Holding On . . . But Letting Go – Be Steadfast In Hope And Waiting Series

Message - Holding On But Letting Go

Red Cross Hall 19 July 2014

HOLDING ON . . . BUT LETTING GO – BE STEADFAST IN HOPE AND WAITING

The subject here may seem like an apparent contradiction (an oxymoron); something we hold on to but let go of it. Well, that gets us nowhere, unless there is a reason for both parts of the statement. We will look at both parts.

To start let us read from 1Thessalonians (in this transcription I have capitalized the words I want).

PART A. THE THESSALONIANS PASSAGE

{{1Thessalonians 1:1 “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

1Thess 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers,

1Thess 1:3 constantly bearing in mind your work of FAITH and labour of love and STEADFASTNESS of HOPE in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

1Thess 1:4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you,

1Thess 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the HOLY SPIRIT and with FULL CONVICTION, just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

1Thess 1:6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, HAVING RECEIVED THE WORD in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

1Thess 1:7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia,

1Thess 1:8 for the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

1Thess 1:9 They themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you TURNED to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

1Thess 1:10 and to WAIT for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”}}

By way of introduction, this part of God’s word is Paul’s review of the Thessalonian church. It is all good, and there are certain aspects, important ones, Paul mentions to this very church where they applied.

In days of difficulty it is necessary to hold on to what is fundamental and good. Things will be eroded away and that is especially so with the Christian faith and we must maintain good teaching and be alert and dependent on the Lord. Christians in 2022 are living in days when the true faith is under attack in ways not conceived of before. We will look at what Paul saw as the essential elements in this church.

FAITH - Faith is the cord that binds us to Christ for it is faith that saved us, and faith that allows us to hold on in service (work of faith). Be careful not to do things in self-will or for self-promotion. Live in faith and work in faith.

STEADFASTNESS of HOPE - Steadfastness is like having a sign nailed to a wall, not with the normal four nails in each corner, but many nails all over the sign. It means it is stuck, not flapping or waving around in uncertainty. That unwavering is to apply to hope. Hope is a certainty in what is unseen but you know it will happen. The Rapture is described as “the blessed hope”. The Thessalonians had that steadfast hope in their lives. Hold on to hope.

HOLY SPIRIT - Well, this is the absolute essential of our faith. The power in conviction of sin, and the drawing to Christ for salvation came from the Holy Spirit. It is His work and Paul recognised that in the salvation of the Thessalonians. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement, and we must teach and preach in the power of the Holy Spirit, not as some fancy preacher strutting all over the stage as a showman.

FULL CONVICTION - All that Paul did was done in the full conviction of the Holy Spirit. Part conviction is no good. It must be full. So much of what Christians do is of little worth because it is not done in the full conviction of the Spirit, more often the case, in our own conviction. We must hold on to the Spirit’s full leading.

HAVING RECEIVED THE WORD - Going back to the beginning is very important. Let us recall the humility and brokenness we had when we gave our lives to the Lord. How many of us have moved on and have become proud, and self-reliant. That is wrong. Look how we first received the word, think on it, and hold on to that openness and humility we once had. We received the word in faith and contrition; let us continue and hold on to faith and contrition.