Are you a people-pleaser? When we first hear that phrase we might think that is a good thing to be, as we should all want to please others and make other people happy. However, that phrase also tends to imply someone who can never say no when asked to do something, even when it is very inconvenient. People-pleasers often avoid a conflict at all costs, or they shift their opinions, tastes, or behavior to match whoever they are with. Unfortunately that last characteristic is something that we sometimes see from the pulpit, where the sermon is crafted to please the congregation, rather than presenting the truth of the Gospel. That was never the case with the Apostle Paul, as he testified in our Scripture for today. Let’s see what we can learn as we continue in St. Paul’s letter to the Christians in Thessalonica.
When Paul and his companion Silas arrived in Thessalonica to bring the Gospel message to them, they had just recently been run out of town in Philippi. Their stay in Thessalonica was quite brief, only a few weeks, as his enemies followed him putting his life in danger again, so they fled once more. However, despite Paul’s short stay, his stop there was not in vain as he bore much fruit in that city (vs. 1). Souls were saved and lives were transformed. Today many people judge a ministry’s success by how long it lasts and how profitable it is. Three weeks and then being run out of town would look like a failure to them, but Paul’s time there produced real fruit.
Past persecution did not silence Paul’s witness (vs. 2). Preaching the true Gospel will often bring opposition, but God will supply courage for this ministry. Paul’s confidence came from the Lord rather than his own personal bravery. No one wants to be beaten and otherwise attacked, and Paul was no exception, however he remained faithful to God’s call in spite of all hardship.
Paul’s enemies leveled several accusations against him and his ministry, but the Apostle denied them (vs. 3). They claimed that Paul’s message was filled with error, but he did not preach false doctrine. They leveled charges of uncleanness or impropriety against him, but Paul’s motives were morally pure. There was no immorality attached to his ministry. They also claimed he was deceitful, but Paul used no trickery, manipulation, or dishonest methods. Today’s preachers need to be the same. The church should never adopt worldly techniques, deceptive tactics, or entertainment-centered methods that obscure the truth of the Gospel.
The Apostle viewed the Gospel as a sacred trust committed to him by God (vs. 4). His goal was God’s approval, not man’s applause. Many preachers and believers compromise Biblical truth for acceptance. Paul’s example should remind us that truth must never be sacrificed to gain popularity. Jesus was not a “people-pleaser”. He only cared about what one “Person” thought, and that was His Heavenly Father. We should be more concerned about pleasing God rather than pleasing anyone else.
False teachers will often use flattery or other manipulations to gain followers and large donations (vs. 5-6). Paul’s ministry was not motivated by money, greed, fame, or popularity, but instead was for God’s glory. The faithful preacher will seek to exalt Jesus rather than build a personal following, sell more books, or seek more donations to purchase another private jet for themselves.
Instead of being like those false teachers, Paul was like a loving mother to her newborn baby (vs. 7-8). He was gracious, compassionate, thoughtful, and tactful to his new converts. He was not abrasive or judgmental, just like a loving parent. He spoke the truth firmly, but also with genuine love and concern. This reflected the model of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for His people. Christian service should not merely transmit information. Effective ministry requires investing one’s life in others.
Looking over our Scripture, we see that opposition is not a sign that God is absent. Often it is evidence that the Gospel is advancing. We must always be sure that our ministry is pure in God’s sight. In addition, we must also be careful to seek God’s approval rather than human praise.
As we take a look at ourselves, are we seeking God’s approval or man’s applause? Are we willing to stand for truth when it is unpopular? Do we genuinely love others enough to invest our lives in helping them grow spiritually? Let us strive to follow Paul’s example by faithfully proclaiming the Gospel, maintaining pure motives, standing boldly for Biblical truth, and serving others with Christlike tenderness and sacrificial love.
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