Five Sins of the Ministry

Introduction:  You would think that ministry would only be done by those who love God and seek to do everything according to God’s will, but this is not so.  Any ministry that is done by a believer is extremely important, yet when it is done wrong it is extremely detrimental to the cause of the Christ.  May God work in our hearts to help us make sure that we are doing it His way.

1. A WRONG MOTIVE (1 Thessalonians 2:3)
1. Not of Deceit
1. Pauls exhortation was not motivated by a desire to deceive.
2. Our motive should be to tell others the truth, even when it hurts.
2. Not of Uncleanness
1. Pauls exhortation was not motivated by some wicked desire.
2. Our motive in ministry should be pure.
3. Not in Guile
1. Pauls motive was not covered up in deceit.
2. Our motive should be obvious to all of those who serve alongside of us.
4. Not of Filthy Lucre (1 Peter 5:2)
2. A MISPLACED DESIRE TO PLEASE (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
1. We are Not to Please Men
1. Good men in the Bible did not please men
1. Jesus (Matthew 23:13-26)
2. Peter (Acts 5:3-9)
3. Stephen (Acts 7:51-53)
2. Being a man pleaser negates being a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10)
2. We are to Please God (2 Timothy 2:4)
3. A POLITICAL APPROACH (1 Thessalonians 2:5)
1. No Flattering Words Used
2. The Wickedness of Flattering Words
1. No flattering titles given to men (Job 32:21-22)
2. The wicked speak with a flattering tongue (Psalms 5:9)
3. Flattering lips are connected to a double heart (Psalms 12:2)
4. The Lord will cut them off (Psalms 12:3)
5. The flattering mouth worketh ruin (Proverbs 26:28)
6. Flattery spreads a net for your neighbors feet (Proverbs 29:5)
4. A DOUBLE LIFE (1 Thessalonians 2:5)
1. An Outer Appearance A cloke
2. The Inward Appearance - covetousness
5. A DESIRE FOR THE WRONG GLORY (1 Thessalonians 2:6)
1. They Did Not Seek Glory from Men (1 Corinthians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 4:7)
2. Glory for Ministry Comes Later (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17)

Conclusion:  Are you serving the Lord?  If so, check your motive.  Make sure your desire is to please the Lord and not men.  Be real and seek not to flatter others.  Do not concern yourself with winning the praise or glory of men.  It is vain.  Ministry is about Christ and others.  It is about eternity.