Living in
Unprecidented Times
I
Thessalonians 1:1
By Jim Howe
In the continuing saga of Covid19, social unrest and cancel
culture, I have found great comfort and encouragement in Paul’s First letter to
the Thessalonians. It is not a mere
Christian manual for life. It is an
extremely personal letter for socially isolated times. Paul was kept from
visiting for reasons we will explore, as we are kept from visiting and
interacting in the fashion of Christian embrace because of the need for “social
distancing”. Paul greeted others with a
kiss; we are cautious not to even shake hands. He lived with an awareness that the times were
under the shadow of dark forces of evil, but more importantly, Jesus Christ was
ushering in an era of salvation for all who believe in Him.
There are apocalyptic winds in the air as there were in
Paul’s day. But Paul did not give
himself to exaggerated speculation, restraining himself instead to the view of the end of time in terms clearly prescribed
by the Old Testament prophets and directed by the Spirit of God through Jesus
Christ. It is important to understand
that the Bible does not tells us to await the end times, but rather to
recognize that we are in them so that we live by faith in the hope of Christ,
and not in despair.
First Thessalonians has the end times in view in a way that
views the Christian era as the end. Christian people use this word often very
differently than it is used in the Bible.
We often speak of the final chapter of history in this way rather than
recognizing that the Church has existed at the end of time since its inception.
The “end time” is rooted in the Old
Testament phrase “the latter days”. G.K.
Beale explains the Bible’s perspective and how it differs from the use given
the phrase by many popular books and movies. The Old Testament speaks of “a
tribulation for Israel… persecution… false teaching… deception and apostasy”.[1] He continues:
…Old Testament prophecies of the
great tribulation, God’s deliverance of Israel from oppressors, God’s rule over
the Gentiles and the establishment of his kingdom have been set in motion by
Christ’s death, resurrection formation of the Christian Church. The
resurrection marked the beginning of Jesus’ messianic reign, the Spirit at
Pentecost signaled the inauguration of his rule through the church (Acts 1:6-8;
2:1-43), and persecution of Jesus and the church indicated the beginning of the
final tribulation.[2]
His explanation helps us to see that the “kingdom and
the tribulation …coexist at the same time (see Rev. 1:9).”[3]
The events of our time are spoken of by many as paving the way to a future
tribulation,
but the Bible clearly understands that the tribulation has already begun. How could the tribulation be worse than that
the Messiah was crucified, and the people of God were driven from
Jerusalem? The Biblical understanding of
the “end time” will not yet be completed until Christ returns and the
resurrection of all people. Why is this
important? Because the contemporary understanding of the “end times” as a
future event encourages fatalism and lack of engagement with our neighbors and
world. But, knowing that the tribulation
of the Church is ongoing encourages faith, action and endurance as Christ
restores lives and changes whole societies.
Beware; don’t allow the current events of racial unrest,
threats to Police, covid19 and the turmoil in America to encourage an escapist
mentality. Rather, the nearness of
Christ’s return ought to mobilize us in witness and serving Christ as He expands
the kingdom. Our whole culture is
pessimistic. Fear is the dominant,
understandable consequence. Many have
retreated into their homes and dropped out of the whole mess. But we see Paul encouraging the Thessalonians
to a deep encounter with the Father and more profound involvement in community,
not less. But, how do we do this with face masks required by the governor and
churches reeling immobilized, rather than engaged to develop the deep sense of
community Paul describes? American
churches have focused for too long on growing bigger and better when Paul
encouraged growing deeper by intentionally being more involved on the most
intimate level. This focus on American
standards of success keeps us from being a cell group movement that is
unstoppable because Christ is in our midst. The depth of faith of the
Thessalonians exploded with evangelistic effect throughout the Greco-Roman
world, one person to another. In
contrast I wonder if people could come to faith in Christ based on my witness? Is Jesus in my conversation and displayed in
my actions? Is there anything beautiful about the circle of closest fellow
disciples that attracts notice of the watching world? Will the Church multiply
because we have been praying for the lost, making friends with unbelievers and
telling them about what Christ has done in our lives?
The Thessalonians had no “church buildings,” but instead met
in home groups like some of you have experienced. Only twenty years (1
Thessalonians was written around 49 or 50ad), after the end times began when Jesus
was crucified, dead and risen, Paul was witnessing the expansion of the Church.
How? Through the deepening community centered in Jesus Christ and small
groupings of people worshipping Him and
witnessing about Him. These small groups were small enough that they endured
persecution. They had no overhead costs
but devoted all their energy and resources on caring for one another and
promoting the expansion of the kingdom in the face of intense pressure. The church in China has understood this. Small house churches have multiplied even in
the face of the most intense government opposition. Tribulation is an ongoing reality for the
Chinese church, but it has not stopped the growth and mission of the church. Christ
blesses the church that deepens in faith and expands in influence for Christ. The
coming of the kingdom is a force at work in God’s people to rescue people from
sin. The Bible sets us in a world where
the tribulation and the end times are an ongoing present reality.
There are no wasted, throw away words in this most intimate
of Paul’s letters as he calls the people to enter God’s presence. Separation
and isolation had forced him to write, otherwise he would have done this all
face to face. That is the way the good news of Jesus went viral. Paul, of course, writes this letter, but he
does with the recent report of his coworkers Silvanus (also known as Silas) and
Timothy:
“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To
the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1, ESV)
It cannot be emphasized enough that the church to which he
writes is not a building; it is the called out people of God. They have their
existence “in” God who is their Father.
This often-overlooked reality should not be missed. God exists and He makes
himself known as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. The events surrounding the coming of Messiah
(Christ) Jesus inaugurated both the tribulation of a suffering church and the
expansion of a new order ruled by the Father.
People faced false teachers and persecution even while the kingdom of
God spread from one person to another.
The gospel was carried along by the real experience of such grace. Sinners who were undeserving of salvation
were brought into relationship with God as Father, not through Caesar as the
world at that time believed, but through another leader, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The world was filled with violence, but the believers were brought into such
peace and new life through the work of Christ upon the cross, as they were >forgiven freely.
Peace was more than the end of conflict; it was the beginning of a new
wholeness that echoed the power of resurrection.
Together in genuine community, here were signs of their
being in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ that were undeniable. Their joy in the face of trials was contagious.
Their faith was contagious and despite the winds of change they were unmoved
from the hope that God was doing the most amazing work in the face of the
totalitarian Roman Empire so that they displayed an alternative. We can believe God is with us and live in His
presence. God is God. He is fulfilling
His saving purpose through his Word and Spirit-filled community. We can display the touch of Christ by
believing. We can take up the challenge to be more involved in real community
by not letting in these socially isolating times cut us off from God and one
another. Paul was concerned about Satan preventing him from visiting them. We are concerned about what months of church
closure will do to the American church.
It is time to think outside the box.
The building isn’t the only place we can gather. Small and regular gatherings of believers to pray,
study the Bible and fellowship can continue.
Surely, we can be the family of God and rise up to face the challenges
of this time. Christ’s new kingdom is more powerful than all our fears. We need more of this kind of community not
less. Find a way in person to develop more Christian community with social
distancing and see what God does to you as you trust him and obey. Take a
friend out to coffee. Sit outside and
share what God is doing in your lives.
Pursue more community with one another.
Share your joys and struggles.
Pray for one another and invite others to join you.
Father, you opened the heart of
your Son to us. He invites us to come to
him with our labors. He offers rest for
our souls. We long to be together
more. Turn our longing to action. Give our elders and the new pastor Andy Van
Arsdale the ability to equip us to lead small home groups.
Teach us to worship, study the Bible, pray, fellowship and share our
faith with others. Help us to be honest and open with one another so that
Christ shines through in our actions. Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, come.
Lord Jesus, help up to be transformed by your word and live a life that's worthy of our redemption.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pastor Jim for your words of wisdom.