1 Thessalonians 2
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.
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.
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 wrath has come upon them at last!
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you —I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
Paul wrote Thessalonians in the Holy Spirit as John wrote the Gospel of John. Both have something in common, they do not employ parables.
Just as Jesus sent His Disciples out to do work. All the Disciples will have a different order and path where the Holy Spirit grows them. And John, being the Disciple who stayed with Jesus, probably did not consider the parables very puzzling. John remembers walking in awe and wonder with the Son of God.
Today - we had a mountain injury, both my sons went mountain biking. The kind where your bike is on a tram going up the Teton Mountain, partially, and then there are paths. Obstacles, swerves, dips, dirt, hills - created just to make the path more interesting. My youngest son found 'air' fastest and with more confidence; he took classes on mountain biking in college. I asked if this was being tired and was told it was, with an over confidence. So far, we do not have a trip to the doctor, but my very loved son has a very swollen hand and very blackened eye with multiple large, large bandages. He found the path rose up to meet him through the 'handle' bars.
Which echoed a conversation I had with Edward about life. And making life meaningful.
Do we want to sit carefully and blandly - just quietly doing our lives. Playing it safe. All about our own plans. Eventually Solomon described Ecclesiastes House. The great plans still and the days become quiet, the children age, the fountain does not pump water, the weeds grow up, the days are seen as over and done. Solomon says this is inevitable. There is sadness in Ecclesiastes.
We see this wisdom today.
Balance, balance, balance. Balance.
Be wise. Cautious.
Be grateful. Be.
Be over, be superlative. Strive.
Be direct, be assertive. Dominate.
Be involved, be productive. Legacy.
Be kind, be gracious. Meaningful.
To never put your hat in the ring - is to be sought ... maybe. And is so seductively safe.
To be bland is to be sophisticated. And admired.
To give and put forward kindness is a risk. Why do this when only the reward of applause is the goal.
And frankly, that's a lot of hats.
Notice with me, Paul does not use Parables and neither does John. And we have mixed allegories and parables with decades, generations and millenniums.
Let's cut to the chase. We live in a time where we move on. Travel has increased. If you don't like today, move on.
What we need to remember is the destination - is the same. So is the goal. We are going to present our souls. We are building. Being part of the 'toss it' generation, we see many, many things as disposable. And Grace as renewable. Building actually is about permanence. With faith, we are saying we build our souls. This is Permanent.
Let's look at the - Text.
Amidst Conflict -
Build.
Approval from God.
Be able to be entrusted.
When we have tested our own heart -
We witness - our own sincerity.
What Glory do we seek - temporary - enduring.
Our soul speaks to God of - affection, tenderness, a dear soul, a warm heart.
We want our God to be our Father.
The Prodigal Father, our God, endeavors
eagerly
and with great desire
to see you
face to face.
Our Father who would say tenderly
"You are joy, beloved, Child."
Jesus did NOT say Ecclesiastes was to be our inevitable burden.
Jesus told, His brother, James about this; to ask Wisdom.
James 1
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant;
its flower falls and its beauty is lost.
So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,
because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
What are these riches?
Surely not dollars.
The riches of being with and loving the ones God has given us.
Adding goodness to lives we love.
Having meaning. To Love. To be Loved.
Enjoying, using, rejoicing in the gifts Father God has given us to enjoy our unique life.
Is this believable? Jesus found this life to be Joy. His Life was difficult. How? The Joy of the Lord is Strength. Gratitude.
Belief God is going to help.
Then we blast into eternity, fulfilling our pursuits with Love, Joy, Peace, Goodness, Forbearance, Faith, Verve. True way, truth, Life. Using the gifts Father God has given us to enjoy our unique life.
Abba,
Filled in Christ, You are the head of all rule and authority.
Our Father, help us each day to meet the day with the Willingness of Jesus. To create meaningful life using the tools, the time, the opportunity to seize the day, the blessing to bless You and enable us to have Love, Joy, Peace, Faith, Patience, Fire of God. And to aid and comfort, interest and tenderly care for the people we Love and You have given us.
We bless You for what You have given us. And look with Joy to what You are bringing us in Your Goodness. Our Hope and Future.
Abba, when we are face to face, we find Our hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love. Reaching all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ Jesus. Finding in Jesus, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Rejoicing to see Your good order and Your Steadfast Love.
Life. In the wonderful Love of Jesus, we have seen You, our Father. Amen and blessings in Jesus Christ.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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