The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 4 August 2026 – Being Good Examples
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TOPIC: Being Good Examples
READ: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.
2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.
3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.
5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.
6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.
7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,
8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
THE MESSAGE:
In our text today, we see Paul emphasise how he and the other apostles were good examples for the Thessalonian Church to emulate. According to him, the qualities that qualified them to be emulated include – they did not teach them deceitfully (verse 3), they taught them aiming to please God and not men (verse 4), they didn’t use flattering words neither did they use words to cover up greed – (GNT; verse 5), they did not seek glory from men (verse 6), and, they were gentle among them (verse 7).
As Christian leaders in our churches in contemporary times, we are expected to be good examples like Paul, to those we shepherd. We are expected to give account to God for them. If you have not been measuring up in this regard, you should humbly ask God for the grace to start today or improve on what you are presently doing. May the Lord help you to do this!
PRAYER: Merciful Father, may You help me to be a good example to people around me, Amen.
