I. Introduction

When our Stewardship Committee members discussed a theme for our Stewardship Campaign, we came up with the idea of Togetherness, emphasizing our renewed commitment to God, our church, and one another. Amid widespread uncertainty affecting fundamental aspects of daily life, including food and housing security, financial challenges, access to healthcare, and preparation for the winter months when many households may face heating and related concerns, the sense of safety we once felt has diminished. Additionally, our differences on various issues have the potential to create division. In this context, promoting togetherness is a highly relevant and meaningful theme for our stewardship campaign. As the Body of Christ, we are called to have the Christian bond of love, that binds us together as a community of faith. So, this morning we are focusing on the theme, Loving Together, and next week, we will focus on Praying Together.

II. Loving Together

Reading about the apostles' intentions for the early churches reveals how much they valued the relationships between believers—a value rooted in Christ's love, His death, and resurrection. These became the foundation for building their congregations and enduring the challenges they faced. The Apostle Paul was motivated by their unity and mutual affection, which led him to continue his work and compose his most uplifting letters to them, after experiencing severe persecution and fleeing the area with Silas. Paul wrote his letters to the church in Thessalonica, encouraging them to carry on with growing their church, despite the resistance from their adversaries. Thessalonica was the largest and most prosperous city in Macedonia. The city, while retaining its Greek identity, was notable for its diversity, including a significant Roman presence and thriving Jewish communities.

In his commentary on Thessalonians, Leon Morris observes that Thessalonica possessed all the qualities that would appeal to Paul for his missionary endeavors. He focused on the core of Roman administration, the heart of Hellenistic or Greek civilization, and centers of the Jewish influence. We read in Acts Chapter 17 about his work in Thessalonica. His custom was to attend the Jewish synagogues and then preached there.

In this letter to the Thessalonians, he expresses gratitude to God for their faith, which is flourishing vigorously, as well as for the love that binds them together in a strong and unified manner. In I Thessalonians 3:12, he asked for their love to grow, and now he expresses gratitude to God for answering that prayer. It was their love that served as the unifying force holding them together as a church. I can only imagine how afraid he must have been for their safety and the future of the church there. Learning about their faith, dedication, love, and unity must have truly moved him. They were now a church consisting of people from different backgrounds, and in their faith, they faced their challenges together, and they grew their church exponentially.

III. Conclusion

I believe in the church as a growing community, because it is the church of Jesus Christ, and in it the Holy Spirit, always dwelling and counseling. The church goes beyond being simply an organization, and our acts of service, preaching, and teaching are more than tasks or concepts we are required to perform. We become instruments in the hands of the Most High, and everything we do, we do with God's help and guidance. Whatever the circumstances we face today, God calls us to come together in the presence of the Holy Trinity, God Almighty, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. God's love fills the Body of Christ, and as the church gathers in unity, faith is strengthened and love brings everyone closer. Together, the church becomes a Living Body that rises above all limitations. May God help us through our hearts, minds, souls and bodies to be the Body of Christ, loving together, always supporting one another, being kind to one another as we face every day and every challenge. May God help us all to be faithful stewards of God's church and make us instruments of love and peace in our world. Amen.