1 Thessalonians 2:4

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

INTRODUCTION: Approval is important to our world. If you look on most products you’ll find some seal of approval, UL, USDA, CPA, ADA, from steaks to tooth paste, from cars to toys, all have someone giving approval. Approval or the lack of approval, by parents or peers can lift us up or cast a cloud over our lives. Many of us work in jobs where we have to be certified through apprenticeships, state board exams, or academic test. In this passage we have Paul describing himself and his fellow missionaries as “men approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. How often have we considered that God has an approval system and our life may be greatly affected by that approval? Yet for the most part we live our lives as if there is no test, no evaluation, with little concern for how God’s approval affects our lives.

1. APPROVED BY GOD

A. MATTHEW 25 JUDGEMENT PARABLES

a. THE FINAL DAY COMES AND THE DOOR IS CLOSED

b. EACH PERSON ACCOUNTS FOR WHAT THEY WERE GIVEN AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WITH IT.

c. THEY ARE SEPIRATED FOR REWARD AND PUNISHMENT

B. REVELATION 20:13 THE BOOKS ARE OPENED AND EACH PERSON IS JUDGED BY WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN LIFE.

C. 1 CORINTHIANS 3:12-15 OUR WORK WILL BE TESTED BY FIRE.

D. THERE ARE CONSQUENCES

a. ETERNAL DISPOSITION REV 20:13

b. ETERNAL COMFORT 1COR 3:14

c. PRESENT TRUST 1 THESS 2:4 APPROVED TO BE ENTRUSTED

d. MATTHEW 25:23 THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL ARE TRUSTED WITH MORE.

2. STRIVE FOR EXECLANCE AND APPROVAL

A. IF THIS IS TRUE WE SHOULD STRIVE FOR EXCELANCE

B. PHIL 3:13 WE FIND PAUL DESCRIBING HIS WORK

C. 2 TIM 4:7 PAUL EVALUATES HIS LIFE

D. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27 PAUL ENCOURAGES US TO STRIVE TO WIN

E. THE GOAL OF OUR LIFE IN CHRIST IS MATTHEW 25:21 “WELL DONE”

3. GETTING THERE

A. SO HOW DO WE GET THERE, BECOME THE PERSON APPROVED BY GOD?

B. 1 COR 3:12 BUILD OUR LIFE WITH QUALITY

a. WOOD, HAY, OR GOLD, PREACOUS STONES

b. INCLUDE IN YOUR LIFE THINGS OF REAL VALUE AND EXCLUDE THE TRIVIAL.

c. PHIL 4:8 FOUCUS YOUR HEART AND MIND ON THE GOOD.

C. AVOID SIDE TRACKS

a. 2 TIM 2:4 DISOPLINE YOUR FOCUS

b. LK 16:13 NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTORS

D. USE THE BIBLE CORRECTLY 2 Tim 2:15

a. Read what it says not what you want it to.

b. James 1:23-25 do what it says

E. JOHN 14:25 BE LEAD BY THE SPIRIT

F. COL 3:23 WORK AS UNTO THE LORD

CONCLUSION: Have you been settling for a mediocre life with God? Do you want to hear “well done good and faithful servant” at the end of your life? Let us strive to be workmen approved by God who need not be ashamed but can say with Paul;

^{2Ti 4:7} I have fought the good fight, ^f I have finished the race, ^g I have kept the faith.

^{2Ti 4:8} Now there is in store for me ^h the crown of righteousness, ⁱ which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day ^j —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. ^k