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Tested and Approved (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

Tested and Approved (1 Thessalonians 2:4) . I. “We have been approved by God” (4a). Paul, as an apostle was “approved” in a special way, but all Christians should strive to be approved by God.

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Tested and Approved (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

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  1. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • I. “We have been approved by God” (4a). • Paul, as an apostle was “approved” in a special way, but all Christians should strive to be approved by God. • 1. “Approved” dokimazo “to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not)” (Thayer). • 2. This is not self-approval or the approval of men—it is whom the Lord “commends” or “approves” (2 Cor. 10:17-18).

  2. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • I. “We have been approved by God” (4a). • B. We can live in such a way that we are approved by God. • 1. We must “be diligent” to present ourselves “approved to God” (2 Timothy 2:15). Part of this involves knowledge of God’s word. But also application of God’s word. • 2. We apply it in resisting temptation (James 1:12). This presents us “approved” that we might receive the “crown of life.”

  3. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • II. “To be entrusted with the gospel” (4b). • Paul’s duty to preach the gospel was a “stewardship” with which he had been entrusted (1 Cor. 9:16-17).

  4. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • II. “To be entrusted with the gospel” (4b). • B. We too must see the gospel as a treasure entrusted to us. • 1. Paul —“the glorious gospel” (1 Tim. 1:11). • 2. John— “the everlasting gospel” (Rev. 14:6). • 3. In the gospel “life” and “immortality” are “brought to light” (2 Tim. 1:10). • 4. In the gospel “the power of God” unto “salvation” is revealed (Rom. 1:16).

  5. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • III. “Even so we speak” (4c). • A. Preaching is just a form of speaking. • 1. Jesus “began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17). • 2. He commanded “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

  6. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • III. “Even so we speak” (4c). • B. What is the difference? • 1. Preaching is a more formal and public announcement. Kerusso “to be a herald, to officiate as a herald” (Thayer). • 2. Women cannot preach in the church (1 Cor. 14:34-35), or over men (1 Tim. 2:12). • 3. But all Christians are to speak the gospel—Priscilla with Aquila spoke to Apollos “the way of God” (cf. Acts 18:26).

  7. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • IV. “Not as pleasing men” (4d). • A. It is foolish to seek favor before men. • 1. Some don’t follow Christ because of this (John 12:42-43). • 2. It is the judgment of God that matters (1 Cor. 4:1-5).

  8. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • IV. “Not as pleasing men” (4d). • B. We should work “what is well pleasing in His sight” (Heb. 13:21). • 1. Paul’s aim was to be “well pleasing to Him” (2 Cor. 5:9). • 2. Children who obey their parents are “well pleasing to the Lord” (Col. 3:20). • 3. Christians should not offer partial service—we must be “fully pleasing” to Him (Col. 1:10).

  9. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • V. “But God who tests our hearts” (4e). • A. God does not tempt man to sin (Jas. 1:13-15). • B. He does test the hearts and lives of men. • 1. Manna laws—“that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not” (Exod. 16:4). • 2. Wandering in the wilderness—“to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not” (Deut. 8:2).

  10. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • V. “But God who tests our hearts” (4e). • A. God does not tempt man to sin (Jas. 1:13-15). • He does test the hearts and lives of men. • 3. He did this, “that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end” (Deut. 8:16).

  11. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • V. “But God who tests our hearts” (4e). • A. God does not tempt man to sin (Jas. 1:13-15). • He does test the hearts and lives of men. • 4. Some nations remained in Canaan—“that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses” (Judges 3:4).

  12. Tested and Approved(1 Thessalonians 2:4) • V. “But God who tests our hearts” (4e). • C. We may grow discouraged by this testing at times. • 1. Job felt as if God tested him “every moment” (Job 7:17-20). • 2. God tests His people out of love for them (Psalm 11:4-7). • 3. His tests determine our judgment (Jeremiah 17:10).

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