1 Thes 2:17-3:5

1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:6 NIV

But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

3 points I want to draw from God’s word are these

Preparation

Satin

Our Glory and Joy

How are disciples prepared?

Story of bow hunting for elk in my life vs Mike’s life

I started hunting with a friend named Adam at about the age of 22

We knew very little about how to call elk, where to find elk, How to approach elk if we found them, and even What we needed to bring elk hunting.

We spent a lot of time researching filling our heads with knowledge from websites, magazines, guys at the sporting good store, but it translated very little to the field.

meaning we were not very good at elk hunting, but still had fun trying

Took me about 3 years to get my 1st elk, then it was another 3 years before I got another elk.

In these 1st years we had a hard time getting close to elk in general

After getting a job raising elk I learned what books weren’t teaching me, I learned how to use body language and non verbals to communicate with animals.

Since I worked on the elk farm and spending more time with elk than even the most avid elk hunter, elk hunting has been a much more successful venture

Now if you take my friend Mike’s bow hunting story it goes a lot different

I got him into bow hunting about a year ago

I directed him to buy the right gear the 1st time, how to call, where to find elk, and how to approach an elk

His 1st elk hunting experience was full of encounters with elk ending up with him killing a bull the 1st year he went out

So unfair!

So from my hunting example I think we can draw out of the same points about preparation of a disciple that Paul is trying to communicate here in the text

Spiritual Teacher/mentor

We need a spiritual teacher or mentor

Mike was so much more successful than me his 1st year because he had more than books and the internet to learn from, he had someone with experience and success

You can read the bible all day and fill your head with all the knowledge you want and still be a very immature Christian

I’m not saying to not read your bible, it’s imperative to read the bible.

Maturity will come by walking along side someone who is More mature in their faith than you.

Paul was the original teacher of the Thessalonians, but had to leave town before he was killed.

He desperately wanted to get back with them, but couldn’t, so He sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them in their faith

Who is your spiritual mentor

Teachable

Just because we have a teacher, doesn’t mean we will be mature, We must be teachable!

Mike had success because he went where I told him to go and did what I told him to do

One day Mike will know how to do everything on his own without me

Paul prepared the Thessalonians for his own persecution as well as their own.

We see in verses 4 and 6 that the persecution did come to Paul and them, but their faith and love did not waver

They not only heard Paul, but they applied Paul’s teaching in their life

They were teachable

Are you teachable?

Both having a Spiritual Teacher and being Teachable allowed the Thessalonians to be prepared in life

Preparation

Tempter

We would be foolish to miss Satan in this text. Paul mentions Satan and a few verses later “The tempter”

Satan has power

Paul, one of the Apostles recognizes how powerful Satan is

Satan kept Paul from going to see the Thessalonians

Doesn’t say in the text how, but we know it was obvious to Paul

Paul is concerned the “tempter” had tempted the Thessalonians

We have to recognize Satan is out to kill, steal, and destroy

Colossians 2:8 NIV

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

See to it that no one takes you captive

There are those ultimately working for the enemy that want to take captive those that have received Christ. literally meaning they are kidnapping Christians

I want to make it very clear that the understanding here is not that these individuals are losing their justification before God, this kidnapping is rendering immature Christ followers  useless for the kingdom.

If my daughter, Pyper is kidnapped, is she still my daughter?  Absolutely.  But she will no longer get the teaching of my household, nor the relational connection to me, which she draws much of her identity from

The point here is that there are Christian Kidnappers looking for those immature in their faith.  Though they may not be able to rob them of their justification, they can render them useless for the Kingdom.  

What I really believe Paul is concerned for here is, If the Satan can take God’s Kingdom warriors and sit them out of the battle… he will …and He is looking to do so.

2. Satan has no power over God

You have no real power over Satan except that which comes from God.

The more connected you are to Jesus the more power you have over the tempter

What do I mean connected?

Knowing God, not about God

Spend time with God, praying, reading word, connecting with believers, meditating on scripture, spend time with your mentor, trust in the truth. (Trust is an action of faith)

If God says it believe it and be changed by it

Are you more connected to Jesus or the world?

Time will tell - Where do you spend it

Do you seem to not have power over the enemy? Does he seem to be always winning?

Could it be how connected to Jesus you are?

Satan has power, but not over God

Our power over the enemy is in direct relation to our connection to Jesus

Preparation

Satin

Our Glory and Joy

Who does Paul say is his Glory and Joy?

“Is it not you?” He says

The Thessalonians were the glory and joy of Paul

Paul was facing immense persecution, but could find joy and a Godly sense of pride in the Thessalonians

I’m not going to camp on this point very long, but I want everyone of you to know, especially those that have been with me a while I find such immense joy even in hard times thinking of how God is growing you in your faith

I came back from camp physically exhausted and even extremely sick, yet I was built up by watching your faith grow and knowing you are serious about your faith.

Thank you for the joy you bring to my heart.

I know the leaders here can say the same thing for many of you.

I really want this to be an application point for you this week.

Next week we will have our large group time and have a chance to share with one another what God is doing in our lives

I also want you to be prepared to encourage friends or leaders with how their faith brings you great joy

I say prepared because the more serious you make this and thought out it is the more encouraging it will land on the person of intention

Spend 10 minutes this week to Think on someone you can encourage with that next week

It will also be a chance to tell the group how God is growing you.

Maybe God did something at camp - Let us know

Maybe you gave your life to Jesus for the 1st time

Whatever it is, give it some thought this week

Your Make room papers will have these questions, so make sure you grab one

In conclusion to this text

To be a prepared disciple you must both have a spiritual teacher and be teachable

Satan has power, don’t underestimate him, but he has no power over God who lives in you

Stay connected to Jesus

You are my joy and glory!

Watching you grow in your faith is truly a joyful process as your youth pastor.

Pray