A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – February 20, 2020
He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely, But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished. (Proverbs 10:9, AMP)
We live in a time of so much technical advancement that it concerns me sometimes that we are missing some of the key ingredients of preaching the Gospel. The Apostle Paul said it like this, For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
Please take note of the key ingredients that the Apostle Paul listed when addressing the Thessalonians. The key ingredients were power, the Holy Ghost, assurance, and the manner of men. The AMPC version of the Bible says it like this, For our [preaching of the] glad tidings (the Gospel) came to you not only in word, but also in [its own inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction and absolute certainty [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved [ourselves] to be among you for your good.
Today, we are going to concentrate on what the Apostle Paul said about the “manner of men” or “what kind of men we proved our selves to be.” The following is a description by the Apostle Paul on the character needed by a minister of God:
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 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. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth 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 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. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-11)
Paul is not the only example in the Bible on how a minister of God should act. Listen to the prophet Samuel in his last days as he addressed the people he ministered to:
Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand. And he said unto them, The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness. (1 Samuel 12:3-5)
Character and integrity are important! Loyalty to the things of God is important! We, as ministers of the Gospel, must remember that we are ministering to His people. They are not our people. It’s all about the people and not us!!!
