Text:
1 Thessalonians 2:1-7
Memory Verse:
“But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
Whom are you trying to please, people or God? John F. Walvoord and Mark Hitchcock wrote“The most basic test of any service rendered for God is the question, ‘Is it pleasing to Him?’ Our little houses of self-praise and self-gratification tumble in a moment when we stop to consider, ‘What does God think about it?’ Paul was energised and propelled by a burning desire to please God. Certainly, this is a standard to challenge every thoughtful Christian.”
The paramount motivation of Paul and his team was to please God alone. Based on this, they did not preach falsehood with impure motives or use deceptive rhetoric. They were not greedy for monetary gain and did not flatter their listeners or seek to inflate their own egos when they preached. Then as now, the integrity of the preacher goes hand-in-glove with the message.
Paul and his fellow ministers knew that their calling was from the Lord. They had been entrusted with the gospel and so none of this was about them! Ultimately their work and motivation would be approved by God. Rather than exercise Paul’s legitimate apostolic authority to ask for financial support, they took a low social position in obedience to Christ. God Himself could witness to
the veracity of these claims. It is easy to fall into the trap of seeking to please people. What would the Lord find if He examined your heart in this area today? Seek to find what pleases the
Lord and do it (Ephesians 5:8-10).
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, let me live my life in a manner that is pleasing to You alone.
2. I want an unwavering grace to remain steadfast in You, Lord.
