Scripture
9How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
Observation
Paul was writing the Church in Thessalonica from the City of Corinth. He so desperately wanted to be with the Thessalonians in person that he prayed day and night that God would open a door for him to be able to do so. He had just received a good report of their faith and perseverance in the midst of trials from his protege Timothy. This greatly encouraged his faith, but rather than satisfying Paul, he wanted to see them all the more! As any good pastor, he wanted to go there and fan the flames that were burning and to “fill the gaps” in their faith. He understood that even though they were doing good there was more for them to learn that would complete what was lacking so they could finish their race of faith strong. It’s interesting to note that even though Timothy had just been with them, Paul felt that he needed to be there in person to assess the situation. Paul had once written, “According to the [remarkable] grace of God which was given to me [to prepare me for my task], like a skillful master builder I laid a foundation, and now another is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it,” (1 Cor. 3:10). This explains why he was still in Corinth. As a wise master builder he was filling in gaps in the foundation that, if left unaddressed, could cause the whole structure to quake, crumble and fall. Paul was a like a construction foreman and knew that there were some things he could delegate, but that to truly be effective he needed to be on-site, in-person, and face-to-face. Could it be there are massive gaps in our faith because we have considered face to face gatherings as optional for our faith?
Application
I know exactly what Paul was feeling here. It had been five years since I’d been at O’hana Retreat with the New Hope Japan Churches. I had prayed that God would open a door as it had been too long since I was able to see the amazing pastors and leaders advancing the Kingdom in Japan. For three years in a row I had given the privilege of joining them at the Ohana Retreat and seeing the fruit of their faith in such a challenging environment. Even though technically I was there to pour into them I always leave feeling they were the ones who filled in the gaps of my faith. Every time I’m with them I cry as I see the sincerity and endurance of the faith of Japanese Christians that challenges the shallowness of my own. After so many years apart it was amazing to see how much the testing of their faith during Covid had grown in them a greater determination to reach the next generation for Japan. Can you imagine only knowing a handful of people around you that follow Christ? We think we have it hard in our post-Christian culture here in America, but this is a cake walk in comparison, precisely because we don’t walk alone. This is why the annual Ohana Retreat is such a priority for the churches in Japan every year. When we are face-to-face in our faith community we can see the cracks and the fissures in the foundation. In community the places that need healing, reconciliation and repentance are revealed not to expose us but to heal us. I saw this happen at every level at Ohana Retreat this past week and I saw this happen this Sunday at The Father’s House. There’s a reason the early Christians "continuously devoted themselves to fellowship." (Acts 2:42) The word for "fellowship" is koinonia, which means "to have in common" or "to share." As those who are united with Christ, we are to share the life of Christ with one another in a way that results in individual and corporate spiritual growth- to fill in the gaps. The consistent exchange of God's love and truth in the context of community is called "ministry" (which simply means "service"). Koinonia is face-to-face faith and is viewed by the New Testament as a non-optional environment for spiritual growth. Do we still see it that way?
Prayer
The timing on this reading is so interesting Lord. It was four years ago this week that I stepped into pastoring The Father’s House here in San Diego. Everyone was still practicing “social distancing” here in San Diego but I felt such a conviction from You that we still needed to be together. So, we gathered in the parking lot outside of our building and worshipped and prayed together. I will never forget that first tailgate worship night as it was the first time I met many people from the church I was now pastoring. I think You were trying to teach me something that I pray I will never forget. No matter what, we must never stop meeting together face-to-face. Koinonia is not optional! Thank You for all You have done at The Father’s House and all You are doing in Japan. I’m so very grateful for this family of faith You’ve invited me to share life with!
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