Thank You Notes - Part 4: "Thank You for Receiving God's Word - 1 Thess. 2:1-16

            When I assess the learning of my high school students, I do so through tests and quizzes. These are often administered in written form but at times administered by a simple oral dialogue. These assessments not only assess the learning of the students, but the teaching of the teacher. The teacher is responsible for doing all they can to assure that learning takes place. With this said, it is impossible to teach if the learner refuses to learn.

            When it comes to teaching in fulfillment of my role as Pastor, assessment is done in a similar way. My teaching and your learning are assessed through tests. These are not written tests, but test in life. Life has a way testing us and our progress in the learning the Word of God, and our living out of the Gospel of Christ.

            All that God has charged us to be begins with being a learner. As God gave His law to Moses in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, He called Moses to assemble the people so that they could learn. In the book of Deuteronomy (A recording of Moses’ last three messages) God instructs Moses to gather the people together for the purposes of learning. They were to gather themselves, their children, and the sojourners among them to learn the commands of God. Consider these words,  12 Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess." Deuteronomy 31:12-13

            It is for this purpose that we gather in our places of worship today. It is accurate to say that in moments such as these we gather as worshipping learners and inquisitive seekers. As one of those who has been called to teach, I am very thankful for those among you that desire to gather in this way. And for you, and your calling to share the Gospel with others, I believe that we all are to be thankful for those who receive the word of God. Towards understanding this, let’s turn our attention to 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 where Paul displays thanks to and for those who have received the word of God.   

            The first observation made here is how the teacher arrives helps the learner learn (V. 1-5). “1 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.”. Notice that Paul states that those who teach often do so from a conflicted past. Even though this is true, they must arrive with a pure motive to help those they are coming to teach. To ensure this happens, God tests the heats of those He sends to teach.

            A second observation is, the teacher seeks to benefit the learner (V.6-12). 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. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. Expounding on this point we can see that true teachers of God’s word do not seek glory from people. This is a challenge by all who have ever taught or sought to communicate God’s word in any form. It is human nature to desire the approval of others. However, we must fight that natural desire and teach in such way that builds up the learner and glorifies God. Paul also gives two examples of a teacher. Teachers are to be like nursing mothers and encouraging fathers.

            In the final section of our passage, we see that the learner receives from God and imitates the learned (V. 13-16). 13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved--so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last! Here is seems like the teacher has taken a subsidiary role. The learner receives the word of God from God and imitates other mature learners. This is exactly what every teacher should seek. Of the three components of this exchange, the teacher comes in third place regarding significance. What became the primary component is the learner’s ability to imitate how the mature learner endured times of difficulty.

            Based upon what has been discussed, I want to challenge you to send thank you notes to those who have received the Gospel from you. This list may be long and that would be great because you have been willing to speak God’s word to others. If your list is short or non-existent, you may wish to ask God to fill you with His Spirit for the purposes of being His witness. As we do, I pray that our church becomes full of thankful teachers of the Gospel. 

Thank You Notes - Part 3: Thank You for Your Love for All the Saints. Colossians 1:3-14

I can walk into any church and worship the Lord as if I was in my own church home. I believe that where God is worship, I can be at home. I also feel very comfortable talking to strangers (which often makes my family laugh), but when I find out that they too are followers of Christ, I experience a certain relaxation and bond. I am thankful for the bond of believers. I believe that this bond and ability to worship in various places is one possible way that Christians can bring healing to our divided society. It is time for the church to display unity as our nation continues to fracture due to the widening political divide.  

Loving the world outside the church in this way is an important aspect of our faith. But this love may only be as healthy as the love within the church. May I remind you that within a relationship united in love, there is room for disagreement. However, disagreements need not lead to disunity. As we continue with this series “Thank You Notes”, may we be thankful for Christians both near and far. One possible avenue is to be thankful for love shared among Christians as displayed in Colossians 1:3-14.

In this text, the Apostle Paul speaks of his prayers of thanksgiving for the Colossian church. It appears that there is a unique love shared among those who believe. Note that the word Paul uses that has been translated in the English word “all” implies absent and present. These Christians were loved those of their own culture and those far from it. The key for this love is that they were all “saints”. This term implies union with God. Today we can see this Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox Christians. This type of love is also spoken of by Peter. The love for the saints is unique, but within our relation to all (1 Peter 2:13-17).

“13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the    emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor (value as precious) everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

Moving along in the text we see how hope is a motivator for this unique love. Paul states that there is a “hope that is laid up for you in Heaven”. This hope is the source of their inspiration, ethics, and love. In his words to Timothy, Paul points out that this hope shapes how we live out our calling to love others (2 Tim 4:1-8)

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and    the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

A third helpful point that Paul makes is that Christian love is in cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

The phrase “in the Spirit” refers to love in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. This is something that is often difficult for us. At times, we want the Holy Spirit to cooperate with us. There is a huge difference between the two. It is a matter of will. Is He interested in our will or are we interested in His? The goal of our love for one another should be the realization of God’s will. Anything other than this is not in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Please consider Paul’s words to the Romans that help make this point (Romans 13:8-14).

8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall     not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.  

Finally, thankful Christian love prompts prayer. Note the four things that make up Paul’s prayer for his readers. They are: spiritual infilling v. 9; ethical responses to others v. 10; Divine enablement v. 11; appreciation for Divine Grace V.12-14. With this in might, I want to challenge you to write thank you notes containing a prayer for the Christians in your life both near and far.  

Thank You Notes Part 2: Thank You for Your Partnership

     Many of my closest relationships have been formed through working toward a common goal. I have wonderful life-long friendship with people that were formed through the struggle to complete a task. For me, Bible college, coaching, teaching, and pastoral ministry are all contexts through which God has given me great partnerships.

     We can all think about people in our lives and wonder if we would have made it this far without them. They encouraged us, held us accountable, and always helped to make us our best. God used them to make us who we are. Throughout the month of November, let us pause long enough to enjoy the season of Thanksgiving by thanking those who have partnered with us.

     As Paul the Apostle began many of his letters with notes of thanksgiving may we be thankful for those with whom we partner through life. Looking at Philippians 1:3-11 we can discover how giving thanks for partnerships shapes our lives. As you consider these points, I pray that the Lord brings to mind those who played the vital role of your partner.

    Following Paul’s writing we see how partnerships breed thankful prayers (V. 3-5). This partnership was one of support through the difficulties associated with spreading and defending the Gospel. One of the major reasons Paul was writing to the Philippians was to thank them for the gift they provided for his ministry. Many partnerships require one meeting the needs of the other. This is not to create a sense of debt, but a simple thank you from the heart.

     Moving to verse six, Paul reveals that partnership are confident in the work of Christ. This partnership was one that recognized that the inner work of God was not yet complete but not the less secure. Also, shown in this statement is the thought that the faith of this partnership was founded upon the sufficiency of Christ. This may be the way to keep the foundation of any partnership in place.

     A third observation is that partnerships build Christ-like affections (V. 7-8). These types of affections help us understand that partnership are to be resourced by a mutual partaking of the grace of God. No one person can always meet the needs of the other. At some point, we all fall short. Each side understanding that it is the grace of Christ that provides the sufficiency, will relieve much undue pressure.

     Coming to the end of our text a final observation can be made. Partnerships birth a desire for purity and blamelessness in light if judgement (V. 9-11). This desire in from a place of love for each member and the heart of God’s plan. Oswald Chambers adds to this thought with a very significant thought. He states, “If your concept of love does not agree with justice, judgement, purity, and holiness, then your idea of love is wrong. It is not love that you conceive in your mind, but some vague infinite foolishness, all tears and softness and of infinite weakness.”

     With these four observations comes a couple of challenges. First, each one of us should send a thank you note to those who have partnered with us in service to God. Secondly, with every ministry endeavor, may we see each other as partners in reaching each other’s loved ones and community. Fulfilling these challenges will take our church further down the path of connecting, growing, and giving.

Thank You Notes - Part 1 "Thank You for Your Faith"

            I am thankful that so many people have placed their faith in God in ways that have positively impacted my life. These examples are found in Scripture, church history, as well as those who have been a part of my personal life. I have been encouraged greatly by observing the faith of others. I pray that others are encouraged by mine.

            We all can think of people who have displayed great faith. Some of those people are no longer with us, but many are still available to receive our thanks. During this season of thanksgiving, I believe that it is appropriate to focus our attention of giving thanks where it is due. As you read this post and consider the passages of Scripture, ask God to bring to mind those who have displayed faith in such a way that has positively impacted your life. It may be time to say thank you for your faith.

            Paul the Apostle is an example of how to say thank you in this way. He often began his letters with a note of thanks and appreciation. Here, we will consider his words to the church in Rome (Romans 1:8-15). A simple reading of the text prompts two important questions. First, we may ask why be thankful for the faith of others? We are to be thankful for the faith of others because their faith encourages ours (v. 11-12). The faith of others also provides a context to reach our loved ones for Christ (v. 13-15).

            A second question is, how do we grow world famous faith? In our text, Paul states that the faith of the Romans is talked about throughout the world. To answer this question, many passages of Scripture may be observed. Growing world famous faith begins with hearing the words of Christ (Romans 10:17). The faith that comes from hearing is then applied to our lives and increased through the obedience of reverent fear (Hebrews 11:7). This often requires the difficult task of embracing grief (James 1). All of this is made possible by living under the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8 / 2:38-39). When individuals as well as churches apply these truths, their faith will be worth sharing, becoming a source of encouragement and strength to others.

            After observing these passages of Scripture, many points of application may be acted upon. My challenge to you it to strengthen the faith of your family through a thank you note. You can simple write members of your family notes thanking them for their example of living in faith. Be creative and have fun. You may even consider thanking someone for their rebound from doubt and disbelief. Maybe you know someone who has journeyed through doubt and rejection similar to that of Peter in Luke 22:31-34.      

            Finally, I pray that our church becomes a place of world famous faith. This may happen through times of difficulty and struggle. However, with the church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) as our example may we too speak truth in the midst trouble. May the Lord continue to build and encourage your faith in Him.