Have you ever had a really big job in front of you?  It can look overwhelming.  If others pitch in and help it becomes more manageable.  When everyone pitches in the job becomes easy.  Paul emphasizes the need for everyone to give and serve and use their gifts repeatedly in the early church.  Let’s look at one such occasion in 2 Thessalonians 3 together today.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

Paul’s words may seem harsh to us but the context is important.  The church was all working together and would gather and share in all of their meals.  There were some who simply stopped contributing and working at all because they thought Jesus would return any minute.  Paul is sternly reminding them of the importance of everyone participating and contributing because that is when the church functions best.  He used his own work as an example.  For us today the same basic principle holds true.  The church functions best when everyone is contributing.  When we all are using our time, talents, and treasures to build His church.  The more people “pitching in” the easier the job becomes of sharing God’s love with the world.  I pray that God would lead, guide and direct us all on how we can best pitch in to build His church.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

I can remember as a child playing a game at the beach.  We would send about shin to knee deep in the water and bury or secure our feet under the sand then we would try to see who could stay standing in that one place without moving the longest.  The waves would come and beat against us and eventually knock us down or move us but the better our feet were buried the longer we would stand.  Paul talks about a similar concept in our faith life.  Let’s look at it together in 2 Thessalonians 2.

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Paul is reminding the church to stand firm, to hold fast to what they have been taught.  This is such an important concept in our rapidly changing world.  We have truth from God’s word that we are told to stand firm and hold fast to.  The “waves” of life will certainly beat against us time and again.  It seems that the more firmly we are planted in God’s word, the more closely we are following the example of Jesus’ life the better chance we will have to stand firm.  The other advantage we have is others who stand firm with us to help hold us up.  Another standing with us helps us even more to stand up to the “waves” of life.  I pray that we would all be firmly rooted and stand firm on the teachings of our God.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

I remember hearing a Pastor ask his congregation many years ago if they were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict them.  Paul starts his second letter to the Thessalonians church by indicating that concept exactly.  He is grateful for them and particularly for the evidence of their faith.  Let’s look at his words together today.

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, 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.

It seems that the key item of evidence for Paul is the increase of their faith which is evidenced by their love for one another.  It is like the words of the old hymn – They shall know we are Christians by our love by our love.  Our love for each other, our love for those that are different than us, our love for our friends and particularly our enemies.  That’s what should set the followers of Jesus apart.  The way we treat the people that we don’t particularly like.  The Thessalonians were demonstrating love for others even as they were being persecuted by them.  That’s the kind of love that Jesus modeled for us and the kind of love we are called to.  May we all be a people who are found “guilty” of love.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Do you ever think about the significance of the final words of a conversation or letter?  That is usually the one thing that will stick with someone.  When Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians church he gives them a quick list of things to do.  Let’s look at his words in chapter 5 together today.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

It actually is almost comical as you can feel he is closing the letter and has a bunch of final thoughts he wants to leave them with.  It is interesting because he consistently commends the church for their love for one another and the surrounding world.  In the previous chapter he even says that he doesn’t need to remind them about their love because they do it so well.  Yet, when you really unpack this list of things they all come down to love.  Living at peace, encouraging, helping the weak, praying, giving thanks, rejoicing, they all stem from our love for each other and God.  That’s why Jesus’ great commandment is so brilliant.  Love God and love people.  That truly is what it all boils down to.  Love is why we are here, that’s my final word.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Happy Thanksgiving! Today take a moment and reflect on Psalm 136.  Perhaps “rewrite” David’s words with some of the things God has done in your life and make it your prayer of Thanksgiving today. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

2 

Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

3 

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

4 

to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

5 

who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.

6 

who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.

7 

who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.

8 

the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

9 

the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

10 

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.

11 

and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.

12 

with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.

13 

to him who divided the Red Sea[a] asunder
His love endures forever.

14 

and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.

15 

but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.

16 

to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.

17 

to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.

18 

and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.

19 

Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.

20 

and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.

21 

and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.

22 

an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.

23 

He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.

24 

and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.

25 

He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

26 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

I have often thought it was very interesting how so much scripture comes from stories that have been told.  The Gospels record stories told by or about Jesus.  Much of the Old Testament is recorded from stories that were told from generation to generation.  Acts is the story of the unfolding of the early church.  Many of Paul’s letters were written after he heard stories of the churches he had started in various cities.  Let’s look at I Thessalonians 3 together today and see the power of a story.

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Paul is encouraged because Timothy has brought him the story of how the church is doing.  This encouragement serves to grow Paul and Timothy’s faith and embolden them for even more ministry.  This gets me thinking about the power of story.  When we share our stories with others of how God is at work in our lives it encourages and strengthens others.  I think we sometimes underestimate the power of story.  We all have a story.  This Thanksgiving weekend take a moment and thank God for yours and share a story with others of how God is at work in your life.  You may be surprised at just how much He uses that to encourage someone else.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

I remember a friend of mine who went away to college and then seminary.  He came back with deep theological convictions and he preached very boldly.  The problem was his life didn’t match his message.  It wasn’t an issue of moral struggle in fact he had become almost pharisaical in his behavior.  He just didn’t show any of the love that he was talking about Jesus having for us in his life.  After observing this for a while I spoke with him about it.  His response to me was that he really wanted to live the type of life that Paul lived amongst the Thessalonians church but he just really disliked people.  Let’s look at I Thessalonians 2 together today and then I’ll tell you what happened.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Paul talks about not only the importance of the message of the gospel but living it out amongst those he is proclaiming it to.  My friend realized that as much as he was deeply convinced of the theological truths of Scripture he was struggling to truly love God and in turn love His people.  He went away to another church’s spiritual retreat where he wouldn’t be called on as a leader but could simply be.  He came home overwhelmed with a newfound sense of God’s love for him.  He is today one of the most effective communicators I know and actually a very loving and friendly guy (unless you are watching college football with him).  That’s the work that God does in our hearts and lives.  He changes us from the inside out.  That’s when we can most effectively share His love with the world when we are proclaiming it and living it!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

It is always awesome when you hear a story of God working in powerful ways in a person’s life.  Paul tells us of the church in Thessalonica and how they are being used in great ways.  It also serves as a reminder that God wants to use us all in such a way.  Let’s look together at I Thessalonians 1 today.

6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

The power of the gospel changes us, fills us with the Holy Spirit, and God’s message should flow from our lips and through our lives.  We simply share God’s love and tell the story of what He has done for us.  He is responsible for the results.  I pray that we would all be used by God like He used the Thessalonian church.   May we all be faithful in sharing His love and His message with the world.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Have you ever considered that every conversation we have in a given day is an opportunity? It’s an opportunity to either build someone up or introduce them to the gospel. Paul reminds us in Colossians 4 to take advantage of every opportunity we have and to make sure our conversations are always full of grace. Let’s look at his words together today. 

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

We are reminded to pray for opportunities to proclaim the mystery of Christ and also not miss a chance to do just that. I hope that throughout a day I encourage people or share the gospel when I get a chance but I also think of all of the meaningless conversations I might have as well. It’s okay to talk about the weather of sports or whatever else might be the topic of conversation but we should also be reminded that every conversation is an opportunity. You never know when someone needs a word of encouragement or a gentle reminder of God’s goodness. I love Paul’s words – may all of our conversations be full of grace. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Have you ever begun thinking about something and not been able to get it out of your mind? I know this has happened to me a time or two. You begin thinking and focusing and dreaming about something and it begins to become a part of you. What if we focused our thoughts this way around God? Let’s look at what Paul says about this in Colossians 3.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

When your heart and mind are focused on something it naturally changes the way you act. The athlete who wants to excel begins working harder at their sport. The person focused on losing weight exercises and eats better.  Someone who wants to change a bad habit works and strives and hopefully breaks themselves of it. When we are focused on God and our faith and our hearts and minds are set this way we naturally will change some of our actions. We are no longer focused on pleasing ourselves and our own desires but instead long to please God. This is why Paul reminds us to set our minds on things above. When we surround ourselves with others who also point us toward God, we listen to praise music or Christian podcasts to encourage us, engage in church and small groups to help build us up all of the sudden our mind is more fixed and focused. Through God’s strength may we all set our hearts upon Him, His heart is certainly fixed upon us.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave