Men Approved By God

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you approved by GOD?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we need to tell GOD's Words because not men but GOD entrusted it to us.

IV. TEXT:

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (New International Version)

On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

V. THESIS:

We need to tell GOD's Words because not men but GOD entrusted it to us.

VI. TITLE:

Men approved by GOD

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: 49 to 54 B.C. but uncertain

C. Purpose: to comfort believers and encourage them to a life of purity

D. To whom written: Thessalonica church

E. Main themes: Most personal of all of Paul's epistles

F. Keyword: Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:3 (Amplified Bible)

For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice,

G. Key verses:

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (Amplified Bible)

And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you,

So that He may strengthen and confirm and establish your hearts faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)! Amen, (so be it)!

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (Amplified Bible)

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first.

Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!

Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Speak as men approved by GOD

"On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God"

1. Speak came from the Greek word: "laleo" meaning "talk, utter" - preach, say, speak after, talk, tell, utter.

Romans 14:17-18 (Amplified Bible)

[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men.

2 Timothy 2:15 (Amplified Bible)

Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

Galatians 1:10 (Amplified Bible)

Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (Amplified Bible)

However, let him who boasts and glories boast and glory in the Lord.

For [it is] not [the man] who praises and commends himself who is approved and accepted, but [it is the person] whom the Lord accredits and commends.

B. Entrusted with the gospel

"to be entrusted with the gospel"

1. Entrusted meaning "to have faith", "to believe", "to commit", "to put in trust with". GOD also believes, commits, trusted us with the gospel. Not only us that we should put our faith in Him but GOD also have placed His faith on us for the sake of the gospel.

Romans 3:2 (Amplified Bible)

Much in every way. To begin with, to the Jews were entrusted the oracles (the brief communications, the intentions, the utterances) of God.

2 Timothy 1:12 (Amplified Bible)

And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still I am not ashamed, for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day.

1 Peter 5:3 (Amplified Bible)

Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).

C. Not trying to please men

"We are not trying to please men"