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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-07-29, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2010.From the Minister’s StudyPurpose and hope admidst adversityBy Pastor Ernest Dow, LivingWater Christian Fellowship (EMC), Blyth Bill Hybels has compared our life to one of those little red wagons for children. For much of the time we can hurry along without any problem. But when life gets out of balance and things get crazy, sooner or later one of the wheels is going to come off the little red wagon. That happened more literally for some in our family recently. Our daughter and son-in-law, moving from Blyth to northern Alberta, were hauling a trailerful of half their worldly possessions thousands of miles through Canada behind their little VW veggie-car. About the third day, somewhere around Yorkton Saskatchewan while Emily was driving, a bearing in one of the car hubs went, and the entire wheel actually came off the car while they were sailing along at highway speed! The car swerved wildly and plunged into the ditch. The trailer was jerked so hard the box broke right off the frame and actually passed the car, tipping over upside down onto its roof. What a jarring, scary experience! However, even in such an upset, the young family became aware that God was bringing good out of all the trouble. All three passengers were safe and unharmed. They didn’t hit a transport truck. Other people pulled over to help; they were amazed, saying, “You should have flipped.” When they examined the trailer’s contents, they found the only thing that had broken was one bottle. A truck driver offered to transport their trailer contents to Saskatoon, where they were towed for repair. And our daughter felt a real joy after the dust had all settled; as she says, you’d give anything in order for the people you love to be safe. That’s all that mattered. So even in the wreck, they sensed God taking care of them. What about your life? Have things been pretty nutty or stressful? Have you been upset things weren’t working out as you had hoped? Have troubles been mounting up against you? In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he reassures them that, while they may have had to endure much hardship through persecution, the results of their troubles provide evidence that God is real and rewards those who keep trusting Him even when the wheels come off. The church in Thessalonica had been born in controversy, andtroubles persisted for the young flock afterward. In Paul’s first letter to the church there, he wrote (1:6), “In spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit;” (2:14f) “For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered...” So, becoming Christians had brought upon them suffering and hostility through persecution by their own countrymen. Apparently by the time this second letter is being written, that hasn’t stopped. Verse 4 refers to “all the persecutions and trials you are enduring”, v(erse)5 - suffering, v6 “those who trouble you”. Paul teaches the young believers that, despite the opposition they’ve been experiencing, God has been bringing good out of their troubles. At least 10 things. First, their faith in God is growing: v3, “your faith is growing more and more...” Jesus had taught His disciples faith is crucial, vital, and we should be challenged to grow in faith when problems arise. In Luke 17:5 the apostles respond to the challenge to forgive someone who keeps on repeatedly sinning against you by exclaiming to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replies, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” Faith grows when faced by tree-sized obstacles. Second, their love for brothers and sisters in Christ is growing, too. V3, “the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” When some were persecuted, the hearts of other Christians went out to those suffering in mutual affection. Third, a good report about their reputation was being publishedabroad. V4, “among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” Paul was bragging on them to other churches as a result of their testing and how they persevered! As in Romans 1:8, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” If we never experienced hardship, there wouldn’t be any reason for others to honour and learn from our example and endurance. Fourth, the outcome of trials provides evidence that vindicates God’s judgment – it proves God is righteous in His verdict. V5, “All this” - the persecutions, perseverance, resulting increased faith and mutual love, and the report broadcast among the other churches - “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right”; NLT, “God will use this persecution to show His justice.” Really the persecution is backfiring because, instead of stamping out Christianity, it’s causing believers to become stronger and for their surprising love and bold conviction to be announced far and wide. The more others put them down, the more notorious those persecuted become - in a good way. Fifth, troubles result in believers being counted worthy to be God’s people. V5, “as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” Also v11, Paul prays “that our God may count you worthy of His calling...” Trials prove our mettle, it’s those who’ve endured the fire of testing that deserve or are worthy of the reward. In Luke 20:35 Jesus refers to “those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead...” If you’re a believer, do you at times forget and lull yourself into thinkingyou somehow automatically deserve or are entitled to go to heaven? Don’t take it for granted! Paul writes to the Ephesians (4:1), “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Sixth, troubles provide an opportunity for us to appreciate the rest and relief God grants. V7, “[God is just: He will...] give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.” The Greek word translated ‘relief’ can also mean ‘loosening, relaxing, rest; let up, release’. When the trouble’s past, how thankful we are for the relief! Seventh, our endurance of hardship brings glory to Jesus at His return. V10, “on the day he [the Lord Jesus] comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marvelled at among all those who have believed.” Note the surprising preposition there - not “to be glorified by” His holy people but in His holy people; when all is exposed, Jesus is glorified IN you by your conduct, you’re making Him look good! (All by His grace, of course.) Eighth, troubles provide occasionfor other Christians to uphold you in prayer. V11, “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you...” When Paul and Silas escaped the initial mob, they didn’t stop praying for those who’d have to remain behind and face opposition and scorn. Colossians 1(9), “...since the day we heard about you, we have not Please join us for worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00am Evening Service 7:30pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth All are welcome to Friend Sunday Outdoor Service on Sunday, August 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Blyth Lions Park Music led by “Redeemed” Topic “Meeting God” Join Us! Please bring lawn chairs. Join us for a potluck picnic after the service. YOU ARE WELCOME 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 10:30 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship Mid-week Bible Study C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS O N , I N D I A N A Timeless Truths For Today 308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth Pastor Les Cook ~ 519-523-4590 Blyth Community Church of God THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us Trinity, Blyth 9:15 a.m. 519-523-9595 St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. 519-887-6862 Sunday, August 1 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-2664 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Living Water Christian Fellowship Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada August 1 - August 29 Shared summer services at Blyth Community Church of God at 10:30 am. Preaching in August: Pastor Les Cook Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Blyth United Church Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark All Welcome Sunday, August 1 There will be no church service at Blyth United Church on August 1. The Congregation has been invited to join the Christian Reformed Church for their Service in the Lions Park at 10 am, followed by a potluck lunch. Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, August 1 Brussels Arena at 10:30 a.m. and various homes at 6:30 p.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age (mornings only) Childcare provided for infants and toddlers Coffee & cookies after the morning service For additional details please contact: Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Chris McMichael 519.482.1644 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Sunday, August 1 Ethel United Church Worship Service - 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service - 11:00 a.m. Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship 119 John’s Ave.,Auburn 519-526-1131 www.huronchapel.org 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service Guest Speaker: August 1 ~ Rev.Dave Illman August 8 ~ Rev.Eugene Neudorf No Sunday School for summer months FUNDRAISER FOR EL SALVADOR HOMES ALL-U-CAN-EAT BEEF BBQ Saturday, August 14th at Auburn Riverside Retreat Tickets: $20. Adults, $10. ages 7-11, Free 6 & under Serving from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Free wagon rides to the Elk Paddock! Continued on page 22