When I first started seminary, I heard a rumor that shocked me. I heard that Christian ministry is a very competitive field, that churches and pastors compete with one another, and that within churches individuals compete for position and status. But after I thought it over, I realized that of course it must be true. And all the time I have spent in ministry has simply confirmed the obvious. Because most of us want very badly to do well, and to be recognized as doing well. Some of it comes from childhood roles and expectations, but mostly it’s just about being human. It’s very hard to let go of the need for affirmation. Most of the pastors I know well struggle to conform their desire to be successful to God’s definition of success, which is faithfulness, but it’s not easy. It’s an ongoing battle. There are a whole lot of ways in which the desire to be successful sneaks up on us when we’re not looking. I am most used to having to squelch my need to perform at the level of knowing all the answers. Many of you have heard me say, when I have to admit that I actually don't know the answer to some Biblical or theological question, that “It’s MY JOB to know.” The role I like, the one I’m used to and comfortable with, is being the person other people come to for advice or comfort or support or understanding or strength... I don’t like having to lean on other people; even the idea of being dependent scares me. Actually admitting dependence is even harder.
It is also an uncomfortable admission for me to make that I am jealous of the churches in our area which attract larger numbers than ours do.
I’d probably compete with the Apostle Paul if he were still around. I’ve always rather hero-worshiped him. So, of course, I look at this letter he wrote to the Thessalonians and wonder if I’m taking as good care of you as he did of them. And if I don’t stop myself, the next thing I’m doing is measuring the soundness - if not brilliance - of my theology and the purity of my motivations against Paul’s, and any illusion I ever had of achieving spiritual gianthood in this life goes straight out the window. It’s a good thing you’re all so good to me; if I ran into half the opposition Paul did - even from his own congregations, not to mention from the Jews, the pagans, and the local governments - I’d be crushed in no time.
If the past is any guide, I expect that I will wrestle with frustration, exhaustion, inadequacy, and doubt for the entire span of my pastoral life. There are times when I look at myself and my shortcomings and wondered, “God, why did you choose me?” It can get quite uncomfortable at times. But I hope that there never comes a day when I don’t struggle with self-doubt. Because I can think of nothing more deadly than feeling you have it all spiritually together, than believing that you deserved God’s call on your life.
Perhaps there are some of you out there who, like me, have occasionally wished that you were as spiritually mature and confident as the name-brand preachers and writers you look up to - maybe C. S. Lewis or Billy Graham. Perhaps there has been a time in your life when you have considered the possibility that God might be calling you into professional ministry and dismissed the idea because you felt that you weren’t adequate, weren’t gifted or spiritual enough. If so, it may come as a surprise to you to realize that no one is spiritual enough, or gifted enough; no one is adequate.
The Apostle Paul was a spiritual giant. But part of what made him one was that he knew he was not adequate in himself; he knew he was not independent. He was, for one thing, dependent on other people. He was supported at various times by Silas, Timothy, Luke, Mark, Onesimus, Epaphras and no doubt scores of others whose names I can’t remember or pronounce. But more important than that: he depended always on the basic truths of the Gospel, not on his own abilities. The theme of dependence sounds throughout all of Paul’s writings.
Like Paul, we are dependent. But whatever our ministry, lay or professional, whether visiting the sick, witnessing to co-workers, teaching teens or washing dishes, Paul himself is one of the most important members of our support team. When we are bewildered, discouraged, overwhelmed, or just plain stuck, the words Paul wrote to the Thessalonians speak to us as well. They were a young church. They didn’t know a lot of the things we modern Christians know. They didn’t debate inerrancy or predestination or evolution or dancing. They had probably never even considered the issue of infant vs. adult baptism. But spiritual maturity doesn’t come with theological sophistication. Spiritual giants are marked by the depth of their identification with and their dependence on Christ himself, and his victory on our behalf. Paul strengthened the Thessalonians by reminding them of the most basic, the most fundamental truths about being a follower of Jesus. We too, whether seekers, new Christians, or followers of Jesus from infancy, can be encouraged in our faith exactly as these young Christians were encouraged, by considering Paul’s words.
I. The first truth to remember is that God chose you. Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians because he had been forced to abandon them prematurely. They were suffering persecution from the same people who had kicked him out of town, and he hadn’t had time to prepare them for what lay ahead. Nonetheless Paul was able to begin his letter with an outpouring of thanks. Look at the first words of today’s text:
“We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering ... your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness ... For we know... that he has chosen you.” [1 Th 1:2-4]
Notice whom Paul thanked. The growth which had taken place in the Thessalonian church was God’s doing. It was by God’s choice, based on His love for them, that they even became His people in the first place. They had not gone chasing Paul around the Mediterranean yelling, “Take me! Take me!” God reached out to them, and said, “You. And you. And you.”
Brothers and sisters in Christ, you too were chosen by God. So was I. It is only because of God’s grace and His love for us that we are here in His church at all. And He chose us - lay people as well as pastors - not to make the Kingdom of Heaven All-stars, but to accomplish His will.
Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit.” [Jn 15:16] You may have expected plums and have found yourself picking lemons instead, but don’t doubt your place in the kingdom on that account. Remember that “God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong... that no man should boast before God.” [1 Cor 28:29] It is not YOUR strengths which God wishes to highlight, but HIS. How Christians behave under difficult circumstances is a far more powerful demonstration of the greatness of God than our prosperity. When God declined, for the third time, to heal his “thorn in the flesh” Paul said, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weakness, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” [II Cor 12:9] It may be that what God has in mind for you is a portrait of faithfulness in adversity, grace under pressure, or failure and forgiveness. Are you willing to be a failure for God? Or a fool? Do you understand that God can use your weaknesses, if you are honest about them, and give them up to him, even more powerfully than he can your successes?
You may have been mistaken as to what God has in mind for your life ...but you are not mistaken that he has chosen you for something. Whatever God’s plans for your life may be, they are his plans, and you can count on God to follow through with whatever is necessary to accomplish them. And whatever they may be, it is a privilege, and an honor, and an incomparable act of grace for him to include us in them.
II. The second truth to remember is the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s go on to verse 5: “...our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
The Thessalonians had received the gospel in the first place because of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. And it was possible for them to rejoice - even when times got rough - because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Their imitation of Christ and of Paul, their ability to remain constant even during hard times, was a gift of the Spirit. People do not understand or accept or embrace the gospel unless the Holy Spirit empowers them.
You could not acknowledge Jesus Christ as Messiah and Lord if the Spirit were not present in your life.
“Behold the lilies of the field” said Jesus in another context. Behold the cherry blossoms and the pumpkin patches, the corn fields and the apple trees. “Your heavenly father clothes them.” He also feeds them. They don’t sweat and strain and struggle; they simply take in what the farmer provides and blossom and bear in their time. And that is the model for us, as well. If you’re feeling dry or disconnected, don’t despair. Deepen your tap roots, drink deep from the waters of salvation; take in nourishment, feeding on the sweetness of God’s word. Spend time with God. Trust the Holy Spirit to bring you and your ministry to maturity at a time suitable to your nature and his purposes. And keep in mind, too, that joy is not the only sign of the presence of the spirit. Kindness and faithfulness are equally important, if not as much fun. “For if you are gentle and patient when things are going well, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?”
I know that there are many gifts in this congregation. Many of you may be unaware of what your gifts are. These gifts are important because they have been given to you by God, to be exercised “for the common good.” [1 Cor 12:7] If you aren’t serving somewhere, don’t wait for an engraved invitation. How can you enjoy God’s gifts if you’re not using them? Someone once said that it’s easier to turn the wheels on a moving vehicle; that applies to people as well. Even if you are unsure of your destination, at least start taking steps. Get involved. As you move forward, God will give you further directions, sort of like a treasure hunt, where you get the clues one by one as you go along.
And if you are involved in ministry, ask yourself whose strength you are depending on. The Holy Spirit will use the gifts he has given us; make no doubt about it. But our gifts, our strengths are secondary. They are not what we as Christians are to rely upon. So, if you’ve hit what seems like a spiritual dry spot, before redoubling your efforts, slow down. In fact, stop. Stop trying to be successful. Look. Look around you. Is the spirit speaking to you through the body of Christ? Listen. How’s your prayer life? Have you been so busy telling God what you want to accomplish that you haven’t been listening to what the Spirit has to tell you about what He has in mind?
God’s holy spirit is at work. You can count on it. And because that is certain, keeping centered on the third basic truth suddenly becomes possible.
III. Remember whose witness you are. Let’s take another look at verse 7: “...You became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you ... in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.” [1 Th 1:7-8]
All Greece - and beyond - knew of the Thessalonians’ faith. There was wide-spread interest in this person Christ, and in the new religion springing up all over the Mediterranean world. This interest was so strong that developments in the church simply spread from one person, one community, to another. And not only did people hear about what was going on in Thessalonica, they imitated it. The Thessalonians were an example to other believers. Their steadfastness was a tribute to - and a declaration of - the son of the true God. They believed in Christ, and therefore they behaved like Christ. They were different not only from the people around them, but different from the people they themselves had been. They turned from idols because they believed that Christ had been raised from the dead and was the son of the living God. Because their behavior reflected Christlike qualities, it affirmed the truth of Christ’s claims. It was a reminder and an inspiration both to believers and to unbelievers.
People are just as interested in Jesus now as they were in Paul’s day, whether they acknowledge it or not. People who call themselves Christians are watched and judged by Christian and non-Christian alike. As a member of Christ’s church, your behavior will be observed; your influence is far greater than you probably imagine. And the reputation of the one whose name you bear rests on your behavior, and on those who pattern their behavior after yours.
Remember back a few years, to that string of televangelist scandals? Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker? Do you remember how many secular publications highlighted their downfall? More recently, people point to the hate-mongers who carry signs saying “God hates faggots” at Gay Pride parades. The public is far more outraged by hateful words from Christians than from other groups. The anti-Christian propagandists do use that kind of disgraceful behavior to try to discredit Jesus, but it wouldn’t have much impact if it weren’t for the fact that even non-Christians know that Christians aren’t supposed to behave like that. I think many more people than we realize want to see Jesus making a real difference in people’s lives and feel betrayed when Christianity fails to live up to their expectations. On the other hand, there are people like Lisa Beamer - remember, the woman whose husband Todd’s final words, “Let’s roll,” had such an impact on our nation’s imagination. Her testimony to the power and grace of God even in these most terrible of circumstances cannot be shaken or dismissed. People do watch. People do judge. And what they care about, and what they remember, and what will influence their beliefs and behavior is not your activity but your integrity.
Remembering whose witness you are begins before people can see anything on the outside. It begins with remembering who Jesus is and what he has done. He paid the price we could not pay. He won the victory we could not win. He carries the burdens - now, today - that we cannot even lift. He taught us how to live and showed us how to die. Is he worth spending your life on or not? Remembering that comes first. Character grows out of that. When we look at him we start to look like him. Do you reflect Christ? A person who reflects Christ is a person who serves, a person who loves, a person who prays. Do you reflect Christ? If not, who or what have you been looking at? A mirror? The latest stock market figures? The sports pages, the funny papers, the political news? Who gets your attention? You will look like what you look at. Behavior affirms belief. The more you lean on Jesus, the more time you spend with him, the more consistently you will act like him. A person who believes in Christ is a person who behaves like Christ.
This is basic. This is fundamental. These are the ABC’s. This isn’t kindergarten, for goodness’ sake, many of you have been Christians far longer than I have. Do I really think you need to hear all of this again? Well, maybe you don’t need to hear it, but I do. If I were being graded on spiritual gianthood this year I’d get a “needs improvement” - again. Even pastors can forget to practice the things we ought to know best.
Remembering these three basic truths is medicine. It’s a one-a-day spiritual vitamin. It’s especially good medicine because it’s preventive maintenance as well as a cure for discouragement. And it’s easy to remember, too, because it’s the Trinity. A: God chose you. B: The Holy Spirit empowers you. And C: Jesus Christ motivates you. We never outgrow our dependence on these truths.
Kindergarten is for all the children of God, not just the new ones. These very simple truths are the foundation of everything God has chosen us to be and do. And accepting - no, embracing - our dependence is one of the paradoxical joys of faith. From the time my eldest godson Teddy was born - or almost - I had to sing what he called “the Jesus song” before he went to sleep. That was his name for “Jesus Loves Me.” When Philip, 2 years younger, started to join in the ritual I had to sing it twice, with different words, because Teddy was a “big kid.” Philip was the “little one”. And when I would sing it, they snuggled down under the covers and smiled and smiled.
Whether we are little ones or big kids, we belong to Jesus, too. We are weak, and he is strong. How long has it been since you’ve sung “Jesus Loves Me” as if you meant it? Let’s do it now, together.
