Viking Laws and Church” (Part 4 of 4)

In my recent bulletin messages, I’ve been referring to four “Viking Laws” (from my August trip to Norway) considering their spiritual application for mission and ministry. We come to the fourth and final ‘law’ with its four sub-laws.
 
4. Keep the Camp in Order
i. Keep things tidy and organised
Apostle Paul wrote, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people” (1 Cor 14:33), noting “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Cor 14:40). He lamented, “I may not find you as I want you to be … I fear that there may be discord … and disorder.” (2 Cor 12:20). James taught that “where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16). Let us, as a congregation, pursue peace.
 
The Spirit of God brings order to the body of Christ (the church) and to the believer, for their ‘house’ is “swept clean and put in order” ready for the Spirit to reside (Matt 12:44, Luke 11:25). In Jesus’ coming, “the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4) and He heralds and establishes a “new order” (Hebrews 9:10).
 
ii. Arrange enjoyable activities which strengthen the group
Enjoyment is a biblical concept. One of God’s Ten Commandments came with a promise; “Honour your father and mother … so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-4). Paul reminds Timothy that we are “to put [our] hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Tim 6:17) John prayed that his “Dear friend” Gaius “may enjoy good health” (3 John 1:2). Strengthening others is a crucial aspect of being church in this weakening world. Jesus prayed for Simon Peter, fore-knowing his triplicate denial, “that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back,
strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32). Even Jesus had needed strengthening - in the Gethsemane Garden, contemplating the cost of the cross, “an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:43) May we too receive strengthening from one another here on earth, and from angels sent from heaven.
Following persecution, the church “enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened” (Acts 9:31). In fact, Paul (who as Saul, did the persecuting) later “went … strengthening the churches.” (Acts 15:41). He, with Barnabas, was “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said. (Acts 14:22) Paul continued “strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18:23) – note how all needed strengthening. Timothy was sent to strengthen (1 Thess 3:2) – perhaps you are being sent to strengthen others?
 
Prophets “Judas and Silas … said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.” (Acts 15:32) Prophecy is, in part, about strengthening; “the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:3). Strengthening enables numerical growth: “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” (Acts 16:5)
Strengthening comes via speaking and doing: “We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.” (2 Cor 12:19) Also, through praying, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being …” (Ephesians 3:16).
 
Our prayers can reach down deep, perhaps deeper than our words and deeds. The Lord strengthens our hearts (1 Thessalonians 3:13, Hebrews 13:9) and other body parts! (Hebrews 12:12) We are strengthened in the/our faith (Colossians 2:7, Romans 4:20) and “in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:17) “The Lord is faithful … he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3) The resources to hand for strengthening are incredible – “being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might …” (Colossians 1:11) And, at crucial times, the onus is upon us – see Revelation 3:2.
 
iii. Make sure everyone does useful work
Paul instructs the Ephesians that, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4:28). Let us be those ‘on-the-give’, not ‘on-the-take’. The Christian is one who is “made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21). Onesimus was “formerly … useless … but now he has become useful …” (Philemon 1:11) as a believer and brother in Christ. You are called and enabled to be useful in God’s Kingdom.
 
iv. Consult all members of the group for advice
Proverbs repeatedly echoes this rule: “… the wise listen to advice” (12:15). “… wisdom is found in those who take advice” (13:10). “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise” (19:20). “Plans are established by seeking advice ...” (20:18). “… the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice” (27:9). You and I are not called to follow Christ alone, on our own, but alongside one another, walking together and watching over one another – listen to, learn from, love one another.
 
My prayer is that this bulletin series on Viking Laws has stimulated us to some wholesome thinking (2 Peter 3:1). Vi takker deg, Herre. Amen.
Revd Michael Hogg