Worthless Accusations
Today we are going to be in Chapter 2 of 1 Thessalonians. While you turn there, let’s do a quick review.
Review of 1 Thessalonians:
Background Review
Last week we learned about:
Worthless Accusations
Chapter 2:
That brings us to chapter 2. Let’s read the word for this morning.
“1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”
Paul gave his life to preaching the gospel. He gave his life to serve those he was called to reach. This included the church in Thessalonica. Paul and his companions served the people he was reaching. He faithfully preached the gospel and discipled them as they grew in Christ.
With that said, there may have been some who considered Paul’s time in Thessalonica a failure.
1 Thessalonians 2:1 (NLT)
“You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure.”
Why would someone consider Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica a failure?
From that perspective, it could seem like Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica was a complete failure. Yet this is far from the truth. If you look in the natural and see only as man sees, then you will see nothing but failure. However, if you see things from God’s perspective, you will see nothing but success.
Actuations of Paul & entourage:
Yet, that is not what the record showed by some. That is not what was published about them. That is not what was announced to the Thessalonians. However, Paul knew these were only accusations. He knew the truth. Because his life and actions were in line with God, he knew the accusations would not stand. He was able to separate the truth from the lies. He knew what the record in Heaven showed. He knew which perspective mattered. It was the one God was keeping in His books.
Paul had one goal for the people he ministered to in Thessalonica. That goal was for them to receive the word of God, to be born again, and for them to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.
This is exactly what we want for the people in our life we are called to be a witness to. It is what we want for our children, it is what we want for our family, it’s what we want for our close friends, co-workers, bosses, etc. We want for those close to us to experience true life that is a result of coming to Christ.
Paul laid out a great example in how we can be a witness to those in our life:
By doing these things, we can be confident knowing that we are doing our part as a witness to the people that God has placed in our life.
With that said, we all know that sometimes it does not seem that way. Even when we have done our part, we can’t help but feel like we have failed. In the natural, it seems like we have dropped the ball. In the natural, it seems like we have not done a good job. In the natural, it may seem like you have fallen short. Although it may seem to be this way, the truth is much different. God sees a different story.
The devil wants you to believe that you haven’t done enough. He wants you to believe that you have fallen short. He wants you to believe that you did not do a good job. He wants you to believe that you failed. (He wants you to believe that their salvation all depends on you! While you do have a part to play, God has a part to play as well. Only He can change a man’s heart. It is only though the work of the Holy Spirit that a man can go from death to life. Our loved ones also have a part to play as well. (But that responsibility does not all fall on you.) But this is exactly what the devil does. He is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). That is what he is going to do. It is all he knows. We must remember, he is also a liar. That means that whatever the devil is saying, God is most likely doing the opposite.
You see, while the devil is accusing, God is working. He is working behind the scenes. His word will always accomplish what it was sent out to do.
Isaiah 55:11 -“…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Paul was not looking at things from man’s perspective, and neither should we. God gets the final word, and His word is the only one that really matters. In other words, the devil’s lies against you are nothing but worthless accusations.
Like Paul, we must continue to trust God. We must reject the lies of the devil, declare the truth from the Word of God, and trust Him for the outcome. The truth will always outlast accusations. That is what we must do. Outlast the lies. Continue to show love to your loved ones. Continue to speak the truth. Care for them, be kind toward them, work hard among them, do what is right, pray for them, be faultless among them.
When we do our part, we can be confident that God isdoing His. They will hear the word, receive it as the truth, and it will begin to work in their life.
Takeaways:
