The Heart Of The Gospel

PASTORAL PRAYER

Heavenly Father, We come before You in reverent awe and with thankful hearts. You are the God who reigns from heaven, whose voice is mighty and whose power is beyond measure. You have shown strength on behalf of Your people through every generation— delivering, protecting, and blessing those who trust in You. Lord, today we echo the psalmist’s cry: “Summon Your power, O God.” We need the power of Your Spirit in our lives, in our homes, in our church, and in our nation. The same power that parted the Red Sea, that raised Christ from the dead, that turned the world upside down through Your apostles— let that power be at work in us and through us today. Strengthen us, O God, according to Your Word. Renew the weary, comfort the brokenhearted, and awaken those who have grown faint in faith. Make us steadfast when trials come, patient when prayers seem to go unanswered, and joyful in the hope that never fades. Father, we thank You that You dwell not in temples made by hands but among Your people. Your presence is our peace, and Your grace is our refuge. May this congregation be a living testimony that You reign in power and in love. Help us to bear one another’s burdens, to speak truth in love, and to walk humbly before You. We pray for the work of Your church around the world. May the gospel sound forth with clarity and conviction so that every nation will hear the hope of salvation and that You will be glorified for it. We pray, Lord, for our own nation— that leaders would act with wisdom and humility, that justice and mercy would prevail, and that hearts would turn from pride to repentance. Bring healing where there is division, compassion where there is cruelty, and peace where there is strife. We remember those among us who are suffering— You, O Lord, are mighty to save and gentle to restore. Be their strength in weakness and their comfort in sorrow.

And Father, we look forward with joy to the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Until that day, keep us faithful in the work You have given us to do. We pray all these things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns forever, Amen.

INTRODUCTION

Returning to 1 Thessalonians 2, we are following up on our look at A Tale Of Two Peoples from last week.

A People To Be Glad For - the Thessalonian believers, specifically, and all believers, generally, who have received the Gospel and have seen the Word of God change them

A People To Be Grieved For - the Jews, specifically, and those who reject Christ, generally, who had every advantage through receiving the oracles of God, but have rejected Him and sought to silence those who are preaching the Gospel

We rejoice over those who believe, and we grieve over those who have rejected the truth

Paul is now returning to focus on the believers in Thessalonica, and particularly his affection for them.

He has already likened himself to a nursing mother, being gentle and affectionate toward them (v. 7)

He has also likened himself to being an exhorting and encouraging father (v. 11-12)

Now, he is going to reveal his heart and desire for them even further

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5

THE DEVASTATION OF SEPARATION

torn away from you

ἀπορφανίζω - to cause to be an orphan; to separate and to deprive for a time

Like a parent whose child is taken from them in life

It was an unexpected event, and it was forcefully brought upon him.

Read Acts 17:1-8

There is such a special connection among believers that there should be a little hurt when you must separate for a time.

The intimacy in fellowship can only be experienced in person.

Online replacements for in-person opportunities fall way short.

You may get the head knowledge, but the heart-to-heart connection is lacking.

It was a devastating thing for Paul to be separated from the young believers in Thessalonica. But just because they were apart physically, does not mean that he forgot about them.

in person, not in heart

The physical removal of the apostle from the Thessalonians did not mean that they were not on his mind

2 Corinthians 11:28–29 ESV

And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

Colossians 2:5 ESV

For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

endeavored to see you face-to-face

σπουδάζω - to do something with intense effort and motivation

face-to-face is an expression of intimacy and personal connection

Believers should never be content with not connecting with other believers.

If you are “okay” with missing the gathering of the saints, then you need to repent and ask God to renew your passion for fellowship.

THE DETRIMENT OF OPPOSITION

Satan hindered us

The opponent is always seeking to thwart the plan of God.

Satan tempted Jesus (Luke 4)

Satan requested to sift Peter like wheat (Luke 22)

Ananias and Sapphira were influenced by Satan to lie to the Apostles (Acts 5)

We even see the movements of the enemy to thwart the efforts of the Body of Christ

Major problems arise in the midst of ministry movements

COVID shutdown in 2020

Other governmental efforts to restrict gatherings or make it illegal, around the world

People martyred for their faith (tens of thousands in Nigeria since 2010)

THE ANTICIPATION OF REJOICING

at His coming

There is no more hope-inducing promise for believers than the return of Jesus.

For Paul, the Church being presented to Christ at His coming is of great joy

CONCLUSION

The Apostle Paul brings to the forefront some matters that we need to consider:

Ministers, specifically, and Christians, generally, must truly love their people — not just preach to them, but care about their spiritual condition, growth, struggles.

Be alert to spiritual opposition — expect hindrances, delays, difficulties. That doesn’t mean giving up, but discerning what is heavenly vs demonic in obstacles.

Live with an eternal perspective — your work now has lasting significance; your reward is connected to the people whose lives you’ve influenced.

Affection should transcend physical presence — even when you can’t “be there,” your heart, prayers, and spiritual connection can persist.

Ministry is relational, not transactional — caring for people is not merely a means to broadcast truth, but part of the essence of faithful service.