Coro Baptist Church

Paul's confidence in the sovereign, electing love of God does not make him complacent or diminish his love or his prayers for the Thessalonian believers. Nor does it stop him acknowledging the very real and powerful opposition of the evil one. Instead, it spurs him on making him all the more eager to learn of their faith, even if this would come at great cost to himself. Such is the manner of the love of God at work in Paul. There is plenty enough both externally and within ourselves to tempt and hinder us from loving in this way. By the grace of God may we resist those opposing forces and, as the writer of Hebrews exhorts us, let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

We resume our consideration of 1 Thessalonians 2 from verses 13-16. This is a pivotal passage that reminds the Thessalonians and us that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. Paul also reminds his hearers that this is the Gospel of God, not the word of man to be taken lightly. And as our Lord warned in Luke 8, we ought to be careful how we listen to His Word. Just as the Church at Thessalonica did, may we be strengthened to hear and embrace the Word of God, to stand firm in the faith, imitating these early saints and ultimately our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul continues from last week's message by reminding the Thessalonians of his conduct and attitude while he was among them. As we listen to Paul's self-testimony, we see how radically different not only the gospel is, but also the people shaped by it. Paul describes himself as childlike in purity of motive, a nursing mother in love and care, and a father in example, encouragement, and instruction. His life reflects more than personal character; it reveals a distinct culture — the culture of the kingdom of God. This culture is not man-made. It is established by the King Himself — the righteous and joyful King of Psalm 45 — who calls with power, His people to share in His Kingdom and Glory.

For two reasons Paul is confident his work among the Thessalonians was not in vain. Firstly, there was visible evidence of the work of God in their lives. Secondly, and most significantly, they were chosen and loved by God, just as Paul, Silas and Timothy were. The first is the fruit and evidence of the second. For those in Christ, we too can just as sure and certain that our labours in life and faith are not in vain, for we too have been chosen and loved by God. Take a moment to look and see the work of God in your own life and give thanks to him for his grace and love towards you.

Paul was afraid for the young church he had been forced to leave in the city of Thessalonica. They were three weeks old and facing severe suffering for their choice to follow Christ. Paul's great concern, and the reason he sent Timothy to the people, was that in the midst of their trials they would have been tempted to abandon the faith. Wonder of wonders, that our passage this week is filled with Paul's thankfulness to God, that the young and seemingly ill-equipped church has not faded, but flourished in faith, love, and hope. Their faith became a model throughout the surrounding region and beyond. How can such a thing be possible? This church shouldn't have survived, let alone become a model to imitate. Human wisdom says this is very unlikely, if not impossible. The answer is they are a people chosen by a God who loves them. For this reason alone, the gospel they received was not simply words, but power, with the Holy Spirit, and conviction. What great power is bestowed upon those the Lord loves and has chosen? A power grounded in the reception and conviction of the word– power that results in a people of faith, love, and hope in Jesus, sharing in the glory of his suffering.

As we begin a new series in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, we will hear how the church in Thessalonica had quite the rough and rushed beginning. This was no well-planned church plant or carefully executed evangelistic strategy. Those who brought the gospel to them were quite literally a 'band on the run'. But they were a band with a song to sing– with a purpose and a message. Wherever they went they proclaimed the gospel of Christ. And despite the rough and rushed introduction to Jesus the gospel they received gospel came "not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction." Only the gospel of God could establish a church in such circumstances and produce the fruit that we will hear of in the coming weeks. May the same word and power of the gospel be at work in us today by the Holy Spirit and produce the same fruit and full conviction.

As we come to the end of the Letter of James, we are reminded personally to turn to God in both good times and bad. We are encouraged to do this together as well– to pray for one another, confess our sins to one another, and to draw one another back to God when we wander from the truth. This is a call for us to be 'Godward' in all our life. May we be not only hearers but doers of this word which is able to save our souls.

The Jews of the Diaspora to whom James is writing have endured hardship. We heard some of this last week as we read of the rich taking advantage of the workers in their fields, refusing to pay them. These hardships were enough to have the church wondering when the Lord would return and bring their difficulty to an end. 2000 years later, and the church of today is still asking that question, "When will the Lord return?" and longing for it to come true soon. The day of the Lord will be a wonderful day. All of creation will rejoice as the burden of the curse is brought to its final end, and all the promises of God are fulfilled. But the wait is long, the days are hard, and none of it is according to our timing. What are we to do? "Be patient and standfirm." This is the instruction James gives to the early church in their trying days, and it is just as applicable to us. James calls us to humbly submit our days to the Lord, long and trying as they may be. In the end, all things will be judged by Jesus. But we must be patient and standfirm in the faith if we are receive the compassion and mercy of the Lord, rather than his judgment.

In our reading this week, James explores how easily the human heart drifts toward "substitute saviours"; the things we trust to give us security, identity, meaning and hope apart from God. He confronts those who allow reliance upon material treasures to eclipse obedience to God and love for neighbour. Their hoarded wealth, their unjust treatment of workers, and their self-indulgence reveal a deeper spiritual problem: misplaced trust. Jeremiah helps us to name these false saviours more clearly. Whether it is wisdom or pride, might or power, riches or possessions, or even our own performance, God warns us not to "boast" in them. They cannot save. They cannot satisfy. And they cannot endure the judgment of the Lord. Instead, God invites us to a better boast: "that we understand and know Him"; the One who exercises steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. True security is found not in what we hold, but in the God who holds us. The call is simple and searching: where are we placing our trust? Christ alone is the Saviour who forgives, frees, and fulfils. Everything else is a poor substitute.

As we head into the New Year, let's be wary of making plans without considering and submitting to the sovereign will of God. All our plans are contingent upon his will. To ignore or deny this, James tells us, is arrogant at best, and evil at the extreme. Yes, we can surely make our plans and live in the hope of them being fulfilled, but let's remember it is the Lord who determines our steps. In fact, truth be told, what he ultimately has in store for us is far better than any of the hopes or dreams we can come up with. Additional Bible References: Proverbs 29:18