2.3 A FAITHFUL MINISTER HAS A COMMISSION OF TRUST (1 Thessalonians 2:4,5)

1 Thessalonians 2:4 "But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel..."

Such are "approved" and commissioned by God. The word "approved" implies explicit examination and testing, resulting in the giving consent for use. To be esteemed worthy to be entrusted as God's messenger is in itself a challenge to be God's faithful servant. The gospel was a trust committed to Paul by God. He was entrusted to publish the true, whole gospel of Jesus Christ, and nothing but the gospel. Every messenger appointed by God should allow nothing to hinder fulfillment of the great trust.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 "Even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts."

A faithful messenger of God is concerned, as one who will give account, more about what God thinks about the manner and content of preaching, than what men think. God who knows and tests the true motives of the hearts of those He is using, is the infallible judge of truth and sincerity of the message's delivery.

1 Thessalonians 2:5 "God is witness."

To know that everything is done and said before God as eyewitness has a positive effect on the faithful messenger.

Being God-Aware There Will Be No Use of Flattering Words

(1 Thessalonians 2:5 ). Paul is saying he did not win these converts with humanistic magnifying of man's high nature, or by high regard for man's position or influence, admiration for the sake of advantage. The true gospel humbles him as a sinner in need of mercy through the Lord Jesus Christ. Flattery dishonours God and deludes sinners and can rob them of salvation. The true messenger of God asks whether his words are God's message for the people, rather than whether they will like them or not.

Being God-Aware There Will Be No Using Ministry for Self-Enrichment

1 Thessalonians 2:5 "Nor a cloak for covetousness."

The messenger who lives in the consciousness that God is the living witness of his heart motives and actions, will not exploit the gospel for personal greed. Would that all ministers of the gospel could say with Paul:

Acts 20:33 "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel."

God's messengers must have integrity with respect to the Lord's money. A leader in the work of the Lord must not be a lover of money. (1 Timothy 3:3 ).

1 Timothy 3:10 "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (NIV)."

Of false prophets and teachers Peter wrote:

2 Peter 2:3 "In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. (NIV)."

Because these ministers defile God's truth, and exploit God's people with embellished and false stories of their ministry for greed - God assigns them to condemnation and destruction. God's true messengers do not seek their own enrichment, but they do long for the enrichment in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, of every believing hearer, because God is witness.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do you believe that a true messenger of the gospel is God-appointed and therefore God-accountable?
   • What positive effect does the knowledge of God being the eye witness of what you do and say, have on you?