REFLECT: How did Paul describe his motives of ministry?
RESPOND: List 3 impure motives that you could be susceptible to in your ministry.
*Share your thoughts on Comments.
"For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 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." (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
It is easy for me to work in this world not for God but for myself, specifically what others think of me. I realize that that motive does extreme damage not only to my relationship with Christ but to my own spirit and goals. I am fruitful and mindful when I focus on God's motives. For my motives are always my own and my own are either God's or someone else!
ReplyDeleteThat's me too Brett ... Rather than associate and present this gift of ministry (this treasure) to others as a gift from God God, I take on the afflictions as a self-righteous challenge and try to present myself as the one who suffers for His sake. When in reality the fight has already been won and the story has been told by Christ ... The light has been placed in my heart and all I have to do is shine :)
ReplyDeleteSelfish; not loving and serving how God wants me to serve and love my neighbor.. I don't spend enough time praying and reading the word of God like I should. I need to learn how to make time for what it's really important which is Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteLove having you with us to better ourselves for our Lord! Way to shine!
DeleteEmotional satisfaction, hoping for their salvation to improve a personal relationship, incorrectly presenting the gospel as the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel.
ReplyDeleteI am new to Crossfit, been at it for just over a month. Thank you for tying Crossfit and faith together! I need that! I often think "I can do all things through Christ..." during a WOD.
ReplyDeleteWHY DO MEN REJECT OR NOT UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH?
ReplyDeleteWhat are the reasons men reject, abandon, or do not understand the truth concerning God, His terms for pardon, or His commandments for living the Christian lifestyle?
THE REASONS!
John 12:42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;
Are there men today who do not confess Jesus as the Christ because they fear being ostracized or banished by their secular friends, antiChristian groups, or other religions?
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
Why will these men perish? 1. They were deceived by wickedness. 2. They did not love the truth. 3. They chose not to believe the truth. 4. They took pleasure in wickedness. NOTICE: God sent a deluding influence so they would believe what was false after they had rejected the truth.
Matthew 24:5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.
Matthew 24:11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Many are and will be mislead away from the truth about Jesus.
No man has to be mislead. It is a choice.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Men who sincerely seek God will not be mislead.
Roman 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
Men cannot believe the truth about Jesus unless they have heard the truth preached.
2 Peter 3:16-17 as also in his letters, speaking in them of things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall your own steadfastness,
The reasons some men do not understand some difficult passages of Scripture and teach error, are, that they are untaught, unstable, and unprincipled.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS MEN DENY THE CLEAR MEANING OF ACTS 22:16?
Acts 22:12-16.... Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name!
What would be the reason that men say, Saul had had his sins forgiven on the road to Damascus three days prior?
What would be the reason why that men would say, Saul had had his sin forgiven because of "faith only" the moment he believed three days ago on the road to Damascus?
Why would men deny that even though Saul was confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus, and repented three day prior to arriving at Damascus, that Saul was still in his sins until he was baptized in water calling on the name of the Lord? (Acts 9:1-19, Acts 22:1-16, Acts 26:12-18)
Saul's sins were not washed away until he was baptized in water calling on the name of the Lord. Saul was not saved on the road to Damascus.
WHY DO MEN REJECT OR NOT UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH?
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I Have trouble with my motives when training. I tell myself I am doing it for the glory of God but inside I am motivated by other things like pride and trying to please man. It is when I am motivated by the worldly things that I find myself not giving a hundred percent and never feeling satisfied. But when I study the bible and pray throughout the day I feel stronger during workouts because I know my motives are on God and not man, and I feel satisfied not because I reached a goal during the workout but because I gave it a hundred percent for God.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm a few days late been a little crazy around here. Anyway I'll jump right in
ReplyDelete1quid pro quo. It's easy to turn to god when you need something In the face of adversity I find my self being a better Christian.
2. Living in the Bible Belt down south so there is always the pressure of what people think of you. "Is he a good person"
3. Because its what you are supposed to do. I grew up in the Catholic Church and there are certiAin things to have to do like you must confess befor communion and so on. I think that follows here go to church because if you don't then you are not Christian like.