Genuine Imitation - Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter - Narrative Lectionary 2

Genuine Imitation

Easter 4B – NL2

April 21, 2024

Our Savior’s, Faribault, MN

Acts 17.1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10

One night when I was a boy, my father took me with him to watch his bowling league. It was a real treat because it was at night when I’d normally be asleep. There must have been no school the next day. I don’t remember much about that night. What I do remember is my dad introducing me to one of his bowling buddies. Immediately, the friend said, “Oh Carl, I know he’s your son, he walks just like you.” What little chest I had puffed out with pride and joy, and I remember thinking to myself, “I’m Carl’s son. I walk just like him!” Now, I know he taught me how to bowl, though I don’t remember the specifics. Even so, I know I imitated him. A few years ago after I finished bowling, the man at the counter must have been watching me because he commented, “Someone taught you to bowl.” “Yes,” I answered, “my father.”

Genuine imitation is a theme that runs through our readings in Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 1. We’ve made a big jump since last week's story in Acts 3. The Apostle Paul has had his Damascus Road experience of encountering the risen Christ, which “converts'' him to the gospel. And the Apostle Peter has had his own conversion experience regarding the inclusion of Gentiles, the young church at Jerusalem has made a huge decision to extend their mission to non-Jews. Though Peter initiates this move, the torch is passed to Paul. That mission is going to “the ends of the earth” signified by a mission to Greece. Thessalonica was a major port on the Aegean Sea and capital city in the Roman province of Macedonia. It also laid along the major trade route, the Via Egnatia, and therefore held strategic importance.

Paul did what he normally does when entering a city, goes into a synagogue if there is one. (If not, he’ll find a “place of prayer,” usually down by the river.) Now, when it says that he argued with those present, the sense is more of discussion, dialogue, and reasoning, something that typically happened in a synagogue. Indeed, some people are persuaded, including upper class women and Gentiles. However, the Good News of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection wasn’t good news to all for some people got incensed to the point of violence. Even so, it is good to be reminded that “Jews” most likely refers to religious leaders who felt threatened, not all Jews. So, Paul et al. are forced to leave and go to Beroea where they get a better reception.  However, trouble followed them as some Thessalonians could stand to see them succeed there.

After a while, Paul will send Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the nascent church and report back to him. This first letter to the Thessalonians is Paul’s response to Timothy’s news. In what’s probably our oldest New Testament document, Paul uses a standard format for letter-writing in the ancient world. He begins with a greeting and then follows with a thanksgiving. But this where Paul deviates from the norm: the thanksgiving is greatly extended and takes up a good chunk of the letter. In it we can hear Paul’s deep care for the church as he encourages it from a distance.

Now, if we can get beyond the “mutual admiration society” between Paul and the church, we can explore a theme that runs throughout the texts: mutuality or “genuine imitation.” The Thessalonians have strived to imitate Paul’s example of faithfulness during duress. In turn, the Thessalonians themselves have become a similar beacon to other churches. Paul, in praising their faithfulness, offers them encouragement as they continue to endure.

I wonder what kind of letter Paul would write to the church at Faribault, Our Savior’s. Here’s my take:

Scott, Drew, and Grace. To the church of Our Savior’s Lutheran, Faribault, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, siblings beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. We give thanks for your perseverance and resilience in the face of so many challenges, that despite the challenges, or maybe because of them, your faith and example are stronger

Of course, we know that we aren’t perfect and we’re not always the best role models. What we do know is that God loves us no matter what we do or don’t do, and that love inspires us to share God’s love. Because God loves us unconditionally, we are freed to proclaim that love in word and deed. We are strengthened in this work through Jesus Christ who not only gave himself on the cross in the ultimate display of love but also through him who gives himself in Holy Communion. May that love strengthen you as you continue to be the church God has called you to be. Amen.

My sermons don't always preach as they are written. For video of the sermon with the entire service, click here.