“For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed–God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.”
(1 Thess. 2:3-6a)
The Apostle Paul made this assessment of his ministry in light on criticism levied at him. False accusations that could have stirred up doubts within the Thessalonian church required Paul to defend his ministry. In order to do that, he had to step back and look at himself, to do a check-up of sorts, that he would share with the people.
In normal ministry circumstances we might not need to broadcast conclusions but we do need to constantly look at these same areas — our message, motives, and methods.
Paul’s Message: “For the appeal we make does not spring from error …” (1 Thess. 2:3) “On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.” (1 Thess. 2:4a)
Paul’s Safeguard: looked at the message he had been given as an entrustment for which he would be held accountable
Personal Ministry Check-Up: Do you take message or lesson preparation seriously, investing sufficient time, prayer, and study into it, to make sure you are accurately communicating God’s truth? — “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)
Help in Communicating the Message:
A Lesson Worth Teaching Workbook
Bible Lesson Preparation Worksheet
Paul’s Motives: “For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives …” (1 Thess. 2:3) “We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” (1 Thess. 2:4b)
Paul’s Safeguard: looked at ministry as much as a heart issue as tasks to be done
Personal Ministry Check-Up: Does pleasing God matter more to you than what people think? If you “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37), you will put all of who you are into keeping Him and His glory as your primary motivation. When “all” is put into loving God, there’s no room for selfish ambition.
Paul’s Methods: “nor are we trying to trick you.” (1 Thess. 2:3) “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed — God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.” (1 Thess. 2:5-6a)
Paul’s Safeguard: looked at accountability to God as more important than perceived benefit from others
Personal Ministry Check-Up: Do you guard against manipulating people into doing what you want them to do? Are you authentic?
Help in Having the Right Motives and Methods:
Foundational Pillars of Truth Discussion Guides
Two times in just a few verses, Paul stated the perspective that kept him from failing the check-up. — He was not trying to please people, to gain their praise, but rather cared most about what God thought, for he realized that God was the One who tested his heart. Perhaps he could fool other people, but not God. Consequently he kept his message true, motives pure, and methods filled with integrity regardless of whether others saw or what others thought.