1 Thess. 2:3-9; 2 Cor. 4:1-6, Quality Check for Ministry (2)

Evangelistic ministry that is approved by God is characterized by the absence of:

·        Impurity/uncleanness, v3.  This term, which of course speaks of mixing in that which is evil with that which is good, is most often used in a “sexual” context.  The doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14) introduced this mixing of evil into the lives of God’s people, and in that situation it was actually sexual immorality.  Consider this amazing description of certain false teachers by Peter: When they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error (2 Pt. 2:14).  He describes people who have seemingly escaped from the error-filled world and life into which we were born, escaped by responding to certain (false) teachers.  But actually they have been drawn by a message that is mixed with the lusts of the flesh, which is, of course, one of the errors of their former life.  Evangelistic ministry that is approved by God cannot pattern itself by the world’s lewd and lusty entertainment.

·        Deceit, v3.  Paul soundly renounced this.  Listen to the different kinds of lies he rejected: But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully (2 Cor. 4:2).  There was no trickery in Paul’s dealing with people, none of what we refer to as “cute.”  We are talking about methodology.  It is a fact.  There are many times when those who preach the gospel will try to use music or lighting or other environmental issues so as to make people more open to a positive response to the preaching.  There are things we should do to encourage a positive response: pray, depend on the Holy Spirit, preach a clear and bold message, and set an example of love and integrity.  But it is vain to use hypocrisy (trying to be something we are not) or craftiness; the faith of those who respond will be in a lie.

·        Flattery, v5.  My dad, who was a good and godly pastor, referred to flattery as “an effort to compensate for lack of value.”  Think about that in the context of preaching the gospel.  Flattery says nice things, things that are not true, to and about someone who is a sinner in need of God’s grace.  We certainly must respect people.  But we must not lie.  What we are offering in the gospel is of immense value.  It stands on its own.  It is Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead.  If you want an illustration of preaching without flattery just read Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler (Mt. 19:16-30) or with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21).  Jesus never buttered people up so as to get them to listen to Him.  Neither should we!

Paul’s ministry did not spring from error; he did not motivate people by mixing in evil with the truth (impurity); he did not use deceitful methodology; and he didn’t try to get a hearing by flattery.  In tomorrow’s post we will look at one more negative before we move to the positive characteristics of his ministry.