will I be surprised?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

This section continues on from the last part of chapter 4: talking about the return of Christ and the end times. Here, Paul exposits (I don't know if that's actually the right word but as long as no one else does, I think it makes me sound smart!) on another statement of Jesus about the end times: the return of Christ will be like a thief who comes in the night - no one is expecting him, otherwise people would have been ready. He also references another statement that Jesus made that the signs of the end will be like labour pains. I don't know how far to take the comparison. At the very least Jesus and Paul are saying that out of the pain, something great will come (a baby for the woman, the return of Christ for the Christian). However, he could also be saying that the pains and trials will increase in frequency and intensity until the end.
Paul indicates that as children of light we who follow Jesus should not be as surprised by the return of Christ as the rest of the world. I don't think he's saying that we will know exactly when Jesus is coming back but that we won't be as surprised because we should not be asleep and unexpectant. We are awake, alert and watching. We live our lives in faith, love and the hope of salvation as if Christ could actually return at any moment. This doesn't mean that we won't be surprised. It's sort of like playing "peek-a-boo" with Zach - he knows I'm going to stick my head around the corner but he's not sure exactly when so he waits with a huge grin on his face and light dancing in his eyes and if I delay my peek he calls for me. When I finally do poke my head around the corner it is a delightful surprise to him. That's how I should be waiting for Jesus - eager anticipation, light dancing in my eyes. Someday I am going to see Jesus - it doesn't matter if I die (am asleep in verse 10) or am still alive (awake in verse 10)! No wonder Paul tells us to encourage each other with these words.

Paul's take on the end times

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Paul's concern here is that the Thessalonian church had some wrong beliefs about what would happen to those who were disciples of Christ but died before Christ's return. It is not indicated exactly what they believed but from the fact that they were grieving like everyone else, they probably believed that the dead ceased to exist and only those who were alive at Christ's return would live with him forever.
The key phrase in this passage is "according to the Lord's word." This means that Paul is taking his teaching on the return of Christ from Christ's teaching on his return. The place we find this teaching is in Matthew 24 and it is easy to see the parallels: there are clouds, there are angels and there are trumpets. Paul, through the inspiration of the Spirit, has passed on some further insight: the dead in Christ will rise first and we will go up to meet Jesus in the air, joining his army as he returns to take his rightful place as king.
The point of Paul's teaching isn't so much to explain everything that's going to happen when Jesus returns but to comfort and encourage the Thessalonians who believed that they would never see their dead relatives again (and that once they died, they would never see the fulfillment of the kingdom). The end of the paragraph is the key: encourage one another with these words. What an encouragement these words are: someday Jesus will return but if I should die before then, not even death can prevent me from seeing the fulfillment of Christ's kingdom. Lord, come!

mind your own business

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Love is a key word in this passage - particularly love for fellow believers. Paul is encouraged by the love the Thessalonian Christians are demonstrating for each other and for all their brothers and sisters in the region. Paul is concerned that they are getting a bit lazy and are starting to be busybodies. He reminds them that their love for their brothers and sisters and their work ethic will be two things that will win the respect of the general population.
I agree with Paul very strongly. People may not understand what we believe or the reasons why we meet together. They might not understand our traditions and our worship but they should be able to say that we love each other and that we are honest, hard working people. I am concerned when I look at the state of Christian's lives in my sphere of influence. There is a definite increase in selfishness and self-centerdness. There is an increased feeling of entitlement and the job market has made it very easy to demand much from the employer and give very little back. Friendships have always been a bit egocentric (what can this person do for me and my reputation?) but I see a greater willingness to walk away from people if the relationship is not of some benefit. I also need this reminder - especially during the summer. It's easier for me to slack off a bit because there aren't any urgent programming needs. However, I owe a decent day's work. The church deserves my best efforts and my honest efforts. I also must remember that my work is about people and not about programs and projects. Am I loving my brother and sister well?

in order to please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

The key phrase in this section is: "how to live in order to please God." Paul isn't overly concerned by the behaviour of the Thessalonians; in fact, he commends them for living in a way that is pleasing to God. However, he does include some reminders - in this section he reminds them about getting rid of lust.
Paul reminds the Thessalonians that God's will is their sanctification and that part of that process is sexual purity. He also reminds them that sexual immorality is not just an offense against another person but also against God and a rejection of this instruction is a rejection of God. This is consistent through the whole Bible: lust is a sin because it is an affront to God's purity, holiness and faithfulness. In other words, one way to live in order to please God is to turn from lust or flee sexual immorality. However, I must emphasize that the Bible does not teach that sexual desire is a sin - God created us as sexual beings - but that lust is.
So when does sexual desire become lust? I think the passage gives us some answers. First, desire becomes lusts when there is a lack of self-control. Paul talks in another letter about not letting his body or his desires control him but working to make sure that he is always in control of his desires. Secondly, desire becomes lust when I no longer regard the holiness of God. In other words, if my desire causes me to think or act in a way that does not reflect the character of God, then it has become lust. Thirdly, desire becomes lust when I have no regard for the honour of the other person. Each person has been created in the image of God but when I strip them of dignity in order to use that person, in my fantasies or in reality, to fulfill my own desires, I have robbed them of the honour they are due as a human.

3 requests

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Here we have Paul's prayer - which is a continuation of the previous paragraph. He indicates that they have been praying night and day that Paul and his crew would be able to return to the Thessalonica to encourage the church and continue their instruction in the faith. Here, he prays the actual prayer. His concern is that the the Thessalonian church is not complete in their faith - that there is something lacking that Paul needs to teach them about in person (see verse 10). Based on what Paul prays about, it could be that they are lacking in love and are not as strong as they should be.
Paul asks for three things in his prayer: that God would allow him to return to them, that God would increase their love for each other so that it overflows out of them and that God would strengthen them so that they would not fall into impurity. This indicates Paul's deep love and concern for the Thessalonian church. He longs for them and for their "success" and wants to do anything to help them.
If I could boil my requests down to three for my students, I'm not sure what I would pray. Probably that they would not be selfish and learn to see and love others with eyes and heart of Christ, that they would be strong in their faith - not just in knowing what they believe and how to defend it but in living it out, in staying faithful to the call of Christ - and that they would discover the incredible joy of knowing and following Jesus. Without putting a lot of thought into it, I think that's what I would ask for.

really living

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Paul's concerns about the Thessalonians have been put to rest by the great report that Timothy has brought back. There is a strong theme of joy and encouragement in this section of the letter. There is also a theme of endurance or standing firm in the face of persecution. Paul is encouraged to stand firm in his persecution because of the report he has received that the Thessalonians are also standing firm in the face of persectuion. The concern that he had for them was constricting him but now that he has heard that they are persevering in their faith, he can "really live."
I resonate with the joy that Paul has for this church. There is nothing that I enjoy more than hearing of my students continuing on in their faith, even in the face of hardship. Maybe what I enjoy even more than that is seeing them living out their faith. Just over the course of a couple of weeks I have been so encouraged and filled with joy by a conversation I had on the bus up to Edmonton, by seeing a desire for some of my students to be baptized (and hearing a bit of their faith story as I met with them), by a lunch meeting I had with another student who is wondering what it is that God wants to do through him to make a difference in his world and by observing some of my leaders at our DV8 year end really invest their time into students. When I see this stuff, I feel like not even gravity can hold me down!

my crown of glory

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5

Paul is concerned that the the church in Thessalonica may have drifted from their faith due to the intense persecution that they were suffering. The events that Paul is talking about occurred while he was in Athens - shortly after he left Thessalonica. Satan plays a prominent role in this passage: blocking Paul's team from returning to Thessalonica and tempting the Thessalonians to abandon their faith. Paul also uses some family language again (previously saying he was like a child among them, a mother who cares for them, a father who is concerned for them, their brothers and sisters and now he is orphaned from them).
Paul is basically just recounting the history of the church at this point. He reminds them of the persecution that they suffered (persecution that Paul forewarned them about and came just as he said it would), of his deep concern for them and his efforts to reach them that were thwarted which eventually compelled him to send Timothy to check on what was happening and to bring a report (which is in the next section of this letter).
Paul says that the church in Thessalonica will be his joy and his crown in which he glories. This is a great reminder for me: I am very task oriented. I really enjoy people and thrive on relationships but I default to task - as long as there is something that needs to be done, it has most of my attention. My crown will not be how many tasks that I accomplished but how I have invested myself into people and how I have impacted their lives for the kingdom of heaven. In my role, this means that I have to invest myself in people who will then invest in others. It also means that I need to create the environment conducive to my leaders investing into others but I can't forget that it is all so people can connect with and experience Christ.
Paul also brings up the idea of destiny but this time it is that we are destined for trials. I have not really experienced much in the way of trials or persecution because of my faith in Jesus. I have a good job with decent pay and a house and two cars - even if one of them is a Ford (grin! I am actually very grateful for my Ford - thanks!!). I have not been threatened with jail or torture or death. My family is safe and I don't need to worry about mobs attacking them while I am away because we follow Jesus. I don't think that I should go out looking for trials - I think my focus is supposed to be staying faithful to what God has called me to do. But Paul's words make me wonder... When so many of my brothers and sisters around the world live under the threat of persecution, why have I escaped?

heaping sin up to the limit

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

The key words in this passage are: the word of God (which is repeated a few times), the idea of suffering and persecution and the wrath of God. Paul m oves from reminding the church about how he conducted himself to reminding them about how they received the word of God and the persecution they endured because of it (Acts records rioting taking place). Paul says that the people of Thessalonica are connected to the churches in Judea, to Jesus and to the prophets of the OT through the persecution they endured. There is a contrast between how the believers received the word of God (accepting it as the word of God) and the rioters received it (rejecting it with violence).
The question that arises out of this passage for me is: what does it mean to receive the word of God as the word of God? Also: have I received the word in this way? If it is the word of God then it comes with the authourity of the King which means that a) the promises can be completely trusted and b) the commands should be unreservedly obeyed. For me to receive this as the word of God means that I must build my whole life on what it says and not hedge my bets. However, there is a process of interpretation that must take place: what does the word say? What does the word mean (in the context of history, the rest of the book and the rest of the Bible)? and What does the word compel me to do or believe? The problem with this process is that it is not perfect and I could (conciously or sub-conciously) allow what I really want the word to say influence the process. I believe that my motives are basically right when I approach the Word so I am trusting God to help me understand what he is saying and to then build my life on it.

being a mother and a father

1 Thessalonians 2:7b-12

Paul is obviously very concerned about an attack on his character that is happening by someone in Thessalonica. He continues to defend his actions and motives in these two paragraphs, just as he did in the previous. He uses two word pictures: that of a mother nursing her children to remind the church of the nurturing care that he gave to them and that of a father dealing with his own children to remind the church of the encouragement, comfort and exhortation that he gave them. He also uses other family language, referring to the believers as "brothers and sisters."
Paul's main point is that they were not a burden to the church but worked hard, giving of their very lives to not cause the church any hardship and to benefit the believers spiritually. The two phrases that stick out to me are:
1) we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. I wonder how often the gospel message gets in people's way because I am willing to share the gospel but not my life. This reminds me, again, that the method of presenting the gospel is as important as the words I use and that it is not enough for me to just share the message of Christ - I must be investing my life into people, allowing them to see my heart, my struggles, my joys, my sorrows. Because I am afraid people won't like what they see if they get too close (and, therefore, reject me), I have a hard time being vulnerable. It is almost getting to the point where I am believing my own press.
2) "Live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." This is a high imperative! I love the lofty and inspiring language - God calls me into his kingdom and his glory! Anything less is settling. Lord, let me not settle for anything less than your kingdom and your glory. Let me live a life worthy of you. Only through your strength and Spirit can this be accomplished. Change me so my desires are purely for your glory. Transform me and renew me.

no tricks

1 Thessalonians 2:1-7

Paul is defending the methods and words he used when he was in Thessalonica, sharing the gospel. I looked back at Acts to get the context and it is clear that Paul's visit caused hardship for the believers because of the dissension that it stirred up among the Jews in that city. Silas was included as one of the writers of this letter because he was a significant part of the team (maybe even a co- or assistant leader) that visited Thessalonica.
Paul uses one cryptic word picture at the end of this paragraph: "we were like children among you." He doesn't explain what he means by this except that it is in contrast to someone who is looking for praise from people and asserts their perogatives (granted by their position). He actually changes the word picture in the next paragraph and makes the Thessalonians the children and he and his team the nurturing mother.
This passage measures up very closely to the account given in Acts. It actually provides some detail about the motives and methods that Paul used in seeking to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. His basic statement is that he did everything with a pure motive and did not employ tricks to deceive people into receiving his message.
Paul must have been very confident of God's power and the power of the gospel. He must have trusted God to work through him. I know that I have manipulated people's emotions in order to get the response that I am hoping for. This is not being pure in motive. This is not presenting the message of Christ without tricks. I need to find my joy not in the response that I get from people but in bringing glory to my King. I need to trust him to use me to bring about the results that he wants and, if there are no visible results, no affirmations, no responses, I need to trust that God is still pleased by my faithfulness, integrity and effort. I work for Him.

the power of the gospel

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Paul is encouraged by the faith that the Thessalonian Christians are living out and by their response to the good news message of Jesus. What made it especially encouraging to Paul was that the gospel came with power, the Holy Spirit and deep conviction and that the Thessalonian people welcomed the message even though it brought them suffering and persecution - a testament to the deep conviction of their faith. The story of their acceptance of the gospel and the change it brought in their lives (from idolatry to service of the living God) has spread through out the region and through out the Roman world so that where ever Paul visits, the story has already been told.
Paul's theology comes through in this passage, saying that he knows that God chose them because of the power and results of the good news message of Jesus. I find this theme over and over in Paul's writings: that God chose people to respond to the message of Jesus. This is a difficult theology for me to accept and yet it seems so evident in the Scripture. It is difficult for me because no matter how you try to dance around it, it means that God not only chose some for salvation, he also chose some for destruction. I know that all of this is for God's glory but it is hard for me to understand how this brings glory to him (or more glory to him than the "free will" view point). I sometimes come close to seeing God's glory in predestination but just as I am about it grasp it, it slips away. I can't help but tend toward that view though based on the words of the Bible.
Beyond the theological and intellectual challenge of predestination, this passage contains a practical or lifestyle challenge for me: have I accepted the gospel with the same life changing results as the Thessalonians? This is a bit of a hypothetical question because I made a decision at a young age to follow Christ and I have grown up in the Christian sub-culture so it's hard to say that my life radically changed with the good news message of Jesus but I can say that my life is radically different because I received it. I know my tendency toward sin, I know my own short comings and I know the dark, putrid evil of my own heart. While I may not act as evil as others, it is only the restraining work of the Spirit (and perhaps a lack of courage - a good thing in this case) that holds me back because I have thought on and treasured unspeakably evil desires in my own heart. I can't even imagine what my life would look like apart from the Spirit's guidance and protection. For me, then, my response to the gospel has not brought about a dramatic change in my actions but is bringing about a transformation of my desires. This may not be as "sexy" in a testimony but it is no less real and I believe that my transformation can be used by God to influence others just as powerfully as the testimony of the Thessalonians. I believe this because it is all about God's power and not our stories.

what's my inspiration?

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

This is another letter written by Paul but this time Silas and Timothy join in writing. It is written to the church in Thessalonica. There are no clues so far as to when this letter was written or what Paul is concerned about in writing this letter.
This letter follows the formula of the rest of Paul's letters: identifies the writer(s), addresses the letter, blesses the church with grace and peace, thanks God for the church and assures them of his prayers. In this specific case, Paul is grateful for "your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
I think that after my 10 years in youth ministry, I get into the habit of doing youth ministry and I forget to think about what is prompting me and inspiring me. The work that I do must be produced by faith that Jesus truly is the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through him. My labor must be prompted by my deep love for God and my deep love (given to me by God) for students in general, for the students of Lethbridge more specifically and for my students in particular. My endurance can't be inspired by fear (not knowing where I might do if I didn't do this, etc.) but by my hope in Jesus: that he will reach my students' hearts through my faithfulness and endurance, that he will reach the lost with the gospel through my prayers and efforts.
I know that a blog is public but I don't think anyone else is reading this except you (if anyone else is, please permit me to get personal for a moment): Jeff, you immediately came to mind when I read the last phrase of this passage. I cannot think of anyone who has demonstrated endurance like you have in your pursuit of ministry and I am so glad that God has rewarded your endurance with your current position (and I am really happy that it didn't take you further from Lethbridge). Thank you for demonstrating endurance inspired by hope in Jesus Christ for me.

hidden treasures

Colossians 4:7-18

There are all kinds of hidden treasures in this passage. Paul is wrapping up his letter but sending out personal greetings from the people who are ministering with him and to him while he is in jail. He is sending the letter with Tychicus and Onesimus. This is the first treasure: Onesimus was the subject of Paul's letter to Philemon - a Christian land-owner. He was a runaway slave who had met Paul and committed his life to serving Christ and Paul was sending him back to Philemon with the request that Philemon would send Onesimus back to serve Paul. It would seem from this letter that Philemon did just that.
Epaphras is the another hidden treasure. His deep desire and concern for the churches is evident by what Paul says about him: he is always wrestling in prayer for them that they might stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. He is praying in such a way that he feels physically exhausted and wrung out when he is done. I wonder who the people are who are wrestling in prayer for me and the youth in this way - that put their whole body into praying for us. I know that I am certainly not praying in this way. I want to feel for my students and for the Church. I hope to learn from Epaphras.
The last hidden treasure is the instruction to Archippus. I wonder what the work was that he was to complete. I wonder if Paul's words were a rebuke ("get back to work!") or an encouragement ("keep up the good work!"). God has given me a work to do here in Lethbridge and my desire is that I would complete it well.

the prayer of all pastors (or at least it should be)

Colossians 4:2-6

Prayer is the key word and theme of this passage which indicates that Paul was concerned about the prayer life of the church at Colossae. He is also concerned about his own ability to preach the good news message of Jesus and specifically asks that he would be given the opportunity to make the message known and when he gets that opportunity that he would speak clearly. Finally, Paul is concerned with how the church treats those who are different, telling the church to take the opportunities that God gives them to proclaim and demonstrate his love and grace. Paul indicates that the method of proclaiming the gospel is as important as the message of the gospel - that the method is actually part of the message.
I am challenged by all these instructions but two in particular: first, I pray consistently that the message I share would be clear and true but I don't often involve others in praying for me. I have always wanted to form a team of people that would pray for me, critique me and help me be better at what God has called me to do. This passage reminds me of the importance of this: to do otherwise is actually kind of arrogant, indicating that I don't think I need help. With that in mind, I am preaching 3 of the next 4 weeks and would appreciate your prayers that I would have insight into the passages I am studying and that I would communicate the truth of those passages clearly in a way that is helpful and challenging.
Second, I am challenged by the instruction to be wise in the way we act towards "outsiders". One of the passages I am preparing to speak on talks about how the birds of the air will find shelter in the branches of the kingdom of heaven. I really think what Jesus was teaching was that the kingdom of heaven exists for the other than. It existed for us who were "other than" God and then once we get in, we try to bar the door to those who are different from us. Paul (and Jesus) are reminding us that xenophobia has no place in the kingdom of heaven. We are to be a haven for those who don't fit anywhere else, a shelter for those who are different. My concern is that my church is pretty xenophobic. When I look around, everyone pretty much looks the same (with some, very few exceptions). I wonder if we are being wise in the way that we act towards outsiders. By the way, I think we need a better name than outsiders...