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Living a Faith-filled Life
I Thessalonians 1:1-9 

     It was the news of the day, spreading fast across the city’s crowded markets, on the busy docks down at the harbor, among its housewives and most everywhere.  “Those men who have turned the world upside down have now come to our city.”  Some who heard that news may have felt cautious or fearful that the foreigners would bring unrest or agitation to their streets.  Others heard the same whispered announcement and were very enthusiastic, making plans to be there in person when they spoke.  And naturally, as is our human nature, many people were in neither camp; we might think of them as the neutral middle, only mildly curious.
      The apostle Paul, Timothy, and Silas, followers of Jesus, had arrived in Thessalonica.  But a week earlier they had been evangelizing in Philippi and some agitators brought them before local officials and declared they were a public nuisance.   Paul and Silas were not given a trial but were flogged and put in prison.  A violent earthquake in the night freed them from their chains, but they refused to move until the magistrate came in the morning and apologized to them.   As Roman citizens the two men were due a fair trial and it was denied to them.   After baptizing their jailer and his family, the three men went on their way. 
      On their first Sabbath day in Thessalonica they walked into the large, main synagogue and were invited to be guest speakers.  All of the seats were likely packed.  The members in the congregation were faithful Jews, but also “many devout Greeks”.  Greeks worshipping with Jews was a very unusual thing. Hebrews are monotheistic; they believe in the One, True God, whereas Greeks had a different worldview altogether; they were primarily polytheistic, embracing devotion to multiple gods.  Reading between the lines, it’s likely that there were  Greeks who were skeptical of their traditional faith options.  They were seekers, looking for truth, wanting answers.  Have you ever stopped and considered how many men and women in every generation are seekers?   How many people do you know who might be looking for answers in life, wanting to know if there is a God?  It’s probably a much larger number than most of us realize!     
     After Jews and Greeks listened to Paul and the other men at synagogue, over a three-week period, many believed the Good News. They put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Their decision was firm, and with it came a feeling of joy.   Can you imagine a whole lot of people, newly introduced to the life and teachings of Jesus, plus the description of his death on a cross and resurrection?  It must have been riveting to learn all they did, and know there was even more yet to discover.                     
      But there was a second thing that the new Christians also noticed.  At some point someone may have asked why Paul or Silas were physically suffering.   Neither man would have shirked answering such a question.  They would have explained how not all agree that there is One God, and some Jews chose not to believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Promised Messiah.  Those strong beliefs can lead people to forge alliances, and sometimes that can lead to violence.    
      Sadly, we’ve seen such how conflicting points of view can escalate on a large scale, resulting in regional fighting or wars between countries.  We have also witnessed violence in our country among fellow citizens.  Those with different points of view gather in one shared space.  If emotions run high and tension escalates, it takes but a small spark to ignite a larger group.  One shove or blow to the head can unleash violence, and a once-contained crowd can become an out-of-control mob.  
     As Christians we must never cross the line into such raw violence.  Not over having different points of view.  Turning back now to Paul and Silas whose bruises and crusted-over cuts were visible to the people, what would they say about the violence they had endured, many times, for the sake of their faith? They no doubt sat them down and talked about forgiving others not 2 times, or even 3 as the rabbis suggested – but 7 times.   After a collective gasp, one of them would have added, 7 times 70 you must forgive one another! 
      This reminder that following Jesus came with a cost was very relevant in Thessalonica because in their city, there were already some Jews growing vocal in their criticism of Paul.  Before long they gathered a vigilante mob and, not finding the men one evening, they dragged out Jason, who was hosting them in his home.  They beat him and went on to persecute the new local Christians. In fact they travelled south at one point to Berea, the next city Paul and the others went to in order to share the Gospel, and harassed them there. 
       While we may not face persecution, thank God, what we must be on guard about is letting anything interfere with our relationship with God.  If some in our family don’t much like us going to church, and may pressure us to skip it, what will we do?   If people speak negatively about your faith, or Christianity will you tolerate their belligerent or disrespectful words?  We need to be determined to stand strong as Christians, to speak with conviction, and sincerity.  Not with the aim of arguing but hoping to show another person why we follow God.  As it says in I Corinthians, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God!”  (I Cor. 1:18)  
      Something else the new Christians in Greece did that can inspire us today is making time to discover more about God.  They likely shuffled things at home, maybe even work shifts, but they found a way to show up for mid-week Bible study.  It’s possible that Paul, Silas, and Timothy broke people into three different groups so each man could share different information.  Paul, as a former Pharisee, could have easily talked about numerous prophecies in the Old Testament and how each one was perfectly fulfilled in the person of Jesus.  The other two could have shared certain parables, miracles, or key events - like Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, his baptism, sermons, the events of Holy Week, his death and the sealed tomb and his  resurrection three days later.  Then there was the 50-day period afterwards when more than 500 people saw him alive.  Finally, there was his ascension into heaven and promise to return again.  Imagine hearing about all of those things in a brief  three-week period!  There is so much still waiting for us to learn about, and we can discover it in our Bibles, or in small groups like they did. Jesus said long ago. “If you abide in my Word and live the way it tells you to, you will truly be my disciples.  You’ll know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32). 
      There is an interesting word Paul used to describe the growing, young Christians in Thessalonica, he said they were eager to “imitate” Jesus and the lives of the three evangelists.  That shows us that they wanted more than knowledge as Christians, they wanted to start living a new life.  The Greek word for “imitate” means to be molded.  Have you ever used a decorative metal mold to make Jello?   My grandmother sure did, and I liked being right there when it came time to see it released from the mold and displayed on a large plate.  The result always impressed me.  
       If only you and I could plop out after one day as fully formed Christians!  Instead, it is a life-long process, taking time, practice, and patience on our part – and the help of God’s Holy Spirit.  This week I want to invite you to do all you can to “imitate Jesus”.  I will fill you in on something I have done for a long time that helps me.   I imagine Jesus with me, invisible but present, throughout each day.  He is right behind my right shoulder!  As I begin each day, I count on Jesus to help me see the world around me, and especially the people I encounter, through his eyes.  I imagine Jesus beside me watching how I use my time as I move through my day.   He is my companion and teacher, the One I want to please.  Some days I think I imitate and represent Jesus well, but other times I know I’ve disappointed myself and Him.  The sorrow I feel then is always washed away by His grace, with a reminder that I am loved, and that tomorrow is a fresh new day.  Perhaps thinking of Jesus beside you each day will help, so you’re molded, shaped in ways small and large, to be more like Him.          
      There’s one last thing about the believers in Thessalonica I want to share with you.  They enthusiastically shared their newfound faith with their neighbors, friends, and family.  They likely sat with them in the evenings and gushed about  what they’d so recently learned.  And each day they were putting newly learned Christian principles into practice, which was probably impressive to those who knew them well.  Taken together, their transformed lives and the immense body of information about Jesus’s life and teaching, death, and resurrection led people toward making their own decision about Jesus Christ.  Many bowed their heads and invited Jesus to be their Savior. 
      Before long, across all of Greece and even beyond their shores, small groups of Christians formed; they patterned their lives after Jesus and were people known for their faith, hope and love.  Their yielded lives drew people’s interest, as did their joy and boldness.  Hardcore pagans and lifelong worshippers of multiple Greek gods became Christians.  In fact, Paul wrote a letter to them and said, “Your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so much so that we (almost) need not say anything!” A quote I came across and really liked this week said this:  “A life well-lived is a sermon well-preached.”  
       That is my wish for all of us!  As we continue to move through Lent, I hope we’ll do all we can so that our faith flourishes.  Let’s not let anything push that to the margins of our life.  For anyone who needs their faith re-ignited, next week our doors will be open here at the Ballston Spa UMC.  I hope you’ll come join us and keep on coming, making weekly worship the pattern and priority of your life. 
     We have endured much isolation during this last year’s pandemic; the strain has been great, but hope is on the horizon.   Our interrupted lives will now open up with more choices.  But be alert and don’t let newfound freedoms so fill your life that you neglect your faith.
     If you feel able to come to church next week, please do - you’ll be blessed as you see other Christians face-to-face after a long absence.  If you cannot join us in our beautiful sanctuary please watch online; savor the music, pray, and worship God with us.   Those who are here will have a chance to enjoy some sweet fellowship afterwards and those at home can join in an 11;30 ZOOM coffee hour visit.  Wherever you may be, let this be our mutual commitment:  to continue to be faith-FULL on our journey with Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

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