Joining in with the story

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Joining in with the story

Friday 13th December

December 13, 2024 • Sarah Marston • 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief.’

1 Thessalonians 5:4

Do you have a favourite movie that you can watch over and over? For a long time, our family’s favourite was Disney’s ‘Frozen 2’. On rainy Saturday afternoons, it was always the go-to choice, capturing my kids’ imaginations like no other film. The plot twists weren’t surprises—they knew the story inside out, everyone was expected to get involved in the songs—whether you wanted to or not!

In today’s passage, Paul talks to the Thessalonian church about something they already know: Jesus will come back, and when He does, He will make right the wrongs, the evil, we see in the world and feel in our lives. Darkness is all around us. Paul reminds us not to give in to the temptations and evil influences around us, but to live differently, in the light of Jesus, as His people, looking forward to His return. Waiting for Jesus’ return isn’t a passive activity; it requires us to actively pursue holiness in readiness for His return. To wear faith and love and the hope of our salvation.

I sometimes wonder if time has caused my watchfulness to falter and I’m challenged by this passage to consider what my life might look like if I knew His return would happen this Advent? How much have I prioritised ‘blending in’ that I am slightly guilty of dozing on the job? Reading this passage reminds us that Jesus WILL return and we ought to look forward to it because we know He will bring the justice that we crave and as followers of Jesus, we can participate in His story.

As we anticipate Christmas we also anticipate Christ’s Second Coming. We don’t know when that will be but, just like my family with ‘Frozen 2’, because we can know what’s coming next, we can join in with the story. It’s a story that involves participation, so, along with our church family, let’s immerse ourselves in it — let’s encourage each other to hum, to sing, and even dare to dance!

Let us pray: Lord, help me to delight and join in with Your gospel story. Help me to be ‘self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet’ as we wait in readiness for Your return. Amen.

Sarah Marston, Making Disciples Coordinator.

Sunday 22 December

December 22, 2024 • Anne Beverley • 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible). ‘brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught’ 2 Thessalonians 2:15 When I was a new parent, I remember being told that when a child was having a tantrum the correct thing to do was to stand firm and don’t change your mind. All you had to do was say ‘no’ just one more time than your child said ‘yes’. Sounds simple? Well, they had not met my children, and whilst the theory of only having to say no one more time is true, that was very hard if your child said ‘yes’ hundreds of times. One of my friends likened standing firm during a child’s tantrum, to being hit by a train. In other words impossible to stand still! Here we have St. Paul telling us to stand firm in our faith and to hold onto that which we have been taught. In other words, we know how to act, we just need to put it into practice and to do so on a consistent basis. But, like dealing with a tantruming child, knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things. It can be hard to maintain a standard of behaviour when the world around us tries to get us to do something different. When to act in a Christian manner goes against what the rest of society wants us to do. But, I have to wonder, what an incredible difference it would make to our community, today, if more and more people ‘stood firm’ in the Christian faith. I believe that every Christian has a part to play in God’s mission to the world, not just those who are in church leadership. Standing firm in our faith means we take our faith into our work setting, into our home-life and when we are socialising. What would it mean for you today to see your workplace, your family and your friends as a mission ground? As a place where ‘standing firm in the faith’ might get your singled out, or make you look different? If that is the case then rejoice, because those are areas where we can make the most difference. When we stand firm in our faith we witness to others about the incredible love of Jesus and His saving grace. Let us pray: Father, we thank You that You have called us to follow You, help us to stand firm in our faith and to be your light in the dark places of our world. Amen. The Revd Canon Anne Beverley, Director of Ministry.

The Manifestation of his Coming

December 21, 2024 • Guy Jamieson • 2 Thessalonians 2:6–12

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible). ‘And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Christian revelation makes a consistent and dramatic use of images we can relate to, and as we come to the Father in Advent, asking for help to make us ready for the coming of His Son, we can begin by rejoicing that the gift of the Church has made it possible to glimpse ‘the manifestation of his coming’ (v.8). Advent calls us to respond generously and courageously to this. At first, we may fear the language of ‘annihilation’ with its sense of brutality and conflict, and yet the season warns us against domesticating the drama of salvation with words chosen simply because they’re less likely to disturb us. As a penitential season, Advent raises the place of confession as Christ's work of removing sin. This is part of what we mean by annihilation; removing whatever it may be that keeps the coming Christ at a distance. Paul's language of ‘with the breath of his mouth' (v.8) provides continuity with the Lord's encounter after His Resurrection where He breathed on the apostles, making the link with the new creation brought about by the annihilation of sin. The dramatic images of Thessalonians reveal the urgency with which we need the power of Christ’s mercy to conquer evil. His mercy is so overwhelming that it cannot go into retreat, whatever the strength of any enemy or obstacle. God’s mercy sets out to accomplish a purpose, waiting to be revealed, but is still possible to glimpse in the liturgy of the Church. There is a very different creation in Christ already waiting which will ‘annihilate’ the former by its beauty, perfection and magnificence. So, how do we encounter this? How are we made ready? In the Eucharist we already experience the coming of Christ towards us because there is always an Advent dimension to its celebration. Eucharistic life is an intimate relationship of growth in the life of Jesus and the kingdom He manifests. By this relationship we come to experience something of the Advent hope in the liturgical images of the heavenly banquet—Christ’s coming again—and the New Creation. As Christians, we are already partakers in ‘the manifestation of his coming’ (v.8) and so we pray that the Coming Christ will make us ready for the fullness of His appearing. The Revd Guy Jamieson, St Paul’s & St Mary’s, Nelson.

Ready to learn

December 20, 2024 • Ian Parks • 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible). ‘Not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or word or by letter…to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:2 In our journey of faith and understanding, we must be open to correcting our misconceptions, just as St. Paul did for the Thessalonians. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, Paul addresses false beliefs that had taken root in the community. He reassures them, saying, ‘Don't be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun’ (v.2, NLT). Paul's words remind us of the importance of seeking truth and being willing to learn. In my years as a teacher, I was acutely aware of the potential to unintentionally reinforce misconceptions. This concern was particularly evident when I taught the book ‘Journey to Joburg’ by Beverley Naidoo. The story of Naledi and Tiro's 300km trek to Johannesburg could easily perpetuate oversimplified views about poverty in Africa. While their journey reflected real challenges, I recognised the importance of providing a more comprehensive picture. It was crucial for me to go beyond simply teaching the text; I needed to challenge these partial truths and guide my students towards a more nuanced understanding of Africa's diverse realities. I felt a deep responsibility to ensure that my lessons didn't just tell one story, but opened doors to broader, more accurate perspectives of the world. In our pursuit of equity, diversity, and justice, we must find those who can guide us and affirm our efforts. Yet, we must also remain humble, recognising that the best way to learn is often through our mistakes. As we encounter others’ misconceptions, let us respond not with judgment, but with patience and understanding. St. Paul's message to the Thessalonians serves as a powerful reminder that growth often comes through correction and reassurance. He then urges them, and us, to ‘stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter’ (2 Thess. 2:15). This steadfastness, combined with openness to learning, forms the foundation of our spiritual and intellectual development. As we reflect on our own misconceptions and those we encounter in others, let us remember Paul's example. May we approach each day with humility, ready to learn, grow, and gently guide others towards a fuller understanding of God's truth and the complex world He has created. Iain Parks, Director of Education.