1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 - Homiletics

Man judges us by our outward conduct; God by our internal disposition. The apostle appeals to God as a witness of the purity of his motives. He asserts that he was free from all desire of personal fame or interest. Can we make the same appeal and the same assertion?

1. Are we influenced by unworthy motives? Is covetousness, the desire of fame, or the love of power, the mainspring of our life?

2. Or are we influenced by worthy motives? Do we seek to please, not man, but God? Is the glory of God in Christ Jesus the chief end of our life and actions?

1 Thessalonians 2:7 , 1 Thessalonians 2:11 , 1 Thessalonians 2:19 - The true pastorate.

1. Its qualities . Paul compares himself to a nursing mother and a father. A minister should resemble the one in his tenderness and loving sympathy, and the other in his wisdom and firmness.

2. Its mode : exhorting, comforting, and. charging.

3. Its reward :

1 Thessalonians 2:12 - Our high and holy calling.

We ought to walk worthy of God, so as:

1. To obey God's laws.

2. To imitate God's moral perfections.

3. To enjoy God's fellowship.

4. To adorn God's gospel.

5. To promote God's cause.

6. To live to God's glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 - The gospel a Divine revelation.

1. Negatively . The gospel is not the word of man; not the result of man's wisdom; does not spring from a development of human thought; its doctrines are not within the sphere of the human intellect.

2. Positively . The gospel is the Word of God. This seen from its origin, its contents, and its efficacy.

1 Thessalonians 2:16 - Beware of opposing the gospel.

The Jews did so. They endeavored to prevent the apostle preaching to the Gentiles, and wrath came upon them to the uttermost; and so will all opposition made to the gospel terminate ( Psalms 2:6 , Psalms 2:9 ). If we ourselves will not embrace the gospel, let us beware of throwing obstacles in the way of those who would. Especially let parents beware how they act toward their children when under religious impressions.

1 Thessalonians 2:18 - The opposition of Satan to the gospel.

"Satan hindered us."

I. THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN . Christ and Satan, the heads of two opposite empires—the one the kingdom of light, and the other the kingdom of darkness; the one the source of all that is good, and the other the source of all that is evil.

II. THE AGENCY OF SATAN . He hindereth the spread of the gospel. He worketh in the children of disobedience. Mode of his operation; the instruments which he employs.

III. THE FINAL VICTORY OF CHRIST OVER SATAN . Though Satan hindereth the gospel, yet it is only for a season. "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under our feet shortly" ( Romans 16:20 ).