Unmistakably Genuine 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 Our love is . • “… 6 we could have asserted our authority as apostles of Christ. 7 But we proved to be gentle among you. As a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children, 8 in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.” Our motives are . • “… 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— 6 nor did we seek honor from people, either from you or from others…” • “… 9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship: it was by working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” Our message is . • “...3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.” • “… 13 the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.” Our life is . • “...as you know” (v. 1, 2, 5, 11) • “...you recall” (v. 9) • “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers…” (v. 10) Our ministry is marked by . • “...14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out.” • Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Suffering is the badge of true discipleship.” CONCLUSION Matthew 5:11-12 (NASB), “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.