But As We Have Been Approved By God To Be Entrusted With The Gospel, Even So We Speak, Not As Pleasing To Man, But God Who Test Our Hearts
Jesus Time Is Now
1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-6
“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 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. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
”I Thessalonians 2:1-6 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.2.1-6.NKJ
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“Our coming visit to you was not in vain” refers to Paul's first visit to Thessalonia (see ACTS 17:1-9). The Thessalonians knew that Paul had been imprisoned in Philippi just before his visit to Thessalonia (see ACTS 16:-17:1).
Fear of imprisonment did not keep Paul from sharing the Good News. And despite much opposition and the fret of imprisonment, God gave him courage and strength to boldly speak out; he didn't allow any obstacles to get in his way. Boldness is not reckless, but requires courage to press on through fear and do what is right.
Paul never allowed fear to stop him preaching in absolute truth, and it is clear, that Paul never preached out of personal gain; neither money, or self gratification, but out of love and the desire to please God.
So often in today’s church, church leaders operate from selfish ambitions of money, status, and self gratification.
You know them, there pictures are all over the media, and rather focused on pleasing God by speaking boldly the truth of the gospel, they speak to please people with promises of prosperity in the hope of an increase in tithes and offerings.
They speak that what the people want to hear to fill the pews and often impose unnecessary conditions and controls on the congregation.
This is the old church that operated by the leading of the Pastor or minister who managed everything rather than by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Their was little in the way of signs and wonders, but it felt good through glossy worship and preaching.
They shut down everything they didn’t want to hear such as Prophetic words they didn’t understand or what was conflicting with the Pastor’s plans.
That is man’s church and it is time for change.
In the first miracle, Jesus said to Mary, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.””
John 2:4 NKJV
But the truth is, Jesus time is now.
The wine has run out and those old wine skins are spent. As a result, more than 6000 churches have closed down in the last few years.
But the new is here; God has and is preparing a new remnant, the new wine skins to receive the new wine as in the first miracle (JOHN 2:1-11).
Many Pastors and ministers are trying to hold on to the old in fear of losing their careers, status, and incomes, but it will be in vain.
It’s time to let go of the old and embrace the new; and accept Gods original plan of the five fold ministry of God.
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
No longer shall the ministry revolve around the Pastor, for every member will be called into at least one of these five ministries, and God will use the whole congregation in an apostolic way, operating and speaking through all.
Jesus said, ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:12-14 NKJV
My beloved, that time is here and we are going to see the signs and wonders of God like never before.
But the change over will be painful for many church leaders who refuse to let go.
Like Paul, as God's very own people, we are called to share the Good News at every opportunity, and fear should not stop us; like Paul we need to speak boldly in truth about our God whatever opposition we face. We who are now operating in the new Apostolic five fold ministry and are called to reach out to the people of the broken church and lead them out of captivity (EXODUS 14).
In today’s world, while God is moving in preparation for His return, the devil is bringing more and more evil to snatch people from God’s hands.
Believers are being misled and silenced over world affairs such as the invisible enemy, vaccines, corruption, abortion, homosexuality, and such things.
But if God is calling us to speak out we must obey.
So how can we get the courage and the strength to speak boldly when we face such opposition, not just by our governments and the media, but at times from our friends and family too; or indeed others who persecute Christians or even threaten us with violence?
Like the Apostles, we need to pray for the Holy Spirit's power, boldness, and truth ACTS 4:31), and look for opportunities to talk about Christ.
Start in small ways and one step at a time allow your confidence to grow.
In our efforts to enlighten people, we may be tempted to alter our position just enough to make our message more palatable or use flattery or praise. But however, like Paul, we must not change our message to make it more acceptable; but rather by following Paul’s example, we can tailor our methods to each audience.
Although our presentation can be altered appropriately for each situation, the truth must never be compromised. It is not appropriate to butter someone up with half truths or man pleasing words; flattery is phony, and it covers up a persons real intentions.
Those who proclaim the Good News have a responsibility to be honest, so don't be tempted to tell them what they want to hear in order to win them over; but rather, tell them as it is by the leading of the Spirit.
We are supposed to be pleasing God not people, and you do them no favours by watering down the truth; a watered down gospel helps no one.
Paul continually emphasized Christ second coming throughout this book, because the Thessalonian church was being persecuted, Paul encouraged them to look forward to the deliverance that Christ would bring. A believers hope is in the glorious return of Christ Jesus (TITUS 2:13).
Our perspective on life remains incomplete without this hope, but we can be sure, just as Christ was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven, He will return (ACTS 1:11); furthermore , He will fulfill all His promises of judgment and eternal life in paradise heaven.
Meanwhile my beloved, get out and share the
Good News in the streets and communities. The lost are not going to miraculously walk into your church and ask for the truth.
Therefore, just as Jesus instructed, “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:5-8 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen
