1 Thess 3:1-5

SCRIPTURE

1 Thess 3:1-5
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

COMMENT

Paul did not want his suffering to cause the discouragement of others. Did you hear that? He was suffering for Christ, but did not want that to limit the faith of others. He did not want others to be moved (away from the faith?) by his afflictions. Not that he was hiding them, not that he was preaching some kind of gospel that said everything should go your way now, he just did not want to see others moving away from their faith because of his suffering. 

A few take-aways:

• Paul was not only passionate about Jesus, he was passionate about the genuine faith of others. I think that is part of being passionate about Jesus. How can we say we love Jesus while watching others go to hell?
• Paul suffered for his faith, but did not view that suffering as something to be avoided. He was content with his lot in life because of his passion for Jesus.
• Paul did not hide his afflictions from others. He even states that, "you yourselves know that we are destined for this." No "your best life now" stuff. And I believe that when he ways WE, he is referring to him and them and not him and those with him. WE will suffer afflictions for our faith. Do not let the suffering of others or of your own diminish your faith.

1 Thess 2:9-12

SCRIPTURE

1 Thess 2:9-12

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. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, 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.

COMMENT

How opposite is this of the church today. Today, preachers sit on pedestals. We honor (dare I say worship?) them. They are our Christianity. What they say is what we believe. What they do is what we do. Yes, we expect a lot out of them. But that is the result when they are your belief system. So we treat them gingerly. At least until they offend us. What should the church look like? Here are some thoughts.

Rather than one individual studying the Scriptures to tell us how to believe, maybe everyone studies them. Wouldn't that be novel? I recall taking a survey for a game we were going to play with the youth, a Family Feud type of game. We surveyed the congregation for answers. One question was, "Who is your favorite Bible King?" Number one answer was King James. I was talking with someone the other day who stated, "Well Jesus was not perfect either. He must have sinned as a child." Yet the Bible says that in order for Him to be the atonement for our sins, He must be perfect. But let's forget about the average pew-warmer for a moment, let's talk about preachers and what they sell. Things like "Your Best Life Now" clear the shelves and build mansions for the author. Want a better prayer life, then pray in Circles, just like Mark Batterson does. I am not only offended by the people who write this trash, but by the preachers to promote it, help sell it, hold "Bible" studies around it or preach from it.

What if preachers were just one of us? What is we didn't have extravagant buildings and budgets and programs to sell Jesus to the masses? What if we were all in the trenches and just needed someone more experienced to encourage us, rather than live it our for us? What would a church like that say to the world?  What if we did it like it was written in the book of 1 Thessalonians?

Romans 14:13-19,23

SCRIPTURE

Romans 14:13-19,23
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

COMMENT

This is an interesting passage to try and understand, because you could take the idea of being a stumbling block to extremes on either side. On the one hand you could seriously try to avoid anything that someone else might deem sinful, alcohol, R-rated movies, cursing, near cursing (darn it), PG-rated movies, lack of tithing, not working on Sunday, etc. I think to live such a life would be a joyless, anxiety filled existence. So on the other hand, you could just do as you please because Jesus "got your back." You don't have to worry about what others think, because they are not your master, Jesus is. If Jesus wants you to drink, you do it. If you want to curse, you do it. Etc. I think to live such a life as a Christian is not really living a Christian life.

I think the truth lies in the middle, but it is a hard middle to define. I don't decide to put a stumbling block in the way of a brother. In other words, I limit my freedom with intention. Where that intention lies is an individual decision, but one that is made with my brother's interests at heart, because doing so ultimately puts Jesus's interests at heart. I know that nothing I eat is unclean, but for my weaker brother's sake, I do not eat it because that is not acting out of love for him or my Savior.

Do not destroy your brother, who is weaker in faith, by intentionally doing things that he believes are wrong.  If you know it offends, you sacrifice your freedom for his sake. That does not mean that you cannot do anything anyone might find offensive, that is legalism, and Paul has very strong words for legalists, just read Galatians. But as Paul states, the kingdom of heaven is a matter of righteousness and peace. Righteousness and peace are about relationships, and we cannot have either if we do not love our brothers. Remember Christ's teachings about adultery, how even looking at a woman lustfully is wrong? Remember how our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law? If we sacrifice a freedom in order to save a brother, that pales in comparison to the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. That is a tough teaching, but I believe it is the truth.

Romans 12:1,2

SCRIPTURE

Romans 12:1,2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

LANGUAGE

Appeal (Vs 1)  παρακαλέω parakaleō; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke  — beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.

COMMENT

Let's begin by talking about the interpretation of this verse. The word "appeal" (ESV & RSV) is rendered "urge" (NIV, NASB, & HCSB), beseech (KJV & ASV), and "encourage" (CEB). How you interpret Paul using this word seems to determine your understanding of this passage. It Paul issuing a command or is he inviting others to join him. As I look at the Greek meaning (above), and from what I gather of Paul in the context of what he is saying, this is an invitation to join him in his journey as a follower of God. The "therefore" in my opinion, refers to what Paul has been saying in 11:33-36, where Paul is basically singing in praise of God, and how He is superior to us in all ways, and is as such deserving of all praise. So he invites us to present ourselves before God as a living sacrifice because of the mercy of this all powerful and all knowing being, who has provided salvation. This is why we worship. It is not, and cannot be a command to earn God's favor. That is what the world says and offers, pay your penance and give God His due so that you can get your due. But our offering is always going to fall short. Do you want to know what God's will for you is? Love Him, then you will know his will for you.