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Today we observe
Veterans Day, the day we remember and giving thanks for
the brave men and women who have served our country in
the armed forces. Today across the country there will
be special community celebrations honoring veterans.
Several years ago the
men’s fellowship group of the church I served invited
persons who had served in the armed forces to share
their experiences. I was touched by their stories of
entering the service, traveling to far away places and
fighting in the war. Some of the men who served our
country during the Second World War had never been
outside of Lancaster County before being stationed in
parts of Europe. Their bravery shined through, they
believed that what they were doing would make the world
a better place. At the time they were young men, 18 or
19 years old. Some told of watching their buddies die
in battle. One of the men said he never spoke of what
he experienced in battle before—it was just too
painful. We are thankful for all those who served our
country. We remember and pray for those serving
today.
As we turn to our
lesson from the second epistle to the Thessalonians we
find the people in disarray. There was widespread
panic. The people actually thought they had missed the
Second Coming of Christ. They thought Jesus returned
and they missed it. Historians claim that in the middle
of the first century people literally thought that Jesus
would return any day, most certainly during their
lifetimes. There was much interest and speculation
concerning Christ’s Second Coming. Apparently someone
told the believers that Jesus had already returned and
they did not know it which shook them to their spiritual
foundations.
It may take some effort
for us to understand what the people must have been
feeling. They believed that Jesus would return to
either establish his earthly kingdom or take the
believers to heaven. When told that the event they were
waiting for had already occurred it sent the believers
into frenzy. There was no way for the people to find
out either; there was no twenty-four hour news channel.
It appeared that their entire belief system had gone out
the window. Imagine for a moment what it would feel
like if the beliefs you held dear suddenly came into
serious question. Perhaps we would feel that same sense
of anxiety or panic as the people of old.
Where would you turn in
such a situation? The people in Thessalonica turned to
someone they trusted, the Apostle Paul. They made Paul
aware of the situation, confident that Paul could help
them. Paul makes a passionate plea, “we beg you,
brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind
or alarmed.” He assured them that they did not miss the
Second Coming of Christ.
“Let no one deceive you
in any way,” Paul continued. False claims led to
needless panic. Paul then reviewed the events that
would take place to usher the Second Coming of Christ to
assure them that they did not miss out.
Paul reminded them of
his own teachings when he was present with them, “Do you
not remember that I told you these things when I was
still with you?” We are far removed from the
Thessalonians but there are times when what we believe
is called into question. Someone might come along who
talks a good talk and people willingly respond. Later
it is discovered that the person was actually leading
people astray, down the wrong path or to take unfair
advantage of them. A college student wrote in the
notebook found in our chapel of her struggle with
classmates. Apparently the issue involved the way she
lived out her faith. What she learned as right and
wrong was now being challenged by her peers. She was
filled with questions, should she continue to live in
the way she was taught or abandon those teachings and
cave into peer pressure? The issue was very real for
the person who spent time discerning God’s will for her
life.
How might we have
responded to that young person who was struggling over
what was for her a very important issue? When our
beliefs are questioned where would we turn for help?
Paul wanted the people to remember his teachings when he
was present with them. He reminded them that “God chose
you as the first fruits for salvation.” We have
resources that people living in the first century did
not. We have our Bibles to turn to in times of
difficulty. There is more material written about the
Bible than at any time in history. Young people search
and find answers to biblical questions on the internet.
There are several good sites where persons can ask
questions and will receive a response.
“Stand firm and hold
fast to the traditions that you were taught by us,” the
apostle wrote. Sometimes we tend to view the word
tradition in a negative way. We view tradition as
something we need to get away from. However tradition
does carry a positive distinction. In times of
confusion or questioning turn to tradition; turn to the
wealth of teachings from those who have gone before us.
Stand firm and hold fast to what you already know and in
times of uncertainty you will not be shaken.
We rely on the
teachings of those who have gone before us in the
faith. We stand firm and hold fast to our tradition,
what we believe. And finally we rely on each other. We
are part of the body of Christ, we are the church. We
encourage one another in the faith. We help or prod
each other to greater faithfulness. As being part of
the church we have a responsibility to intervene when we
see a fellow believer straying from the straight and
narrow. It is never easy when we have to tell someone
we care about that they must change their ways before
they sink too deep into whatever addiction or sin they
have fallen into.
Our
lesson ends with Paul praying for the people that God
will “comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every
good work and word.” People can say what they want
about the Apostle Paul not always agreeing with him, but
one fact remains undisputed. Paul loved and cared for
the people under his charge. Paul had a pastor’s heart
and always wanted the best for all the people.
In times
of confusion and uncertainty, remember the words of the
Apostle Paul—stand firm and hold fast!
Amen.
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