Work
The Anxiety
MLA citation style
The Anxiety. Church Missionary Society. 1975. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://images.quartexcollections.com/moore/thumbnails/preview/2c52454b-2629-4fb6-b9bc-f6ba685c31ad.APA citation style
(1975). The Anxiety. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://images.quartexcollections.com/moore/thumbnails/preview/2c52454b-2629-4fb6-b9bc-f6ba685c31ad.Chicago citation style
The Anxiety. Church Missionary Society. 1975. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://images.quartexcollections.com/moore/thumbnails/preview/2c52454b-2629-4fb6-b9bc-f6ba685c31ad.Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.
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- CMS Summer School 1975. Griffiths speaks on Paul’s concern for the believers in Thessalonica from 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13. Satan evidently placed obstacles to prevent Paul and Silas from returning to Thessalonica. Paul draws on the imagery of a royal visit to describe Christ’s return, where the Christian church forms part of the presentation of gifts to the King. In his absence, Paul is deeply anxious for the Thessalonians in the face of opposition. Yet Christ had strengthened and built up the church despite such challenging circumstances. The New Testament itself employs follow-up language for established believers, and Paul longs for the Thessalonian Christians to be firmly established and steadfast. Christians are to expect persecution, affliction, and trouble. Griffiths reminds believers that there is an enemy working against the church. When Titus brought news of the Thessalonians’ progress, Paul rejoiced greatly. For the missionary today, this example highlights the need to be emotionally engaged with members of the church, sharing both in their discouragements and in their encouragements. Paul recognises that it is God who preserved the Thessalonian church. Ministers share the responsibility of completing, perfecting, and healing the members of the body, with the goal of seeing all believers brought to maturity. Missionary responsibility therefore includes not only the planting of churches but also the ongoing work of helping to establish and strengthen them. Griffiths concludes with three key themes from Paul’s prayer: God’s sovereignty in action, the coming of the King, and the resurrection of the saints.
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- In copyright: Date of publication plus 70 years Not to be published or reproduced without the permission of CMS. Please acknowledge that it is held by Moore Theological College. For access please contact the Church Missionary Society. Onsite access only