Rev. Chism's Weekly Message

"You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! - taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble." - 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 (The Message Bible)

I once was acquainted with a married couple that were Mr. and Mrs. Negativity about everything. They owned a very nice home with 100 rooms but didn't like it. Apparently four bathrooms were not enough. Every dang time I visited their home I got to hear about the bathrooms.

I could sit here for days and share my anecdotal examples on things they didn't like or complained about. The only version of the bible they liked was the Old King James. Thou shalt not use another version sayeth the Lord. I'm guessing they thought Jesus wrote it as the old joke goes.

Their children were not the same however. Wherever I ran into them either at church or in the community they were so positive, friendly, and seemed like they really loved life. At church they really made an impact in the youth group. Often others would say to me that they hoped their child would grow up and be like them.

They definitely didn't get this from their parents. There is no way in Hades that could have happened. The person responsible for this miracle was their grandmother. She was a beautiful and positive and complete joy to be around. Their Grandma practically raised them while their parents worked. They learned so much from her.

Has anybody ever imitated you?

Thessalonica (Thessaloniki in Greek) is a place in Greece. Today roughly 1 million people live there. It is an important economic area of its country. The city is known for festivals and a wonderful cultural experience. And still today it is a very important part of our Christian history. The writer, maybe the Apostle Paul or maybe not, took part in planting a church there. The letter written to them, what we refer to as 1 Thessalonians today, is very personal and filled with thanksgiving.

The writer celebrates their accomplishments. Apparently they were quite responsive to the teachings of Christ shared with them. The apostle took great pride in being an imitator of Christ. He thought they had done the same. The writer compliments them that they had been able to remain steadfast and remembered the joy God gives even in the midst of troublesome events.

Are you an example of someone that can be imitated? It's a great compliment to you if so. Hopefully in that imitation they see God working through you and not the opposite. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:1 that "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal." I have shared this verse from the Old King James Version of course.

There is way too much clanging going on in our world.

Have you ever noticed that the bible doesn't give us a physical description of Jesus? What the New Testament writers focused on were His words and actions. The gospels give us a picture of His character and relationships. That says a lot to me and hopefully a lot to you. People have imitated Christ from these words for over 2,000 years.

Do you imitate Christ the Lord?

Stay Safe,

Rev. Baxter