Kingdom Building

November 1, 2019

Scripture Reading:
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring. To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfil by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Life is all about priorities. What are our priorities? How do our priorities shape our faith? How does our faith shape our priorities? In the above scripture Paul tells the people of the church at Thessalonica that he is praying for God to make them worthy of God’s call and that God will fulfill by God’s power every good resolve and work of faith so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in them. When was the last time we prayed for God to make the people of our church worthy of God’s call?

I have always been struck by the story of Dorcas* also called Tabitha described as one devoted to good works and acts of charity who had died. Peter was called to be with the people who cared for her. He prayed for her and her life was restored. This story seems to be included in Acts to show the growing strength of the Apostles spreading the story of Jesus and carrying on his life-saving ministry. My guess is that is exactly why it was included in Acts. I, however, think the example she set for others carries an important message also. Her priority was the wellbeing of all. That is Jesus’ message and Dorcas’ life was a living testimony to it.

Prayer: God make us worthy of your call so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in us. Amen.

*See Acts 9:36-43

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.