Defending the Mission

• 1, 2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
  • Acts 17:5
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 17, 18

Pure Motives for Gospel Investment

• 3a For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity
  • Colossians 2:8
• 5b nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.
• 6a For did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others
  • Psalm 115:1

Pure Methods for Gospel Investment

• 3b or any attempt to deceive,
  • 2 Peter 1:16
• 4, 5a 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 who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know,
  • 2 Timothy 4:3, 4
• 6b though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
• 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
• 8 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.

So What?

• Our commitment to internal and external gospel investment should come second to none.
  • 1 Peter 1:13-15
  • Acts 20:24

Further Discussion

• Is my personal pursuit of holiness based on the gospel’s work in my life or my own attempt at doing good?
• In what way do we risk mixing wrong motives in our external gospel investment?
• Do I allow other priorities to eclipse my desire to see all people know the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?