Sharing the Gospel and Our Own Selves

Sunday, October 11, 2026
Jerry Tom

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 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. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

v. 1 - For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

1:9 - turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

Share the Gospel and Our Own Selves
1.    Boldly Declare the Gospel (v. 2)
2.    Saved to Please God, not Man (v. 3-5)
3.    Share Our Own Selves with Other Believers (v. 6-8)

1. Boldly Declare the Gospel (v. 2) - But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

Practical tips to share the gospel:

1.    Know the gospel
a.    God - We are accountable to God
b.    Man - Our problem is our sin against God
c.    Jesus Christ - God’s solution is salvation through Jesus Christ
d.    Our Response - We come to be included in that salvation by faith and repentance.

2. Pray for those in your sphere of influence to be saved (1 Tim. 2:1-4)

3. Pray for boldness (Acts 4:29, Eph. 6:19-20)

4.    Be intentional and ask questions:
·      Can I pray for you?
·      Do you go to church?
·      Do you have a faith or religion?
·      Have you ever wondered why you exist or what is the purpose of your life?

2. Saved to Please God, not Man (v. 3-5) - 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. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

Matt. 28:20a - teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

1 Jn. 2:1-2 - “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. But right after John mentions we have forgiveness for our sins in Christ, he states who are those who have received this forgiveness in v. 3-4 - 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

3. Share Our Own Selves with Other Believers (v. 6-8) - Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

You will never mature or grow spiritually in Christlikeness if all you do is come to worship each Lord’s Day hearing the word faithfully preached unless you are sharing yourself or loving other believers in the church.

Eph. 4:15-16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”