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Our text is 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed\u2014God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

Paul frequently faced stiff opposition when proclaiming the gospel. He came to Thessalonica from Philippi where he and Silas had been stripped and severely flogged and thrown in prison without trial. At midnight God used an earthquake to set them free. Things only went marginally better in Thessalonica. After they made a quick exit, questions arose concerning the validity of their ministry. Was it really from God?

Here, Paul defends them against their detractors. As we listen in to his defense, today\u2019s preachers are challenged to evaluate their own ministries according to this high standard. Further, we are all invited to assess the validity of preachers that we listen to or watch. Let\u2019s consider what Paul writes.

First, he invites his readers to consider what they know about him. Don\u2019t test me according to what others are saying but consider what you know and experienced firsthand when we were with you. There is a challenge here for all of us whose favourite preachers come to us via YouTube. How much do we really know about them? Are there ways to test the legitimacy of their ministry? Many have fallen precisely because they ministered from a safe distance. We should not give up on pastors living among their people.

Second, Paul askes that his preaching be evaluated. In the face of stiff opposition in Philippi, did he change his message? No, he did not. When he and his friends arrived in Thessalonica, they proclaimed the same gospel of Jesus. This message and their willingness to suffer for it speak volumes regarding their authenticity. They did not rebrand their message to make it more appealing. Risking further torture, they \u2018dared\u2019 to continue proclaiming what God had given them.

Third, examine the motives of Paul and friends. They were being accused of insincerity, wanting to make a quick buck, because they had come and gone so quickly. The Greek words translated as \u201cimpure motives\u201d include the sexual impurity which was common among Greek and Roman religions.

Since Paul tended to receive room and board from new converts, it would be easy to verify his activities while in town. Look at the evidence, he says, are we guilty of such thing? There was no trickery or flattery. They did not use their ministry to line their own pockets. He did except gifts from friends (see Philippians 4:18), but he did not take up collections to support himself. Paul was confident the new believers would recognize that the accusations were nothing but slander.

Consider these things as you engage with ministries around the globe.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together\u2014spirit, soul, and body\u2014and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he\u2019ll do it! The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you! (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24,28 The Message).