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"Approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel..."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:4

THE MINISTRY OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL

We have a good idea of how the apostle Paul understood the ministry in the following text.

“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.”

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

1. “Exhortation”

a) Preaching of the Gospel was the first thing.

b) Exhortation is another way of describing how Paul sought to encourage people.

2. What was rejected

a) Error

This could occur if there was a lack of full comprehension.

b) Uncleanness

Ulterior motives and hidden agenda were never there.

c) Deceit

There was no guile ever!

3. What was practised

a) Paul and his team knew that they had been approved by God to preach the gospel.

i) This would have to be evidenced in life and ministry.

ii) Others must be able to recognise that they were approved servants of God.

iii) Paul and his team had undergone much suffering and had thus proven themselves.

b) “Entrusted with the gospel”

i) The gospel is seen as something God entrusts to His servant.

ii) Paul understood the significance of being so entrusted.

c) “Even so we speak”

i) This understanding of being entrusted affected the way Paul ministered.

ii) He never sought to please men.

iii) He sought to please only God.

iv) He knew that God would test the heart