First Thessalonians (5)
Notes
Transcript
Hindered but not Hopeless
Hindered but not Hopeless
Two weeks ago we saw how to stand strong when persecution comes
we saw how the church at thessaloniaca stood strong in their persecution
we were able to see how we can stand strong when our persecution comes by recieveing the word when preached, remember that we are not alone, and just rejoice because we win in the end.
What we find here are some precious and powerful words recorded for our exhortation
These words reveal the very heart and soul of the apostle Paul.
He, of all men, knew what it was to face adversity and extreme difficulty in ministry.
Paul knew what it was to face abuse and rejection for the cause of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:24–25 (KJV 1900)
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
As you consider the life of Paul, it might seem a bit depressing.
We find a man who was wholly committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and yet he faced hardship on every hand.
It is certain that Paul faced much difficulty, but he refused to allow the difficulties to dictate his existence.
Paul had learned, and lived, a great truth: God is greater than any problem we face!
The Scriptures teach us that:
if God be for us, who can be against.
Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.
We are more than conquerors through Christ that loved us.
Many times throughout the Bible we find the people of God facing an uncertain future and apparent demise, and yet God proved Himself faithful and mighty in their situation.
Things looked hopeless standing upon the Red Sea shore with the armies of Pharaoh pressing hard behind.
Defeat seemed certain on the hillside of the valley of Elah.
Fear and dread were prominent on the hill of Calvary, but hope rose with the dawn.3
Many times we have found ourselves in similar situations and yet God has never failed His own.
Things may look dark, but our God is still seated upon His mighty throne!
I want us to take a few moments to consider the certainties revealed in the text concerning: Hindered but not Hopeless
Paul had been hindered, but because he lived his life with heaven on his mind his hope was not gone.
If we live with heaven on our mind we too can live our lives regardless of the circumstances, hopeful that regardless of what comes our way, it will be worth it all!
The Reality of the Situation
The Reality of the Situation
Paul has a real heart for these believers. We will see this next week, but what we find here in these last few verses of chapter 2 is Paul explaining himself to them and expressing the true reality of his situation.
The first thing we see is….
1. His Departure
1. His Departure
v.17a
Paul’s departure from Thessalonica was not of his choosing.
He wanted to stay much longer but the circumstances would not allow that. Acts 17: 8-10.
So what do we see about this departure
a. It was Sudden
a. It was Sudden
being taken from you… speaks of a child being ripped from its mothers arms.
Paul did not have time to say good bye
Paul had a heart for this church.
Not being able to say goodbye to his brothers and sisters in Christ hurt.
Pauls sudden departure hurt him and those that he ministered to. That is why as we will see in chapter 3 that he sent Timothy to them.
Paul thought he was going to get to go back after a little while but that would not be the case
God had other plans.
b. It was Superficial
b. It was Superficial
“not in heart”
Paul may have been taken from them suddenly physically, but spiritually he was still with them.
You know the old saying, “ you can take the boy out of the country but you cant take the country out of the boy.”
Same goes for Paul, you can take Paul out of Thessalonica but you cant take Thessalonica out of Paul.
His departure was superficial
What a challenge to us, Most of us will only serve God if our situation permits us.
Paul was torn from them, he was ridiculed and who knows what else, if any one had a reason to walk away and never look back it was Paul.
Paul did not allow his departure from them, to keep him from serving them as we will see in chapter 3.
We are so quick to get offended and abandon the cause.
Why didnt Paul?
Because he was living with heaven on his mind.
2. His Desire
2. His Desire
v.17b-18a
Paul loved all those that he ministered to, but there was something about this church that really held a special place in his heart.
Even after being threatened and forced to leave, Paul sought to return to Thessalonica.
He literally longed to be there with them.
The word endeavoured means “eagerly seeking to return; a serious, concentrated effort.”
Paul endeavoured with great desire.
That reveals “a zeal, longing, strong passion.”
Do we possess that zeal, that longing, that passion for our church and the cause of Christ?
Are we committed to serving the Lord above all else?
If you are not living with heaven on your mind, church is just something you do on Sunday mornings.
To Paul it was his way of life. He had a great desire to be with them.
When you are not here, do you have a great desire to be here?
3. His Disruption
3. His Disruption
v.18b Satan hindered him
Clearly Satan knew Paul and his ministry. Acts 19:15
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
The adversary was not happy with Paul’s accomplishments.
He was angered that the Lord had empowered him and was using him mightily.
So he hindered Paul.
to hinder means “to cut in a road; to make impassable.”
This is something that the armys would do
they would dig trenches across the road to hinder the advancing army
Satan did all he could to put up a “roadblock” in front of Paul.
He was determined to hinder his work for the Lord.
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Even in the face of constant adversity, Paul loved the church there and sought their good.
The challenge for us is to seek a means around the hindrance and continue for the glory of God and the good of the church!
Paul was not the first one to face disruption in his plans
the devil tempted Christ (Matt. 4:3–10);
He also opposes the gospel (Matt. 13:19; 2 Cor. 4:4);
he performs counterfeit miracles (Ex. 7:11; Acts 8:9–24; 13:8; cf. 2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 16:14);
he seeks to deceive believers (2 Cor. 11:3, 14; Eph. 6:11);
he perpetrates lies and murders (1 Kings 22:22; John 8:44);
he attacks individual churches (Acts 5:1–11; Rev. 2:9, 13, 24; 3:9);
and he especially attacks spiritual leaders (Job 1:6–2:8; Luke 22:31–32; 2 Cor. 12:7–9; 1 Tim. 3:7). 1
Several NT writers knew who Satan was and what his goal was:
Satan as a roaring lion who seeks victims to devour (1 Peter 5:8),
and they also knew Christians must resist him so he will flee from them (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9).
However, the devil is not omnipresent, and against believers he can do nothing that is outside God’s overruling providence (cf. Job 1:12; 2:6). 1
In this regard to this, commentator R. C. H. Lenski wrote:
This by no means excludes divine providence which rules in the midst of our enemies.
Satan entered the heart of Judas so that he made plans to betray Jesus, and God permitted the betrayal for his own divine and blessed ends.
So Satan succeeded in frustrating Paul’s two plans to return to Thessalonica, but only because this accorded with God’s own plans regarding the work Paul was to do.
Satan has brought many a martyr to his death, and God permitted it.
The death of these martyrs was more blessed for them and for the cause of the gospel than their life would have been.
It was due to Satan that the Thessalonians suffered just as the original churches in Judea had to suffer (v. 14) although God permitted this suffering. 1
When you are hindered by forces beyond your control it can make it tough to continue in the work that God has called you to, but if you like Paul, are living with heaven on your mind, you will fight on because you may be hindered but you are not hopeless
Not only do we see the reality of the situation
The Rejoicing in the Situation
The Rejoicing in the Situation
vs.19-20
Trouble and difficulty were a constant reality, but Paul was hopeful.
Paul realized that there was much to rejoice in.
He realized that there was much more to life and ministry then what he could see in the physical realm.
He knew that his ministry was not based on happiness.
He knew that his ministry was not superficial
He was not going to be deterred by the difficulties
He knew God was doing something powerful and eternal in the lives of these believers
Pauls hope, joy and crown was in the ministry and salvation of souls rather than the problems he faced.
The crown (cf. Prov. 1:9; 1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Rev. 2:10; 3:11; 6:2) is the festive wreath or victor’s crown, awarded for athletic triumph, and exultation denotes the exuberant expression of joyful feelings, and sometimes is translated “boasting,” in the righteous sense. From the Greek, one can literally render this phrase, “the crown which is rejoicing.” The crown or wreath denotes the overwhelming victory God gives His own over sin, suffering, death, and judgment (cf. 1 Peter 5:4). 2
We would do well to learn this simple and yet profound truth:
There is much more to life and serving the Lord than what we experience in this life.
There is a heaven to gain, souls to reach, and a glorious savior to serve.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
The first thing that we see regarding Pauls rejoicing is..
1. He Rejoiced in their Future
1. He Rejoiced in their Future
The apostle Paul always lived and taught others to live in the light of Jesus Christ’s return (Rom. 13:12; Phil. 3:20; 2 Tim. 2:12; 4:8, 18; cf. 1 Cor. 1:7–8; Phil. 4:5; Titus 2:13), and he plainly stated to the Thessalonians that the glory to come to believers when Christ returned was powerful motivation for ministering.
His rejoicing was knowing that all those that he had a part in bring to the cross would be reunited with him one day in glory.
Paul immediately answered the question of what brought him joy with a rhetorical question that is somewhat surprising.
One might think the answer should be the Lord Jesus Christ.
But the apostle said, Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
Paul’s anticipation for the future was the assurance that he would be in the presence of his Savior (cf. 1:10; 1 Cor. 1:7; Rom. 8:19–20; Phil. 3:20; Titus 2:13), \
but a crucial element of the joy of that experience is that at His coming he would see all the believers to whom he had ministered, including the Thessalonians (cf. 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 2:16).
A great part of heaven’s bliss for the redeemed will be the joyful presence of those whom they have been used to reach.2
I know that the world doesn’t understand the Christian.
There are times when we’ve all asked ourselves if it was really worth it.
We need to be reminded that this world in not all there is for the redeemed.
You may never receive the recognition or compensation that you deserve down here, but I assure you that God is keeping a record.
He will not forget one act of kindness done in His name by one of His children.
The child of God will receive their reward.
2. He Rejoiced in Their Growth
2. He Rejoiced in Their Growth
v.20
Satan had hindered the apostle and even sought to defeat him, but Paul was victorious.
The world may have believed that Satan had gotten the upper hand, but Paul was laying up treasures in heaven.
He had reached lost souls for the Lord.
They had been born again in Christ and possessed an eternal hope.
They were serving the Lord and growing in Christ
In 1 Thessalonians 2:20, Paul speaks of the Thessalonians as his glory and joy.
Think of it this way:
Can you Think of a time when you felt genuinely proud of someone close to you?
—maybe it was your sibling getting a promotion or a friend overcoming a challenge.
Their success brought you joy and made your heart swell with pride!
That’s a glimpse into how God feels when we embrace our calling and live out our purpose.
Our achievements are a reflection of His love and glory in our lives.
or
Think of the joy you feel when a child accomplishes something, like tying their shoelaces for the first time.
You burst with pride and happiness, cheering them on.
Similarly, when God speaks of our glory and joy, He envisions us growing and thriving under His guidance. Just as we celebrate our loved ones’ achievements, God rejoices in the victories of His children!
That is what Paul was doing, as he heard of their success and how they overcame percecution he rejoiced in how much they had grown since he left them.
When you feel like you are hindered, look at those that you have had a part in shaping them into the people they are today.
Just think how God sees you and rejoices in your growth
If you havent grown for the Lord, its never to late to start.
Brother Hermon was saved almost one year ago
If it wasnt to late for him to get gloriously born again, its not to late for you to start living for God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We all face difficulties and hardships; that is simply part of living.
As long as you live, trouble will abound.
The enemy seeks to hinder and defeat us any way that he can.
There will always be opposition to the work of the Lord, but we don’t have to resign to defeat.
We may be hindered, but we are not hopeless! Rom. 8:35 37–39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Do you feel hindered and discouraged?
Seek the Lord and lean upon Him.
Trust in Him even when you don’t understand and He will strengthen you.
Maybe you are here this morning and are being hindered in coming to Christ for salvation.
Just step out and come down this morning and God will meet you at the foot of the cross and will say get behind me satan.
Dont allow Satan to get the victory over you
come this morning and be saved.
1.John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 & 2 Thessalonians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary, (Chicago: Moody Press, 2002), 71–72.
2. John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 & 2 Thessalonians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary, (Chicago: Moody Press, 2002), 73–74
3.Chris Benfield, Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons, 2015, 1189.
