Greece Journal #3: An Answer to the Thessalonian Questions

I previously posted a series of Questions having to do with what happened to the church of the Thessalonians.  I was wondering if the Heritage of faith, hope, and love was able to continue. I questioned what happened and I presented a series of questions that followed concerning the persecution the church went through and what they had suffered.  Well I have some answers and they are simple and really very short.

Interestingly enough, this church continued in faith, hope, and love for the Lord as long as there was persecution being applied to them.  That covers from the time Paul left them to the time they began experiencing local persecution (loss of Jobs and being mocked by Jews and worldly men and woman) carrying on over into even greater persecution beginning with NERO around 64 AD after the great fire there in ROME.  Once the great fire in Rome happened, Nero turned up the heat on Christians in what would become 250 years of brutal persecution.  I saw icons depicting the brutality that our brothers and sisters faced on a daily basis.  A theatre in Phillipi was turned into a Colliseum so that pagans could watch Christians be killed for sport.  There where beheadings, burnings, crucifixions, and flesh being pulled off of live bodies as they where stretched upright towards the sky.  We do not understand what these brave, bold believers went through!  While they went through it they were hot like the church of Smyrna depicts in Rev 2 8-11….

Now when did this change…. This was the question I posed to our amazing tour guide.  He is 1 of only 3 believing guides in GREECE of a total of 8,000 who have left the eastern orthodox church (which is the only accepted religion in Greece).  When I asked him what happened and what changed, he looked at me and he said everything changed when the Church became a part of the state in 395AD under the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.  In 395 (and I advise you to do some church history homework), the Roman Emperor began to force Christianity on all of its Roman Provinces. And, just as Rome was brutal to believers, it began to become equally brutal to those that did not believe.  They performed the same tactics on those that did not believe.  At this time when the state took control the church those that had faith, hope, and love— began to die off with it.

Which is a interesting concept for us today.  Here is where I get controversial before I go as my time is almost up.  BEING ROBBED FOR 10 EURO for 30 minutes of time on internet.  So many American Christians think that the answer to our nation’s troubles is to have a CHRISTIAN NATION. Now in my short amount of time I will try to define my thoughts.  First I am all for a government run by Christians, with the final authority as God.  I dream of that day.  The Truth is that day does not come until Jesus comes!

The problem with trying to change the country through politics (fyi I do vote with Biblical conscience) and hoping that perhaps some day we could once again be a christian nation is this—-Define Christian nation— Whose version of Christianity– ROMES, a Methodists, yours– there are so many different interpretations of what that would look like or could—- I want you to really ponder this as I am right now seeing what IMPOSED GREEK ORTHODOXY HAS DONE TO A ENTIRE CULTURE….  I really want to expound more on this but my time is up… I will be back tomorrow to check comments and TRY to get another post out. I had a great time at a monestary that I want to blog about and tomorrow I do Corinth.

Love you TFAB

Greece Journal #2: Lunch and Questions from Thessalonians

It’s lunchtime on my first day in Greece.  I am seated outside in a covered area in a restaurant called Bapdapns.  The view is nothing to write about, but I will.  The restaurant is located on one of the busiest streets in this 1 million plus people town.  In front of me there seems to be some type of construction; there is more construction in front of me right now than in all of bend.  Due to the construction, I am surrounded by a make-shift wall with a bunch of goofy advertisements and signs that have museum artifacts on them.  On the other side of the wall is that incredibly busy street.  I cannot see the vehicles (thank you weird signs) but I can hear them.  The sound of buses braking, scooters zooming, and people walking and talking in Greek (VERY LOUD TALKERS) are all around me.  I noticed something….Greeks are loud!  My taxi driver was talking so loud into his phone that I was worried he might wake up Jude back home.  As I look up from where I sit, I see a disturbing number of sex shops, video clubs, and a sign that says erotic photos!  Yes, your pastor is in FORNICATION HELL!  So you know I did not choose the restaurant for its view!  In fact, I didn’t see the shops across the street (thank you weird wall of advertisements) until I sat down.  Now with that in mind, I am sure Paul felt the same way when he entered into this Grecian culture 2,000 years ago.  I know he did read THESSALONIANS 4.  If I continue to lift my eyes, I see a bunch of old apartments and condos that rise high into the sky with really old 10ft antennas on top.  They obviously didn’t get the going digital memo.

My food has arrived—–SOOOOOO GOOD– Chicken Gyro, with cabbage and peta! AMAZING– There is so much flavor in this food—I LOVE FOOD!

One more point before I say something of importance – what is Europe’s fascination with the 80’s?  Seriously, I never knew an entire continent could get stuck.  I know people that are stuck in the 80’s, but a nation?  I just heard Journey playing in the background and my taxi guy was rocking to the 80’s last night!  It was the same thing in Israel back in 97….. “ITS 2009 – 80’s were 20 years ago – get over it people!”

One more thing – Driving and walking in Greece is at your own risk!  Not kidding.  I almost got killed in the taxi and hit twice today!   Right now a weird woman with a shaved head is looking at me! Uhhhhhh…awkward.

I am now at Starbucks for the second time today! (It’s a good day.)  My Bible is open to Thessalonians 1, which is a good place seeing as how I am in Thessaloniki!  I am in a corner seat by the window and now it’s time to think.

Chapter 1:  Paul praised the church in Thessalonica for faith, hope, and love.  Paul praised them because they endured affliction and being an example to the believer.  Paul praised them because they had shared with everyone in Macedonia, all had heard the Gospel, many had turned from idols, and were now looking for the return of Christ.  WOW – I hope that can be written of TFAB!

Questions I am looking forward to getting answers from and reposting them:

1. Did this heritage continue?  Right now I am not seeing it!

2. What happened?

3. What should I (TFAB) watch for so we do not end up looking like this?

Chapter 2: Paul reminds them that He did not take anything from them but worked hard for them.  Walking past the many merchants here today, it’s easy to picture Paul as one of them selling his tent products to those in need.

He also encourages them as they have been persecuted by their own countrymen.

Questions (for the tour guide)

1.  What was it like to work in those days?  What was merchant life like?

2.  What kind of persecution would these Thessalonians have received from their own countrymen?

3.  Why would they oppose Jesus and the Resurrection?  Obviously Satan had much to do with it, but what in their culture and day made it difficult to grasp about Jesus?

Something I see here in 2:20 is that Paul deeply loved this town/church….”you are our glory and our Joy!”

Chapter 3

Paul, who is only a couple hundred miles away, says he sent Timothy from Athens to check up on how they where doing.  He sent timothy so they would stand fast (v8) in the faith.  Timothy gave a great report!

Questions-

1.  How long did they stand fast?

2.  How many centuries did they really love Jesus?

3.  Are people still standing fast in Thessaloniki?

Chapter 4

God’s will: Abstain fornication, be a pure vessel— it’s easy to see the need of this exhortation now as this city seems to have a passion for PORN, cheap sex, and naked bodies.  I literally ran from a sign above my head that said THE EROS HOUSE– ONE GREEK WORD I DO KNOW!

He also tells them to not be lazy and work hard not leach onto others.  And, take hope in heaven.

Questions-

1.  Was running from fornication difficult for the Grecians to understand?

2.  What was their picture of Life after death?

3.  Was there a understanding of the rapture here?

Chapter 5

Paul addresses the day of the Lord.  It would probably do this town good and also many of us good to think about that day when we will stand before HIM!  Its coming, TFAB! One day we will be with the KING!

Questions

1.  IS this town asleep! Or, is this town Dead!

2.  Is Thessaloniki today looking ahead to Heaven?

3.  Are they obtaining salvation?

2 Thessalonians Chapter 1

Their faith was growing and their love was obvious, but their hope was nonexistent!  Persecution was getting the best of them.

Question:  Did Thessaloniki lose hope?

Chapter 2

Once again, Paul writes concerning the last days, its timing, and its climate.

Question: What persecution was so bad that they thought they where living in the tribulation?

Chapter 3

Paul’s final admonition to them was to withdraw from those in the body who were walking disorderly body.  They were to withdraw and not aide those that continued to not get a job and work.  Called them to not grow weary in well doing!

Question: Did they grow weary in well doing?

If you took the time to read this all the way through, it is my hope to gain some answers for you and for me!  As you read through these 2 books, let me know if you have more questions.

My mocha is now gone, therefore it is time to leave my happy seat in Starbucks!  The people at the counter already remember me, and its only day 1.

Greece Journal #1

I love getting to my destination!  There is something thrilling about new towns, fresh faces, and a different culture!  It really opens your eyes to how big and vast our world really is.  It is crazy to think about, but there are billions of people that we will never pass by.  There are billions of people that we will never talk with and billions of people that we will never share the gospel with.  I can get so trapped in my little bubble of people, my church at TFAB, my circle of friends, or even my community in Bend, Oregon that I forget how huge our world is, and how greatly they need the Lord.  I feel perhaps sitting here today (in a Starbucks), the same pull of sharing the gospel that Paul felt. Although – unlike Paul, I do not speak GREEK!

Now even though I love the destination,  I seriously dislike getting there.  Planes, airports (“FRANKFURT” EVEN THE NAME FRANKFURT…. just say it a couple times, its kinda like Levenworth, the biggest fun-sucking town in America– see teaching in Acts for details).  But planes and airports – taxis they drive me crazy PUN emphasis on DRIVE/TAXI =).  The crazy thing is that we live in a day when you can travel half way across the world in 24 hours or less.  What if Paul could have had that ability? My guess is he would have had like 300 misionary journeys!  As much as I do not like traveling, I cannot imagine voyaging by ship, horse, or walking the over 3,000 miles he must have traveled in his day.  Travel in Paul’s day was treacherous (although I could make a case for the meatballs and taxi driver),  but you were dealing with shipwreck, people that just might kill you, and all sorts of weird diseases (they didnt have airborne).   It was brutal to travel 30 miles, let alone 1,000 miles.  Even though travel was difficult, there was something great about traveling as Paul did.   And, the way in which Paul traveled allowed Him to meet with tons of people along the way.  The TRAVEL was as much a part of the trip as was the destination.  Think about all the places you would pass through and they weren’t just 2 hours layovers, or 8 hour layovers (thank you Frankfurt).  They where days, but those days gave opportunity to meet new people, talk about Jesus, and stay in homes and start churches.  This would give ample opportunity to learn new languages, learn about people, and understand the culture they where in.  Perhaps we miss out on much because we travel so fast.  Perhaps we miss out on much because life is so fast!  Perhaps this is a word right now for you to slow down, stop, pause, and think about what God would have for you to do today.  Yesterday I sat on a plane next to a woman in her mid 40’s who only spoke German.  I tried to the best of my ability to share what I was doing, but charades at 39000 feet, with 2 inches of breathing room (Scott knows that’s a little close for my comfort level) gets a little old and odd after a while.  What if I had a whole week to make that journey….would I learn enough German to share Christ maybe?  Something to think about – I know I am.

For now I have made it to my destination. I arrived in Thessolonikki Greece, and I like Paul am excited to see what God will do, and reflect on what He has done!

Greece

Hey TFAB! Thanks for your prayers. Aside from almost being killed by my lead-footed taxi driver and some really bad meatballs aboard my last flight from Frankfurt (RRRRRRR Franfkurt – not a fan of that airport, seeing as how I think I wasted 8 hrs of my life there), I have arrived safely in Thessolinikki.  Over the next few weeks, I will be posting to the blog as long as I have internet access.  If the post seems rather short, it’s not because of lack of inspiration but rather a lack of patience with typing on my little ipod touch (which by the way, is really cool that I can pick up internet on, seeing as how my phone doesn’t work and I don’t have my laptop – thank you Mac!)  So you can click the side blog postings or if you would like to see all of my posts you can check the drop down menu under the about us area of the website. 

Also if you have comments or questions for me or the tour guides, please leave them for me.  I will try to answer everyone to the best of my ability.  See you Soon!

Wednesday Night Change

Last night was the first night of a new season at TFAB.  Ryan (Elder and Worship Pastor) at the Fellowship taught Joshua Chapter 2.  The big deal is that I was able to sit down with my wife and take in of the teaching of the Word.  It was great to be reminded of Rahab’s faith and our redemption.  It was comforting to be reminded of the grace that God had upon her including her in the family tree of Jesus.  I am so thankful that God has been so gracious to call us His adopted sons, but also His bride.  

Ryan started a new season at the fellowship where the body here will be learning the book of Joshua from several different elders/pastors here at TFAB.  

We did this for several reasons:

1. For this season, we as a group of leaders wanted to see the Sunday morning group receive the entire message/content of a book.  In the past we taught the same book Sunday and Wednesday but realized that Sunday morning was really missing out on some good things.

2.  TFAB is not a 1 man ministry.  TFAB is a body, and as a body we all serve in different ways.  I know that some of these men have an ability to communicate the word, and equip the body as well as, if not better than myself.  It would be a shame to hide their gifts.  That means that I will be spending time with these men to help stir up the gift as Paul told Timothy.  I want to help disciple these guys and assist in training them and other men to be good teachers and communicators of the Word.  Now be patient with these guys!  As I have said before when someone starts teaching sometimes its like learning to drive a STICK– REMEMBER being 15 and experiencing that.  That was one of the worst days of my life. It took me like 30 starts and 20 minutes to drive 1/2 mile….. The stoplight on Crater Lake Avenue/Delta waters about KILLED ME!!!!  If you have someone starting to teach it can be like that— SO be patient!

3.  This allows for TFAB to get to know their Elder/Leadership team.

4.  I get to teach the 2-K’s which is something my daughter MJ is very thrilled about.  I also plan to pop in on Middle School and H-school…  This will allow me to better pastor and minister to this church for a multiple number of reasons.

I could go on but I won’t!  Enjoy this season TFAB– It is just that– Like everything things Change- Love God, Love the People, and continue to teach His word!

GRACE,
Loren