20th Dec 24

Is it? Have we actually made it to Friday? I can hardly believe it, this week has been bonkers. Still it's onwards and upwards from here on in...

CHRISTINGLE SERVICE SUNDAY 4PM IN CHURCH.......

for kids of all ages .....so I'm going, why not come with me? It'll be super.

Today's reading is 2 Thessalonians 3.

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

Reflection...

And so we come to the end of this little book, and still Paul does not give up in his tirade against idleness. He takes time to remind people that he supported his ministry with his own hard work, a tent maker we believe, and his work allowed him and his colleagues to pay their way. A little defensive here? maybe it was because there were some preachers and teachers in Thessalonica that prided themselves on being paid by the Church, and who were living rather well as a result.... Paul saw his self supporting ministry as a sign of authenticity of the gospel and of free undeserved grace. He did not proclaim Christ to make a living. 

As the Church grew it came to need clergy who would give their entire time to ministry. In this early letter of Paul's we should take time to step back and think of all those clergy today who have self supporting ministries, a reminder in themselves of the gospel of free and undeserved grace.

Today's prayers..............

Gracious Father, revive your Church in our day, and make her holy, strong and faithful, for your glory's sake in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please pray for Mo, for little Abigail, for Sonia and for the soul of Marion's godmother who was called home to God yesterday - may she rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

Have a great weekend, not too much rushing around I hope? 

See you Sunday service at 10.30am and Christingle at 4pm - I'm going it'll be good, why not come with me.

Rev Rie