Growing in Faith and Love, If not Now when? - Study 1/20/11
Growing in Faith and Love, If not Now when?
This past week, America has been blessed to know the youngest of the Tucson Arizona shooting tragedy. Christina Green (nine years old) was born on September 11, 2001, the day America mourned because of terrorist attack that killed about 3000 people. Christina loved people and wanted to serve and be involved. She was an A student and was elected member of her elementary school student council. Christina, we learned was the only girl in all-boys Little League baseball Team and she also sang in the choir. “She was an athlete, a good dancer, a good gymnast, a good swimmer,” her mother said. “She belonged to Kids Helping Kids charity and tried to help children less fortunate.”
Christina’s neighbor took her to meet her Congress woman at a political event where she was shot by a mentally disturbed man. Christina died (with five others) living out her life and doing what she loved doing. I would say Christina lived out God’s call on her life. Even in death, Christina is still living out her call because her parents donated her organs and a Boston girl is a recipient.
What a short life with impact! Christina reminds me of the Thessalonians’ Church that was born in adversity/persecution (see Acts 17), young but growing with great impact. Apostle Paul wrote them saying, “Your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”(vs.3-4) Like Christina (who rightly bears a name for all of us Christians) the Thessalonians lived by faith and love. This is the only way to live; “for without faith it is impossible to please God”. Trusting God, stepping out into the unknown and leaving the outcome, consequences to God is living by faith.
Are you living by faith? Is your faith and love for God’s people growing? Unfortunately, some of us are still in “spiritual diapers”. You may have believed (many years ago) in Christ as your savior and Lord but you are still afraid to fully trust God and step out. When will you live out your calling? If not now, when? Sorry, I was just talking to myself. At 51; if not now but when for me? Listen to Paul’s observation of the Corinthian Church. 1 “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). How would your report card read today if it were to be read by Apostle Paul?
Let’s see the Thessalonians’ foundation for growth because without the proper soil and foundation, there is no real growth. Growth in faith and love does not mean perfection because the Thessalonians still had a lot to learn and practice.
2 Thessalonians 1
1 Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters,[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.[c]
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. The Thessalonian Church was God’s Church and God’s people. “The church of the Thessalonians in God” vs.1. The word used here for Church in Greek means the “called-out ones”. Paul reminds them, you are the called-out ones and you are called by God himself and you belong to him. This is peppered through the first and second letter for example in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. The Thessalonians knew who called them and what they were called out from—“You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”(1Thes 1:9).We must know who has called us and know that it is only by His grace we started the journey and by grace we grow and reach our destination – God’s presence.
2. Apostle Paul restated a major doctrine of the Christian Faith in the opening remarks and other parts of the Letter. It may not be obvious but it is constant in all of Paul’s Letters. The doctrine of the Trinity. I know what you are saying already. “Let’s leave that to the theologians and the seminarians. No, it was important then and still now to us. “In God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” vs.1. Also “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” vs. 3. Notice that there is only one God and there is the person of the Father and the Son –the Lord Jesus Christ. God in the person of the Holy Spirit already lives in the Thessalonian believers and all believers (1Thes 4:8). The implication is that Jesus is God who is sinless and could save us from our sin. Jesus Christ is God and not a created being contrary to teachings of some cults. Neither is He an angel but He is coming back with His angels (vs.7). The politically correct wants us to see Jesus as just a nice fellow and moral teacher. If He is not God then He is not my Jesus.
3. The Thessalonians grew in the midst of trials and persecutions. In fact this has been a proven method of growth for God’s Church and people. “Among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring” vs.4. We all want to grow in faith but we are reluctant to embrace the ingredients of trials and persecutions. In fact the Christian life is the life of “overcomers” (Revelation 2:26). There has to be something that should always drive us to God to trust Him. James encourages us “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). We must therefore pray without ceasing.
4. Notice that Faith works by love in action. How can we claim to love God whom we have not seen if we cannot even love our fellow human whom we live with. “Your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing” vs.3. This is what Apostle James calls true religion. Faith and love must be practical – caring for the orphans and widows and etc. The Thessalonians impacted others through their practical faith and love. The evidence of their growing faith was in what they gave (their lives to others) and not what they filled their closets and garages with the latest clothes and cars.
5. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Let us grow in faith through reading, listening, study and meditation of the word of God. Then let’s put the Word to action because faith without works is dead. How can you and I live out our faith in 2011?
“So, if not now but when”? We cannot be just hearers but doers of the Word. Jesus said “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46). Many of us are afraid to cross the street to get to know our neighbors. From a distance we conclude that they do not seem friendly when in reality we have not approached them.
Christina Green said if not now but when at the age of 9. For you and me, if not now but when at – age (fill in your age). Keep in mind that our current age could be our last age before eternity. It was 9 for Christina. What is your calling? I know one for sure that applies to all of us. Jesus already called us to “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). If not now but when will you “GO”? Have you ever spoken to some about believing in Jesus for salvation? Step out this year and fulfill your call from God. Lord God, please help us to fulfill your call on our lives by your Grace. Amen.
This past week, America has been blessed to know the youngest of the Tucson Arizona shooting tragedy. Christina Green (nine years old) was born on September 11, 2001, the day America mourned because of terrorist attack that killed about 3000 people. Christina loved people and wanted to serve and be involved. She was an A student and was elected member of her elementary school student council. Christina, we learned was the only girl in all-boys Little League baseball Team and she also sang in the choir. “She was an athlete, a good dancer, a good gymnast, a good swimmer,” her mother said. “She belonged to Kids Helping Kids charity and tried to help children less fortunate.”
Christina’s neighbor took her to meet her Congress woman at a political event where she was shot by a mentally disturbed man. Christina died (with five others) living out her life and doing what she loved doing. I would say Christina lived out God’s call on her life. Even in death, Christina is still living out her call because her parents donated her organs and a Boston girl is a recipient.
What a short life with impact! Christina reminds me of the Thessalonians’ Church that was born in adversity/persecution (see Acts 17), young but growing with great impact. Apostle Paul wrote them saying, “Your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”(vs.3-4) Like Christina (who rightly bears a name for all of us Christians) the Thessalonians lived by faith and love. This is the only way to live; “for without faith it is impossible to please God”. Trusting God, stepping out into the unknown and leaving the outcome, consequences to God is living by faith.
Are you living by faith? Is your faith and love for God’s people growing? Unfortunately, some of us are still in “spiritual diapers”. You may have believed (many years ago) in Christ as your savior and Lord but you are still afraid to fully trust God and step out. When will you live out your calling? If not now, when? Sorry, I was just talking to myself. At 51; if not now but when for me? Listen to Paul’s observation of the Corinthian Church. 1 “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). How would your report card read today if it were to be read by Apostle Paul?
Let’s see the Thessalonians’ foundation for growth because without the proper soil and foundation, there is no real growth. Growth in faith and love does not mean perfection because the Thessalonians still had a lot to learn and practice.
2 Thessalonians 1
1 Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters,[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.[c]
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. The Thessalonian Church was God’s Church and God’s people. “The church of the Thessalonians in God” vs.1. The word used here for Church in Greek means the “called-out ones”. Paul reminds them, you are the called-out ones and you are called by God himself and you belong to him. This is peppered through the first and second letter for example in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. The Thessalonians knew who called them and what they were called out from—“You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”(1Thes 1:9).We must know who has called us and know that it is only by His grace we started the journey and by grace we grow and reach our destination – God’s presence.
2. Apostle Paul restated a major doctrine of the Christian Faith in the opening remarks and other parts of the Letter. It may not be obvious but it is constant in all of Paul’s Letters. The doctrine of the Trinity. I know what you are saying already. “Let’s leave that to the theologians and the seminarians. No, it was important then and still now to us. “In God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” vs.1. Also “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” vs. 3. Notice that there is only one God and there is the person of the Father and the Son –the Lord Jesus Christ. God in the person of the Holy Spirit already lives in the Thessalonian believers and all believers (1Thes 4:8). The implication is that Jesus is God who is sinless and could save us from our sin. Jesus Christ is God and not a created being contrary to teachings of some cults. Neither is He an angel but He is coming back with His angels (vs.7). The politically correct wants us to see Jesus as just a nice fellow and moral teacher. If He is not God then He is not my Jesus.
3. The Thessalonians grew in the midst of trials and persecutions. In fact this has been a proven method of growth for God’s Church and people. “Among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring” vs.4. We all want to grow in faith but we are reluctant to embrace the ingredients of trials and persecutions. In fact the Christian life is the life of “overcomers” (Revelation 2:26). There has to be something that should always drive us to God to trust Him. James encourages us “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). We must therefore pray without ceasing.
4. Notice that Faith works by love in action. How can we claim to love God whom we have not seen if we cannot even love our fellow human whom we live with. “Your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing” vs.3. This is what Apostle James calls true religion. Faith and love must be practical – caring for the orphans and widows and etc. The Thessalonians impacted others through their practical faith and love. The evidence of their growing faith was in what they gave (their lives to others) and not what they filled their closets and garages with the latest clothes and cars.
5. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Let us grow in faith through reading, listening, study and meditation of the word of God. Then let’s put the Word to action because faith without works is dead. How can you and I live out our faith in 2011?
“So, if not now but when”? We cannot be just hearers but doers of the Word. Jesus said “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46). Many of us are afraid to cross the street to get to know our neighbors. From a distance we conclude that they do not seem friendly when in reality we have not approached them.
Christina Green said if not now but when at the age of 9. For you and me, if not now but when at – age (fill in your age). Keep in mind that our current age could be our last age before eternity. It was 9 for Christina. What is your calling? I know one for sure that applies to all of us. Jesus already called us to “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). If not now but when will you “GO”? Have you ever spoken to some about believing in Jesus for salvation? Step out this year and fulfill your call from God. Lord God, please help us to fulfill your call on our lives by your Grace. Amen.
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