Why do we work?
Today’s sermon was on the Epistle reading: Ephesians 4.25-5.2:
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Lots of food for thought in the passage (and in the sermon!), but (our pastor) Bob’s discussion of one verse in particular really jumped out at me: (more…)
Questions from 1 Thess 3
These questions came to mind as I read the chapter this morning:
Other than Luke, Paul had no chronicler–wouldn’t it be great if we knew the daily details of his ministry? And what about Timothy and his time in Thessalonika? What did he do there? What were the Thessalonians like?
If we truly believe that God chose how all the scriptures were to be written, isn’t it interesting that almost all of our records of the apostles’ lives come from the epistles? Why do you think this is?
And when Paul praises the Thessalonians for their endurance during affliction, he doesn’t single out any leaders. I’m curious what made this group of Christians able to persevere when it seems other groups weren’t as strong, and I’d expect to learn that their were certain leaders (if no pastor) in the church who continued to provide good instruction and counsel. But Paul doesn’t mention anyone by name. Perhaps the group was just that small?
Either way, it makes me wonder about the emphasis we place on pastors in our churches. Not that pastors are unimportant, but perhaps we underestimate the importance of the laity–that is, we underestimate our own responsibilities as congregants. Do we place too much of a burden on our pastors to maintain our spiritual health? Do Paul’s comments suggest that the laity is far more responsible for each other’s health than we allow?
