Good morning a most blessed Thursday to you, and a most blessed and happy New Year. 

It is 2024. And ahead of us lies an entire year, 12 months of growing, learning and sharing the love of God, and serving the Lord by serving our neighbors. We have such an opportunity to intentionally grow in our relationship with the Lord, and intentionally grow in the faith that he has so graciously given to us. 

There's always advice that we can find or seek out on how to grow in faith.  How do I get stronger in my faith? 

Martin Luther addressed this in one of his table talks, which were a series of discussions around the table, or as Luther was walking with students.  He would have these discussions with his students. His students recorded what he had to say on a variety of topics. And the whole purpose was that our faith lives are not just supposed to happen in these little boxes of being at church. But really our faith life is our life.  We are disciples whether we are in the church building, or we are at our jobs, our homes or if we're on the street. We are always disciples of Christ.

Martin Luther addresses this in one of his table talks. He said that there were Christians of the time that were teaching if you wish to know Christ, try to be alone. Don't associate with men. Become a separatist. Martin Luther writes about this advice calling it “plainly diabolical advice, which is in conflict with the first and second table of the Ten Commandments.”

The first table requires faith and fear of God. According to the second commandment, this is to be preached and publicly praised before men, and is to be discussed among men. One must not flee into a corner. 

So the second table teaches that one must do to one's neighbor. We ought not to isolate ourselves, but enter into companionship with our neighbor. Likewise, this notion is in conflict with marriage, economic life, and political existence. This is  contrary to the life of Christ, who didn't choose solitude. Christ's life was very turbulent with people always moving about him. He was never alone except when he prayed. Away with those who say, “be glad to be alone, and your heart will be pure. 

I like this commentary that Martin Luther offers to several of his students…  that being a Christian is not being called into the life of solitude, but really living out who we are in Christ everywhere we go. 

In the book of Acts it talks so often about the life of the believers, and how those first believers lived with and amongst one another. 

Acts 2:44-47

“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

In the early church Christians were not living solitary lives. They were not trying to figure out their faith lives by themselves. And they weren't growing in faith by themselves.

We are so blessed to be called into a community of believers, and so blessed to be able to grow in our relationship with the Lord, as we grow in relationship with one another. We have so many opportunities and so many ministries where we can really engage with others. These allow for us to grow in our faith and fear of the Lord, while walking alongside those who are also walking in the faith.

We know that the Lord blesses us. He blesses us through His Word. He blesses us through the fellowship and the relationships that we get to grow in with one another as family in faith.  I hope that this year that you take the opportunity not only to grow intentionally in your faith life, and to see where the Lord will lead you. But know that you are not alone.  You are not called to be in solitude as you wrestle with God's Word, as you are comforted by God's Word, as you are encouraged by God's Word. You are called to be with your brothers and sisters, and walk this side of heaven with the Lord together.

Heavenly Lord, we thank you so much for Your Word. Your Word is truth. We thank you that you speak to us through Your Word day in and day out. Lord, we also thank you that you have called us to be a family of believers together… that we would have one another to walk with this side of heaven to grow in faith with, as we get to know you better, and as we get to know one another better. Lord, we ask that you would bless this year 2024 with so many opportunities to grow together in faith, and to serve and to love you as your disciples. May we live in the promise of life that you have given us, now and forever. Lord, we lift this to you in the saving and beautiful name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Have an amazing rest of your week, and I look forward to worshiping with you at our first worship time together this Sunday. Until then, God bless!

Pastor Malinak