So far in our “All Hands on Deck series” we have learned
about how important it is to have present hands (corporate worship), praying
hands, and obedient hands (that is, to the Word of God) as we seek to
accomplish the mission of God on board the ship that is the church. In so
doing, we have come to appreciate that corporate worship is not a mundane
ritual, but an integral part of our mission to know Christ, grow in Christ, and
show Christ in this world. We’ve also been reminded that before anything, prayer
must be offered from a genuine heart that is dependent on the Lord and expectant for His answer. Furthermore, we
proved that that the Word of God gives us our marching orders and must be
revered above all other narratives. Today, as we continue our series, we are going
to celebrate yet at another important element of the strategy our church has
for accomplishing our great mandate while on the high seas of our culture—meaningful
relationships. After all, how effective is a crew going to be if there is no camaraderie among its ranks.
Relationships have proven absolutely essential in my life.
In fact, the old adage, “it is not what you know; it is who you know” helped
give me several jobs, recruit workers for this church, and accomplish different
tasks and responsibilities. Relationships have picked me up when I was brought
low, surrounded my family when we needed it most, and have helped conform me
more into Christ’s image. Relationships are paramount to the life and health of
every church. Paul understood this when he wrote to the church in
Thessalonica—a small church in a brave new world (sound familiar). In 1
Thessalonians 5:8-11, Paul presents three elements of relationships that are
important for us to keep in mind as we work to accomplish the greatest mission
ever given.
I. ELEMENT #1: The
Occasion for Relationship-5:8
The verses leading up to this passage address the coming
age, “the times and the epochs” (5:1). In these times, Paul predicts that the Lord
will come like a thief in the night, there will be destruction, and darkness
will sweep across the planet. However, those to whom this letter is addressed
(the church body in Thessalonica), need not worry, for they are called, “sons
of light,…” (1 Thess. 5:5). To be a person of the day means to be illuminated
with the life of Christ, who is “the light.” Therefore, Paul says “since we are
children of the day…” there are certain encouragements necessary for the
ministry to go forward during the difficult times to come.
John 8:12-“Then
Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who
follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
Those who have the light of Christ are called to live in the
coming age (the age in which we are living right now) conspicuously different
from the world around them.
Sons and daughters of light are to live “soberly” in a world
that is out of control. This word means to be in complete control over one’s
thought processes and thus not in danger of irrational thinking.
Consider what people are like when they are inebriated.
Often when people are drunk they are inhibition free, willing to do
embarrassing or even dangerous stunts on a whim or a dare. This often ends in
disaster. Stammering around, those who are drunk or high yield control of their
mind any number of substances, rendering them open to irrational and
nonsensical thinking.
This is prohibited for those who are sons and daughters of
light. And before you redact this command to literal sobriety from alcohol,
consider the general principle to which this image is pointing. Christians are
not to yield control of their minds over to anyone or anything except the Holy
Spirit. In other words, alcohol is not the only thing Christians can get drunk
on or a buzz from. Success, possessions, image, money, sex, etc. Paul’s call
for the church in Thessalonica is to be sober in all areas. In a world of
stammering drunks, believers are to remain clear-headed and steadfastly
focused.
What causes this level of focus in a world that is like a
bar offering an assortment of spirits? Paul quickly changes metaphors to answer
this question, “having put on the breast-plate of faith and love, and as a
helmet, the hope of salvation…” (5:8). Standing on the threshold of the coming
age, complete with destruction and darkness, and drunkenness, Christians should
arm themselves for action with self-control by means of a breast-plate and
helmet.
The Roman breastplate referred to here would have covered a
soldier from his neck to his waist and protected his most vital organs. This is
what “faith and love” does for the believer’s spiritual lives. Faith and love
protect the believer from the coming onslaught of evil.
Consider the nature of these two terms for a moment. Both
faith and love are transitive, meaning they require an understood object as the
recipient for the action they imply. A disciple cannot exercise faith without
placing that faith in something or someone. Similarly, a disciple cannot love
without an understood person or object receiving and reciprocating that love.
The greatest of all objects of faith and love is God Himself that is
demonstrated most clearly in intimate relationship.
While the breastplate protects the vital organs, the helmet
protects the head, the seat of the mind and reason. In the believer’s case,
protection comes in the form of hope through salvation. The salvation of the
disciple was the source of hope for all in the early church and remains the
most appropriate source of hope for the believer today. The church at
Thessalonica would have to rely on the hope of their salvation when things
would get rough, and so should we.
These verses teach us that one must be dressed and behaving appropriately in order to make the most of the relationships God has provided us. It is similar to a crew on board a navy vessel. They have protocols in place for proper behavior and dress in a certain way in an effort to foster unity and camaraderie.
Sobriety, preparedness, and hope provide an opportunity for
relationship to take place in the life of Jesus’ disciples. It is hard to have
a functional relationship with a drunk or someone who is unprepared for such or
someone who is hopeless. Sobriety, faith, love, and hope create an amazing
opportunity for believers to have a relationship with God and with other
disciples. However, what
paved the way for this opportunity in the place?
II. ELEMENT #2: The
Allowance for Relationship-5:9-10
“For God has not destined us for wrath” (5:9a). The disciple
is allowed to enjoy relationship with God and His people because God has not
and will not assign wrath to them. Why would He spill out His wrath on those
that He has saved? Why would He punish those who have apprehended the grace of
God through Christ? The wrath that is to come upon the world in the days that
Paul predicts here will pass over those who already belong to God.
This is not unlike what took place for the Hebrew slaves in
Egypt. In the same way God’s wrath passed over the doors of the Hebrew slaves,
His wrath passes over His children in the last days, rendering a relationship
with Him possible and welcome.
In the place of deserved wrath, God provides the ultimate
gift, “obtaining salvation” (1 Thess. 5:9). This is the antithesis of wrath
reserved for those who are not in the faith. For Jesus’ disciples, the greatest
judgment is usurped by the greatest grace, punishment and penalty is
overwhelmed by love and welcome. God’s gift of salvation is the definition of
supererogation. (Take time to define supererogation).
This greatest of all gifts was given by means of the
greatest of all acts, the Passion of Jesus Christ, “through our Lord Jesus
Christ, who died for us…” (1 Thess. 5:9c-10). The cross is where light shined
in the darkness to bring the opportunity of faith to the faithless world, love
in the midst of hate, and hope in growing despair. As mentioned in Hebrews 10:19-25, Jesus’
flesh is the doorway through which all disciples enjoy relationship with God
(see also Jn. 10:9; 14:6).
Paul concludes this thought by giving the reason for the
salvific work of Christ in the first place—relationship, “so that whether we
are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him…”(1 Thess. 5:10b). The
purpose of Jesus and His cross is restored relationship with God together with other believers. God did come to
die to save individuals, He died to save a church! However, what does Paul mean
by “whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him…”? A clue to
the meaning of this is given in verse 6.
1 Thess. 5:6-“so
then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”
Paul’s point here is that Christians are assured life
together with God and in meaningful relationship with brothers and sisters,
whether they are spiritually watchful or not. The relationship given to
believers through Christ’s sacrifice is unconditional—there are no strings
attached. Does this then give the believer’s license to act poorly? Absolutely
not! (mh ginoita-to adopt another
Pauline word). Instead, the unconditional nature of this precious gift should
motivate disciples to make the most of the relationship that has been made
possible through Jesus.
III. ELEMENT #3: The Command for
Relationship-5:11
One way for the disciple to make the most of their relationship
with God is to capitalize of his or her relationships with others in the body
of Christ, “Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as
you also are doing…”(5:11). The command here is to “be actively consoling one
another through various means, building each other up.” It describes a vibrant
community of like-minded people spurring each other on as the world continues
to propel itself toward destruction. Think of crew members on board a war
vessel inspiring each other with battle hymns and pep talks. This is something
that Paul wanted to continue to see in the church of Thessalonica and it is
something that he commends of them as well, “just as you also are doing.”
Evidence that this church was already excelling in this endeavor can be seen
earlier in Paul’s letter.
1 Thess. 4:9-10-“Now
as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you,
for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do
practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you,
brethren, to excel still more,…”
The church of Thessalonica made it their habit to be about
the business of building each other up and encouraging one another. This
phenomenon of mutual encouragement, through vibrant relationships within the
body of Christ, is built on the foundation of their collective relationship
with God through Jesus Christ. Paul says to this church, “keep doing what
you’re doing because of what Christ has done for you.”
So What?
This calling upon the church of Thessalonica is not unlike
the calling that has been placed upon us here in South Roanoke. As Jesus’
disciples, we are commanded to make the most of our relationship with God
through Jesus Christ by giving ourselves to meaningful relationship with our
brothers and sisters here in this local body. This is one way in which we will know
Christ, grow in Christ, and show Christ to others. “Some Christians try to go
to heaven alone.... But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other
animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this
respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God’s
people”- Charles Spurgeon
But what is Crystal Spring doing to help foster this kind of
community? What are we doing here to help you make the most of each other?
The answer is found in our more intimate group settings,
both in the Sunday morning hour at 10:00am and on Wednesday nights at 6:00pm
and 7:00pm. These groups meet not because we feel like we have to do something
at those times or because we want to be like other churches or for my health.
We offer these opportunities for your benefit as times in which you can learn
from each other, encourage one another through prayer, and build each other up
as we all strive to live soberly in this world around us. Our commitment is to
do the best we can to make these groups assessable, approachable, and worth
your time. Are you making the most of what is being offered whenever you can?
You are not making the most of your relationship with Christ (the groom) if you
are not making the most of your relationship with the church (his bride). Whatever
you do, don’t miss out on all that God would have you gain through this
phenomenon called relationship. For it is in the crucible of godly relationships
that we grow more sober, faithful, and hopeful in an increasingly inebriated,
faithless, and hopeless world.
No comments:
Post a Comment