WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.359 Take your Bible from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 this morning as we take a few moments here to look into the word of God and be encouraged. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:17.800 You know, we see and know the reality of eternity. 00:00:18.199 --> 00:00:22.240 And here is the apostles writing here to the church at Thessalonica. 00:00:22.619 --> 00:00:26.759 It is built upon that of living in light of eternity. 00:00:27.460 --> 00:00:30.780 You know, understanding that one day Christ is going to return. 00:00:31.379 --> 00:00:36.280 And as a believer, we will stand with him. 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:44.960 And so we see here this morning as the believers at Thessalonica had taken the truth that was presented to them about Jesus Christ, 00:00:45.120 --> 00:00:47.740 and it became more than just information. 00:00:47.760 --> 00:00:52.320 It became something that impacted them in their heart, in their life. 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:54.140 Everything had transformed. 00:00:54.799 --> 00:00:59.100 As we saw last week, we saw that their lives had changed. 00:00:59.100 --> 00:01:06.240 Those former idols, the things that they worshipped, had been replaced by God. 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:10.379 They no longer served their idols, but they served the living God. 00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:15.240 And we see that this change was not only evident to those that knew them, 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:20.280 but also that just heard about their faith and hope in the Son of God. 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:28.579 And when we realize that impact, and when you hear the good news that God made a way for you to reconcile to Him 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:36.480 through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, it was that powerful message that changed lives there at Thessalonica. 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:40.120 And they began to live in light of eternity. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:46.439 And Thessalonians, as we're going to go through here, we're going to find that Paul is focusing them on the things they can know. 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:50.400 He says, I know that your life was changed by the gospel. 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:57.080 And today we're going to talk about some things that they knew about the one who brought the message to them. 00:01:57.540 --> 00:02:01.180 Because we're going to be talking about a sincere ministry. 00:02:01.520 --> 00:02:06.180 Because, you know, when you start telling people about the Lord, you know what? 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:07.140 There's going to be opposition. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:15.520 Opposition is going to come because the devil doesn't want people to know what Christ has done for them. 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:18.439 Not in an applicational way, you know. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:20.219 Information is one thing. 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:22.200 You know, the devil is never scared of information. 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:24.840 You know, we live in the information age. 00:02:24.920 --> 00:02:31.140 I think sometimes we're so overwhelmed with information that we get confused and do nothing with the information that we have. 00:02:31.540 --> 00:02:34.840 You know, because it's like, well, this person says this and that's opposite over here. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:39.900 And we get so much information that we're not applying what is needed. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:47.800 But these individuals here, after Paul presented them from the scripture, in other words, they said this is our foundation. 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:51.120 It wasn't what Paul said that made a difference. 00:02:51.200 --> 00:02:54.680 It was the foundation of scripture that made a difference in their lives. 00:02:55.420 --> 00:02:59.200 You know, today a sincere ministry is not built upon a personality. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:02.819 But it's built upon the person and the word of God. 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:05.520 It's built upon the person of Jesus Christ. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:06.939 It's his church. 00:03:07.040 --> 00:03:07.879 It's his people. 00:03:07.879 --> 00:03:12.280 And when we realize that, it's important to keep that in mind. 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:14.340 And it's the same true today. 00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:18.319 Because when they began to seek the Savior, things changed. 00:03:19.460 --> 00:03:27.079 And we know that when the word of God is presented, it's going to do its work alongside the Holy Spirit to stir the heart of an individual. 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:33.699 You know, we're going to see people get saved because of what the Holy Spirit and the word of God has promised to do. 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:40.099 Because Paul told them that it came not in just words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit. 00:03:40.099 --> 00:03:43.419 You know, we saw that last week as we looked there. 00:03:43.859 --> 00:03:50.659 And that's why Paul was confident in the work of the gospel in their lives. 00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:59.839 He said, knowing these things, knowing from the evidence, the witness that had been there assured him what was happened in their lives was real. 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:08.520 But, you know, one of the things that comes when people get saved is the devil tries to stir up opposition. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:14.580 And we know that opposition wasn't long before they showed up there at Thessalonica. 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:17.100 Those individuals stirred up. 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:23.580 It said in Acts 17, it talks about them being stirred with envy against Paul. 00:04:23.700 --> 00:04:25.280 And we see these things happening. 00:04:25.960 --> 00:04:34.960 And here as Paul had to depart after just a few weeks there with them, we're going to find here that Paul's trying to answer for them some of the questions. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:40.420 He looks back and he says, hey guys, they're making accusations about my purpose there. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:48.100 But you guys know from personal experience, measure up those things that you know to see if it's true. 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:51.280 Measure it against that which is true. 00:04:51.520 --> 00:04:59.700 And so, if you found in your Bible here this morning, 1 Thessalonians, let's stand together in reading of the Word of God here today. 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:04.480 And we're going to get everybody, it's kind of a dreary day, so we need to get people involved. 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:04.680 Amen. 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:09.220 So, what we're going to do is we'll read responsibly here today. 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:13.319 And what that means is I'll read verse 1 and all together we'll read what? 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:15.079 All right. 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:16.459 You guys are sharp today. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:18.720 That's good. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:21.160 So, let's start out here together. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:28.780 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you that it was not in vain. 00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:37.479 But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:44.239 we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:51.259 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor of guile, 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:56.719 but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel. 00:05:57.219 --> 00:06:03.120 Even so we speak not as pleasing men, but God which trieth our hearts. 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:10.599 For neither at any time used we flattering words, or as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:12.519 God is witness. 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:18.859 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, 00:06:19.159 --> 00:06:23.759 when we might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:24.620 Let's pray. 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:28.799 Heavenly Father, as we come before you this morning, Lord, we just thank you for your word. 00:06:29.799 --> 00:06:35.620 Lord, we're thankful for even the reality of the impact of what we read about today 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:41.879 even echoes down through the generations, even us today, the reality of the gospel. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:48.240 And Lord, just the sincerity of our presentation of it, and that's needful. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:52.439 And Lord, we pray just to have your hand upon each one today, Lord, as we look at this, 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:57.300 not only of the sincerity of the apostle and those with him, 00:06:57.339 --> 00:07:02.000 but Lord, also in our own lives and how we measure ministry. 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:05.819 And Lord, we pray just to have your hand upon these things that are said and done, 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:08.719 Lord, that people be encouraged and strengthened in your truth, Lord, 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:12.720 above all you be glorified in these things here today. 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:15.180 And Lord, we just give you all the praise in Jesus' name. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:16.440 Amen. 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:17.240 May be seated. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:21.480 You know, the Bible tells us that in Acts chapter 17, it says, 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:28.220 those that opposed the scripture were moved with envy against Paul and Silas and stirred up trouble, 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:37.480 even accusing them of seeking their own means of doing things, to seek their own glory. 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:43.300 But also, basically, to begin with, though, it started as seeking to overthrow Caesar. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:45.800 You know, they attacked on a governmental level. 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:49.300 Here in Acts chapter 17, we find this, it says, 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:53.980 And when they had found them, they drew Jason a certain brother and unto the rulers of the city, 00:07:54.100 --> 00:07:59.120 crying, These have turned the world upside down and have come hither also, 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:00.800 whom Jason hath received. 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:02.000 Who did they talk about? 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:04.120 They talk about Paul and Silas and Timothy. 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:09.780 And they said they've turned the city and the world upside down with the truth of the gospel. 00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:12.239 It changed and impacted. 00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:19.199 But notice here, and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:22.319 saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:29.219 In other words, they're making accusations against Paul and his sincerity of why he was there. 00:08:29.799 --> 00:08:34.679 You know, and we see those things continued because they're always looking for something to stick. 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:39.519 You know, here, we just finished up last week in Sunday school talking about Daniel. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:46.359 If you remember, those that moved with envy against Daniel tried to get him in his work and with the government. 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:50.299 And when they couldn't find anything, we're going to find a cause against his God, 00:08:50.579 --> 00:08:53.399 you know, where we cause a conflict in that. 00:08:53.479 --> 00:08:57.819 And we're going to see that this same approach, the devil doesn't change his tactics. 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:02.179 You know, I want you to understand, when you read the Bible and you understand, 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:04.559 you can understand what's going to happen next. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:08.579 Because the devil never changes tactics. 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:09.899 Why has he not changed tactics? 00:09:09.979 --> 00:09:11.159 Because they're still effective. 00:09:12.339 --> 00:09:14.019 People buy right into them. 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:18.899 People just come right alongside and believe those things. 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:21.899 But this uproar, if we remember in the city, 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:28.000 the brethren, they protected Paul and Silas and sent them away by night, it tells us, 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:30.079 to Berea for their safety. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:37.300 And their sudden departure, we're going to find here, presented an opportunity for those opposing them 00:09:37.300 --> 00:09:40.320 to call into question the motives of Paul. 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:44.520 Have you ever noticed it's easier to question somebody's motives when they're not there? 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:45.060 You know? 00:09:46.400 --> 00:09:48.240 Oh, you shouldn't believe them. 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:50.379 You know? 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:54.080 And we're going to see here, this is what Paul, when we begin looking here in 2 Thessalonians, 00:09:54.080 --> 00:10:01.620 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, we find here that Paul begins to refute those accusations 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:05.120 that are being made against him about the motive. 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:09.400 But what we find is what pure motive of ministry ought to look like. 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:13.800 Because, you know, today we have some warped ideas of ministry. 00:10:14.680 --> 00:10:19.140 We have some warped ideas of what it means to serve the Lord. 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:24.139 And we're going to find here, because of their sudden departure, those that opposed them called 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:24.980 it into question. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:33.220 Even the message that they preached, the ministry, was not what they had been accused of there 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:34.139 at Thessalonica. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:37.319 And they had observed some things about Paul. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:39.480 In other words, they had people making accusations. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:42.580 But yet, Paul says, you know. 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:45.899 You know, look there in verse 1 of chapter 2. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:47.139 Notice what it says. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:54.659 He says, for yourselves, brethren, notice this, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not 00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:55.200 in vain. 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.700 Now, what's Paul saying? 00:10:57.779 --> 00:11:00.680 He says, hey guys, they're making accusations. 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:05.220 But what I'm challenging you to do is take what you know, 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:10.500 the truth of God's word and compare it to what took place. 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:13.680 Is it measuring up? 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:18.779 You know, are the accusations, is there anything that sticks? 00:11:20.660 --> 00:11:25.639 You know, I want you to understand, in the days of the Apostle Paul, people will make up 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:26.420 accusations. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:32.940 But as we're going to see here this morning, Paul says his ministry was one you can throw 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:35.000 accusations about things. 00:11:35.400 --> 00:11:38.600 But when you measure it against what happened, it doesn't stick. 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:43.040 Because you can't keep people from making accusation. 00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:49.380 But you can live and choose to do things in a way where it doesn't stick. 00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:55.300 Because they look at what they know and say, these things don't measure up. 00:11:56.900 --> 00:12:00.820 You know, to make sure it doesn't measure, it doesn't have any merit to it. 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:02.840 And he says, mind them that they know. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:06.600 In other words, Paul says, you guys saw what took place. 00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:14.300 And he could determine our sincerity by receiving the gospel and by your response to it. 00:12:14.800 --> 00:12:20.460 You know, we see here that Paul tells him, you know, look back up here in verse 4 of chapter 1. 00:12:20.680 --> 00:12:24.100 He says, knowing, brethren, your election of God. 00:12:24.180 --> 00:12:27.340 In other words, Paul says, I know that you were saved. 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:27.720 Why? 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:29.000 Because he lists those things. 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:30.440 Because your lies were changed. 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:39.879 There was a definitive, distinct difference in who they are from who they were. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:44.179 Paul says, I know there was something that took place. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:47.700 Just as you know, the reason we were there. 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:49.120 How we behaved ourselves. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:49.940 What we did. 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:53.960 And you know our sincerity in which it was given. 00:12:53.960 --> 00:13:03.920 You know, the question today oftentimes is, many question, even in our society today, the sincerity of those that serve the Lord. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.500 You know, we find a culture that's messed up and upside down. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:10.060 Because we do have people who say they serve the Lord. 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:14.800 But they do it for the same reasons that Paul's being accused of. 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:20.660 You know, we find that people serve the Lord for many different reasons. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:25.480 Sometimes, you know, accusations stick. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:31.679 Because those that profess to serve the Lord need to have a right motive. 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:34.500 But oftentimes, it's a self-seeking motive. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:45.079 You know, ministry is something that as we serve the Lord, people forget to understand that your motive for doing so is important. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:49.879 You know, we have some people serve the Lord thinking they're going to gain favor with God. 00:13:49.940 --> 00:13:54.259 Well, if I just do these things, I'm going to gain favor with God. 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:55.420 You know what Jesus told me? 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:59.420 He says, there's going to come a day when people say, Jesus, look at all the things we did. 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.639 And he's going to say, depart from me. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.600 I never knew you. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:04.040 They did a lot of things for the Lord. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:08.820 But their motive wasn't of a motive that was right. 00:14:08.900 --> 00:14:10.580 It wasn't because they loved the Lord. 00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:13.140 It's because they were looking to seek something from it. 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:22.419 And as we're going to see here this morning, most of the things that the apostle gets accused of is saying, Paul, you're doing that for your benefit. 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:29.580 The reality of ministry, you don't do ministry for your benefit, even though it does benefit you. 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:33.439 It's a great benefit to serve the Lord. 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:38.379 But you don't serve the Lord for your benefit. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:42.700 You serve the Lord because you love the Lord and you love others. 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:48.439 And we're going to see Paul directly presents this to them. 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:55.319 And he tells them that the accusations that have been made, do they hold merit? 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.620 He says, measure it up. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:00.439 Measure it up to see how does it hold merit. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:03.759 Are my motives sincere? 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:09.659 Are they pure in what I'm presenting or what I presented to you? 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:18.120 And Paul tells them, he says, you know our entrance in unto you that it was not in vain. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.720 It was not empty. 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:22.679 It wasn't without meaning and purpose. 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:26.360 In other words, Paul says, we were there for a reason. 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:29.000 And that reason came to fruition. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:34.379 That reason was to tell you about the one who came and died for your sin. 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:37.200 The one that can change your life. 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:43.759 The one that's going to, the only one you need that makes a difference in eternity. 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:46.560 Because remember, he's presenting to them through this. 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:49.539 We're going to see here that hope of eternity. 00:15:50.180 --> 00:15:52.440 You know, you look up in verse 10 of chapter 1. 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:57.200 Notice what he says, and wait for his son from heaven who was raised from the dead. 00:15:57.540 --> 00:16:03.120 Even Jesus, in other words, we're looking for something ahead of us and not behind us. 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:06.080 You know, that's the good thing about salvation. 00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:10.400 Salvation puts the past in the past and gives you a new future. 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:13.120 And to be looking forward to that. 00:16:13.280 --> 00:16:14.580 And Paul says, look at the motive. 00:16:15.020 --> 00:16:16.220 What did we have to gain? 00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:17.780 Did we have something to gain here? 00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:19.680 Or did you have something to gain? 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:22.779 You know, is it your benefit? 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:25.919 But notice he was sincere in motive. 00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:32.939 You know, as we read the list of charges that are being refuted by the Apostle Paul, 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:36.779 we know that some had called into question his true motive. 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:39.039 You know, Paul doesn't call them out by name. 00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:41.939 But the things we have here, why would he address this? 00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:43.979 He's addressing this letter back to them. 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:47.519 Because he heard that there were some there making these accusations. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:51.480 They were making accusations against him. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:56.379 Trying to tear down the ministry that God had called him to do. 00:16:56.539 --> 00:17:01.399 The reality of preaching the gospel to them to see churches started. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:04.900 You know, to be that missionary that God had called him to be. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.619 Had set him apart to be. 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:10.980 But they called into question his motive. 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:14.180 You know, when you think about this list that we just read. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:16.100 You know, it includes things like deception. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.940 Paul, you're just deceiving them. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:23.799 It includes accusations of fraud. 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:29.519 It includes accusations of just building up their ego with flattering words. 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:31.039 Then they even accuse him of, 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:36.500 Paul, you just did this to pad your pocket for personal gain. 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:38.299 Paul reminds them. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:46.400 He says, guys, before I get to this, I want to call you to remember to know what happened when we came. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.660 What was taking place? 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:56.740 Think about the circumstances, the situation, who we were, what we said, how we presented ourselves. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.599 You know, Paul reminds them. 00:17:58.680 --> 00:18:00.420 Notice here in verse 2 of our text. 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:08.140 It says this, but even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated, as you know, at Philippi. 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:12.940 You know, Paul reminds them about how they came, that initial entrance into the city, 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:20.920 to remind them of the trials that they faced and the contention that they went through to bring them the gospel. 00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:25.620 You know, he says the way we were treated at Philippi was shameful. 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:29.539 You know what people were accusing Paul of? 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:31.679 Hey, he's got an arrest record. 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:33.279 You'd better be careful of this guy. 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:36.599 Because remember what happened at Philippi? 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:39.979 He was placed in prison after they were beaten. 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:44.419 Paul says he was shamefully entreated. 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:46.399 Well, by law, he was. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:52.819 If you go back and read Acts chapter 16, you'll find Paul tells them, he says, 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:56.259 hey, you guys have beaten a Roman citizen without cause. 00:18:57.960 --> 00:19:02.379 You know, in other words, due process, what had not taken place, Paul says, 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:07.960 we were shamefully entreated, but it didn't hinder what God had sent us to do. 00:19:08.919 --> 00:19:16.000 He says we didn't let what somebody else did to us impact what we ought to do. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:22.299 We didn't let the circumstances of life hinder what God had for us to do. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:25.500 You know, oftentimes we get caught up in the circumstance. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:30.220 And Paul says, if you want to see the sincerity of ministry, 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:33.000 we didn't get caught up in the situation and circumstance. 00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:39.440 Even though it had substance, he says that's not the point. 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:43.839 He says even though we weren't treated correctly, 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:50.460 we were Roman citizens wrongfully beaten and imprisoned by the magistrates. 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:55.000 You can read Acts chapter 16 there at the end of the chapter later and find out. 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.940 But he says it didn't keep us from doing. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.720 Notice what it says here. 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:05.840 He says, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God, 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.620 which but with much contention. 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.680 In other words, Paul says, 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:16.620 the problems we had there in Philippi did not hinder us from coming and doing what we were supposed to do here, 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:19.980 even though people were still contentious and against us. 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:23.259 You know, when you preach the gospel, when God's words put forth, 00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:25.019 it causes people to have to make a choice. 00:20:25.320 --> 00:20:28.160 When people have to make a choice, it's a point of contention. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:31.180 Contention happens. 00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:33.840 Contention is there in their lives. 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:36.240 Their motive, we're going to see here, 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:40.600 was very clear because they accused him of many things. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:43.200 Notice what he says here in verse 3. 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:48.500 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor of guile. 00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:49.700 You know, I want you to see here, 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:52.220 he's talking about the motive in which they came. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:59.680 Their motive behind it because motive is something that other people can't always know, 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:03.000 but they can judge by what takes place. 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:09.039 Not only by what's said and done, but how that's responded to afterwards. 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:13.819 Because the response sometimes tells you about somebody's motive. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:16.920 How somebody responds to it. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:21.779 And the motive we see here was not to gain favor or ease for themselves, 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:27.059 you know, Paul never said, hey, I want to preach the gospel in comfort. 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:32.799 Never once did he say, I want to do what's easy because it's best for me. 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:37.799 You know, the reality is this, ministry puts you outside of your comfort zone. 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:41.519 You know, oftentimes, even as believers today, 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:46.519 we let our comfort zone hinder what God wants for us to do. 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:51.000 I don't feel comfortable with that. 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:54.059 You know, let me give you a little clue. 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:58.100 Paul and Silas probably weren't comfortable in jail and stocks after they'd been beaten. 00:21:58.400 --> 00:22:02.759 They weren't comfortable when the crowd gathered to contention against them. 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.960 It was a tense point. 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.720 But you know what? 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:13.460 Motive, a pure motive, a sincere motive allows you to stand against false accusation. 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:19.259 Paul said, I'm not going to let what they're saying hinder what ought to be. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:24.460 Paul said they needed, they were entrusted to bring this forth. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:30.200 We see here, as we're going to begin looking here at what Paul tells them about the gospel. 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:34.440 But he says that what they delivered to them that was not fraudulent. 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:36.160 It wasn't deceitful. 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:41.740 You know, there's people who preach the gospel today or part of the gospel, I should say, 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:43.339 probably the best way of expressing it, 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:48.179 because they take the parts of scripture that benefit them. 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.559 You know, prosperity. 00:22:49.679 --> 00:22:51.619 You send me money and God's going to bless. 00:22:51.699 --> 00:22:52.119 You know what they're doing? 00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:55.919 They're taking a partly true statement and making it to benefit themselves. 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.879 You know, this week as I was studying this, 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:02.199 I came across a comparison I thought was rather interesting. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:07.100 You know, it's interesting that just coming up here in October, 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:11.259 you had in the 1500s, you had a man by the name of Martin Luther 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:16.559 who nailed 95 thesis statements on a door at Wittenberg. 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:19.100 The irony is this. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:21.440 One of the things he complained about was this, 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:25.240 that they were selling their way out of hell. 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:30.059 They had priests coming around selling indulgences saying, 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:32.700 you pay us and we'll shorten your time in hell. 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:34.640 That's pretty valid complaint against them. 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:38.039 Their motive was not pure. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:40.339 Pad my pocket and we'll see how it works out for you. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:47.799 Flipside that, what he compared it to is the prosperity gospel preachers of today. 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:50.480 You send me money and God's going to bless you. 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:53.339 One said, send me money and I'm going to get you out of hell. 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:56.779 The other one, send me money and I'll make sure God gives you lots of things. 00:23:58.139 --> 00:24:01.119 The funny part is neither one of them could fulfill what they said. 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:03.659 But that's what they're accusing Paul of. 00:24:03.699 --> 00:24:05.220 He says, you're just running a fraud. 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.339 You're being deceitful. 00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:08.179 And Paul says, look at yourselves. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.519 Look at what took place. 00:24:09.939 --> 00:24:10.859 Was it fraudulent? 00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:15.859 Was what the gospel did in your life, did it not have merit? 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:19.279 Is your life not changed? 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:21.740 Does it not match up with the truth of God? 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:25.259 Notice he talks about this unpure motives, this uncleanness. 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:29.980 Or guile there to trick them into following them. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:33.039 You know, think about this. 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:36.299 Paul says, I'm doing all this so I can build a big following. 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:38.120 That's what they accused Paul of. 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:41.940 You know, today, oftentimes people will serve the Lord saying, I want a large following. 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:45.400 And we're going to see here because a little later he talks about flattering words. 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.759 You know what? 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:47.759 A lot of people build audience by flattery. 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:52.619 And flattery is unmerited telling something to gain favor. 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:56.160 And we'll look at that here in just a little bit. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:58.680 But I want you to see here the dynamic. 00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:00.119 Because look at verse 4. 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.220 He says this, 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:13.420 Paul says, 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:17.759 I want to let you know it was not deceit or uncleanness or guile. 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.720 It wasn't something fraudulent. 00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:20.259 He says, 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:25.200 I'm there because I was put in trust with the gospel. 00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:29.640 Now this idea of trust, when we put something in trust, 00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:35.620 you're naming somebody else responsible for the care of it. 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.619 Paul says, 00:25:36.739 --> 00:25:42.859 God presented the gospel and I'm here with the truth of God 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:48.519 that's impacted my life to share with you. 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.359 He said, 00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:53.839 it's not for my benefit that I share this, but for yours. 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.379 The sincerity, 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.439 he says, 00:25:57.500 --> 00:26:01.119 I'm doing my responsibility before God. 00:26:01.199 --> 00:26:02.779 I've been put in trust with the gospel. 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:04.119 It talks about stewardship. 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:06.639 You know, the Bible mentions quite a bit. 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:12.439 Jesus makes quite a few things in dynamic about stewardship. 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.619 About being a good steward. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:18.099 A steward is one who has possession of something 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.339 that doesn't belong to them, 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:21.179 but they're responsible for it. 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:23.299 And we see how Paul used that. 00:26:23.399 --> 00:26:23.599 He says, 00:26:23.739 --> 00:26:23.919 I've been, 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:26.559 reason I'm there is not for my benefit, 00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:27.919 not trying to trick you, 00:26:28.159 --> 00:26:32.139 so that you might know what God would have for you. 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:35.620 But God which trieth our hearts. 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.600 In other words, 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:40.080 let's see how this measures with the truth of God. 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:43.780 It was given to them by God 00:26:43.780 --> 00:26:47.540 and they were to be faithfully presenting it 00:26:47.540 --> 00:26:48.500 to do those things. 00:26:48.560 --> 00:26:50.460 Look over to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:52.420 2 Corinthians chapter 4, 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.800 we see here in verse 1. 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:57.280 Notice what he tells the church at Corinth about his ministry. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.680 He says, 00:26:57.740 --> 00:27:00.000 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:02.000 we have received mercy, 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.019 we faint not, 00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:06.639 but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:08.240 not walking in craftiness 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:11.259 or handling the word of God deceitfully, 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:13.940 but by manifestation of the truth, 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:16.359 commending ourselves to every man's conscience 00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:17.440 in the sight of God. 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:20.240 What's Paul doing? 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.819 He's encouraging them to remember 00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:24.879 how the message was presented to them. 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:27.920 You know, one of the things about motive 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.540 is you can say, 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:30.780 what does the person presenting this have to gain? 00:27:31.020 --> 00:27:32.060 What's in it for them? 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:37.500 You know, when somebody's trying to present something to you, 00:27:37.540 --> 00:27:38.640 do you ever ask that question? 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.120 What's in it for them? 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.580 You know, when you measure that, 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:44.940 if there's nothing in it for them, 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:47.080 it tells you something about their motive. 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.860 Especially if there's no personal gain. 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:52.440 Most of the time in life, 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:54.580 the things we do involve personal gain. 00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:56.880 You know, when somebody's trying to sell you something, 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.500 even if it's beneficial to you, 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:01.299 they're selling it to you 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:03.460 because there's still personal gain behind it. 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:05.240 We don't sell the gospel. 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:07.519 To tell somebody else about the gospel 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:09.100 does nothing for you, 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:12.620 but it does everything for them. 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:14.720 It allows them to understand 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.360 who they are, 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.600 who God is, 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.620 and what God has done. 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:22.059 It doesn't benefit you. 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:24.539 The gospel has benefited you if you're saved. 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:28.959 And we see that Paul's reminding them of this 00:28:28.959 --> 00:28:32.219 and he tells them that he wants them to measure it. 00:28:32.239 --> 00:28:33.719 But notice here in the end of verse four, 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.019 he says, 00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:35.979 not as pleasing men, 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:36.939 but God, 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.539 which trieth our hearts. 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.159 He says, 00:28:39.219 --> 00:28:39.500 guys, 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.339 remember this. 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:40.859 He says, 00:28:41.919 --> 00:28:43.619 that how was the message presented? 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:46.759 Was it beneficial for him 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:48.459 or the others with him? 00:28:48.479 --> 00:28:51.139 Or was it to please God? 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.639 You know, 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:53.179 God understands your motive. 00:28:54.719 --> 00:28:55.219 Paul says, 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:57.919 let God judge my motive. 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.119 He tries the heart. 00:28:59.399 --> 00:28:59.679 He says, 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:02.939 later he has a good conscience towards God. 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.199 You know, 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:05.219 Psalm 44 and verse 21 00:29:05.219 --> 00:29:06.500 tells us this. 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:06.839 It says, 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:09.219 shall not God search this out? 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:11.339 For he knoweth what the secrets 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.859 of the heart. 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.639 Paul says, 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:16.479 I'm not scared to let God judge what I did. 00:29:16.699 --> 00:29:16.979 He said, 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.339 I came with a pure, 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.799 sincere motive. 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:23.159 Jeremiah 17 says, 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:23.539 as I, 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.839 the Lord searched the heart, 00:29:24.919 --> 00:29:25.779 I try the reins, 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:28.579 even to give every man according to his ways 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:31.259 and according to the fruit of his doing. 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.259 You know, 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.219 I want you to see here, 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:36.859 the message was not diluted, 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:39.459 so it might be more easy or more palatable. 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.199 Notice what he says, 00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:42.500 not as pleasing, 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.959 men. 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:46.319 Now look at verse five. 00:29:46.459 --> 00:29:46.659 It says, 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.139 for neither at any time 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:50.679 used we flattering words. 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.779 Now notice this once again, 00:29:53.159 --> 00:29:54.179 as ye what? 00:29:55.479 --> 00:29:55.939 No. 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:58.240 What's Paul telling him? 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:58.519 He says, 00:29:58.679 --> 00:30:01.379 think about how I presented it. 00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:03.059 Was it just building you up? 00:30:03.179 --> 00:30:04.719 Were I building you up? 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.779 Measure that. 00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:07.039 Know what you know. 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:08.119 Notice the next part. 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:08.339 It says, 00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:10.359 nor for a cloak of covetousness. 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:12.579 God is witness. 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:15.099 You know, 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:16.439 I want you to see here today 00:30:16.439 --> 00:30:17.239 that Paul says, 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:18.979 my ministry was sincere 00:30:18.979 --> 00:30:20.619 because I told you the truth. 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.059 You know, 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.139 the problem is with truth. 00:30:22.219 --> 00:30:23.719 Oftentimes people don't like truth. 00:30:23.719 --> 00:30:26.919 Truth has a way of making us uncomfortable 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:30.019 because truth exposes who we are. 00:30:30.320 --> 00:30:32.920 When we understand what Paul is telling them here, 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.279 he's pointing out very clearly. 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:34.600 He says, 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.019 guys, 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:37.440 I didn't change my message 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:40.220 to make it more palatable to you. 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.740 He didn't dilute it 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.380 so it'd just be, 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.880 things would go a little easier. 00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:44.480 You know, 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.900 oftentimes we find, 00:30:46.060 --> 00:30:49.759 as you study trends in history, 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.820 when it comes to preaching 00:30:51.820 --> 00:30:54.120 and the presentation of the word of God, 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:54.319 you know, 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.819 it's interesting how certain topics 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.739 become off limits. 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.259 If I preach about this, 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.579 it's going to cause a disruption, 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:01.119 therefore I won't preach about it. 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.479 You know, 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.319 the reality is 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.339 there's a lot of places 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:05.259 and people who will change 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:08.559 what the word of God says 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:10.359 to be more palatable to people. 00:31:10.719 --> 00:31:10.859 You know, 00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:12.019 sometimes the word of God 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:14.500 is not palatable to us as a person 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:16.739 because it impacts what we think, 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.639 how we feel. 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:20.459 Because think about today, 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:22.319 we talk a lot about people's feelings 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:23.879 and today oftentimes 00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:25.019 that's the measurement, 00:31:25.659 --> 00:31:28.079 God's truth against how I feel about it. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.599 But you know, 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.480 the reality is this, 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.179 if it's true, 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.839 it doesn't matter how I feel about it. 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.899 If it's true, 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.779 it doesn't matter 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.859 if it makes me uncomfortable. 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.179 If it's true, 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:37.419 it doesn't matter 00:31:37.419 --> 00:31:40.659 that I don't like it. 00:31:40.919 --> 00:31:42.460 Truth stands on its own. 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.319 It doesn't care 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:45.019 how you feel about it. 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:46.039 The question is, 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.240 how are you going to adjust 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.159 how you feel 00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:49.599 with what you know to be true? 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:51.599 You know, 00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:52.259 there's people 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.699 who refuse the gospel 00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:55.959 because I don't like a God 00:31:55.959 --> 00:31:57.659 that's going to condemn people. 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.119 It's like, 00:31:58.419 --> 00:31:58.579 no, 00:31:58.699 --> 00:32:00.000 you condemned yourself. 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.259 The problem is, 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.259 is we've been told things 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.019 to feel the way 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.519 we want to feel about it 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.659 instead of saying, 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:07.919 God, 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:09.219 how do you feel about it? 00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:10.599 How do you think about it? 00:32:10.719 --> 00:32:12.219 How do I need to line up 00:32:12.219 --> 00:32:13.259 with truth? 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:13.679 You know, 00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:14.980 I was just on the phone this week 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:16.899 speaking with another friend of mine. 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:19.940 He had an interesting statement 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.759 because we were just talking 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.480 about ministry 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.460 and things going on 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.620 and he says, 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:23.860 yeah, 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.220 he says, 00:32:24.280 --> 00:32:24.900 I have a friend 00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:26.380 that I've been talking to 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:26.840 and he says, 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:29.140 he's changed his view on hell. 00:32:29.540 --> 00:32:30.300 Pastors of the church 00:32:30.300 --> 00:32:31.720 of almost 2,000 people 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:33.220 because hell is sometimes 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:35.180 an unpalatable thought for people. 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.000 But you know what? 00:32:36.060 --> 00:32:36.740 Hell is real. 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:39.440 It's a real place 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:42.880 where real souls are going to go. 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:44.080 It's not palatable. 00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:46.399 I don't know of any palatable way 00:32:46.399 --> 00:32:47.319 to tell somebody 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:48.899 that hell is real 00:32:48.899 --> 00:32:49.980 because it's uncomfortable 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:51.240 but it doesn't change it 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:51.919 from being true. 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.059 But people will change 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:54.119 the truth to gather. 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:57.039 That's what Paul's talking about 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.199 here in this. 00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:59.439 Paul says that the message 00:32:59.439 --> 00:33:00.460 was motivated 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:02.679 by his accountability 00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:03.659 to the Lord 00:33:03.659 --> 00:33:04.500 and the scripture. 00:33:04.699 --> 00:33:05.699 It was not modified 00:33:05.699 --> 00:33:06.460 or changed 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.220 to accommodate 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.679 any prejudice 00:33:08.679 --> 00:33:09.079 or passions 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:10.339 of the people. 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.879 They were not built up 00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:13.220 by flattering words. 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:14.640 He didn't tickle their ears 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.900 with things they liked 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:19.180 or things that pleased them. 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.400 You know, flattery is this. 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.700 It's unearned praise 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.720 to win influence 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.900 or approval of the listener. 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.920 Let me repeat that. 00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:30.360 Flattery is unearned praise 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.839 to win influence 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:33.720 or approval of the listener. 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.960 In other words, 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:37.360 you tell somebody something 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.960 so you can get a gain from it. 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:41.100 Flattery builds somebody up 00:33:41.100 --> 00:33:42.279 for a wrong motive. 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:44.240 Paul says he told them 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.639 the truth. 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.859 He didn't hold back 00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.420 from them. 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:48.819 Notice when he tells them 00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:49.779 to think back. 00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:51.079 You know, look back up 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:52.399 in chapter 1 for a moment. 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:54.240 Look here in verse 5. 00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:55.220 Notice what he says. 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:55.539 He says, 00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:56.940 For our gospel came not 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:58.399 unto you in word only, 00:33:58.819 --> 00:34:00.339 but also in power 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.519 and in the Holy Ghost 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:03.759 and with much assurance 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.519 as you know 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.539 what manner of men 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.460 we were among you 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:08.699 for your sake. 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.920 Notice what Paul's saying. 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.180 He says, 00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:11.159 We were among you 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:13.360 for your sake, 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.639 not for his 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.400 or Silas 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.539 or Timothy's sake. 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.340 They weren't there 00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:18.659 to say, 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:20.300 Hey, let's move through here. 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.599 We can fleece some people. 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:22.780 We can pat our pockets 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:23.579 and move on. 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.000 You know, 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.800 when we realize 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.340 that everyone 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.200 who teaches 00:34:26.200 --> 00:34:26.960 or presents 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.880 the word of God 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:29.260 needs to ask themselves 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.860 whether they're doing it 00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:31.960 with any deceit 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.780 or uncleanness 00:34:32.780 --> 00:34:33.280 or guile, 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:34.220 we need to be honest 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:35.099 with ourselves 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:36.860 and check our motives 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:38.579 because everybody's ministry 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.500 before the Lord 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:41.480 needs the right motive 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.639 but also, 00:34:42.839 --> 00:34:43.259 secondly here, 00:34:43.319 --> 00:34:44.380 we need the right aim 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:46.619 because the ministry 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:47.519 has some things 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.579 to get people in trouble. 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.679 The next section 00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:51.299 we see here, 00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:52.400 he talks about three things 00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:53.299 to get people in trouble 00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:55.039 and the same problem today. 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.539 See if these three things 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.440 are a problem today. 00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:58.940 People want position 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.039 or prominence. 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.539 How about power? 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.699 How about possessions? 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.279 You know, 00:35:04.319 --> 00:35:05.059 those things are just 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:05.879 as true today 00:35:05.879 --> 00:35:06.839 as they were 00:35:06.839 --> 00:35:07.259 in the days 00:35:07.259 --> 00:35:08.139 of the Apostle Paul. 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.779 1 John chapter 2 00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:10.579 tells us this 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:11.319 in verse 15. 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:11.639 It says, 00:35:11.919 --> 00:35:12.539 Love not the world 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:13.259 neither the things 00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:13.980 that are in the world. 00:35:14.279 --> 00:35:15.719 If any man love the world, 00:35:15.799 --> 00:35:16.719 the love of the Father 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.739 is not in him. 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:19.619 For all that is in the world, 00:35:19.739 --> 00:35:20.699 the lust of the flesh, 00:35:20.779 --> 00:35:21.659 the lust of the eyes, 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.619 the pride of life 00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:23.579 is not of the Father 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:25.539 but is of the world. 00:35:25.819 --> 00:35:27.099 I want you to see here, 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:29.139 if you're going to love God, 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:30.099 you're not going to love 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.919 those things. 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:32.980 But you know what? 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.559 Those things are going 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.320 to be in conflict. 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:35.940 Paul reminds him 00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.740 that they had witnessed 00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:38.659 personally that he was there. 00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:38.960 He says, 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.639 Measure it up. 00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.420 Were these things 00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:42.380 something that we were doing? 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.280 Do you see the fruit 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:45.559 of those accusations 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:46.500 come to bear? 00:35:47.740 --> 00:35:49.159 Or do you see the fruit 00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:49.840 of what happened 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.559 with the gospel 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:52.059 in your life bearing out? 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:53.539 He reminds them 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.920 of the reality 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:56.519 of the word of God 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.420 that was presented. 00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:59.599 Notice here in verse 6, 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.019 it says, 00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:00.839 Nor of men 00:36:00.839 --> 00:36:01.900 sought we glory, 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.380 neither of you 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:04.900 nor yet of others 00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:06.679 when we might be burdensome 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:09.000 as the apostles of Christ. 00:36:09.199 --> 00:36:10.799 He had a sincere aim. 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.119 He says, 00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:13.179 It wasn't for our benefit 00:36:13.179 --> 00:36:14.299 but for yours. 00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:16.039 There was not a cloak 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:17.079 of covetousness. 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.579 Now I want you to see here today, 00:36:18.819 --> 00:36:20.279 coveting is something bigger 00:36:20.279 --> 00:36:21.559 than most of the time we think. 00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.659 Coveting covers 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.860 a lot more territory 00:36:23.860 --> 00:36:25.980 because sometimes 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:27.280 we think of covetousness 00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:27.900 and limit it 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:29.019 to the idea of greed. 00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.300 But ultimately, 00:36:31.880 --> 00:36:32.820 covetousness 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:34.700 is desiring 00:36:34.700 --> 00:36:36.320 that which is not lawful 00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:37.099 for you to have. 00:36:37.340 --> 00:36:38.599 Turn back to Exodus chapter 20 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:39.120 for a moment. 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:40.500 Exodus chapter 20, 00:36:40.579 --> 00:36:41.280 what's coveting? 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:44.320 Notice what he says here. 00:36:44.760 --> 00:36:45.120 He says, 00:36:45.220 --> 00:36:46.180 Thou shalt not covet 00:36:46.180 --> 00:36:47.500 thy neighbor's house. 00:36:49.140 --> 00:36:49.519 You know what? 00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:50.300 It's not lawful 00:36:50.300 --> 00:36:50.960 for you to take 00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.680 your neighbor's house. 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.880 Thou shalt not covet 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:54.119 thy neighbor's wife. 00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.000 You know what? 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:55.780 It's not lawful 00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:56.559 for you to desire 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:57.640 somebody else's wife. 00:36:57.940 --> 00:36:59.260 Nor his manservant 00:36:59.260 --> 00:37:00.160 or maid's service, 00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:00.960 nor his ox, 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:01.559 nor his ass, 00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:02.019 or anything 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:04.780 that is thy neighbor's. 00:37:05.160 --> 00:37:06.119 Coveting is this. 00:37:06.200 --> 00:37:07.340 It's desiring something 00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:08.280 that's not lawful 00:37:08.280 --> 00:37:09.079 for you to have. 00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:10.460 That covers a lot of territory. 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:12.000 Notice Luke chapter 12 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.920 and verse 15. 00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.920 Jesus said this. 00:37:13.980 --> 00:37:14.240 He says, 00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:14.840 Take heed 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:16.240 and beware of covetousness. 00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:18.880 For a man's life 00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:19.960 consisteth not 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.760 in the abundance 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:21.599 of the things 00:37:21.599 --> 00:37:22.860 which he possesses. 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:25.099 Think about that 00:37:25.099 --> 00:37:25.619 for a moment. 00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:26.800 Wanting things 00:37:26.800 --> 00:37:27.940 that is not lawful 00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:28.680 for you to have 00:37:28.680 --> 00:37:29.200 and we think 00:37:29.200 --> 00:37:30.019 it builds favor 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:32.200 or benefit for us. 00:37:32.280 --> 00:37:32.660 Paul says, 00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:34.420 That's not why we came. 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:35.619 Paul understood 00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.519 that covetousness 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:37.880 always has a cloak. 00:37:38.240 --> 00:37:38.460 You know what? 00:37:38.460 --> 00:37:39.059 People that are 00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:40.059 coming after something 00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:41.000 don't usually come out 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.480 and just say, 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:42.220 That's what I'm taking. 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:43.140 They usually have, 00:37:43.240 --> 00:37:44.340 it's wrapped in something 00:37:44.340 --> 00:37:46.119 to make it look like 00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:46.880 something different. 00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:48.000 It's a deception 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:51.539 to try to take things. 00:37:51.719 --> 00:37:52.920 It's always concealed 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:54.840 by a noble sounding goal 00:37:54.840 --> 00:37:55.639 or objective. 00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:57.019 The objective 00:37:57.019 --> 00:37:58.340 of coming to them 00:37:58.340 --> 00:37:59.659 was that they might 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.820 know the gospel. 00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:02.619 It was not for glory. 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:04.059 It was not to be praised 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:04.659 and honored. 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:06.119 Notice that he includes 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.800 them. 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:07.159 He says, 00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:08.659 You and others. 00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:09.179 You know, 00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:10.039 when it comes to having 00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.960 sincere ministry, 00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:11.260 you know, 00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:12.420 one of the things I found 00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:14.000 that gets people in trouble 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.500 is who they seek approval from. 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:16.699 I'll give you a little insight. 00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:17.699 Preachers have a problem 00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:18.139 with this 00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:19.119 because oftentimes 00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:20.460 preachers will be concerned 00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:21.320 about what their buddy 00:38:21.320 --> 00:38:22.860 thinks about what's going on 00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:24.440 instead of what God 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.340 thinks going on. 00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:27.039 Sometimes ministries happen 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:28.000 for the appraisal 00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:29.139 and approval of others. 00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:32.300 You know what Paul's saying here? 00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:33.340 Paul says, 00:38:33.460 --> 00:38:34.500 I was sent out of the church 00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:35.320 at Antioch, 00:38:35.420 --> 00:38:36.760 but I didn't do it 00:38:36.760 --> 00:38:38.079 so I could get glory 00:38:38.079 --> 00:38:38.559 from them 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.539 when I go back home. 00:38:41.460 --> 00:38:41.699 You know, 00:38:41.719 --> 00:38:42.360 because sometimes 00:38:42.360 --> 00:38:43.880 the glory might not be worth 00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:45.660 at the present point, 00:38:45.760 --> 00:38:46.599 but it's to get glory 00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:47.740 from somebody else. 00:38:48.160 --> 00:38:48.320 You know, 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:48.660 you think about 00:38:48.660 --> 00:38:49.599 when Paul went back 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:50.599 and gave a report, 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:52.500 Paul wasn't given that report 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:52.820 to say, 00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:53.559 look at me. 00:38:53.800 --> 00:38:54.000 You know, 00:38:54.019 --> 00:38:54.519 when you read 00:38:54.519 --> 00:38:55.420 through the book of Acts 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:56.700 and you see Paul's reports, 00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.500 you know what they were? 00:38:57.940 --> 00:38:58.920 I want to tell you 00:38:58.920 --> 00:38:59.700 what God did. 00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:03.360 He says, 00:39:03.400 --> 00:39:04.099 I want you to see 00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:04.980 what God did 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:06.099 in spite of me. 00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:06.559 You know, 00:39:06.619 --> 00:39:07.780 Paul never builds up. 00:39:07.900 --> 00:39:08.980 He never said 00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:10.000 to be a great orator. 00:39:11.780 --> 00:39:12.200 You know, 00:39:12.200 --> 00:39:13.000 he didn't build up 00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:14.159 his ability to speak 00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:15.500 or to influence people. 00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:16.360 Paul says, 00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:17.599 my goal was to speak 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.260 the truth 00:39:18.260 --> 00:39:18.940 and God 00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:19.659 to get the glory. 00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:22.199 For God to do, 00:39:22.300 --> 00:39:22.800 the motive 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:23.699 and the aim 00:39:23.699 --> 00:39:25.079 had to be there 00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:26.300 to serve the Lord. 00:39:26.380 --> 00:39:27.320 It was about God, 00:39:27.420 --> 00:39:29.400 not about themselves. 00:39:30.300 --> 00:39:30.559 You know, 00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.960 he didn't spend his life 00:39:31.960 --> 00:39:33.039 seeking acceptance 00:39:33.039 --> 00:39:33.880 of others. 00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:35.960 You know, 00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:37.219 that's a problem today 00:39:37.219 --> 00:39:38.719 because oftentimes 00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:39.760 people do things 00:39:39.760 --> 00:39:40.579 to be accepted 00:39:40.579 --> 00:39:41.320 of other people. 00:39:41.320 --> 00:39:42.700 the places we live, 00:39:43.120 --> 00:39:44.320 the clothes we put on, 00:39:44.620 --> 00:39:45.440 the things we possess, 00:39:45.680 --> 00:39:46.860 the priorities we put. 00:39:47.120 --> 00:39:48.059 We do it to say, 00:39:48.220 --> 00:39:48.920 what do other people 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.800 think about that? 00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.900 Instead of considering 00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:51.700 what does God 00:39:51.700 --> 00:39:52.420 think about it? 00:39:52.640 --> 00:39:52.840 You know, 00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:53.539 the problem is 00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:54.720 because we have a problem 00:39:54.720 --> 00:39:55.440 with acceptance. 00:39:57.220 --> 00:39:58.820 We want the acceptance 00:39:58.820 --> 00:39:59.680 of people 00:39:59.680 --> 00:40:02.340 and as a believer, 00:40:02.539 --> 00:40:03.420 you miss the most 00:40:03.420 --> 00:40:04.240 important thing 00:40:04.240 --> 00:40:05.080 that you're accepted 00:40:05.080 --> 00:40:05.800 by God. 00:40:06.059 --> 00:40:06.519 Look over to 00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:07.860 2 Corinthians chapter 5 00:40:07.860 --> 00:40:08.440 for a moment. 00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:10.679 2 Corinthians chapter 5 00:40:10.679 --> 00:40:11.420 and verse 9 00:40:11.420 --> 00:40:12.320 tells us this. 00:40:12.820 --> 00:40:13.659 Paul tells the church 00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:14.079 at Corinth, 00:40:14.159 --> 00:40:14.400 he says, 00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:15.599 wherefore we labor 00:40:15.599 --> 00:40:17.559 that whether present 00:40:17.559 --> 00:40:18.220 or absent, 00:40:18.420 --> 00:40:19.200 we may be what? 00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:22.320 Accepted of him. 00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:23.320 At the moment 00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:24.200 of salvation, 00:40:24.200 --> 00:40:25.079 when you call upon 00:40:25.079 --> 00:40:25.519 the Lord, 00:40:25.900 --> 00:40:26.980 God says you are 00:40:26.980 --> 00:40:27.800 accepted. 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:30.700 You have a 00:40:30.700 --> 00:40:32.619 permanent place. 00:40:34.460 --> 00:40:35.800 You have a father 00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:36.920 that loves you. 00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:38.059 You have one 00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:38.659 that seeks 00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:39.400 your benefit. 00:40:39.920 --> 00:40:40.760 Look at Ephesians 00:40:40.760 --> 00:40:41.659 chapter 1. 00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:43.840 Ephesians 1 verse 6 00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:44.400 says this, 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:45.099 to the praise 00:40:45.099 --> 00:40:45.619 and glory 00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:46.420 of his grace, 00:40:46.940 --> 00:40:47.680 wherein he hath 00:40:47.680 --> 00:40:48.980 made us accepted 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:50.119 in the beloved. 00:40:50.380 --> 00:40:50.579 You know, 00:40:50.599 --> 00:40:51.119 the problem 00:40:51.119 --> 00:40:52.400 that we often have 00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:53.320 is understanding 00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:54.059 who do we want 00:40:54.059 --> 00:40:54.940 to accept us 00:40:54.940 --> 00:40:55.599 because sometimes 00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.260 we're more worried 00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:57.019 about how people 00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:57.840 accept us 00:40:57.840 --> 00:40:59.920 than to understand 00:40:59.920 --> 00:41:01.559 God has accepted you, 00:41:02.559 --> 00:41:03.820 the creator 00:41:03.820 --> 00:41:04.840 of the universe. 00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:07.600 the maker 00:41:07.600 --> 00:41:08.240 and keeper 00:41:08.240 --> 00:41:09.360 of all things 00:41:09.360 --> 00:41:10.820 has accepted you 00:41:10.820 --> 00:41:11.559 and knows you 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:12.900 by name. 00:41:13.059 --> 00:41:13.920 What a reality. 00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:16.780 When you understand 00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:18.000 what God has done, 00:41:19.240 --> 00:41:19.720 you know what this 00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:20.460 boiled down to? 00:41:20.579 --> 00:41:21.220 This means he didn't 00:41:21.220 --> 00:41:22.180 spend his life 00:41:22.180 --> 00:41:23.100 trying to seek 00:41:23.100 --> 00:41:24.180 and earn the acceptance 00:41:24.180 --> 00:41:24.820 of men. 00:41:25.200 --> 00:41:26.100 He ministered 00:41:26.100 --> 00:41:27.180 from the understanding 00:41:27.180 --> 00:41:28.140 of his identity 00:41:28.140 --> 00:41:29.400 in Jesus Christ, 00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:30.940 that he was accepted 00:41:30.940 --> 00:41:31.740 in the beloved. 00:41:31.739 --> 00:41:32.659 It was not about 00:41:32.659 --> 00:41:34.599 demands of recognition, 00:41:34.599 --> 00:41:35.839 but for their benefit. 00:41:37.379 --> 00:41:38.239 They had come there 00:41:38.239 --> 00:41:39.099 with sincerity 00:41:39.099 --> 00:41:40.239 that they might know 00:41:40.239 --> 00:41:40.979 the Savior 00:41:40.979 --> 00:41:43.259 just as they did. 00:41:44.659 --> 00:41:46.199 The motive and aim 00:41:46.199 --> 00:41:47.299 of serving the Lord 00:41:47.299 --> 00:41:49.159 is the grace of God 00:41:49.159 --> 00:41:50.319 should be clearly seen 00:41:50.319 --> 00:41:51.099 in the lives 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:52.439 of those that receive it. 00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:53.839 You know, 00:41:53.859 --> 00:41:54.559 when we understand 00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:55.439 the importance 00:41:55.439 --> 00:41:56.939 of serving the Lord, 00:41:57.179 --> 00:41:58.159 think about Joshua 00:41:58.159 --> 00:41:59.659 at the end of his life. 00:41:59.659 --> 00:42:02.299 Joshua chapter 24, 00:42:02.420 --> 00:42:03.199 verse 14, 00:42:03.559 --> 00:42:04.739 and he says this, 00:42:04.819 --> 00:42:05.399 Now therefore, 00:42:05.699 --> 00:42:06.339 fear the Lord 00:42:06.339 --> 00:42:07.579 and serve him in what? 00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:11.559 Sincerity and in truth. 00:42:11.819 --> 00:42:13.039 You know what Joshua's saying? 00:42:13.679 --> 00:42:14.579 Understand that 00:42:14.579 --> 00:42:15.319 the one that you 00:42:15.319 --> 00:42:16.920 want to accept you 00:42:16.920 --> 00:42:17.559 is Jesus. 00:42:19.219 --> 00:42:20.339 You're accepted 00:42:20.339 --> 00:42:21.119 in the beloved 00:42:21.119 --> 00:42:22.480 at the moment of salvation. 00:42:23.420 --> 00:42:24.779 You belong to him. 00:42:24.879 --> 00:42:25.539 You become part 00:42:25.539 --> 00:42:26.399 of his family. 00:42:27.679 --> 00:42:28.659 Says you're a child 00:42:28.659 --> 00:42:29.179 of God. 00:42:29.179 --> 00:42:30.000 You're adopted. 00:42:30.239 --> 00:42:31.239 You're placed in. 00:42:31.539 --> 00:42:32.219 The Bible speaks 00:42:32.219 --> 00:42:33.460 about being grafted in. 00:42:33.539 --> 00:42:33.639 I mean, 00:42:33.679 --> 00:42:34.859 it has all this imagery 00:42:34.859 --> 00:42:38.359 of a permanent attachment 00:42:38.359 --> 00:42:39.739 that you're accepted 00:42:39.739 --> 00:42:40.599 in the beloved. 00:42:40.940 --> 00:42:41.099 You know, 00:42:41.119 --> 00:42:41.599 this morning, 00:42:41.659 --> 00:42:43.219 this applies to all of us. 00:42:43.299 --> 00:42:45.059 We could ask this morning, 00:42:45.179 --> 00:42:45.940 what's your motive 00:42:45.940 --> 00:42:46.940 and what's your aim? 00:42:47.199 --> 00:42:47.359 You know, 00:42:47.359 --> 00:42:48.339 even think this morning, 00:42:48.419 --> 00:42:49.460 why'd you come to church? 00:42:51.039 --> 00:42:52.379 Why'd you come to the service? 00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:53.199 What was your motive? 00:42:53.559 --> 00:42:53.799 Preacher, 00:42:53.859 --> 00:42:54.679 that's a hard question. 00:42:54.799 --> 00:42:54.940 Yeah, 00:42:54.940 --> 00:42:55.399 it is. 00:42:55.639 --> 00:42:56.679 Because it could be answered 00:42:56.679 --> 00:42:57.739 just responsibility. 00:42:57.739 --> 00:42:58.459 But you know, 00:42:58.539 --> 00:42:59.159 we ought to come 00:42:59.159 --> 00:43:01.419 because we're accepted 00:43:01.419 --> 00:43:03.139 in the beloved. 00:43:03.379 --> 00:43:04.639 Because God loves you 00:43:04.639 --> 00:43:05.479 and you love him. 00:43:05.699 --> 00:43:06.899 And our aim ought to be 00:43:06.899 --> 00:43:08.859 to please him. 00:43:09.059 --> 00:43:09.259 You know, 00:43:09.259 --> 00:43:10.019 we need to measure 00:43:10.019 --> 00:43:11.939 those things all the time. 00:43:12.259 --> 00:43:13.099 Did you come today 00:43:13.099 --> 00:43:14.139 because you want to know 00:43:14.139 --> 00:43:14.539 the Lord 00:43:14.539 --> 00:43:15.679 to draw close to him? 00:43:15.919 --> 00:43:16.159 You know, 00:43:16.179 --> 00:43:17.159 there's good questions 00:43:17.159 --> 00:43:17.919 to be asked. 00:43:18.219 --> 00:43:18.359 You know, 00:43:18.379 --> 00:43:18.919 the reality is 00:43:18.919 --> 00:43:19.639 maybe you're here 00:43:19.639 --> 00:43:20.459 and you're confused 00:43:20.459 --> 00:43:21.659 even about the gospel. 00:43:21.839 --> 00:43:23.099 Maybe you came today 00:43:23.099 --> 00:43:24.359 because you want to know more. 00:43:24.360 --> 00:43:24.800 You know, 00:43:24.820 --> 00:43:25.460 the reality 00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:27.900 of what Christ 00:43:27.900 --> 00:43:29.059 has done for you 00:43:29.059 --> 00:43:30.920 is real. 00:43:32.640 --> 00:43:33.760 Has substance. 00:43:35.420 --> 00:43:37.059 And when somebody gets saved, 00:43:37.120 --> 00:43:38.340 it's not for our benefit. 00:43:40.099 --> 00:43:41.059 It's for theirs. 00:43:41.320 --> 00:43:42.700 The gospel is presented 00:43:42.700 --> 00:43:43.680 for the benefit 00:43:43.680 --> 00:43:45.460 of others. 00:43:47.360 --> 00:43:48.579 What about you today? 00:43:48.660 --> 00:43:49.320 As heads are bowed 00:43:49.320 --> 00:43:50.200 and eyes are closed, 00:43:50.320 --> 00:43:51.620 as we take a few moments, 00:43:51.860 --> 00:43:52.900 what about you today? 00:43:52.900 --> 00:43:54.019 Is there sincerity 00:43:54.019 --> 00:43:55.340 in your life 00:43:55.340 --> 00:43:56.480 when it comes to the Lord? 00:43:56.720 --> 00:43:57.740 Are you sincere 00:43:57.740 --> 00:43:59.380 seeking the right things? 00:43:59.559 --> 00:44:00.619 Maybe you're here today 00:44:00.619 --> 00:44:01.920 and you don't understand 00:44:01.920 --> 00:44:02.780 what the truth 00:44:02.780 --> 00:44:03.700 of the gospel is. 00:44:03.740 --> 00:44:04.720 I encourage you to come 00:44:04.720 --> 00:44:05.039 with somebody 00:44:05.039 --> 00:44:05.480 to show you 00:44:05.480 --> 00:44:06.119 from God's word 00:44:06.119 --> 00:44:06.960 how you can know 00:44:06.960 --> 00:44:08.599 the sincere reality 00:44:08.599 --> 00:44:10.660 of what God 00:44:10.660 --> 00:44:11.539 has done for you. 00:44:11.800 --> 00:44:12.059 But you know, 00:44:12.079 --> 00:44:12.460 as you spend 00:44:12.460 --> 00:44:13.420 a few moments here, 00:44:13.559 --> 00:44:14.460 what about you 00:44:14.460 --> 00:44:16.579 and your motive 00:44:16.579 --> 00:44:17.160 with the Lord? 00:44:18.079 --> 00:44:18.760 Heavenly Fathers, 00:44:18.840 --> 00:44:20.059 we just come before you today. 00:44:20.139 --> 00:44:20.300 Lord, 00:44:20.340 --> 00:44:21.099 we just thank you 00:44:21.099 --> 00:44:21.780 and praise you. 00:44:21.780 --> 00:44:22.220 Lord, 00:44:22.260 --> 00:44:22.880 as we look at 00:44:22.880 --> 00:44:24.480 very important reality 00:44:24.480 --> 00:44:26.220 as Paul was being charged 00:44:26.220 --> 00:44:28.140 with wrongful things, 00:44:28.200 --> 00:44:29.060 he reminds them 00:44:29.060 --> 00:44:30.260 of what it looks like 00:44:30.260 --> 00:44:33.100 to have a sincere ministry, 00:44:33.240 --> 00:44:34.340 a sincere purpose 00:44:34.340 --> 00:44:35.160 before you.