A Preacher's Motive Makes the Difference

1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 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 cloak 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 cherished her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Just A Thot: The preacher's motive and method of proclaiming the gospel makes the difference between preaching a pure gospel with the power and praise of God vs. preaching an impure gospel with the impotence and praise of men. One will last, and another will fail.

The point of this passage reveals a couple of things to me, the preacher. First is the extent to which the love of and for God compels the preacher (Paul) to be bold in declaring the gospel while being gentle and transparent to the audience. There seem to be many accusations against Paul and his motives which he strives to correct. Such accusations might be made against some in the ministry. Every preacher is wise to prayerfully request the Lord to reveal such motives in his heart so the preacher can place them under the blood of Christ and have them expunged from not only his history, but his heart. No preacher will be eternally valuable if his message is tainted with such impure motives. Diluting the message is paramount to destroying the power of God. What are those diluting motives?

• First mentioned is preaching so as to please men. This is a common and powerful phenomenon seen by many in the pulpits today. To be popular is something most people want. Who wants to be in the middle of a controversy? Who wants to be the object of any form of objection? So many will, in the effort to "get the gospel across," water it down because the cross of Christ is offensive to so many. Unfortunately, telling the truth - even in love - is sometimes going to offend those who find that the truth hurts.
• The next motive Paul is concerned with is flattering words. Whether this is done to be popular, pleasing men, or to lure in the easily deceived, is unclear from our text. However, what IS clear is that flattery will not get the soul saved, for it drains the gospel of its power. Flattery flops in evangelism and preaching. Flattery is defined as "excessive or insincere praise" by Webster. There is nothing honest about it. Either it is dishonestly exaggerated or it is dishonestly not meant.
• Another motive that concerns Paul is a cloak of covetousness. That means using words with spin, so as to hide the real motive of self-gain through the message. It is a politicians greatest weapon, and a preacher's greatest demise. The gospel Paul brought to the Thessalonians was not for Paul's gain, but for theirs - and he made no bones about that.
• Finally, it was not to bring glory to himself, but to God. This concern fits the egomaniacal ham that motivates many "rock star" preachers who seek to draw a crowd around themselves. They want a following. They love to be praised and glorified. Their personality drives their presentation to the point that they begin to think that any soul saved under their ministry is their doing, not the work of Jesus Christ. They are puffed up and proud of their gift, thinking they have somehow earned and created it themselves, rather than being humbled and honored to be chosen by God as the recipient of it.

Paul's final comments reflect his method of bringing the gospel to the Thessalonian people: he has truly been transparent, pouring out his soul, his experience, and his heart for the Lord. He worked hard to be gentle because he knows the truth hurts, and he wants to tell the truth as painlessly as possible. However, he has held nothing back, indeed, he has put it all on the line for them. So should I, a preacher, love the people God has given me to lead and serve. The gospel should be presented to them with purity of motive and method, with transparency of life. My life should LIVE the gospel while my message should PROCLAIM the gospel. Then, those who believe will be more completely changed, while those who do not will be more completely marked as well. May it be that the Lord is pleased with me for completely and competently proclaiming His Word with love and gentleness while I live it out in front of the world, so that so many others might be saved by His grace as I have been. Let no deceit be found in me – Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Holler for Jesus,

Greg Yount

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Just-a-Thot - Devotional thoughts - http://justa-thot.blogspot.com

As I See It - Biblical perspectives on current events - http://asiseeit10.blogspot.com