This Sunday, we conclude the exposition of 2 Thessalonians. But we will continue with the theme: “Moving out with our faith.” Imagine the energy and love of the Thessalonian church to where the apostle would compliment them by saying: “…remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess.1:3). The reputation of that church – even in a time of strong pushback – was “your faith in God has gone forth everywhere” (v8). High praise for a church. That church was on mission – a successful church, functioning according to design. What if we could emulate the Thessalonian church?
In October I will begin exposition of the book of Acts. That book records amazing things God did through the gospel of Christ in the first century world. But here is the point: God works through His church! We are the same church, with the same gospel of grace, and the same indwelling and empowering Holy Spirit! The only difference is context. We are called to reach out to our generation.
As we embark on the great adventure of God’s amazing grace through the book of Acts, the first thing I call you to do is pray. Seek the arm of Omnipotence to open our hearts and minds with His self-disclosure, and to compel us “out of the salt shaker and into the world” to engage in the work of the ministry – because every one of us is in ministry. Pray that His Spirit will move us out with our faith the same way He moved the Thessalonian church. The context for us continues to get darker – but that means this could be one of the finest hours for the church to shine.
Finally, there are two books I am currently reading (well – there are more, but these two specifically) and I encourage you to pick up a copy and join the conversation. First, Stay Salt: The World has Changed. Our Message Must Not, by Rebecca Manley Pippert, (2020, The Good Book Company). She also wrote the classic: “Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World” now 40 years ago. Second, Telling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age, by Joshua D. Chatraw, (2020, Zondervan). Our outreach cannot be just calling people to believe a creed of doctrinal truths. We must reach our generation with human connection, service, and story. This nuance will permeate the teaching of Acts.
Will you join me in this great adventure? Kneel before the throne of grace. Surrender yourself to live the gospel!
“Let us expect that God is going to use us. Let us have courage
and go forward, looking to God to do great things.”
[D.L. Moody]
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