1 Thessalonians 2:6-12

1 Thessalonians 2:6-12  As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.  We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.  Surely you remember, brothers, 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.  You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.  For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,  encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

We love today's scripture passage because it reveals clearly how Christian mothers and fathers should treat their children.  Paul says he parented the Thessalonians as if they were his own children, interacting with them as a responsible Christian parent would interact with a child in a gentle and encouraging manner.  Paul says, We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children, sharing not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, as he dealt with them as a father, urging [them] to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.  Paul was describing how he viewed Christian parents, parents who provide their children with comfort when their children are in need, and urge their children to live lives worthy of God by their own godly example of working diligently for the Lord.  Christian parents who know they have received undeserved love and mercy from God willingly pass that same grace onto their children.  As parents we must continually remind one another to remain in God's kingdom of love and mercy that we might treat our children as we would want to be treated, as Paul treated the Thessalonians.  Sadly to say, we have seen parents treating their precious gifts from God harshly and roughly, demanding more from their little ones that they could give themselves.  We have watched parents publicly embarrassing and castigating their offspring for childish mistakes, weaknesses, and errancies, showing no mercy, understanding or grace.  In raising our five children we learned through experience that children thrive in a milieu of love, compassion, prayer, and godly instruction.  In an environment of judgment, criticism, and punishment, they shrivel in despair and defeat, often seeking people away from the home to bolster their self-confidence and self-esteem.  When Christian children seek comfort and support from the world, they become fair game for the devil and his clever lies.  He says, "Come on over to my side.  I will accept you as you are.  You will fit right in on my team."  When our kids lose the unconditional love and support of Christian parents, the church, and believing friends, the devil devours them, bringing turmoil, destruction and death into their lives rather than the success, the peace, and the victorious life Christ has for all who follow him.  And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  (1 John 5:11-12) 

For us who do not have children, we should treat our friends, neighbors, relatives, and those with whom we have influence as a good parent treats his child.  We are not to be a burden to our friends and acquaintances; we are to be an asset and an encouragement in their lives.  Paul says, we could have been a burden to you with supporting us; we could have made our necessities center stage.  Instead, we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you without cost.   His love for the Thessalonians was preeminent in his thoughts and his actions; his personal needs took a backseat to the needs of those entrusted to his spiritual care. Good friends and dedicated parents place the needs of those they love and serve before everything else.  Nothing else is more important than taking care of those they have promised God they will love and protect.  People are to be treated as Paul treated the Thessalonians: with a gentle, encouraging spirit.  Our presence should bring comfort and peace to people rather than criticism and judgment.  A Christian home should be a sanctuary of peace and love, a comfort zone of support, where the light and love of Jesus shines brightly in every room.  When strangers come in, they should feel a different mood, a supportive spirit.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12)   Christ is the necessity of the world if the world is to come out of the darkness into the light.  Without him there is no light, no peace, no sanctuary in the home.  When we express the light that Jesus has placed in us, we bring comfort and tenderness into the environment.  We bring happiness into the home; we bring sanity into the work place; we bring love into a neighborhood, stability into a friendship.  When we live IN CHRIST, He places the needs of others to the forefront in place of our needs.  Christ gives us wisdom, courage, and perseverance to answer his call and to fulfill his perfect will.  We are his ambassadors, doing his work, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Paul indicates he had significant needs, but instead of burdening the Thessalonians with those needs, he provided for himself by working night and day.  Paul offers a good example of a life well lived.  We all have responsibilities: at home, at church, in the workplace, in the community.  If we sacrifice for the furtherance of the gospel by investing in the lives others, we will impact the lives of people and make a imprint in many situations for the Lord.  On the other hand, if we live a self-satisfied, self-directed life, our contacts with others and our ability to affect lives will be diminished greatly.  Not many people will say, I am so thankful for the way you have changed my life  through your strong faith in God or I appreciate your faith in God and I would like to know more about a relationship with God because I admire your active faith.  Our priorities, values, choices, actions, and reactions say a great deal about us to our friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors.  People are watching us all the time.  We never know when someone is seeking an authentic believer, someone to trust, someone to rely upon, someone to seek out who lives a life worthy of God who would offer a gentle and loving hand of hope, concern, and acceptance to a lost soul.  You might be that person right now, today.  Who is watching you?  Who is looking for encouragement, gentleness, and comfort in your life?  Jesus loved people and when He looked at them, He saw their needs.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  (Matthew 9:36-38)  Open our eyes, Jesus.  Show us our harvest field, dear Lord.    

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6  You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.  We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.  For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.  On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.  We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.  You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed — God is our witness.  We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

As we see in the above verses, Paul was a man to be emulated, a man of integrity.  He willingly and sacrificially supported his missionary journeys by working as a tentmaker rather than living off the gifts of his converts.  He demonstrated the power of God in his life by living an upright and pure life in the midst of the decadent, sinful culture of the Gentiles.   Paul humbly spread the Good News and served the church for the glory of God rather than for worldly success.   He, who once threatened the very existence of the church, became a zealous warrior for that kingdom of God, carrying the message of faith in Christ throughout the Gentile world.  Everywhere he went he faced strong opposition to the gospel of Christ, yet he reminds the Thessalonians that with the help of God, he did not faint but proclaimed the gospel boldly in spite of strong opposition.  Even though he faced persecution and the threat of death because of the message he expounded, he did not drawback, and he did not seek praise from men.  He boldly and joyfully proclaimed the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and his saving works.  When he tells the church at Ephesus to stand firm in their faith and to put on the full armor of God, Paul then instructs them to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.  Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.  (Ephesians 6:18-20)  Three times in our brief scripture passage today, Paul uses the phrase "you know."  They know Paul is a trustworthy leader.  Now he says unite with me once again in this journey as we go forward by faith. 

What kind of men do we see preaching the gospel today in our mega ministries?  Too often our Christian leaders with the biggest followings enjoy a lavish lifestyle--expensive clothes, cars, houses, vacations.  They are often very cool, clothed in the latest designer wear.  An organization studying large ministries says leaders think nothing of staying at hotels where they spend $2000 a night on a room.  They have travel food budgets over $100,000 a year.  All of this and more fits into the prosperity doctrines they preach: we are the King's kids.  Christians fawn over them, following them from place to place or gathering at their large temples of worship.  They are considered the select few with the power of God to heal the sick or to deliver an inspiring message from the Holy Spirit.  People gather at their feet to hear from God or to get favors from God as the Paul's and Peter's of today.  What would these American Christians think of Paul had they seen him on a dusty road or in a village simply and directly praying for people or writing to the church from a prison cell?  No preparatory contemporary music to arouse their faith, no background music supporting Paul's prayers.  Would 3000 have listened to Peter and accepted Christ?   Would believers throng to hear Paul, believing this nondescript man with a thorn in his flesh was a powerful servant of God?  The apostles did not wear the latest fashions.  Paul wrote, When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,  so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.  (1 Corinthians 1:1-5)  He came in the power of God, believing lives were changed by committing whole heartedly to Christ.  Would young people attend his meetings today without flashing lights or loud music?  At one time the Bible says everyone left Paul, but he was not dissuaded from his call.  He probably did not go build a "fun city" to bring in the kids or buy an espresso cart for the adults.  This man of integrity, a tentmaker, would not draw a very large gathering of American Christians.  His brand of ministry would probably not sell today.  But because of his faithfulness, we have a gospel message that stirs faith and perseverance in the hearts of believers worldwide. 

Dad just finished reading the book, HOLY GHOST GIRL, describing an important tent evangelist in the latter part of the twentieth century.  Every night he drew thousands with great expectations to his revivals.  They were there for healing, a touch by the Holy Spirit, to see something miraculous or unusual, or just for the excitement of an old-fashioned tent meeting.  Wonderful things happened under that tent.  Many found the Lord, were filled with the Spirit, and were healed.  But the leader of these meetings was not a Paul.  He was a man of the flesh with three wives, two of them secret.  He fathered a number of children with different women; and sadly, he lived an extravagant lifestyle, consisting of expensive cars, airplanes, homes, and property.  Yet God used this faulty evangelist, probably because of the faith of the people attending those meetings, but he definitely was not a faithful servant of God as described in scripture.  If recent reports are true, Trinity Broadcasting Company seems to have fallen into some of these same excesses.  And if we analyzed some of the more prominent ministries existing today, we would find many shortcomings in Christian integrity.  We would find lifestyles too extravagant, too worldly, too caught up with self.  In the world, people worship the creature rather than the Creator.  People fawn over the movie star, the sports hero, the pop singer.  They raise their hands to them and shout for their glory.  Often the Christian church does this for their mega stars, their super religious heroes.  People do not handle such worship well.  We also try to help God along.  A person who dropped out from a popular Christian ministry spoke to an investigator about the church sprinkling gold dust from the rafters into the spotlight to simulate a "glory cloud" passing over the people and in dropping bird feathers that were supposedly angel wing feathers.  Are we looking for men of integrity or are we looking for a show, excitement, charisma?  The question is, what about Paul?  Paul said, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.  We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.  You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed — God is our witness.  We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.  This should be our goal, our pattern for ministry that others might trust us and know we are trustworthy.           

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10  You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  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, 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, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 

Paul's message to the church at Thessalonica challenges all of us.  Are we examples of fervent, dedicated Christians walking in the grace and mercy of our Lord?  Is our faith known everywhere?  Is our walk consistent with our words?  Sometimes we wonder whether most modern Christians really believe we are Christ's ambassadors in our everyday lives and if we will someday come face-to-face with our Lord.  How many hours are we spending before our own earthly idols, substitutes that give us temporary peace of mind, take us away from the unpleasant realities of this world, and in all truth, take us away from meditating on the Lord or praying for others.  Are we as the Thessalonians, imitators of the Lord, looking for the return of Jesus?  Or is that idea old hat, something reserved for the unsophisticated believer; the zealot who doesn't know any better than to believe the simple word of God.  In giving instructions to Titus on teaching other young men, Paul admonished him to set a good example by doing what is good.  Paul did not draw back from his commitment to Christ.  Concerning grace and the coming of the Lord, he reminded Titus: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It [grace] teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  (Titus 2:7, 11-14)

Paul said the Thessalonians were imitators of him as well as the Lord.  They watched Paul as he experienced the trials and vicissitudes on his walk of faith.  After seeing Paul's joy in the Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit emanating from his words and his actions, they wanted to imitate this zealous, all-out-for-God apostle called by Jesus on the road to Emmaus.  Paul writes: you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  Because they wanted to live as Paul lived out his faith, their faith became known everywhere.  This is mustard seed faith in action.  Paul planted seeds in this new church and they spread the "Good News" everywhere they went.  How many of us can say to our children, friends, co-workers, the world: be imitators of me; follow Christ as I follow Christ.  Fast and pray as I fast and pray; believe in God's grace and mercy as I believe.  We are not here to condemn anyone.  We are writing to ourselves as well as to each of you.  When the Holy Spirit shines his light of love on our lives, He does so to call us closer to his side.  He wants to remind us that complacency is our enemy.  Distractions subtly lead us astray.  If someone followed us around today, what would they see?  Would they see a love of the Word, a desire to spend time with Jesus, a concern to pray for the lost, a passion to minister to needy people, a longing in our hearts to give more of our time and substance to the work of the kingdom?  Would a close look at our lives reveal how careless and unfocused we go about our daily living with little thought for others, the body of Christ, and eternal realities?  Would a close look reveal how many hours we spend entertaining ourselves with electronic devices or filling out crossword puzzles or reading books or watching television or posting on the internet?  Are we  people to be imitated?  Yes, mixed in with all the rest, we do go to church, and we do good things with our time and our money.  We may even attend a Bible study.  We have been doing the thematic through the Bible daily reading and finding this a satisfying, encouraging, and peaceful part of each day.  Probably because we all do some of these things, we tend to put aside this kind of message, shuffle it back in the appendix of our lives.  We are doing okay, are we not?    

Often we glibly talk about the struggles of Christians in faraway lands without spending any real time in prayer for those suffering for the  gospel.  However, we cannot possibly appreciate the devastation and fear that such persecution brings to those Christians who are in the midst of maelstroms of evil for their faith in God.  If we did understand the price some have paid for the grace and mercy of the Lord, we would not complain so much about bringing more accountability to our walk for the Lord or a deeper spiritual emphasis in our lives.  We would not get tired or bored reading the Bible.  We would gladly find more time for such an exercise and suggest reading the Word and praying with friends, setting an example for others to follow.  We would not consider long devotions as hampering our lifestyle.  We would welcome the fervor of our pastor for preaching the Word when he goes a little long instead of complaining because dinner is delayed on Sunday.  We would not resent giving up our summer days going to church because we would want our friends and family to know we believe in Christian fellowship as John wrote: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.  And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  (1 John 1:3)  As American Christians we are unbelievably blessed by God.  We will never face what Paul and these new converts endured, but they did not lose heart because they were full of the joy of the Holy Spirit.  They knew they had been saved from darkness and brought into glorious light.  They had turned from false idols to know the living and true God.  Jesus rescued us from the same wrath, paid the same price for us.  In spite of our recalcitrance, our lack of exemplary living, Jesus remains our living sacrifice.  He stands ready to make us more alive than we have ever been.  We want to live consecrated lives, but we will never do that through our own human efforts or lukewarm living.  Jesus said:  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.  (John 12:24-26)  If we die to ourselves and come alive in Christ, we will know life as we have never known it before.    

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5  Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.  We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.  We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.  You know how we lived among you for your sake.

Our lives tell the true story of our convictions.  As Christians if our dedication to the Lord remains shallow so will our walk in the Lord lack depth.  If our commitment to God is weak, we will display an anemic faith.  We will constantly seek the next miracle, the next sign, the next testimony, the next song, the next book to bolster our belief in God that He is really there and we can keep on believing He loves us and has a plan for our lives.  We will be as the double-minded man described by James, constantly swaying between decisions, never finding solid ground to live out a life of action by faith.  This person will receive nothing from the Lord because of a lack of consistent faith.  Believers who need a sign from heaven or a tingling in their emotions before moving out wholeheartedly for God face confusion and walk on paths leading to darkness.  One day they stand on the mountaintop and the next day in the valley.  One moment they experience euphoria then suddenly fall into a deep despair when faced with difficulties.  Christians face trials but when we know we are in the will of God, we walk in his strength and his power, knowing we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.  James wrote: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.  (James 1:2-8)  Paul said I come not with mere words but with the power (authority of God) to overcome the world and the devil.  I come with the manifestation of the Spirit.  I come with a strong conviction that God is on the throne and that this world is under his authority.  

We see the early church exuding this confidence in God, living in the power of the Holy Spirit, believing what Paul believed when he wrote: But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  And  if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.  (Romans 8:10-11)  They willingly spread this Good News everywhere, in spite of hardships and troubles.  Some faced persecution, even death; however, others experienced healings, great miracles.  Regardless, they exuded the power of God, knowing He was in control and always on their side despite harsh circumstances or tribulations.  They believed they were IN CHRIST, HE WAS IN THEM.  They had answered his call, did not question God's perfect will.  Consequently, we do not see them continually moaning, complaining or questioning God about their lives: we see the church serving with great anticipation for the life which was to come.  What great favor would God do for them next?  Paul wrote: 

As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.  

(2 Corinthians 61-:2)  Paul said those words of optimism even though his life was packed full of trouble.  We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.  (2 Corinthians 6:3-10)  

Looking at the record of the early church, Paul's life in particular, most of us would ask, "What favor?"  Paul's life does not look as if God favored him.  But Paul was a man of faith with his eyes fixed on his Master.  He believed in God rather than in circumstances or in his feelings.  He saw a way where there was no way.  He believed when there were no visible signs of deliverance.  As Abraham before him, he believed when Isaac was not even in existence, when Sarah's womb was too old to bear a child  Therefore, Paul did not come with mere words that said maybe there is a God who favors us, who desires intimacy with us.  He came with words of faith, knowing the Holy Spirit intimately, knowing God had a plan for his life that would go far beyond his finite vision.  Paul developed this faith in chains, in prison cells, when stones struck his body, while men beat him with heavy clubs, when he was left for dead outside the city gates, when people said he was not fit to live.  Paul knew a servant is not greater than his Master.  Paul said, "Here am I Lord, use me."  Can you envision this kind of life for yourself regardless of the circumstances?  Has God told you He has a mission for your life?  Surely He has.  In every family, each child has a special place in the family.  No one but that child can fulfill that assignment.  God has a mission for you to benefit the family of God.  He may have asked you to go early to church to greet folks as they come in the door.  You might be the children's teacher they have been seeking.  Perhaps He wants you to read to an elderly person at a convalescent home.  Did God ask you to increase you giving, but you ignored his voice?  Did He tell you to start praying for people at the altar, and you said, "No, surely you jest, Lord."  James says strongly, Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  (James 4:7-10)  Paul served as an example: You know how we lived among you for your sake.  My friend, live your life with conviction; fulfill your mission with passionate words and actions.  A burning light will light the path for many. 

 

Colossians 4:15-18

Colossians 4:15-18  Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.  After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.  Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”  I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains.  Grace be with you.

Paul a servant and soldier of the Lord signs off his letter to the Colossians by asking them to tell Archippus to complete the work the Lord has given to him.  Paul knew what he was asking Archippus because he, too, was under the authority of the Supreme Commander of the army of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  He was in the uniform of the Lamb of God, under orders to carry the message of grace and mercy to whosoever would receive the message, repent of their sins, and follow Christ.  His orders were cut to carry out some of the most dangerous and difficult assignments ever given to a human being.  And now I am going to Jerusalem, drawn there irresistibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me,  except that the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and SUFFERING LIE AHEAD.  But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.  (Acts 20:22-24)  He told his followers who did not want him to carry on with his mission to be quiet and not to deter him from his purpose on earth.  “Why all this weeping?  You are breaking my heart!  For I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”  When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The will of the Lord be done.”  (Acts 21:13-14)  Would we as Christian Americans willingly accept the same assignment as those early Christians?  Paul encouraged Archippus to finish the course, to fulfill the mission assigned to him.  I am sure most of us who spend our evenings sitting in comfortable recliner chairs and lounging on soft sofas, watching television till late at night in the safety of our homes would have a rough time accepting such orders FROM THE ONE WE CALL LORD.  Sometimes, the smallest amount of pain or embarrassment serves to discourage us from carrying out any assignment that tests our perseverance.  

Paul and his co-workers fasted and prayed for long periods of time to face and to endure the ordeals the world presented them.  Many times their missions for the Lord involved persecution, danger, and death.  After Paul heard his friends say, "The will of the Lord be done,"  we see him struggling to stay alive as the Jews in Jerusalem attempted to kill him by viciously beating him.  Paul was dragged out of the Temple, and immediately the gates were closed behind him.  As they were trying to kill him, word reached the commander of the Roman regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.  He immediately called out his soldiers and officers and ran down among the crowd.  When the mob saw the commander and the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul.  The commander arrested him and ordered him bound with two chains.  (Acts 21:30-33)  Can you imagine what that scene must have been like for Paul as he faced a murderous crowd and then is bound and led away by Roman soldiers?  How must it feel to be at the mercy of a mob trying their best to kill you; then your rescuers take you away to prison?  How much blood must have flowed from Paul's body?  How many times did he fall down from the blows that came against him from all directions?  What thoughts passed through his mind as he was chained by the guards?  Some of us have fears.  Perhaps a fear of attack or of a burglary or of being shot by a gun, but few of us have ever faced the possibility of death by an angry mob.  Yet, the Holy Spirit drew Paul to this very place and then to prison where he stood at the door and attempted to preach to the same people who wanted him dead until they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him!  He’s not fit to live!”  (Acts 22:22)  He was there because he was a soldier of the cross, a soldier under orders who loved not his own life but gave his all to the Lord of All.  

Although Archippus is mentioned only two times in the Bible, church records make mention of him as one of the 70 that Christ sent out.  He is also said to have been martyred for his faith.  We know for certain when Paul wrote to his friend Philemon, he began by saying, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home.  (Philemon 1-2)  This soldier, Archippus, finished the course.  He followed his orders.  He gave everything for the cause of Christ.  He did not write any letters that lasted through time for the benefit of the church, but God gave him a work to do so important that his fellow servant, Paul, reminded the brethren to encourage Archippus, to gather round him, to make sure he finished the race.  Dear breakfast companions, complete the course now set before you.  God has given you clear directions, a purpose, you belong to him.  You call Jesus Lord: He calls you Son, Daughter.  You must follow his direction, not yours.  Most of us do not want to go to Jerusalem, do not want to complete the course or do what God wants us to do when the situation becomes difficult, when we face pain and sorrow, torment and persecution.  Do not let foolish pride or difficult situations get in your way.  Ask forgiveness, alter your course a bit, seek help, start over with renewed zeal.  Let the Holy Spirit be your guide.  We have only one life to live.  As Papa tells the grandchildren: Live life, don't watch it!  You will never regret living a worthwhile life, but you will regret sitting on the couch and watching life go by.  God has marching orders for each of us.  Peter wrote, we endure hardships and trials, but we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.  (1Peter 1:8)  May this joy overflow from your innermost being as you live your life for God's glory with great anticipation.  Every day is a new day to walk in the light of God's love full of the Holy Spirit.  Paul and Archippus lived each day IN THE SPIRIT, doing the work assigned to them by the Lord.  2,000 years later, we still know their names.   

Abba Father

My God, the hope

In the room,

Remains when 

All else fails.

My Savior, sets

My spirit free.

When my soul

Cries out in pain,

My Comfortor,

Covers me.

In violent storms,

Carries me.

When I fall

Reaches down,

Lifts me up

To Heaven’s realm.

My Lord, Redeemer,

King of Kings,

Calls me his 

Beloved Daughter;

I say boldly,

Abba Father!

Jacqueline M. Bursch