Nick
Member
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20:
17But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
As Gen-Y (people born between 1980 and 1994 I think), We are the upcoming generation - the new wave of people of the world. Apparantly, we have a repuation for being lazy, rude, increasingly "socialist" and "liberal" and more un-Christian etc etc.
Well I'd like to say that not only is this a pretty big stereotype, it could possibly be true. BUT....let's prove the BB and Gen-X wrong! Let's prove them that as the new upcoming Christians, we can lead this generation to be more like Christ, and in great fellowship with one another, suprring one another on and building each other up in Love, and with pure spiritual milk.
The above quoted passage from 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, is about Paul and other Christians/Apostles at the time, who were going to visit the church at Thessonalica (spelling?
) to see how they were going, as they had feared that since they had been there and planted the church, the Thessolonians might have strayed from Christ, as they were being heavily persectuted (see 1 Thess 3 and Acts 17).
But they were stopped from going becasue of Satan. So they sent this letter instead, after a report from Timothy (again, see chapter 3).
Anyway, the point is that Paul and the others were thirsting to see the Thessolonians, as they had invested spiritually into them, and wanted to see their growth. They had a real Love and care for their fellow believers. Paul had his goals, hopes and motives set on Heaven, and of things greater than this time now, and that's why he set out to invest spiritually in people so that they may come to Christ and grow as believers.
Also, in the passage it says that Paul and the others were sseparated by the Thessolonians by physical means only - not in thought. This means they were praying and thinking about them constantly. We should be doing that to our fellow Christians, especially when they don't turn up for a few weeks at your Bible study group, or church or youth group.
Now I think that is a great challenge to us as the up and coming generation of the world. I challenge all the teens here to be genuinly loving their brothers and sisters in Christ, both on this site but more importatnly in your own lives. Fully set your life on investing in people, in Christ Jesus' name.
This may be via ministry, or if not, glorifying God in your other job, and supporting those in ministry, espeically through prayer.
I know I have been very challenged and rebuked by this passage, and I hope you are too.
Let us never stop meeting together, so that we might spur one another on, and build each other up in Love.
In Christ's name,
.
17But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
As Gen-Y (people born between 1980 and 1994 I think), We are the upcoming generation - the new wave of people of the world. Apparantly, we have a repuation for being lazy, rude, increasingly "socialist" and "liberal" and more un-Christian etc etc.
Well I'd like to say that not only is this a pretty big stereotype, it could possibly be true. BUT....let's prove the BB and Gen-X wrong! Let's prove them that as the new upcoming Christians, we can lead this generation to be more like Christ, and in great fellowship with one another, suprring one another on and building each other up in Love, and with pure spiritual milk.
The above quoted passage from 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, is about Paul and other Christians/Apostles at the time, who were going to visit the church at Thessonalica (spelling?
) to see how they were going, as they had feared that since they had been there and planted the church, the Thessolonians might have strayed from Christ, as they were being heavily persectuted (see 1 Thess 3 and Acts 17). But they were stopped from going becasue of Satan. So they sent this letter instead, after a report from Timothy (again, see chapter 3).
Anyway, the point is that Paul and the others were thirsting to see the Thessolonians, as they had invested spiritually into them, and wanted to see their growth. They had a real Love and care for their fellow believers. Paul had his goals, hopes and motives set on Heaven, and of things greater than this time now, and that's why he set out to invest spiritually in people so that they may come to Christ and grow as believers.
Also, in the passage it says that Paul and the others were sseparated by the Thessolonians by physical means only - not in thought. This means they were praying and thinking about them constantly. We should be doing that to our fellow Christians, especially when they don't turn up for a few weeks at your Bible study group, or church or youth group.
Now I think that is a great challenge to us as the up and coming generation of the world. I challenge all the teens here to be genuinly loving their brothers and sisters in Christ, both on this site but more importatnly in your own lives. Fully set your life on investing in people, in Christ Jesus' name.
This may be via ministry, or if not, glorifying God in your other job, and supporting those in ministry, espeically through prayer.
I know I have been very challenged and rebuked by this passage, and I hope you are too.
Let us never stop meeting together, so that we might spur one another on, and build each other up in Love.
In Christ's name,
.