thessalonica. If Paul could trust the credibility of Timothy, the Thessalonians could as well. Paul draws attention to three qualifications of Timothy to minister to the Thessalonians. He was the right man for the right job. He was the kind of man who could adjust to any situation.
Note how Paul views Timothy’s ministry to the Corinthians:
“For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17).
“Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do” (1 Corinthians 16:10).
Principle:
Effective ministry requires a selfless attitude.
Application:
Many people in ministry are out for what they can get. They seek their own ends. They feather their own nest. This is an indictment against believers of our day as well.
“And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them…” (Jeremiah 45:5).
A temptation of many today is to use ministry to advance their career. They want to be a big shot in the kingdom. We tread on dangerous ground here. God will by-pass people like this.
“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:19-21).
