“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2).
Introduction
Throughout his ministry the apostle Paul was accused of many false things. Anyone who truly stands up and speaks out for the Lord is going to face those who seek to discredit them. It is a sad fact that, not only the world, but also from within the church there have been those who have sought to undermine the preaching of God’s word.
Not vain, but powerful
It seems that some people were saying that Paul and his ministry team accomplished nothing worthwhile in Thessalonica. Such malicious words would have come both from the legalists and the pagans, but Paul was not going to listen to their nonsense or be hindered from preaching the gospel. The Greek word for “vain” [kenos] means “worthless” and “empty”. Paul’s words were empty to those who rejected the power of God to save souls. The work of evangelism finds its base on salvation, transformation and forgiveness. It deals with eternal truths that can deliver a person from Hell and everlasting separation from God.
Those who are in the ministry because of the salary, house or other material things (especially those in the so-called established or state churches) often dismiss the need to be born again and ridicule those who preach about redemption. Such people know nothing of the power of the resurrected Christ. Preachers, evangelists, missionaries and others engaged in teaching God’s word have a passion for souls. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). If they do not believe then they will reject the power of the gospel.
Personal suffering
Paul suffered and was abused by those who rejected the truth in Philippi, but God still saved souls through his ministry. In Acts 16:12-40 we read of the conversion of the fortune-telling servant girl and of the Philippian jailor. Paul had been beaten, slandered and imprisoned for the cause of Christ, but even he would admit that it was worth it to see souls saved. No doubt those who were determined to show Paul in the worst possible light would have told everyone that he had been in prison, therefore not to be trusted. For Paul the most important thing was not his reputation, instead it was the continuance of the gospel. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Holy boldness
True ministers of God boldly preach His word without compromise or fear. Boldness indicated a lack of fear. For the believer this results from having full confidence in the Scriptures. The greatest fear that a preacher has to overcome is that of rejection by those he ministers to. Fear of looking or sounding stupid has caused many people to stop declaring the truth. The “fear of man bringeth a snare” and so we become “ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Proverbs 29:25; Romans 1:16).
We want to win as many people as possible to Christ, but we must be careful that our desire is not so that we appear to be successful to others. Preaching just to get results is one of the reasons why there is barrenness in the church today. Preaching to get results means that we are inclined to use every gimmick possible to get people onto seats instead of plainly speaking under the anointing and power of God. Any increase is an act of God’s power and grace. “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:7). “The divine authority is missing from many pulpits. We have tabby cats with their claws carefully trimmed in the seminary, so they can paw over the congregations and never scratch them at all! The Holy Spirit will sharpen the arrows of the man of God who preaches the whole counsel of God!” (A. W.Tozer, Authority in Preaching).
It is God’s gospel not ours
Nothing in Scripture is of human origin. The moment a preacher manipulates the word of God to make it more palatable to the world, he is guilty of making up his own gospel. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9). God designed the gospel to win men and women to Christ, so when it is watered-down it no longer has the power to save. To teach anything other than the truth is to preach about ourselves, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). It is time for the church to return to faithful teaching of the Scriptures.
Conclusion
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15). The preacher who is sent must boldly go with the unadulterated word of God upon his lips. “The subject-matter of the apostle's preaching was not vain and idle speculations about useless niceties and foolish questions, but sound and solid truth, such as was most likely to profit his hearers.” (Matthew Henry).
© 16/1/2008