Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2-3
Without the luxury of
modern communications the apostle Paul had the frustration of not knowing how
the young church at Thessalonica was doing after he had had to leave then so
abruptly. He therefore sent Timothy to
Thessalonica to see if they were standing firm in their faith. Paul admits “I
was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts
might have been useless. “ (1 Thess 3:5)Timothy arrived back with good news that they are full of faith and full of love both for God and for Paul and Silas.
Despite being left leaderless and suffering opposition and hardship they were staying faithful under pressure. How?
1. They had more than memories
One of the ways Satan sought to bring down the work of the Kingdom in Greece was to discredit Paul. There were those at Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea who sought to plant seeds of doubt in the hearts of believers that they were being duped by Paul’s words and that he was a man who was using them for his own ends. Lies and time could have soured the memories of the believers at Thessalonica and they could have re-interpreted their past. If they began to doubt their own experience and judgement not only of Paul but the message that they had received through him, then when trouble came and times were tough, the easiest thing to think was, “There is no point going through all this for something that isn’t real and isn’t true.
But they didn’t let the enemy re-interpret their experience. Timothy found they had faith, love and pleasant memories of Paul and Silas who they longed to see again. (1 Thess. 3:6)
It took more than happy memories of Paul for the Thessalonians to stay faithful. Yet is their story that helps us to see that what happened when Paul was among them was what helped them maintain their commitment.
“And we thank God continually because when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of men but as it actually is, the word of God, which is in you who believe.” (1 Thess. 2:13)
Time, distance and the
tricks memory play didn’t rob them of their faith because what they got hold of
in the first place was not an event but an experience of Christ. This opened them up to an on-going
relationship not just with Paul but with an ever present Saviour.
Theirs was faith in Jesus,
not in the person who had led them to faith. It was a faith they had chosen to
embrace, rather than a form of religion they had inherited. Above all Jesus was in their hearts by the
Holy Spirit. They had accepted Jesus
Christ when he was unacceptable in society, in their family and in their
culture. Paul says, “You became
imitators of us and the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcome the
message with joy given by the Holy Spirit.”
(1Thessa 1:6)
This counts far more than
how long they had been in the church. Some people are as vulnerable to
temptation, to turning their backs on Jesus and to falling apart when bad times
come as they were when they joined the church years ago because they only have
sentimental memories happy times with great people. Somehow they missed the point
and have never had a real experience of Jesus in their hearts. They might physically be present in church
but in their hearts they are crushed by the tempter, afraid to stick their
necks out and angry at God because life is tough.
2) They were not surprised by sufferingPaul had warned them that following Jesus was hard. Not only would they not be immune from the troubles that every human being goes through because we live in a fallen world but there would be trials they faced because of their allegiance to Jesus Christ.
“You know quite well we were destined for them. In fact when we were with you we kept telling you that we would be persecuted and it turned out that way as you well know.” (1 Thess.3:3-4)
Although there are plenty of scriptures warning us about these realities, when trouble comes we are nevertheless are often surprised.
We seem to adopt a number of misconceptions about why we are going through the mill at times.
-trouble is a sign of or punishment for your sin and disobedience “He sends his sun on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt 5:45)
It is true that our sin and disobedience can lead to difficult times as we face the consequences of our actions but trials aren’t always direct results. They may even be a result of your righteousness and obedience.
- they lack faith
Some wonder that if they just had more faith, the hard times would go away. Did Jesus lack faith? Did Paul lack faith?
-we think God’s goal is our happiness
There is no biblical basis for the concept that this is true. God’s primary goal is our salvation and our spiritual growth
Archibald Hart: “He is always more interested in our sanctification and growth than he is in making life simple and easy for us. We want to avoid growing pains; he sees the potential for our achieving maturity through pain.”
In the midst of the trial there is divine appointment. God allows some tough times for us, for our good and for His glory.
1 Peter 4:12: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” Suffering is a mark of discipleship, something that is guaranteed for the follower of Christ.
3) They were ready for more
Paul released Timothy from his team in order to bless the Thessalonians only to find that he himself is blessed abundantly.
“Therefore brothers in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of the Lord because of you.” (1Thess 3:7-9)
The two way nature of relationship means that Paul could write back and encourage them again. Paul’s language changes in chapter 3:11 from what is in the past but now he looks forward.
Paul wants more. He uses words like increase, overflow and in Chapter 4:1 the phrase “more and more”
Paul urges them to keeping moving on.
a) Move on in faith
Faith is mentioned often in this chapter. It was the state of the Thessalonians faith that Paul wanted to know about. He was pleased with what he heard but that didn’t stop him wanted to be with them so that as he says in 3:10 he could “supply what is lacking in your faith.” The CEV translate that “help you to have an even stronger faith.”
It only takes a grain of mustard seed to move a mountain but God has more grains that one!
b) Move on in love
It’s easy when we go through trials to become focused just on ourselves. “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” 1 Thess. 1:12)
Love is the mark of a successful church. Paul’s concern is that their love for each other would splash over to unbelievers as well.
c) Move on to meet God
Verse 13: “May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” Paul links this with being ready when Jesus comes again. The faith and love that we have in Christ must be allowed to change our character, to transform us into people who live sanctified lives. William Barclay wrote, “No man can ever meet God without God; the only way to prepare to meet God is to live daily with God.”
The rallying cry often heard today in our economically challenged world is “Less and less.” Governments are called to balance their budgets. People are urged to use less energy and decrease consumption of limited resources. It is good advice that we should all heed. In the realm of faith, however, there are no shortages of love and grace and strength. Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are urged to demonstrate His love in our lives in ever-increasing measure.
Blessings
Carol
No comments:
Post a Comment