"Leakers and Stackers"

Jan. 17

Read: 1 Thess. 2

“Leakers and Stackers”

“…but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God…” (v.4)

What does it mean to be “approved by God” to be “entrusted with the gospel”? It is interesting to think of because you would think that EVERY Christian is “entrusted with the gospel”…right? Doesn’t God “approve of” everyone? Have you ever wondered why the “good news” of Christ goes out with power from some people… and falls flat with others?

The truth is that it is very tempting, even as God’s children, to “speak to please man” rather than to “please God”. We will never be “approved by God” to be “entrusted with” the good news (“gospel”) of Jesus when we “speak to please other humans”. There is no lasting power or transformation in the wort of a person who is displeasing to God … or living in a way that God does not approve of. God does not entrust a great deal of power to those who do not know how to use it! What does it look like to speak like a “person pleaser” vs. a God pleaser?

People pleasers offer empty flattery in their speech. They are fake in their compliments… patronizing. (v.5) We all have spotted this from a mile away. When we are kids we call it “brown nosing” or being a “suck up”. As adults, we simply call it being “fake”. This sort of speech is not pleasing to God. One of the reasons that this type of language is so reviled is because we all know it the seeds of “greed” and selfishness in it. (v.5) It is a sort of “buttering up” that people use to manipulate others and get what they want. You should RUN FROM pastors or leaders who act this way. The empty words of flattery used towards the ends of greed within the church has ruined many a church / congregation! This is why Paul is certain to call attention to the way that he and his team avoided this type of speech.

Another type of speech that is “carnal” and “man-pleasing” vs. God pleasing is speech that fishes for glory. (v.6) This is the sort of bragging that is being for attention or approval of others. This includes the “one-uppers” of the world who can never let anyone else have the spot light. This sort of communication is what leads people to embellish stories and lie to make themselves look better. Once again, this sort of narcissistic, self centered, vain-glorious speech has no place in the life of God’s people. Our words need to point to JESUS as the focus of glory and attention. This is another type of leader to avoid … the one who always makes themselves to be the hero and brags about themselves. This too is self destructive and toxic for the church. (v.6)

So how should we speak to one another… treat one another? It is a tender picture that Paul shares in v. 7,8: “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” You see, one sort of life hoards oneself… the other sort of life gives oneself away. One way of speaking and acting builds self up… the other builds up others. Pastors and leaders should seek to care for the ones they lead like a “mother and father for their child / children”. (v.8,10)

These are the same sorts of people who live in such a way that they “might not be a burden to any of you, while (we proclaim) to you the gospel of God.” (v.9) The overarching picture is a servant leader rather than a leader of servants. Our primary concerns whether our speech and actions are pleasing to God, not necessarily pleasing to mankind. This is the only way we can live with integrity amongst one another… with unity and joy. Look at how much compassion and love Paul has for his flock in Thessalonica. Do you doubt whether or not they reaped great benefits from the love they received from these leaders? These are the types of leaders … men and women… we need in the church. This is what a healthy community of Christ followers looks like.

How are YOU speaking these days? Are you ready to be “entrusted” with “good news”? How are you living in community? May the Lord grant us strength and courage to speak to please HIM and not others. May he grant us energy and opportunity to live “not as a burden” but in a way that frees up those around us to receive the “good news” of Jesus Christ. This is what we are called to as the people of God. Love you guys. - JDP