Road Blocks

17 Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. 18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. 19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy.

I enjoy Pauls writing to the church of Thessalonica so much because he just uses such a wonderful us of empathic personal pronouns. And here we can really see evidence of language that Paul separates himself with maybe his critics. Now today a critic is just someone that criticizes you and BOOM you have some critics.

HAVE THE CRITICS WON <<<<----------

1.hollywood

2.News

3.People give in to criticism

Here is what I have been learning in the church the last two years. Criticism doesn’t make you a critic.

4.---Give testimony about Darius and the Babysitter with social media.

5. Those critical of the church

a. Maybe this is a pattern but is just how I process things. Its seems they use clever phrases like. “ I dont want to be the one to throw the first stone here BUT” or

b. my favorite that I heard this year was hearing someone say “ I dont want to say what church it is but they are just a stones throw from here”

The christian journey is filled with critics. Its a promise from Jesus. Critics and criticism today seems to be the loudest roadblock in the christian life. Jesus said come and then he said Go.

However, DOES someone who gives you criticism make them a critic?

I dont think so.... How do I know? Well you go and tell your spouse that. Tell me how that goes.

Cant you see it? Just look what Paul is saying here in verse 17 … Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. Look its obvious that when Pauls trio came to town that they were not coming to please the crowds. They came because God commanded it. We have his letters and we know he gave criticism but what separates Paul and a critic is the critics will never be motivated to come back. If I was to simplify this example is that there was a time back when we lived in Branson and I visited a Taco Bell and I ordered a nacho with my order.

Timothy’s Good Report about the Church

Tell the Taco Bell story.

Finding the toe nail

17 Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again.

They offer replacement and $10 credit.

Look we never went back there and still havent been back.

WHY? Because I dont care if Taco Bell stays in business. I dont care if the manager has become better at his job or if the person that did this has grown from this experience. I wanted to voice my criticism and part ways. Thats a critic. A critic keeps you at arms length and will leave you abandoned. That why Paul in these three verse uses the strongest language possible. He affirms the desire of him and his helpers to be there in person. Separated from you which the greek term means being orphaned. Paul sees them as children. Babies. Babies that need to be nursed. How about us? Who have we orphaned? Come on now. Let be honest here. What are people receiving from you? Who can you say is your proud reward. Matthew reminds us that.

Anyone who receives you receives Christ, and anyone who receives Christ receives the Father who sent Him. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.

What is the reward?

What is it that makes a person unwavering, more unwavering than a rock; what is it that makes him soft, softer than wax? It is Jesus.

What is it that cannot be taken but itself takes all? It is Jesus. What is it that cannot be given but itself gives all? It is Jesus. What is it that remains when everything falls away? It is Jesus. What is it that does not cease when the vision ends? It is Jesus. What is it that sheds light when the dark saying ends? It is Jesus.

What is it that makes a person unwavering, more unwavering than a rock; what is it that makes him soft, softer than wax? It is love. What is it that cannot be taken but itself takes all? It is love. What is it that cannot be given but itself gives all? It is love. What is it that remains when everything falls away? It is love. What is it that does not cease when the vision ends? It is love. What is it that sheds light when the dark saying ends? It is love. What is it that gives blessing to the abundance of the gift? It is love. What is it that makes the widow’s gift an abundance? It is love. What is it that turns the words of the simple person into wisdom? It is love. What is it that is never changed even though everything is changed? It is love; and that alone is love, that which never becomes something else.

What is it that gives blessing to the abundance of the gift? It is Jesus.

What is it that makes the widow’s gift an abundance? It is Jesus. What is it that turns the words of the simple person into wisdom? It is Jesus.

What is it that is never changed even though everything is changed? It is Jeus; and that alone is Jesus, that which never becomes something else, He is the untamable God.

Your life are days that God has numbered

We are made to walk with Him. Yet here we are today still seeking worldly treasure. We dont want to believe it but that forsakes the King of kings. You must put your hope in our Redeemer. Yes you will fall, his love, his promises is sure. Take courage take heart Christ has paid for every failing. If you believe this if this is true, then you must be His forevermore.

Yet I look for worldly treasure

And forsake the King of kings

But mine is hope in my Redeemer

Though I fall, his love is sure

For Christ has paid for every failing

I am His forevermore

Mine are tears in times of sorrow

Darkness not yet understood

Through the valley I must travel

Where I see no earthly good

But mine is peace that flows from heaven

And the strength in times of need

I know my pain will not be wasted

Hold to the promise that Christ completes his work in you. We are strangers in the world and we are pilgrims on a narrow way. We are made one with Christ and we will encounter critics, we will encounter harm, we will encounter hatred for His name. Our King our Champion said he will deliver safely to the golden shore. Where we will be found walking beside the King of Kings. There is where you will find my heart for there my heart has found its treasure. Fear is gone and Hope is alive. For his love has always been the reward

Pilgrim on a narrow way

One with Christ I will encounter

Harm and hatred for his name

But mine is armour for this battle

Strong enough to last the war

And he has said he will deliver

Safely to the golden shore

And mine are keys to Zion city

Where beside the King I walk

For there my heart has found its treasure

Christ is mine forevermore

Come rejoice now, O my soul

For his love is my reward

Fear is gone and hope is sure

Christ is mine forevermore!

Yet that statement is opposite of the word of God. Its easier to say the devil blinded their eyes or he deafened their ears. Sharing the gospel is NOT ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS OR YOUR FAILURES. If God is for us who can be against us? Dont misunderstand me. I believe their is an enemy. I believe he is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Listen to what is being described. A roaring lion… a roaring lion is only going to eat those who are not listening. Stay alert, sober your mind.

Satan prevent paul from seeing them face to face BUT that didnt prevent the joy and pride Paul had for them. Satan didnt prevent God. Lets not give the devil more credit than he deserves.

We c

40 “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. 41 If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. 42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”