Not A Burden, But A Blessing
Not a Burden, But a Blessing
Walking in Love with 1 Thessalonians 2
Introduction
Have you ever tried to help someone, only to realize you made things worse? In today’s message, Pastor Scott reflects on a childhood memory—helping his dad clean a motorcycle, only to accidentally spread oil all over it! Sometimes, despite good intentions, our efforts cause more trouble than good.
This story leads us to an essential message from 1 Thessalonians 2, where Paul writes to encourage the church in Thessalonica. His message? While it’s easy to unintentionally become a burden, our calling is to live as a blessing to others. Let’s explore how Paul’s message applies to us today.
Living Out the Gospel Despite Opposition
Paul’s letter reminds the church that even though he and his companions suffered greatly—being mistreated in Philippi and eventually driven out of Thessalonica—they pressed on to share the gospel with love and integrity.
“We dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition” (1 Thessalonians 2:2, NIV).
Paul’s motivation wasn’t to gain wealth, fame, or praise from people. Instead, he focused on pleasing God and blessing others, even when faced with hardship. His goal wasn’t just to proclaim the good news but to share his life with the believers.
Sharing Our Hearts, Not Just a Message
“We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did” (1 Thessalonians 2:8, MSG).
Pastor Scott emphasized how evangelism isn’t about loud proclamations or arguments—it begins with love and relationships. Just like Paul and his team shared not only the gospel but their lives with the Thessalonians, we are called to build genuine connections with others.
Scott shared a personal story of how he was invited to play drums at a church worship band. That simple invitation, wrapped in friendship and love, opened the door for him to encounter Jesus. The message is clear: It’s love that draws people in, not rules or debates.
Being a Blessing, Not a Burden
Paul could have asserted his authority as an apostle, making demands on the new believers. Instead, he worked tirelessly to avoid being a burden:
“Surely you remember… 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” (1 Thessalonians 2:9, NIV).
This example challenges us: Are we living as a blessing or a burden to those around us? When we share the gospel, does it come across as good news, or does it feel like rules and demands? As Jesus said in Luke 11:46:
“Woe to you… because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.”
Living out the gospel means inviting people into a life of freedom and grace, not overwhelming them with expectations they can’t bear.
A Call to Walk Gently and Love Deeply
Paul’s imagery in 1 Thessalonians 2 is tender. He describes his relationship with the Thessalonians like that of a nursing mother caring for her children and a father encouraging and comforting his children. This is a powerful reminder of how we are called to interact with others—with gentleness, encouragement, and care.
“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV).
As followers of Jesus, our mission is clear: We are to embody the love of Christ—a love that invites, nurtures, and encourages. Just as Paul and his companions worked to bless the Thessalonians, we are called to be a blessing in our workplaces, homes, and communities.
How Can We Be a Blessing This Week?
Here are a few ways to put this message into practice:
- Invest in Relationships: Like Paul, let’s go beyond sharing words—let’s share our lives.
- Serve with Love: Look for opportunities to help others without seeking recognition.
- Share the Good News Gently: When sharing the gospel, focus on how the message of Jesus brings hope and peace to the person you’re speaking with.
- Examine Your Heart: Are there ways you’ve unintentionally become a burden to someone? How can you shift to being a blessing?
Closing Thought
At the heart of today’s message is a simple but profound truth: The gospel isn’t just something we preach—it’s something we live. Our lives should reflect the good news we share, becoming a source of blessing to those around us. As we walk through this week, let’s remember to live in such a way that people experience the love of Christ through us.
Are we a burden or a blessing to those around us? Let’s choose to be a blessing, just as Paul did for the Thessalonians.
Watch the Full Sermon
You can watch Pastor Scott’s full message, “Not a Burden, But a Blessing,” on our YouTube channel. [Click here to watch]
Join Us Next Week
We’ll continue our series, “In the Meantime”, by diving into 1 Thessalonians 3. Join us in person or online—we’d love to worship with you!
This post is designed to inspire personal reflection and action. Share it with a friend, or revisit it during the week to remind yourself to live as a blessing. Let’s pray that our lives reflect the love of Jesus to everyone we encounter.