1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:… I. THE MINISTER'S TRUST. 1. Its basis. The Divine permission — "allowed of God." This is the minister's prerogative and authority. 2. Its subject — the gospel. (1) In its wonderful disclosures of the grace of God. (2) In its operative power upon the heart and life. (3) In its presentation of the Person and work of Christ. 3. Its object — the salvation, edification, comfort, and eternal blessedness of men. II. THE MINISTER'S FAITHFULNESS. 1. The minister who is conscious of his responsibility speaks as one who will have to render an account of his stewardship, thoughtfully, cautiously, humbly, prayerfully, boldly. 2. This faithfulness is expressed in the singleness and sacredness of its object. "Not as pleasing men," etc. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). 3. This singleness of purpose in pleasing God rather than man is also a test of our fidelity. The faithful minister is content to labour without human applause. III. THE MINISTER'S TRIALS. 1. He is subject not only to those trials which are common to all men, but to those which are peculiar to his office: discouragement, anxiety for souls, doubts as to past labours, a sense of his unworthiness in His sight who trieth the heart. 2. But God trieth the heart for wise and benevolent ends — (1) To make us purer. (2) More sympathetic. (3) More efficient. (W. D. Horwood, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:WEB: For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. |
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