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The “Glorious Gospel” part2
Let me give you another sound passage of Scripture that is dealing with the character of the true minister and approach those who preach the glorious gospel.
1Th 2:4 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.
1Th 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
1Th 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
1Th 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
1Th 2:8 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.
1Th 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1Th 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
1Th 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
1Th 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Look at the true marks of those who preach the glorious gospel:
1) They speak to glorify God, not to please man, they are ambassadors of Christ, not making the message more acceptable or in any way do they try to please any man. v4, Gal 1:10 Because they were ENTRUSTED WITH THE TRUTH, they cannot be faithful to the Truth, they are ministers of the Truth, they cannot speak to accommodate man, but only to please God even if it will hurt someone’s feeling. It is God who try our hearts to see if we speak to please man, or God, fear in the heart brings a message that will not offend, and so if fear for men is there, fear for God is lacking.
2) They do not try to be diplomatic, to hide behind words or better expression; they speak it like it is. “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know” plainly, openly, and faithfully told them their case as it was. The Truth are many a time hindered and even changed by many who gives it a better look just not to offend or look harshly. Translators are today busy to translate big parts of Scripture to be more “sensitive” to the reader’s feelings and to not be so outspoken. Trying to give Truth a better look or cloth it with some more acceptable garment has no part in those who preach the glorious gospel, who are true ministers of Christ. They do not flatter, sweet talk, smooth talk with words at ANY TIME. The meaning is, that the apostle did not deal in the language of adulation; he did not praise them for their beauty, wealth, talent, or accomplishments, and conceal from them the painful truths about their guilt and danger. He stated simple truth - not refusing to commend people if truth would admit of it, and never hesitating to declare his honest convictions about their guilt and danger. See 2Co 2:17. We may therefore state that like the Rick Warren’s, those using words to make the gospel more acceptable or to praise mans abilities are not true ministers of the gospel. Paul says that they had not descended to flattery in order to make the gospel acceptable. They had not flattered men's self-complacency so as to blind them to their need of the radical work which the gospel demands.
3) They do not show off or show forth so that they may in some way profit from it. …”nor a cloke of covetousness” The word used here for “cloke” is prophasis which means that you put colour or light to something to make it more attractive or manifest. Something is portrayed for a pretense. Those that don’t preach the glorious gospel are making a show of there “ministries” under a big pretence that it is the power and work of God. They especially use this “show” to obtain money and to influence people to give liberally for their cause to have more. They use it to cover up their covetousness, greediness and materialism, so that it is done under the pretense of furthering the gospel or the kingdom of God. These are the ones that are materialistic and money-oriented in their standard of living; all under a cloke that what they possess is what God gave them. The true minister’s life is hidden with Christ in God! The meaning here is, that he did not put on a pretence or appearance of piety for the sake of promoting the schemes of covetousness. The evidence of that was not only what they observed of the general spirit of the apostle, but also the fact that when with them he had actually labored with his own hands for a support (1Th 2:9). It is obvious that there were those there, as sometimes there are now, who, under the pretence of great zeal for religion, were really seeking wealth. Is it your study, your earnest labor, to bring sinners to God; to preach among your heathen parishioners the unsearchable riches of Christ?
4) They do not seek glory or fame of men. “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” They do not seek to be of reputation or to seem good. If they are liked or not, it do not matter to them. This “glory” Paul refers to here is based on what one thinks. Many are so busy with what others think of them that they live out their lives trying to please and applause man and to carry their praise than the praise of God. To be in a high opinion or reputation. They did not seek after it as the Pharisees and false teachers did, who received honor one of another, and sought not that which comes from God only: but so did not the apostles; they took no steps this way to procure glory and esteem among men, but all the reverse; they preached doctrines which were not of men, nor according to men, nor agreeable to them; and these they delivered in a disagreeable way, not with enticing words of men's wisdom, they did not seek to please men, but spoke and did everything that rendered them mean and despicable in their eyes; so that they looked upon them as the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things: nor was this any disappointment to them, for to gain the support of men was not their end and view; they did not seek for glory neither of the men of the world.
5) They do not burden others with even the burdens and weights they are occupied with. “When we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” They do not go around telling others about their burdens and needs. To tell someone about the burden be it financial places a burden on another and thus becoming burdensome. True ministers of the glorious gospel, doesn’t put burdens on anyone in financial or material matters at all. That surely conveys that in all their burdens they don’t tell others about their burdens, be it financial, material,, etc, because one cannot exists without making such known in whatever way... False teachers therefore will be known by their going around speaking about their state of affairs, even in hardships and deep burdens. True ministers make their needs known to God through prayer and supplication and in thanksgiving – see Philippians 4:6-9.
“And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable (burdensome) to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. “ 2Co 11:9
Here you find this very strong undermining principle in those preaching the glorious gospel …”when I was present with you and in financial need, I did not tell you about it (chargeable) or to anyone (no man), and in ALL things I have kept (back) and guard and prevent myself and will keep myself from telling you or letting you know in any way or manner and thereby burden you…” What’s more, is that although they not only do not burden others with their needs, they encourage and even nourishes others by their own deep poverty. “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherished (to warm) her children: 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. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable (burdensome) unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” To cherish, to take special care of others, while no care is being given them. This is the true from the false, the one labor and are in travail, hardship (referring to labor) and painfulness (2Cor 11:27 same word used here) not to be a burden, casting all upon Him Who is able to care for that which He had called them to. This shows that they did not seek their own ease and worldly interest; and proves what is before mentioned, that they did not use a cloak of covetousness, but chose to do without, and not claim on what they had a right to, lest the Gospel should be hindered or reproached:
6) They preach more than just the gospel. They are involved in the lives even of those they preach to! They don’t spare themselves the troubles of others they are involved in preaching. Some say they are only called to preach the gospel and that’s all. But the true minister never shrinks from also giving his time and energy, even if it cost him his very ease. “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.” You will find the true minister a servant that serves and not a master that rules!
7) They always keep their lives holy and unblemished in the sight of God and man. It is important to them that Christ’s name will not be blasphemed or be in disgrace by anything they carry out and tolerate. “Ye are witnesses and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe” They are holily, pure, without mixed motives, justly, doing and practice what was true and just, and living in nothing in which others can find charge in their conduct.
8) They desire that Christ might be formed and glorified in others. They labor for nothing else. Nothing else consumes them or moves them. Their whole doctrine and message is Christ and He crucified and their whole ministry is to glorify His work. Their labor and centrality is Christ crucified because in that Christ is being formed (1 Cor 2:2) “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” Many’s message and passion are lacking this one central objective. The false teacher preaches other truths but not THE Truth. They focus on charity, unity, aids, the family, dispensations, types, eschatology, church life, prayer, revival, holiness, grace, evangelism, healing, tongues, the Holy Spirit, etc, etc, all truths, but not the central pivot object, Christ an Him crucified, and presenting each one complete in Him.
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. “ (Col 1:27 -29)
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” (Gal 4:19)
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (1Co 2:2)
May God through His Word bless and strengthen and establish each one complete in Christ to the glory of His praise.