May 13, 2012 (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1 Thessalonians 2)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!” 1 Thessalonians 2:5 NLT
Observation: Paul and his companions preached an honest and straight forward gospel. They didn’t sugar coat it and they didn’t mind suffering for it. They didn’t win people with flattery or deceit; people were won to Christ with truth. Their mission was to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ, no matter the cost. They were messengers approved by God to deliver the gospel truth. As for human praise, they never sought it or succumbed to the temptation to receive it. They worked night and day to earn a living so that they would never become a burden to those they were preaching the good news to. Their love for the lost was so great that they not only shared the gospel with them, but their own lives also.
Application: Paul and his companions left an amazing legacy of example for us, it’s a shame we have neglected and cast it aside as useless and outdated for our generation. In a vast number of churches today fundraising and social marketing have over taken the majority of the time that is spent “reaching the lost”. We spend on average 70% more time on fundraising and social marketing as we do ministering the good news of the gospel. The results of our focus are evident and are proving to be disastrous. Many American churches have become nothing more than a social gathering place for entertainment, resembling a country club more than a house dedicated to teaching the good news of the gospel. Flattery has become the bait of choice for the fisherman of the 21st century.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your truth, and for the men and women that have stood for it no matter the cost in the past. Help me understand and embrace the example Paul and his companions left. Strengthen me to stand for Your truth no matter the price I must pay. In Jesus name, Amen!