Apparently, the first century church suffered from false prognosticators just as today’s church does. Paul warned believers not to be deceived and therefore so “troubled in mind” (v.2) as to be shaken in their faith. Instead, they should “stand fast” (v.15) and continue remembering the calling of the gospel. We await Christ’s return best by proclaiming the gospel to all.
In the midst of announcing woes and judgment, Jeremiah proclaimed a future when the Christ would come. There are two distinct threads of messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. One of a Suffering Servant (See Isa. 53) and another of a Righteous King. Jesus has already come as Savior and sacrifice, but this prophecy of His righteous reign is yet to be fulfilled. We still await the coming of the King of Righteousness that Jeremiah proclaimed. And as we work proclaiming the gospel we join the saints of old saying, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
Paul must have written this letter in October to encourage Pastor Appreciation Month. 🙂 For he urged the Thessalonians to give recognition, high esteem and love to those who labored and served as their shepherds. There is a sinful human tendency to rebel against authority. Yet, believers are to be submissive to God and to those whom He has placed “over” them to “admonish” them. This makes the hard work of shepherding more beneficial for both the pastor and the people.
The apostle Paul described believers who had died as having “fallen asleep” in Jesus. For them death is like sleep, a transitional state where one closes their eyes in this world and opens them in the next. Having given the Thessalonians this description, Paul encouraged them not to “sorrow as others who have no hope.” Let the tears fall down your face, but not without believing in your heart that the same Jesus who died and rose again will return with those who sleep in Him. This faith gives us hope that overcomes the sorrow of death.
The Bible is food to those who bear His Name. His Word is real spiritual nourishment. It’s promises encourage and bring joy, filling our heart’s with delight. It’s admonitions convict us and move us to yield to the Spirit’s correction and empowering. Jeremiah didn’t just hear God’s Word, he internalized it. In spite of those who persecuted him for believing and proclaiming the Word, his heart rejoiced in knowing it. Those who carry the Name, rejoice in the Book.
The apostle Paul told the Thessalonians that when they shared the gospel with them, they also shared their lives. This was the practice of Jesus, who was accused of eating and drinking with sinners. As Christ-followers we are called not only to share the gospel, but to share our very lives, loving others with the love of Christ. Gospel-sharing and life-sharing go hand in hand.
The psalmist spoke of how God chose a young shepherd boy named David to be king over Israel. What was God looking for in a leader that He would choose such a one as David? God was looking for someone with “integrity” of heart. The dictionary gives several synonyms for the word Integrity: “honest, moral, decent, righteous, undivided, good, ethical, having good character.” This was God’s criteria for a leader. And in David, God found one with both character and competency (“skillfulness”). Yet, even David was only a foreshadowing of the true King, who will one day rule all of creation with such integrity and skill that His kingdom will endure throughout the ages.
Paul said that we are to let the peace of God “rule.” The Greek word for rule is βραβευέτω, brabeuetō. It literally means to “umpire, arbitrate, to let make the call.” When our circumstances appear to overwhelm us, we are to let the peace, the shalom, of Christ act as our umpire, determining what’s in or out of bounds. Letting the peace of Christ umpire our hearts, we don’t let circumstances, nor fleshly emotion rule, we let Christ rule.
There are many times as a pastor that I feel as if no one is listening to the Word of God. That my preaching is in vain. That the message of Christ is falling on deaf ears. Yet, every time we give out the Word, someone responds. People respond to God’s Word when we faithfully proclaim it. We may feel that the soil is hard in our day and time, but none of us have been given the call of Jeremiah, who was told to preach with full knowledge that his people would not listen. However, it occurs to me that all preachers have this in common, we are to preach the Word whether people obey or not. Our success is not in how many listen, but in whether we were faithful in proclaiming the Word as it was given to us.
When do you seek the Lord? The psalmist spoke of a day when he “sought the Lord” as a “day of my trouble.” He described his trouble sleeping and the state of his soul which seemed beyond comfort and encouragement. On such a day, he “cried out to God” (v.1). Most of us have experienced such a day. But have you yet learned to seek God on a good day?