The Mystical Sphere of God's Power 2

1THESS. 1:1-4

Subject: A Strong Church 

Theme: The Church of the Thessalonians is a positive example because of its leadership, members, teaching, service, and God’s work among them. The Thessalonians provide us with a wonderful model to imitate.

Introduction:  

Now that we have observed the place and peculiarities of the church at Thessalonica, it is time to turn our attention to what God equipped them with as a standard provision—a powerful resource. The provisions of the Thessalonian church are worth considering because they are mighty empowerments! The church possesses precious gifts “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” and so do we! Yes, I am of the view that this “letter greeting” is far more than merely a greeting. Certainly these two blessed gifts will make a church stronger when we know how to rest in them and appropriate them into our lives.

Note the Power of this Church

1Thess. 1:1,   “. . . Grace be unto you, and peace …  

“Grace” is the first component of this salutation to the church in Thessalonica. “Grace” was a Grecian greeting and “peace” was a Hebrew greeting in the first century and this signified that the gospel is for the world (Rom. 1:16). Such a greeting signifies that the church was more cosmopolitan as well; there is plenty of evidence to support this conclusion in Acts 17 when the church was planted. Paul was greeting the Jews in a manner familiar to them and addressing the Grecians in a way familiar to them.

“Grace” indicates the church enjoyed the blessings of the unmerited favor of God. This is real spiritual strength for service and relationship building. It is because we have experienced grace that we can give grace or show grace to others who need it. One thing people should be able to find when interacting with a godly NT church is grace. Believers are recipients of grace and stand in the best position to show grace to the fallen, undeserving, and repentant. In Ephesian 3:7-8, Paul says,

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ

The apostle viewed his entire ministry as a gracious opportunity afforded to Him by a mighty gracious God! He enjoyed incredible ministry power because of God’s grace operating through him. Did God use Paul because Paul was so great or so wonderful or so dedicated or so educated or so eloquent? According to Paul’s own admission God used Paul because God is gracious…. Paul did not earn the privileges extended to him; they were actually gracious gifts from God; favors that were purely underserved. Beloved, by recognizing this extraordinary truth we position ourselves to deal graciously with other undeserving fallen human beings. It is from grace we discover the strength to be gracious to others in the execution of God's work. Grace should mark every church as a distinct characteristic. Grace should actually avail power to behave and do what is underserved for another. We are sustained in these activities to the degree of our own realization of the grace God extended to us. When you find yourself unmotivated to treat another graciously remember how graciously God has treated you. I know from experience this will help.

“Peace” is the second part of the greeting addressed to the church and it means to be bound, joined and woven together. This, no doubt, was Paul’s prayer for this multicultural church. He yearned for them to be woven together as a tapestry of God's infinite grace operating within and among God's people. Ethnic, historic, and socioeconomic differences can drive a wedge through a church and split it along one of these faultlines. These are powerfully divisive weapons the devil has employed with astounding success over the centuries on many continents. God offers the hope of “peace” in the church and this can potentially influence the culture at large. Again, God’s peace is conciliatory binding together and weaving very different peoples into the fabric of a church.Continous growth, curiosity, empathy, and constant dialog are required to get there. Instead of stereotyping ask the questions to understand what is actually going on.   

Before peace can impact our relationships and bridge cultural and ethnic gaps, we must experience inner peace. People who have experienced peace can abide together in peace. Peace in this regard denotes the state of the Christian in this present life. The tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, fearing nothing from God and consequently content with its earthly lot, whatever it is (Rom 5:1; 8:6; 15:13; 2Thess 3:16; Col 3:15).

Furthermore, peace means the soul is bound together by the love of God, and anxiety means the soul is being torn apart by excessive concerns.  Peace is being assured, confident, and secure in the love of God.  When we worry, we doubt God’s wisdom and love over our lives. Worry is rooted in a belief that we have to do it all, while peace recognizes God as the center of one’s world. Worry is rooted in fear and cultural fears or distrust can increase the level of anxiety in a church fellowship. Our common ground in Christ should enable us to overcome the differences we have resulting in social peace in the fellowship of God’s people.

God affords His people peace through the incredible promises he has given us. He is the Source of these wonderful blessings. These encouragements should help us overcome our cultural differences to know real harmony and solidarity in the local congregations. We should not fear having a cross-cultural ministry if God has given us that opportunity. Yet, many churches are dying by attrition because their homogeneous membership is aging and the immediate communities have changed. The demographics in many American communities have become more diverse in the last 25 years. It is most likely this trend will continue. This is especially true in the metropolitan areas. The future promises a greater assortment of people groups in the average community. How many times will congregations relocate their church building because they are trying to escape the changes? God has brought the world to our door steps; it is our priceless opportunity if we dare to acknowledge it. Beloved, Jesus offers His people peace as the power to overcome such challenges. Take a moment and meditate on the following verses while applying them to this discussion: 

John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Rom 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ are our Source of these precious gifts. Peace is the blessing of the Lord God (Job 25:2; Ps 147:14; Isa 45:7). It is God’s prescription for life with the church body even when there are socioeconomic and ethnic differences. Diversity should be regarded as a strength and not a threat. Yes, there are very real challenges, but I believe the opportunities outweigh them. Recall the conciliatory statements of Paul in Galatians 3:26-29,

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:26-29, KJV)

To another congregation adjusting to vast ethnic diversity, the Apostle Paul clearly states that Jesus Christ is the focal point for peace among the brethren. Through His cross Jews and Gentiles are reconciled. Beloved, the cross of Christ has the same potential today; it has not in any way lost it potency and power to change ancient prejudices, ethnic distrust, racial tensions, unforgiving hearts, and gross injustices. Consider what Paul says to the Ephesians,

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:14-22, KJV)

As it has been well said on many occasions by Central American, Caucasian American, Asian American, and African-American pastors, “A race problem is actually a grace problem.” Real believers are spiritual family because of our redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s grace and peace will enable and empower us to transcend our ethnic differences and serve together through our local congregations to the glory of our Father in heaven. Our churches really should be making a serious impact in this regard. The task is ours to show the rest of society how this is done. I do understand the reservations involved with all of this. I also understand the rewards of pastoring a wonderfully multicultural congregation for ten years while in Germany. Yes, all of this requires real courage and commitment. For some there is little opportunity for a cosmopolitan church family, but for others it's almost an imperative. God has brought all kinds of precious people groups into the very shadow of our steeple. I encourage you to allow God to use you to make an eternal difference in these lives. The shameful truth is we work every week in incredible diversity and this is regarded as progress and a strength. Still Sunday morning at 11 o’clock is the most segregated time of the week. I cannot see how this is glorifying to God when our faith should be making this difference among believers. Let us model God's power to bring different peoples together to His glory.