2nd November 2008 (All Saints)
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
A number of things stand out in this passage of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian Christians. We are immediately struck by what looks suspiciously like boasting. Paul is never afraid to tell people to imitate him – he really wanted people to do as he did, which was completely in line with what he preached. There was no trace of pride in it; Paul did not glory in his own righteousness but in that of Christ, for he was only too aware of the man he was before he met Jesus. He did his utmost to set a good example, so that people could see how to live as well as hear about it. What is more, he expected his hearers to do the same. Any talk such as ‘Do what I say, not what I do’ would have been abhorrent to him.
Paul also had a high view of the message he preached. He knew that it was God’s message, not his own. He did not want people to praise him for thought-provoking sermons. Still less did he expect praise for his oratory – in those days his presentation left a lot to be desired, and he knew it. However, he knew it was God’s truth, and he presented it as such. What pleased him more than anything else was that it was received as God’s word, and that the message made a difference and was still making a difference to his hearers. When we receive Christian teaching today, we too must listen to what God is saying to us. Speakers today will never speak 100% God’s words; we need to listen carefully and take to heart that part of the message which we feel is in line with Scripture, and is relevant to our own situations. The passion, humour, language are not the main point; God may be saying something very important to us through a terrible speaker!
Note how Paul summarises his message. It was mainly about ‘how to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.’ (v.12.) He knew that we are utterly unable to live lives that deserve entry into God’s kingdom (Romans 3:23), and a life worthy of God is not about merit. It is about our response to God’s grace, his unmerited favour. Paul taught the new Christians what sort of life was consistent with their new situation. Through their faith in Jesus Christ they now had a close personal relationship with God the Father almighty. They were his children, on their way to their home with him in his kingdom where they would live for ever in glory – all because of what Jesus had done by his death on the cross and resurrection. What they needed to know was how they could give God pleasure, how to live as children of God and citizens of his kingdom, what was a suitable response to all God had done for them. That’s the Christian life that Paul exemplified!
Questions:
1) What do you think new Christians need to learn?
2) How can we encourage members of our church to be confident examples of following Christ?