Imitators of the Lord

Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

As you know from past newsletters, your Seminary is moving rapidly towards the point where we can start teaching students in February 2027. The enrolments have started coming in, textbooks are being chosen and teaching materials are being prepared. Like Paul, Silvanus and Timothy before us, we want our students to know about the ‘living and true God’ (v9) so that they in turn can teach their people the Gospel (v5): the joyous news that God’s Son Jesus, whom He raised from the dead, delivers us from the wrath that we deserve because of our sinfulness (v10).

What you may not know, is that seminary is as much about formation as it is about academic knowledge. We insist on our pastoral and diaconal students studying for five years not only because it takes that long to learn to understand and teach God’s Word, but because it takes so long to be shaped by Him. Note how Paul and his co-workers stress not only learning but action, and not just doing but being. The Thessalonians ‘became imitators of us and the Lord’ (v6) and ‘became an example to all the believers’ (v7). Knowing about God and being His faithful servant aren’t separate concepts; they come as a package. And so the preparation your students receive at LTS-A will be wholistic, shaping future servants of the church through God’s Word, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to be like Him in His love for His people. And note that even when they graduate, students will still have much to learn. One of the joys of studying God’s Word is that it never ends (at least in this life); it truly is an inexhaustible treasure!

Of course, what Paul, Silvanus and Timothy teach doesn’t only apply to seminary students. All Christians are called to hear, understand and share God’s Word. All Christians are called by virtue of their faith and hope in our Lord Jesus to labour in love for others (v3). And that labour isn’t always easy. Often it’s accompanied by affliction (v6). And so all God’s people are invited to dwell in God’s Word to receive the help they need for their labours; to allow God to work on, in and through you.

While you may not have the opportunity to study at seminary full-time, most of you do have the opportunity to receive God’s gifts every Sunday at church; to hear His Word and receive His Sacraments so that they can form you into the person He wants you to become. And even if you live far from a congregation and can only visit occasionally, you can still create opportunities each day to read your Bible, participate in online Bible studies or share in devotions with family or friends.

And God asks you to take advantage of these opportunities so that you may not only labour in love, but that you can also share the Gospel with your friends, family and neighbours. Through His Word and Holy Spirit, He teaches and inspires you to share the hope that you have, so that all may turn from idols to serve the living and true God; that all who believe may receive a heavenly inheritance when His Son returns from heaven. Again, you don’t need to go to seminary before you can do that, but God calls and equips you in your current stations and vocations. May He bless you as you imitate Him in serving those around you whom He has placed in your lives.

Let’s pray:

We give thanks to You always, Lord God, for all those who faithfully hear Your Word and labour with it. Bless all Christians in their vocations and inspire them with Your Holy Spirit to take advantage of the opportunities they have to hear Your Word often. Through it, help them to share the hope that they have in their Lord Jesus with others, and imitate Him in showing His love to those around them. Be especially with those who are considering formal study, and through it form them to be like Jesus, doing His work in the world until He returns. We pray this in His name. Amen.

Pastor Michael Prenzler
Interim Principal, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia