Thursday, August 19, 2010
1 Thessalonians-A Book of Encouragement
Sure every church has its problems. The Thessalonian church had its problems too, but they were minor compared to others Paul had written to (Just read Galatians). Paul says of the Thessalonians in 4:9 "You have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another." 1:4-5 gives us another great insight into the Thessalonian church. "For we know brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." That little phrase "loved by God" was only ascribed to the likes of Solomon and Moses in that day. Now, Paul uses it to describe the humble gentiles who have received the gospel with power, in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction of its truth and relevance. These few little verses tell me that weren't just studying what Paul had written them or what they had heard about the "Gospel" but actually carrying it out. They received the Gospel not only in word. This is a lesson my faith heritage would do well to learn. When we truly receive the gospel, we should be fully convicted of its truth. Meaning, that we ACT on our convictions. If you keep reading on to verses 7 and 8 you would find that the Thessalonians acted so much so on their convictions, that they "Became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia." Amazing! It wasn't their culturally relevant preacher, it wasn't their cool programs or engaging worship, it was their example and their faith! I pray that, as a church, it is our example of and faith in Christ that becomes known to all throughout the nations.
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i was just thinking this morning about how previous generations of CoCers think the sun rises and sets based on our worship service (do one thing wrong, and you're doomed). The funny thing is though, newer generations think the same thing. What will change our community? grow our church? make a difference? Having a "relevant," "dynamic," "modern," "seeker-sensitive" worship service. Maybe we haven't come as far as we think and are missing the point every bit as much as we think previous generations did.
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Completely agree. At my Dad's old church there was an older man that preached (praught)a while back when I was there and put together what I thought was a phenomenal service with songs, thoughts, prayers, readings, all intertwined about the prodigal son. I really thought it was one of the best planned services I had seen in a while. Sure the songs were older (but extremely relevant), and his preaching style wasn't that of the "new generation" but it was spiritually challenging. A couple weeks after this I was talking to my Dad and he said the younger group in the church, thought it was "old fashioned" and didn't like it. That whole story to say, it goes both ways. It is times like these when I think about why Paul railed on unity in the church so much. Why Paul spent much time on "the ministry of reconciliation", not only within the church but outside as well. Both generations have to learn the same lesson.
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