|
|
|
| 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4,
11-12
|
BACKGROUND- a quick perusal of commentaries will reveal centuries of little consensus
concerning authorship, and context of this epistle. [1] Like numerous of the epistles of
Pauline influence, 2 Thessalonians raises the remarkably current issue of how church
communities relate to the world in a non-Christian culture.
CONTINUING STEADFAST - Paul attempts to steer the Thessalonians into the
waters of stability and faithfulness to the word of the Gospel that initially formed the
community. If the church was born in the hope of Christ’s choosing them and returning
to gather them (the parousia), then they must continue steadfast in that faith.
Paul acknowledges this quality in them and exudes thankfulness for their growth in faith.
THE GOOD LIFE OR THE LIFE THAT IS GOOD?
Paul’s goal for [the Thessalonian
Christians] was not the "good life," . . . if that means getting all the
material goods one can get), but the "life that is good" (that is, the life that
truly provides meaning)
. . . A God who initiates salvation; caring leaders who nurture believers, and
believers who eagerly follow a new orientation marked out by the gospel-these are the
three realities that make for truly productive lives as believers. Without these, church
members may merely have "the good life," but not "the life that is
good." [2]
connections
If you moved out of the area and wrote back to the congregation
that you felt deeply about, what might be some of the items you would include? What would
your prayer for the church include?
gambits
The writer (Paul, Timothy, Silas?, School of? Spirit of?) notes
that this congregation’s faith is "growing abundantly." This construction
intensifies what follows-a description of the increase of love. Whatever else is happening
to the congregation at Thessalonica, they are successful in growing in community agape.
Apparently, this growth is remarkable enough that a reputation has begun-"Did you
hear about that church on the coast? Why the other day they were hammered by the proconsul
but instead of . . . they . . . "
Such is the reputation of churches that are successful in growing in mutual agape-word
gets out on the ‘hood. I wonder what kind of reputation my congregation/your
congregation has? What other kinds of reputations have you heard from the street about our
churches? "Yeah, they’re into contemporary worship . . ." "They always
ask for money . . ." "See that church? Don’t try skateboarding there, they
called the cops on my friend . . ." "Can you believe that church? Why one of
their pastors just likes to hang out with us on the corner . . ."
How does one measure a congregation’s reputation? What do we use as an index for
such honor? Is it based on cutting edge worship? Limitless financial reserves? Speaking of
reputation as the "measure of worth" the NIB states:
This is the measure of worth that was basic to
the lives of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Teresa. One died young’ the other
old. One was assassinated; the other lived a relatively long life. Both gave the world
incredible examples of "good resolve and works of faith." (1:11). King captured
true worth in his sermon "The Drum Major Instinct," in which he asked not to be
remembered for his Nobel Peace Prize, his numerous awards, or where he went to school. He
asked, rather, to be remembered as someone who "tried to love and serve
humanity." Mother Teresa may have been influenced by 2 Thessalonians when she
prepared the following prayer:
Make us worthy, Lord,
To serve others throughout the world
Who live and die
In poverty or hunger,
Give them, through our hands,
this day their daily Bread,
and by our understanding love,
give peace and joy. [3]
_______________________________________________________
|
|
|
