1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 says,...
Today's verse are 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4, which says,
v.1, 2 - For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
As our son Abraham said to me one time, "Dad, you can't keep a good man down." He was playing goalie in a recreational soccer league as a 5th or 6th grader. He hated the position and the game wasn't going well but that was his resolve to keep going.
Paul had just suffered with Silas in the town of Philippi. He was physically beaten, mistreated, falsely accused, and thrown into jail. In spite of all of that, he and Silas lifted their voices to God in praise and God brought not only the earthquake but also the Phillippian jailer to ask, "What must I do to be saved?" An open invitation that propelled Paul forward to the next town because if all he had to do is endure that for that question to come then you hear Paul saying, "Here I come Thessalonica."
Something was motivating Paul that was so much bigger than Paul himself.
v.3, 4 - For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
Paul brought them the truth and not error. Paul brought them someone who's manner of life was pure and not impure. Paul brought them a clear message and one not filled with deceit. The false teachers were preaching error and living by their desires and using deceitful tactics.
Paul says something here that shakes me to the core when I read it. "...entrusted with the gospel so we speak,..." Do you see yourself with that same opportunity? You are a follower, a disciple of Jesus and you have the gospel, but you don't just have it for yourself. You have been entrusted with the gospel so that you can speak it. You have this opportunity that not everyone has. God gave it to you just like in the parable of the talents. You have something given to you that He wants you to use for His glory.
The gospel needs to be spoken. It can be and should be lived out but it needs to be spoken. The world needs to hear the gospel. The world needs to hear that God loved us so much that He send His one and only Son to save sinners and we are all sinners in need of a Savior.
I'm a hugger. I hug everybody. Some hold me off at a distance at first but I will be persistent to wait for the invitation for that hug. There is a whole different level of relationship when you invade that personal space. Something happens there that is powerful. Am I a "hugger" with the gospel message? Am I persistent to wait for the opportunity to share that gospel message with another that might be holding me at a distance? When we get on that level to speak about Jesus then something powerful can happen.
"Lord, I have been entrusted with the gospel to speak. May I be reminded of that every morning. You are my life and therefore You are my words. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.1, 2 - For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
As our son Abraham said to me one time, "Dad, you can't keep a good man down." He was playing goalie in a recreational soccer league as a 5th or 6th grader. He hated the position and the game wasn't going well but that was his resolve to keep going.
Paul had just suffered with Silas in the town of Philippi. He was physically beaten, mistreated, falsely accused, and thrown into jail. In spite of all of that, he and Silas lifted their voices to God in praise and God brought not only the earthquake but also the Phillippian jailer to ask, "What must I do to be saved?" An open invitation that propelled Paul forward to the next town because if all he had to do is endure that for that question to come then you hear Paul saying, "Here I come Thessalonica."
Something was motivating Paul that was so much bigger than Paul himself.
v.3, 4 - For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
Paul brought them the truth and not error. Paul brought them someone who's manner of life was pure and not impure. Paul brought them a clear message and one not filled with deceit. The false teachers were preaching error and living by their desires and using deceitful tactics.
Paul says something here that shakes me to the core when I read it. "...entrusted with the gospel so we speak,..." Do you see yourself with that same opportunity? You are a follower, a disciple of Jesus and you have the gospel, but you don't just have it for yourself. You have been entrusted with the gospel so that you can speak it. You have this opportunity that not everyone has. God gave it to you just like in the parable of the talents. You have something given to you that He wants you to use for His glory.
The gospel needs to be spoken. It can be and should be lived out but it needs to be spoken. The world needs to hear the gospel. The world needs to hear that God loved us so much that He send His one and only Son to save sinners and we are all sinners in need of a Savior.
I'm a hugger. I hug everybody. Some hold me off at a distance at first but I will be persistent to wait for the invitation for that hug. There is a whole different level of relationship when you invade that personal space. Something happens there that is powerful. Am I a "hugger" with the gospel message? Am I persistent to wait for the opportunity to share that gospel message with another that might be holding me at a distance? When we get on that level to speak about Jesus then something powerful can happen.
"Lord, I have been entrusted with the gospel to speak. May I be reminded of that every morning. You are my life and therefore You are my words. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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