You can always be some kind of an example

24 Jun You can always be some kind of an example

Happy Hump Day y’all! (Yes…it took me until Wednesday to get this together…it’s an interesting week!)

Fred Meuser, the President of Trinity Lutheran Seminary when I started back in 1984, often said, “Never despair, never lose hope, never give up. You are never a complete failure. You can always serve as a bad example.” Now…that doesn’t sound real encouraging, and I always figured Dr Meuser was being a bit “tongue-in-cheek” when he said that…but his words came to mind again as I was reading Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church. Paul & the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica had a great relationship. Paul was quite fond of the believers there & it seems they were equally fond of Paul. As his letter to them opens he writes:

“We know, dear brothers & sisters, that God loves you & has chosen you to be his own people…So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us & the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia & Achaia.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 6-7.  It may be that your best witness to Jesus is persevering in faith with joy in the face of trial, trouble & turmoil. To continue faithfully in worship when it seems your prayers aren’t being answered. To be exceedingly financially generous when facing your own monetary limitations. To take time for others when your time is squeezed. To build relationships with not-yet-Christians never knowing if they’ll ever make a step of faith. To share your faith in Christ with those who seem uninterested. To pray for people who have not asked you to do so…and tell them you’re doing it.

It may be that opposition, slander, uncertainty, & difficulty that are met by faithfulness are what translate into someone you care about being welcomed into the family of Christ. By example you might just open the door to a heart-to-heart encounter with the risen Jesus. And sure…President Meuser’s observation is also true…we can be lousy examples of faith & faithfulness. But I don’t see that at Living Water…in fact, I was asked just today if 2 pastors learning to be a team ministry in another NSW city could come hang out with us…they’ve heard about us & are curious. Last Sunday many of you reminded me that our history together also bears some of that kind of faithfulness in the face of adversity…and whether we like it or not…it’s seen as an example to be modelled by some. I know I said this Sunday…but I can’t imagine the last 20 years of my life being nearly as blessed anywhere else but among you. You are an example to me. Thank you!

Now…what’s ahead of us this week?

1. Zoom Bible Study Catch-up
   Friday 27th June 2025 @ 1:00 p.m.
   Join Zoom Meeting  —  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89674789066  —  Meeting ID: 896 7478 9066
2. Sunday 6^th July – Giving Beyond Ourselves for Myanmar Earthquake Relief through ALWS and Morning Tea!
3. Thursday 10^th July – Ladies Fellowship – 1 John 3:11-24
4. Saturday August 23^rd – Albury Men’s Convention – I just signed up yesterday. I reckon we’ll have a good group going from here.

Thanks again for the years we’ve spent together. It was fun reminiscing some last Sunday. But you know as well as I do, the real joy is in reaching toward the future into which God is leading us. I’ve got an idea…invite a not-yet-Christian friend to join you & us in that future. Won’t that be some joy?!

See you Sunday, or somewhere between now & then!

John