Flattery =  cajolery =  an attempt to persuade by use of  ~  Insincere Speech ~……

1 Thess. is ALL ABOUT….. pure motives……

Not using the back door……not even doing GOD’s work…HIS MINISITRY unto others…
for HIS cause…..with  ” Insincere Speech ”

We are studying 1 Thess….. and it is so doing ” self checks” for me w/ Africa !
Paul is talking about :
a.  being ” approved by God”  ~  to do His work.
b.  vs. 3 – not springing from error or impure motives
c.  not trying to ” trick people”

vs. 4  ” ON THE CONTRARY ~ we speak as men approved by God to be
entrusted with the gospel.  We are not trying to please men but God,
who tests our heart.”

We are to care for the people God has entrusted to us:
a. our family… children/ grandchildren
b.  our witness …those God has given for us to witness to…
those we are “called to” individually

Like a mother caring for her child  = as selflessly as a nursing mother !
Back to the ” SELFLESS “……testing our hearts !

This was Paul….to the Thessalonians…..
This is truly showing how Spiritual Leaders are to be in ” true spiritual ministry ”
God sees our hearts in what HE has entrusted us with….
it cost Him His Son…..it is nothing to play with !

If we are sincere,  before God….then we see the fruit :
a.  They accepted it not as the word of men, but as it ACTUALLY is,
the Word of GOD.
b.  They became true imitators of JESUS CHRIST…not US !

Then the end :
vs. 19/20
” For what is our hope, our joy, our crown in which we will glory in the
PRESENCE OF OUR LORD JESUS when He comes?
IS IT NOT YOU?
INDEED, YOU ARE OUR GLORY and JOY !”

Selfless…..our hope, our joy, our crown…..

is others…..those that truly get it…and live it….
it takes us….being ” sincere, pure, humbled to be entrusted with
something so sacred….that God has entrusted us with”

Flattery =  an attempt to persuade by use of insincere speech.

It is too sacred to mess with….or put “in ourselves”….and think that WE…
persuade….  it is from His ” spiritual to spiritual” ……
it is from His ” glory to glory “……..

@ This Thanxgiving…..we are thankful for HIM ALONE….
who tests our hearts…..
and if they are pure, sincere…
Then JESUS CHRIST also will be Thankful for choosing us to take the gospel !

As we sit around the table…and give “THANKS for what WE are thankful for”…
may we ponder……

IS JESUS CHRIST….JESUS CHRIST….truly, truly….thankful for dying for me, individually ?