Outline: How Do You Give the Gospel?

TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:5-13

Introduction:

Paul described his approach in presenting the Gospel to the unbelievers at Thessalonica.  He was sincere, honest, and unpretentious as he not only gave them a message, but established relationships with them.

1. THE GOSPEL AND OUR MOUTHS (v5)

A. There Should be No Pretention- “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know”

B. There Should be no Promotion- “nor a cloak of covetousness; God is our witness”

2. THE GOSPEL AND OUR MEEKNESS (v6)

A. We Shouldn’t be Boasting- “Nor of men sough we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others”

B. We Shouldn’t be Burdensome- “when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ”

3. THE GOSPEL AND OUR MANNER (7-8)

A. They were Gentle- “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children”

B. They were Giving- “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us”

4. THE GOSPEL AND OUR MESSAGE (v9)

A. Their Determination in Preaching- “For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day”

B. Their Debt in Preaching- “because we would not be chargeable unto any of you”

C. Their Declaration in Preaching- “we preached unto you the gospel of God”

5. THE GOSPEL AND OUR METHODS (V10-12)

A. Our Reputation Should be Faithful– “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:”

B. Our Relationship Should be Fatherly- “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children”

C. Our Reason Should be Foretold- “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory”

6. THE GOSPEL AND OUR MOTIVES (v13)

A. For Them to Receive- “when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us”

B. For Them to Believe- “which effectually worketh also in you that believe”