Eyes Fixed On Jesus Series

Eyes Fixed on Jesus

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

Ever since creation humanity has struggled to establish channels of communication and demonstrate reverence towards a holy God! Sacraments such as confession, Eucharist, confirmation, and baptism serve as sacred rites, symbolizing spiritual transformation and communion with the divine. Through these rituals, believers strive to approach God with humility and reverence, acknowledging their own imperfections while seeking grace and forgiveness. Engaging in time-honored rituals, often rooted in biblical tradition, has undoubtedly drawn many individuals closer to God, fostering a deepening of faith and spiritual connection. However, these same rituals have also, at times, morphed into a stumbling block for others, leading to a rigid adherence devoid of true spiritual understanding, reminiscent of the Pharisaic mindset. For instance, Saul, later known as the apostle Paul, held firmly to his understanding of how to approach God. When confronted with the revelation that faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ superseded reliance on the Torah, tradition, and temple rituals as the sole means of adoption into God's family, he responded by beathing “murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,” imprisoning many and even approving of their execution (Acts 8-9). In one of his stern rebukes, the Lord warns against the dangers of religious hypocrisy by vividly describing those who are "full of dead man’s bones and all things unclean” (Matthew 23:27). This powerful imagery underscores the notion that outward piety and adherence to religious rituals can mask inner corruption and moral decay.

When Rituals Become our god

Though persecution often comes from the people of this world who hate the light, some of the most severe treatment of God’s people comes from His very own! In Matthew 23:29-37 and 1 Kings 19:10-14, the Bible depicts a recurring pattern of the Jewish people rejecting and mistreating God's prophets. Similarly, during Jesus' trial, both Jewish authorities and their followers demanded His crucifixion, highlighting collective responsibility for His death (Matthew 27:22-25). Paul's intention in highlighting these truths is not to be anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish. Rather, he seeks to underscore the reality that persecution often befalls those who seek to approach God in a manner divergent from the established traditions. Even though at the Jerusalem council it was decided that the only requirements of Gentile believers to be good with God was to “abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality” (Acts 15:28-29), by 48 AD a zealot movement in Palestine formed with the goal of “purging Israel from all Gentile influence.” They openly mirrored their predecessors by affirming the necessity of adhering to Mosaic customs, particularly circumcision, for salvation (Acts 15:1). They persecuted those who deviated from the Judaic approach to approaching God. This aligns with Christ's prophecy that believers would face persecution, including being brought before councils and flogged in synagogues (Matthew 10:17). The experience of Apostle Paul exemplifies this, as he endured flogging and imprisonment at Philippi and after being at Thessalonica but a mere three weeks Paul was “driven out” due to his conviction that salvation is found solely through faith in a resurrected Savior, not in adherence to traditions.

In his letter to the Thessalonians, apostle Paul warns against the danger of driving away seekers of the Lord through excessive adherence to traditions, stating that such actions only serve to "heap up their sins to the limit" (2:16)! In Ephesians 2:22, Christ is depicted as the cornerstone upon which a new church is established, symbolizing His foundational role in shaping the community of believers. In Ephesians 2:11-22, the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice is vividly portrayed. Through His shed blood, the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jews and Gentiles is dismantled, signifying the abolition of distinctions and the establishment of unity among diverse groups. This unity is achieved by Christ "setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations," highlighting His role as the ultimate fulfillment of the Law and the means through which reconciliation is accomplished. Paul's assertion in Acts 5:39 and Acts 9:4-5 carries a weighty implication: to persecute the church is to directly oppose God Himself. Those who persist in persecuting believers risk facing the full measure of God's wrath, as evidenced by historical events such as the famine of A.D. 46 (mentioned in Acts 11:28) or the banishment from Rome in A.D. 49 (referenced in Acts 18:2). Furthermore, Paul's warning may also allude to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. In this context, Paul's admonition carries both historical weight and prophetic significance, urging hearers to heed the consequences of opposing God and His purposes.

Reflection. Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between honoring traditions and welcoming those who are earnestly seeking a relationship with God. By prioritizing rigid adherence over genuine love and acceptance, individuals’ risk not only estranging seekers but also increasing their own culpability before God. Do you actively cultivate space in your heart for fellow believers? Are you committed to nurturing and strengthening their faith, while also extending to them the same grace and compassion you have received from Christ? Furthermore, are you open to embracing the diverse spiritual practices and perspectives of others, including various styles of music, interpretations of Scripture, and outreach initiatives? Building meaningful relationships within the faith community requires a willingness to not only support and encourage one another but also to engage in mutual growth and learning. This involves being receptive to different expressions of worship and interpretation of God's Word, recognizing that diversity enriches our understanding of the divine and fosters unity amidst differences.