1Th 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile::4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness::6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of.
ESV 1 Thess. 2:2-8
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery,as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
ESV 1 Thess. 2:2-8
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery,as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
1A OUR EXHORTATION WAS NOT BASED ON A DELUSIONS: 3a James 5:19-20
He did not allow for sloppy preaching: 2 Timothy 2:15
He did not manipulate the Scripture for homiletical elegance.
He did not twist the Scripture to fit his alliteration.
He preached the Scriptures as the text set them forth.
Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
He preached spirtiually clean. Isa 52:11
Water flows through pipes and if the pipe is rusty, the water may flow, but there will be discoloration and sediment and the water will taste of the pipe,.
Water will taste of the pipe.
The Gospel needs to flow from a clean, right, holy human channel
When the messdenger is false the message will not taste right.
1Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Isa 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean [thing]; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
3A OUR PREACHING WAS NOT IN GUILE, FULL OF TRICKS. 3c
Paul ws not two-faced. He was and believed what he preached
4A HIS PREACHING WAS NOT DESIGNED TO PLEASE MEN: 4b
He did not deliberately antagonized people, nor go out of his way to offend people.
But it wasn’t Paul’s ambition to plese men. Gal. 1:10
One of the occupational hazards of the ministry is criticism.
Thin skinned men don’t need to apply....
You can not get people to like you. Eph. 6:6-7
Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Ga 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
5A HIS PREACHING DID NOT CONTAIN FLATTERING WORDS. Vs 5 Acts I corin 2:1-5, 2 Peter 2:3 Romans 16:17-1
The preaching of Paul did not in any manner take advantage of the people.
He did not use crowd psychology, nor swaying people.
He did nothing to gain the upper hand for his own personal needs.
He stated the facts, told the truth, compliment people honestly, reported accurately and that is honest and flattery
The preaching of Paul did not in any manner take advantage of the people.
He did not use crowd psychology, nor swaying people.
He did nothing to gain the upper hand for his own personal needs.
He stated the facts, told the truth, compliment people honestly, reported accurately and that is honest and flattery
1Co 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.:4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power::5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
There was no cover up of aim to gain money
There was no pretext. Acts 20:33, Luke 12:15 Col. 3:5
Rather Paul was content in mind, in heart. 2 Corin 1:23, Rom 1:9 Rom 9:1
Ac 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
2Co 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
Ro 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Ro 9:1 ¶ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
7A HIS MINISTRY DID NOT SEEK HONOUR FROM MEN. 6a
It is spiritual suicide for any servant to seek glory. Isa 42:8 Psa. 29:2
you give the Lord the Glory, the credit and the praise that is due to Him.
It is not our due, nor our glory. Psa. 115:1 John 12:42-43
Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Ps 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Ps 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
Joh 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [him], lest they should be put out of the synagogue::43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
He did not come to be gush over. Jer 45:5 Matt 6:33
He didn’t seek any credit and glory any plaudits any adulation from you.
Glory, recognition, credit came from Christ
Jer 45:5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek [them] not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
9A HE DID NOT DESIRE TO BE KNOWN 6c
This is by far the most tempted.....
The desire to be known, to have prestige, to be famous, to hae top billing #1 draft pick. 1 Corin 4:6
Yes we want people to think well of us, not overestimate us.
Most never sell themselves short. We sell other people short. Phil 2:6-7
1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God::7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
He could have thrown his spiritual weight around but he didn’t. (Tent-making)
11A HE WAS A GENTLE AMONG THE PEOPLE vs. 7 I Tim 2:23-26
2Ti 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;:26 And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
