Paul’s entire ministry is about his life and death in Christ. We’ve heard of Paul’s unwavering conviction of who Jesus is. Paul knows that it is God’s equipping power that he brings to Thessalonica, and to the world. But it almost didn’t.

Remember, these verses tell us all about the smear campaign and character assassination against Paul. It is all directed to turn these people’s hearts; to make the new Christians think badly of Paul and forget about him. More than that, those behind the smear campaign want the new Christians to turn away from Paul’s message. That opposition tries to discredit God’s ministry. God has another plan.

We heard Paul begin his defense of his ministry last week. Paul continues…. The accusations now lowered at Paul are that he is motivated by error or deceit, uncleanness and guile or cunning. Each is a serious charge. Together, the three are overwhelming. Plus there are less lofty charges of flattery and greed.

So we see that Paul fights for his life, the life of God’s ministry and the life of the church. Paul stakes his entire life on the truth of the gospel. So when the accusers say that Paul is motivated by error or deceit, Paul fights back with his very best weapon...Truth. Paul was given this Truth directly from Jesus Himself, on the Road to Damascus, in a blinding, yet revealing light. But that’s another sermon. Paul knows the depth and Source of his message is Jesus Christ. He knows his witness is deeply rooted in Truth. When he tells others this Truth, Paul never waters down the message. Paul never changes it to suit different groups and audiences. This tells us we are not to change God’s message from one audience to another. We are always to share God’s Truth, being clear, concise and honest in our witness. You and I are not to water down the meaning of following Jesus for anyone.

The next charge is of uncleanness. Uncleanness, or impure motives, mainly refers to sexual immorality. Paul knows that the culture of his day was openly “in-your-face” permissive in matters of sexuality. Some things just have not changed in 2000 years. He also knows that the leaders of the synagogue know that if Paul and the others could be discredited in this area, the gospel could be rejected as just another pagan religion. Paul knows this holds no validity against him. But he also is aware the meaning of uncleanness also alludes to “ambition, pride, greed, and popularity”. Paul puts it all back to the people at Thessalonica. He says, “You know. You know us.” These new believers know – because they have examined Paul’s motives when he was there: working along side them; living among them; caring for them. They know he did not seek to be ministered to personally, in any way, by anyone. The people had observed Paul’s actions, his motivations – his heart - first hand.

The next charge flung at Paul is that he is motivated by guile or cunning. The synagogue leaders are saying that the appeal and method of these missionaries is devious, underhanded. Paul knows that the meaning the people are meant to hear refers to catching a fish with bait. So the charge against Paul is that he used any method of deception to catch or trap these people to convert. Now Paul knows – and we know that Jesus called the first disciples in a language they would understand. Most of them were fishermen, and the others knew the trade. When Jesus said: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people,” (Matt 4:19) His meaning was obviously intended to imply vocation and calling, not craftiness and deceit.

Paul counters this accusation with the fact that there is nothing deceitful about the message of God. He did not come to trick the people at Thessalonica with that message. Again Paul brings to the memories of the people that Paul and the others made no attempt to coerce conversions. He did not conceal the cost of discipleship in following Jesus Christ – which is a matter of life and death. This is new life in Christ, death to the old way and giving us idol worship, and more. For many the cost of this new life in Christ would be a physical death. Nor were the Thessalonicans offered fake or fraudulent blessings, if they did choose to follow. No, Paul and the others did not try to con or trap or bait anyone.

Paul rounds out this section by addressing flattering speech and pretext of greed. We know that flattery disarms us. We never know what to say. Flattery, in the truest description is “insincere and excessive praise – to gain favor for oneself.” Paul did not bend to flattery for his own gain; and certainly not for the gain of Christ. We also know that Paul was not motivated by greed. He did not come to Thessalonica for an offering, of any kind, that he might or might not receive. He did not come for popularity …and certainly not for notoriety. If anything he wanted to remain under that radar.

These new Christians know all this! And so, Paul reminds them – and us - that he didn’t come to them with any ulterior motives. He speaks frankly. He did not come into their midst to flatter anyone; never to play up to any of the rich families among them; never to butter

up anyone; and certainly never to deceive.

The Bible tells us how and why Paul comes. Paul comes to the Thessalonicans with pure motives. He comes examined by God. He comes approved by God. He comes called by God. He comes entrusted by God with God’s message…for everyone. That is Paul’s motive!

Each of us, as we preach, teach, share, and live the gospel of Jesus, must be sure of our motives. We need to ask ourselves: is our message of Jesus true? Is the reason we speak or teach or invite others to church to win friends and influence people? Or are we honestly trying to give out the Word of God? Do we want ourselves to look good, to be perceived as holy and good and righteous? Or are we genuinely trying to put the good and holy and righteous Jesus forward? Are we picking and choosing who we tell about Jesus and who we invite. God’s life and death through Jesus Christ is for everyone.

Like Paul, we have been examined and approved by God. Therefore, we are entrusted with His message of the gospel. And this, not to please people, but to please God. Why? Because it is a matter of life and death. Because it is Christ’s life, ministry and death…for everyone. All are invited to this new life. And, because it is Christ’s new life in the resurrection, the redemptive power in Christ’s resurrection. Therefore, it is for our death in Christ; our new life for each of our days, and our eternal life in Christ.