Glory and Joy - 2:19-20

One of the difficulties of growing older is that we are sometimes called by God to move away from family.

I am blessed to have an extended family that are lovers of Jesus.

One of the joys that I have when I see them or talk with them is to hear how God has been at work in their lives.

When we are apart, I long to hear how they are doing. But I also have a strong desire to know what Christ has been accomplishing in their lives.

These two elements are present in the passage we will consider today.

Paul is trying to communicate to the Thessalonians just how much he cares for them.

In verse 7 of chapter 2 he proclaims that he cares for them like a mother with a nursing infant.

This conveys a desire to nurture and protect.

They were dear to Paul!

In verses 11 and 12 Paul declares that he exhorted, encouraged, and charged them like a father does his children.

Paul wanted the Thessalonian church to grow and mature.

Now let’s read verses 17-20.

1 Thessalonians 2:17–20 ESV

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Paul wanted to see these believers in Thessalonica, he makes it sound as though he even attempted to multiple times, but Satan hindered him.

Why?

Why would Satan hinder Paul from going to visit a church?

Because Satan, the enemy of our souls, does not want us to enjoy the fellowship and growth that comes when we spend time together as the body of Christ.

We are going to focus on verses 19-20.

Here Paul gives us the reason he wanted to come visit them, and the reason Satan hindered him.

What is our hope, joy or crown of boasting?

Biblically defined, hope is a confident expectation that God will keep His promises.

In this context, Paul is confident that God will do what He has promised in the lives of these believers.

In Philippians 1.6 Paul writes this…

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

This is his same Hope, his confidence for the Thessalonian believers.

God will complete the work He has begun in their lives.

That’s hope.

Next is joy.

Joy means “anything that causes cheer and dispels gloom.”

Paul says that the Thessalonian believers are his joy.

They bring him cheer! They dispel his gloom!

Just a challenging thought, do people say that about you and me?

That we bring them cheer and dispel gloom?

Something to think about.

The third thing Paul mentions is a “crown of boasting.”

Now, at first, that sounds bad to us, right?

We have all been taught that boasting is bad.

“Boasting” here is the Greek word καύχησις (kauchēsis) meaning “personal satisfaction” or “a satisfied contentment with one’s own or another’s achievements.”

Paul’s point is that when he stands before Christ at the end of his life he believes that he will be content with the work he has done in leading them to Christ, and in the work they have done as they have grown and matured in Christ.

The end of the verse speaks of the coming of Jesus.

Paul is absolutely confident in this reality: Jesus is coming back.

When he does, Paul will stand before Him confident, joyful, and content because of those he has led to Jesus.

His reason for hope, joy, and boasting is the faithfulness of the body of Christ!

Verse 20 is simple: “for you are our glory and joy.”

This is such a powerful statement.

“Glory” is the idea of honor or recognition.

Paul is saying that the honor and recognition that he will receive in the presence of Jesus comes through those He has led to Christ and discipled in the faith.

He stated in v. 6 they didn’t seek glory from others.

Why? Because their glory is those who have trusted Christ!

Part of our glory and joy in the presence of Jesus will be the reality of those we have led to Christ!

It is no wonder that Satan hindered Paul from being with the Thessalonians.

What encouragement! What strength! What motivation!

When we faithfully follow Jesus we bring hope, joy, contentment, and glory to those who have been a part of our walk with Christ!

There are 2 ideas I want us to walk away from this with.

1 - You and I have the opportunity to bring hope, joy, boasting, and glory to those who have spiritually invested in our lives.

How? By being faithful followers of Jesus.

2 - As we invest in the lives of others by leading them to Christ and discipling them, we will have hope, joy, boasting, and glory.

Therefore, we must boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May we stand before the throne of Jesus with glory and joy because we have faithfully followed Jesus and faithfully led others into a deeper relationship with Him.