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Wednesday, October 27, 2004
For a New Testament look at joy being able to help us take things from “Head to Heart,” we’ll spend a couple of days in 1 Thessalonians. It might be helpful to read chapter 1 a couple of times before you dive in to these lessons.
As you can see, Paul, speaking for Silas and Timothy is writing to the “church” at Thessalonica. The Greek word for church is ekklesia, which means “called-out ones.” They’ve been called-out by God to give Him glory.
Paul gives thanks to God for them and sets a friendly tone to the letter by letting them know that he’s praying for them on a consistent basis.
But note what Paul has on his mind regarding these “called out” people in verse 3: “…constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hpe in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.”
If you look closely you can see that there are three virtues we’ve already touched on in this “head to heart” series:
First, they came to Christ in faith. That’s the very starting point of the spiritual life. No matter what station we find ourselves in, whether kings or homeless, pastors or farmers, star athletes or average students, we all come to Christ the same way. And no one can begin living a truly abundant life unless they’ve taken this step. We all show up equal at the foot of the cross.
Secondly, they served out of love. We touched on that in some earlier lessons as well. Check the archives for a more detailed look at this topic…but making the choice to serve others is fundamental in living head to heart. Remember the Donald Miller quote: The greatest lie I have ever contended with is this, that life is a story about me. It isn’t a story about me at all, but about God at work in human history, and serving that process makes life much more abundant.
Finally, they stood firm in hope. We all get the idea of standing firm, but the reason they were standing firm is WHO their hope was in. They firmly believed that Christ was coming back for them any minute now, and that this world is only temporary and He would give them strength. When you start looking at this world through God’s glasses, it gives you strength to stand firm.
They were being persecuted, no doubt (we’ll see more on that tomorrow). But they were living an abundant life. Head to heart, because of those three elements.
In verse 4 we see that they were “brothers.” Family, chosen by God. It’s interesting to start looking at those around you in church or youth group or wherever you hang out with other believers as “family.” We’re going to be rubbing shoulders for all eternity so we may as well begin practicing now, with our current warts and all.
Finally, in verse 5, we see that they didn’t get clever speeches about Christ, but rather the Holy Spirit was teaching them, convicting them and giving them power. Dunamis…that explosive kind of power. Note that Paul’s lifestyle gave the message it’s validity.
And that’s the question for today: Does our lifestyle, how we live in front of the world, highlight our message. That message that’s supposed to talk about how we came to faith in Christ…that message that’s supposed to talk about how we serve out of love…that message about us standing firm in hope…
…that message that says we’re out-living those that don’t know God. Are we? Are we really?
Joy Continued: 1 Thessalonians 1: 1—5.
For a New Testament look at joy being able to help us take things from “Head to Heart,” we’ll spend a couple of days in 1 Thessalonians. It might be helpful to read chapter 1 a couple of times before you dive in to these lessons.
As you can see, Paul, speaking for Silas and Timothy is writing to the “church” at Thessalonica. The Greek word for church is ekklesia, which means “called-out ones.” They’ve been called-out by God to give Him glory.
Paul gives thanks to God for them and sets a friendly tone to the letter by letting them know that he’s praying for them on a consistent basis.
But note what Paul has on his mind regarding these “called out” people in verse 3: “…constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hpe in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.”
If you look closely you can see that there are three virtues we’ve already touched on in this “head to heart” series:
First, they came to Christ in faith. That’s the very starting point of the spiritual life. No matter what station we find ourselves in, whether kings or homeless, pastors or farmers, star athletes or average students, we all come to Christ the same way. And no one can begin living a truly abundant life unless they’ve taken this step. We all show up equal at the foot of the cross.
Secondly, they served out of love. We touched on that in some earlier lessons as well. Check the archives for a more detailed look at this topic…but making the choice to serve others is fundamental in living head to heart. Remember the Donald Miller quote: The greatest lie I have ever contended with is this, that life is a story about me. It isn’t a story about me at all, but about God at work in human history, and serving that process makes life much more abundant.
Finally, they stood firm in hope. We all get the idea of standing firm, but the reason they were standing firm is WHO their hope was in. They firmly believed that Christ was coming back for them any minute now, and that this world is only temporary and He would give them strength. When you start looking at this world through God’s glasses, it gives you strength to stand firm.
They were being persecuted, no doubt (we’ll see more on that tomorrow). But they were living an abundant life. Head to heart, because of those three elements.
In verse 4 we see that they were “brothers.” Family, chosen by God. It’s interesting to start looking at those around you in church or youth group or wherever you hang out with other believers as “family.” We’re going to be rubbing shoulders for all eternity so we may as well begin practicing now, with our current warts and all.
Finally, in verse 5, we see that they didn’t get clever speeches about Christ, but rather the Holy Spirit was teaching them, convicting them and giving them power. Dunamis…that explosive kind of power. Note that Paul’s lifestyle gave the message it’s validity.
And that’s the question for today: Does our lifestyle, how we live in front of the world, highlight our message. That message that’s supposed to talk about how we came to faith in Christ…that message that’s supposed to talk about how we serve out of love…that message about us standing firm in hope…
…that message that says we’re out-living those that don’t know God. Are we? Are we really?
Brent 7:22 AM
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