C3 2018 General Session
Johnny Hunt
@JohnnyMHunt
Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 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. 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. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9
You don’t have to be rich to be generous. You just have to be generous.
What does a biblical leader look like?
85% of those who come to Jesus do so because of a personal invitation.
Paul raised the level of what a leader is by using the model of a mother.
Leadership is the combination of character and activity.
It’s not the truth you know. It’s the truth you do.
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 1 Thessalonians 2:10
Character qualities of Paul: Veracity, humility, accountability
The Character of Jesus: In Matthew 11, Jesus said he was humble.
My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4:19
Great work takes longevity.
Metaphor
Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 1 Corinthians 4:15-16
Paul also uses a Father as a picture of leadership.
Paul uses the picture of a mother to picture leadership.
Gentleness is a fruit of the spirit.
A Christian never has luxury of being unkind.
A good mother’s is a model of acceptance respect compassion, tolerance, tenderness, loyalty
No one loves Your Family more than you do.
We get to see what God desires in people’s lives.
Motive
A Deep Love
You can’t lead people you don’t love!
Don’t “tee up” people you love.
You can’t lead people you don’t believe in.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 is the only place “fond affection” is used in the Bible.
In most families, Mom holds the family together.
Ancient inscriptions on tombs of babies in the first century used the word Fond affection
A Deep Longing
Mom’s calling was the highest in their heart
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Leaders give their lives for their people and the vision!