Thursday after Oculi Sunday
Posted on March 7, 2024 by under
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (NKJV)
2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Devotion
The preaching of the Gospel comes with much conflict. This is not the fault of the Gospel, nor is it the fault of those who preach the Gospel. The conflict comes about because of the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature, which do not want to give up their power over us.
Pastors, who have been entrusted with the preaching of the Gospel, must be prepared for the conflict. The enemies of the Church are looking for any opportunity to accuse them of wrongdoing. For the sake of the Gospel, pastors ought to avoid any appearance of pleasing men, being covetous for personal gain, or seeking their own glory. They ought to be disciplined and blameless in their theological conflicts with false teachers, lest their faults become an excuse for others to reproach the Gospel.
While ministers of the Word are called to be fighters toward the enemies of the Church, they are called to be like nursing mothers toward those inside the Church. They feed the children of God with the pure milk of the Word, gently correcting them with the Law and comforting them with the Gospel. Whether they are defending us from false doctrine or nourishing us with the Word and Sacraments, they dare not claim any of the glory for themselves. All glory goes to Christ who works through them to defend and provide for His Church.
Collect: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
