Rev. Chism's Weekly Message

"For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

We return to the church in Thessaloniki. I shared about this city that still exists in northern central Greece a few weeks ago. Today it is a thriving city of diversity and vibrant culture. The Apostle Paul had a great relationship with the first church planted there over 2,000 years ago.

I love the words of encouragement he gives the church in the letter he wrote to them. Paul, and the churches of his time, were still striving to understand the grace they had all received through Jesus. They were resurrected people living a new way. Jesus set a new path of salvation instead of being controlled by the wrath that surrounded them.

Reading in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, Paul reminds the church that they are "children of light" and not ones that live in darkness. Jesus revealed new things to them. Old ways of thinking are changed. Don't forget it. You are part of a blessed community that celebrates in light. You are to "encourage one another and build up each other."

There's this thing called sanctifying grace. We celebrate this after we realize what God has done for us. It's the grace of God that moves us forward helping us to become more like Christ every day. It's not a backward thing. It's a forward thing God does that melts away the old and makes all things new. It's just not an individual change, it also happens to our church family as a collective as we move forward together.

I have a front row seat watching construction workers build our town's new fire station. Construction workers impress me because of how they can take something on paper and make it reality. One day very soon the fire station will be completed because it was built by very gifted people. I have enjoyed the build up to this day.

God and those who God works through build others up. They use their gifts to do so. Jesus always built people up. He is still doing it today.

Let us encourage and build up one another. There is a lot going on that could place in a mindset of darkness. However, because of Jesus, we live in the light. Every day we are rescued from darkness. Let us seek to always practice actions and words that build up people...not tear down.

The Gospel of John talks a lot about light. Jesus tells us in John 8:12 that "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

We have the light of life. Let us continue to build one another up each other in this beautiful revelation.

Stay Safe,

Rev. Baxter