“My dearest, I cannot believe how long it has been since I have had word from you.  My days and nights run into each other and are held together only with prayer for you.  If only I could be with you . . .yet, I know that is quite impossible.  If I could just know that you are well and not hurt.  I know we spoke of everything that could happen while we are apart.  My only hope is that you are safe in the love of our Lord.”    And then a bit later we peak over the shoulder again … “I know our precious Harry has spent time with you.  The relief of knowing of your health and safety is beyond description.  Yes, I cried and laughed.  I thank our Lord for His continued care and nurture of you.  I know you are doing all you can to return ….”

These two letters and so many others like them we have access to because of history, and love.  Loved ones are concerned for other loved ones – whether traveling across the plains and prairies and over mountains and oceans seeking a new home and/or employment, or in the midst of a war, or away at school or even at camp or a job, or because ones very life depends on that separation.

            This is how, once again, we find the Apostle Paul.  Paul is physically separated from his beloved spiritual converts at Thessalonica.  You might remember, that because of the non-believing Jews and their accusations of subversion to Roman authority, Paul had to leave these new believers with the greatest reluctance.  In fact, he had literally been torn away from them – against his own will.  When earlier, Paul writes, “we were torn away from you” he uses a Greek verb whose only New Testament occurrence is in this letter…“Orphanos.”   Orphanos normally means orphan – a parentless child.  The word can also include bereavement and deep grief.  The emphasis is on unnatural separation – both forcible and painful.    And still, Paul feels sure that the separation will be only temporary.  Above all, Paul assures these men and women that the separation is only in person – though never for a moment separated in heart.  This phrase alone tells us the depth of Paul’s love and affection for these men and women.    You see, Paul has a deep commitment for the people he brings to Jesus Christ.

            As you might think, leaving a young, inexperienced church would be difficult for any leader.   Pastor Dave would have been terribly heart broken and concerned, had he been torn from this church,  when it was just a mere 25 people, no matter the circumstances.  And Paul knows the source from what the circumstances are these Christians at Thessalonica are under.   Paul, once himself, a leader in persecuting Christians, is now on the receiving end of that hatred.  While away from Thessalonica, Paul is probably experiencing a similar persecution, including more false accusations, further riots and for him, definitely imprisonment.  This is on reason Paul is anxious and worried about how these Thessalonians are being treated and how they are holding up in their new faith.  Yet, no matter what he, Paul, must endure, the Thessalonians are not pushed from his thoughts and prayers. 

Something we should know about Paul - Paul of all people, is not content to remain at a distance.    Now you know there are those times that the harder and more often we try to accomplish something, meet with someone, visit someone, that effort is squashed.  Well, every effort that Paul makes to get back to Thessalonica he says that Satan blocks his way.  Just what form Satan’s intervention takes, Paul does not specify.  Nonetheless, this does not refer to some strange vision or doing battle with demons.  Evidently the Thessalonians know enough to recognize Paul’s reference.  Paul views anything which opposes the work of Christ as spiritual warfare.  There are other references of Satan, or the Tempter in this letter.  We will address spiritual warfare in a future sermon.  For now, remember that Satan never wants the gospel of Jesus Christ to be spread – let alone take hold.  And Satan never wants believers to grow and mature in faith in Jesus Christ…not the Christians and Thessalonica and not the believers here at Moorpark Pres. 

            So this is how we see Paul’s suspense and concern growing.  His concern reaches a point that something must be done to relieve his tension.  So he makes the decision to send Timothy in his own place.  In and of itself, that doesn’t sound like a huge decision.   However, not only does Paul hold Timothy in high regard as one who works for the gospel of Christ (or Paul would never even considered sending Timothy in his own place); Paul also considers Timothy as a son.  So Paul has a double commitment with Timothy. 

You know, to work with someone – together with the Lord – caring about and caring for God’s people, spreading the Gospel, loving and encouraging others – is the highest, most important position anyone can choose.  Every day we have many opportunities before us to demonstrate this same kind of double commitment lifestyle – commitment to God and to God’s people.  Many of you work with the children at this church, in the Sunday School program, Worship Celebration, the Nursery, the TNT mid-week program; then there are the Youth programs and the many different Ministry Teams.  Plus all the Small Groups, which are so active here.  Each of these and all the other programs and ministries need more caring and loving people to help spread the Gospel – which begins here at home.   I personally am honored to work with the 30 Deacons which make up the Board.  Working with each Deacon – together with the Lord – is the kind of ministry partnership that Paul and Timothy and the others portray.  I am just as honored to work with the Elders on Session.   And then there is the staff – this is a very blessed church to have such caliber people – and they work and play together nicely.    So like Paul and Timothy, and the Christians and Thessalonica, we work together, for the growth of the church – wherever we go. 

             Then Paul gives us a glimpse into why he is so persistent.  These people are his Hope, Joy and Crown.  WOW – feel no pressure Thessalonica!  You see, Paul understands life in the light of eternity to come.  He builds the present day upon the certainty of the future.  Everything points toward that day when he will stand in the presence of Christ.  Paul knows that people are the treasure and glory for which God worked and suffered.  Indeed People are the very reason that God sent His only Son.  Paul’s vision of life centers upon people because he knows that all of God’s revelation – from creation through the prophets to Christ Himself – is intended to redeem people.  In this way, Paul is telling us that we need to build today upon the certainty of that very future, which is eternity yet to come. 

This is the double commitment to this life and to eternal life.   You see eternity begins today – in each and every relationship with other people with whom we engage.  That is why Paul is so interested is in people…and people’s redeemed relationships.  Paul  loves the Thessalonians so dearly, his Hope is so vitally connected with theirs, that without them, his hope would be somewhat hollow.   Paul’s joy is so entwined with theirs that without them, Joy would not seem full.  Paul knows that when he stands before Christ’ throne he wants to do so with all those whom God brought to faith by his preaching.  They would be Paul’s Crown.  They would be the proof of God’s blessing on his work as a gospel preacher and evangelist.   I think it is great that through Paul’s experience that we are able to see that God is interested in people.   Yes, the heavens are God’s, the mountains are the work of His hand, the oceans are His handiwork – but people – we are God’s pride and treasure.  God was interested in the people at Thessalonica, and God is interested in the people here at Moorpark Pres.  Like Paul, we are to share Christ’s love to others, express our love with others in many different works and ways.  And we are to treasure the moments when people come to faith in Christ.    The three adult Sunday School classes offered this quarter, in one way or another address this very issue.  Each is a great resource to help get conversations started, to increase the comfort level in sharing and then to be active in sharing Christ with others.

And --- oh did you hear that?  I’m sure I just heard several people say, “But I’m just an ordinary person. My weaknesses and inadequacies are – well just that – and therefore cannot be used of God.   I’m not the Apostle Paul or a Mike, or Moses, or Dave or Laurie, or Janet…or whomever.”    We hear what others are doing for the Lord.  We might see the results of someone else’s ministry.  Or we read about Paul and easily assume everyone else has much greater strengths and gifts than “I do.”   But you know….truly that is just an excuse.   Don’t let Satan trap you.  Don’t let Satan stop you.   God works in and through, and in spite of, our weaknesses or inadequacies. 

            Indeed, Paul as well as the Christians at Thessalonica stood up under great stress and they endured in their faith for Jesus Christ.  You stand up under stress and you endure in your faith for Jesus Christ.  Some of you sitting here today, are in stressful situations – your marriage, relationships between children and parents.  Others are enduring in that job or with that boss, or those kids at school.  Still others of you are under great stress because of your own illness or the illness of your spouse or other loved one – or even the death of a loved one.  Some of you are enduring – because of the strength and help of someone within this – your church family and with God’s help and strength.

            I can tell some of you are still not convinced.  You say Paul certainly was amazing and he accomplished amazing things…and he sure had the daily help of God’s Spirit in his life.  Well, so do you!  Some of your have survived cancer!  Others have endured and have grown while children flounder physically, geographically and spiritually – and now you are united again.  Several of you are persistent in your faith and your connection with the church family when your spouse resists.  And you know what – Paul would be the first to remind us that he was a sinner – just like the rest of us.  He needed to obey his Lord.  He needed to walk in the ways of the Spirit.  And He needed to love people!  So do we!

            You and I can choose to relate to people in the name of Christ – just like Paul.  What Paul did was not uniquely apostolic or restricted to New Testament times.  We are to continue to adopt similar values – the kingdom of our Lord Jesus, the worth of people, the high call of serving and loving others in Christ’s name.  When we live like this, you and I are just exactly what God looks for in His people! 

            That is what the new Christians at Thessalonica learned about themselves and about God.  This part of this letter is a beautiful model of love – the love of the Thessalonians for each other, and the love of Paul for these new believers, and their love for Paul, and then their love for and from God.  The love described and demonstrated here is strong, active, unwavering.  It persists through persecution, hardship and separation.  This loves does not fade, but rather strengthens through time.  This love gives and reaches beyond itself in selfless ways to others – even beyond that particular community of faith.  This is a description of MPC…both now and what MPC can and should and will be in the future…because of our strength in Jesus, because of our commitment to Jesus.

            Paul’s strength and peace continually comes from Jesus the entire time Paul is separated from the beloved believers at Thessalonica, and then his dear Timothy.  And when Timothy does return it is with good news about the faith and love of these men and women.  Paul’s joy is palpable.  We can actually touch it.   This new church is doing well on the important matters of life and they are maturing in Christ and they are reaching out and loving beyond their own faith community.   This would be the Nick Chacon’s, the many financial needs that are supported by the Deacons Fund – because of your generosity; it would include Eunice and the other orphans at Makobe Village in Kenya, Africa; helping at the Rescue Mission, the people in Mexico assisted because of the Mexico Mission Auction – which we just had last night - AND the sweat, tears, hard labor, maybe a bit of blood and lots of love by those who go from here each year.  

It is on that foundation of Jesus Christ that we do what we do.   It is on that foundation that Paul began the ministry with the Thessalonicans. It is on that foundation that they continue to build their faith.    And yet, Paul recognizes that, despite the wonderful news of their tenacious faith, these Christians are not fully developed in knowledge and understanding.  They lack many things yet, for which teaching, warning, and instruction are still needed.  Even in their love and maturing faith and active service their spiritual growth is not yet finished. 

Here at MPC, our spiritual progress is to be commended.  Yet, our spiritual growth is not yet finished, either.   Ah---the double commitment again.  As the great proof of the Christ-life in us, love must always be on the increase.  It must increase to flood-like proportions, as it is spills over to other believers in the local church and to everyone else.  Yes, our heart is to be firmly established in Christ so there will be growth and development in Him.  Just like the Thessalonians we may need to change habits, or methods or step out of comfort zones to get involved and committed.  Lasting change comes from the Lord. 

We began today knowing Paul is physically separated from his beloved Thessalonian Christians Paul remains such a strong equipping presence in their spiritual lives, both day and night, through prayer and his letters.  The power of his letter is God.  The power of his words and encouragement is God.   Our closing double commitment is that because of the work of Jesus Christ that same power is ours today.   May our God and Father through Jesus Christ direct His way in us.  May Jesus Christ make us increase and abound in love for one another and for all.  And May He so strengthen our hearts in holiness, for daily living and for eternal life to come.