Introduction
Today is the second day in our two-week series on “What Must I Do to Please God?” Yesterday, we discussed the foundational choice of whom we will serve. Now, we turn to another critical aspect: speaking the Gospel. The Bible makes it clear that pleasing God involves sharing His message with others. In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul reminds us that we are entrusted with the Gospel, not to please man but to please God, who examines and tests our hearts. This truth highlights the importance of proclaiming the Gospel with sincerity and integrity, motivated by a desire to honor God, not by seeking human approval.
Sharing the Gospel is a command for every believer. It’s not reserved for a select few but is a responsibility placed on all who follow Christ. Speaking the truth of the Gospel is essential to fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives, and it is through this that we bring glory to Him. The act of sharing God’s Word is not about eloquence or persuasion; it is about faithfully delivering the message that has the power to transform lives.
Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!
1 Thessalonians 2:4 (AMP) "But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as if we were trying to please people to gain power and popularity, but to please God, who examines our hearts [expecting our best]."
Context of 1 Thessalonians 2:4
In this scripture, Paul is addressing the church at Thessalonica, explaining the motivation behind his ministry. He and his companions did not preach the Gospel to win favor with people or to gain popularity. Instead, their desire was to please God, who tests the hearts of those who serve Him. The word entrusted suggests a sacred responsibility—one that must be carried out with integrity, knowing that God is the ultimate judge of our motives.
Paul’s ministry was not shaped by human opinions but by a deep conviction that he was called to please God above all else. This teaches us that proclaiming the Gospel should not be motivated by a desire for recognition or approval from others. Instead, it should stem from a heart fully devoted to God, seeking only His approval.
Speaking the Gospel to Please God
Key Phrase: “We speak, not as if we were trying to please people.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the Gospel. However, the manner in which we do so and the motivation behind it is critical. Paul clearly states that he did not speak to please people, but to please God. This is a reminder that the Gospel should not be diluted, modified, or compromised in an attempt to appeal to the masses. Our responsibility is to speak the truth of God’s Word as it is, without fear of rejection or desire for popularity.
Sharing the Gospel is a core aspect of the Christian life, but it must be done with the right heart. Our goal is to honor God, not to seek applause or validation from others. God sees beyond our words and into our hearts, discerning whether our motivation is genuine. To speak the Gospel with sincerity is to recognize that we are ambassadors of Christ, entrusted with a message that brings salvation to the world.
2 Timothy 4:2 (AMP): "Preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching."
This scripture from 2 Timothy emphasizes the urgency and importance of preaching the Word of God. Believers must be ready to share the Gospel in every situation, whether it seems convenient or not. This underscores the truth that pleasing God requires faithfulness to His call, regardless of external circumstances.
Relevance to Today’s Believers: For Christians today, this instruction to speak the Gospel is as relevant as ever. In a world that often pressures us to conform to its values, believers are called to stand firm in the truth and to speak boldly about their faith. Pleasing God means sharing His message of salvation, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular. It means being willing to speak the truth in love, knowing that God, not man, is the one who examines our hearts.
Speaking the Gospel is not merely a task, but a reflection of our commitment to God’s mission. When we share the good news of Christ, we participate in God’s plan to redeem the world. Whether through conversations with friends, family, or coworkers, or through larger platforms, every opportunity to share the Gospel is a chance to glorify God and draw others to Him.
The Whole of What It Means to Please God
While today’s focus is on speaking the Gospel, it is important to recognize that there isn’t a rigid order to what it means to please God. There is a first and foundational step, as we discussed yesterday, and that is making a choice to serve God. But the following principles, including speaking the Gospel, should be taken as a whole. They encompass every aspect of the believer’s life—how we live, how we love, how we treat others, and how we serve God.
Pleasing God involves our thoughts, actions, and words. It includes obedience to His commands, faithfulness in prayer, love for others, and sharing the truth of the Gospel. These are not individual, isolated steps; they are intertwined, forming the holistic picture of a life lived for God. Speaking the Gospel is one part of that, but it must be accompanied by a heart that is fully surrendered to God and a life that reflects His love and grace.
Matthew 28:19-20 (AMP): "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance and on every occasion], even to the end of the age."
In the Great Commission, Jesus commands His followers to go and make disciples, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded. This call to make disciples is inseparable from the command to love God and others. Pleasing God involves a life committed to His mission, not just in what we say, but in how we live.
Summary
Today is the second day in our series, and we have explored another key aspect of pleasing God: speaking the Gospel. As 1 Thessalonians 2:4 teaches us, God has entrusted us with the message of salvation, and we are called to share it with sincerity and integrity. Our motivation is not to gain the approval of people but to please God, who tests and examines our hearts. Speaking the Gospel is part of the greater whole of what it means to live a life that honors God.
We must not forget that pleasing God involves multiple aspects of our lives—how we love, serve, and obey Him. The first step, as we discussed, is choosing whom we will serve. But beyond that, every action, word, and thought is an opportunity to bring glory to God. Speaking the Gospel is a central part of that mission, and it is a reflection of our desire to see others come to know the love and grace of Christ.
As we move forward in this series, let today’s focus on speaking the Gospel be a reminder of our responsibility to share God’s truth with others. In doing so, we fulfill His purpose for our lives and bring honor to His name.
If You Have Ears to Hear, Then Hear It!
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