The Foundation of A Christian Community/Re-visiting the Roots of a Christian Living 1 Thess. 2:1-16

Kalidas the great Indian poet and dramatist in his masterpiece Raghuvams presents a king named Dilipa and his wife Sudakshina who were not able to conceive. He presents them as going on a hermitage to their sage Basistha to get blessing to conceive a child. The way of their journey was rough and tough as it was winter season but they travelled the long way joyfully because of certain reasons. The king admired the scenic beauty of the ponds and lotuses there, the valleys and the trees, birds and deer. He showed all these to his wife, at the same time describing their beauty to her. Because of this they reached their destination happily in the evening. Kalidasa presented their happy journey as an indication that their purpose of going to this hermitage will be fulfilled. The way may be difficult but if we concentrate on the beautiful roots of life then we can enjoy life and reach our destination. Just as king Dilipa focused on the positivism of nature so also we have to focus on the foundational roots of our commitment to God, the way God wants us to serve him in the midst of injustices. The foundation of a Christian community needs focussed re-visitation time and again that we can enjoy an ever better community life.

THE PASSAGE:

Paul founded the church at Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. He had taught there just around three weeks when he had to leave suddenly because of the opposition of the Jews. The Christians in Thessalonica were thus facing lots of problems because of their faith. They were left with little external support in the midst of persecution. Paul wrote this letter to give them encouragement that they can be firm and joyous in the midst of persecution of their faith.

In our text 1 Thes. 2:1-16 Paul reminds the Thessalonians how they spend three weeks together. Their three weeks together gives us a perfect picture of Christian community/living. It gives the perfect pictures of; commitment to God, pattern of ministry, and a faithful and contented/satisfied congregation. The beauty of all these perfect pictures is that they were against the background of persecution, suffering, toil and hard work. Let us meditate on these three pictures. First, a committed conviction; second, a perfect pattern of ministry and; third, a contented/satisfied congregation.

RELEVANCE:

A Committed Conviction: During the three weeks they spend together Paul and Silas had shared the gospel of Christ in Thessalonica with deep commitment. Their sharing was an overflow of their Christ experience, that of the salvation in Christ. Because of their commitment they dared to speak in the midst of strong opposition. They were sharing the gospel with all sincerity of hearts. As it was a message of their hearts commitment there was no flattery in their appeal. Paul reminded the Thessalonians the commitment with which they taught to convince them to remain firm as a Christian in the midst of persecution. Their commitment was not baseless it is a life changing truth. To the remembrance of this committed conviction Paul invites the Thessalonians that they can stand firm in the midst of persecution. Let us remember that our deep commitment in God will only be the reason enabling us to stand against temptations, evil desires and corruptions. Our deep commitment in God will only enable us to unite for good causes. In most of Indian religions inward reflection on our personal God experience is the way to any positive spiritual result. In these context friends, we need to be constantly on the look that we demonstrate our commitment in our practical living. It is needed that we daily strengthen our commitment by having private devotions.

Our Spiritual Embodiment/A Perfect Pattern of Ministry: During the three weeks they spend together Paul and Silas did not simply depend on the Thessalonians for their living. They worked day and night in order not to burden anyone. In spite of all the strong opposition to preach the gospel and the hard work they did to support themselves, they work with all humility, sharing their lives as well with the people. They identified with the sufferings of the people. Being in solidarity is the requirement of ministry. Solidarity cannot happen in an atmosphere of some reservation. There has to be a complete identification in the problems, struggles and sufferings of the people. Paul and Silas completely identified themselves with the Thessalonians. They share the whole of their lives. We are called to share in the sufferings of others by being with them all along.

They were encouraging the people to live out their faith even in the midst of persecution. They were comforting the people in their sufferings and difficulties. They were urging them to live lives worthy of God. Encouraging, comforting and urging others for good are the things difficult to find in our present day world. Humbleness is now regarded as the trait of the weak. In the context where we have to struggle our way, it is difficult to be humble and give space to others. But this passage teaches us that encouraging, comforting and urging others for good are the perfect patterns of ministry.

A Contented/Satisfied Congregation: During the three weeks they spend together the Thessalonians on their part gladly received the gospel in spite of the difficulty involves for doing so. The Thessalonians received the gospel because they knew it is the word of God to fullness of life. The Thessalonians were clear in their commitment. And they did receive the fulfilment of their heart’s desire. They were contented in their state even in the midst of persecution. This state of contentment is difficult to find in our Churches on many occasions. Therefore, it is our duty to bring our Church members to a contented hearts in the midst of temptations like; means of easy money, evil desires and so on and so forth.

CONCLUSION:

Our commitment in God will only be the source of our strength in our ministry when it comes to temptations and struggles. Let us deepen our commitment to the Lord by spending more time in private devotions daily.

Our ministry has no room for lazy workers. Still more significant is, in spite of our hard work we will have to be in humble solidarity with the needs of our people.

The atmosphere of our church depends on us. It is our responsibility that we address the spiritual thirst of our congregation by sharing the whole of our life as one lived worthy of God. We as a Christian society have responsibilities for our secular world.