Absence and an Aching Heart

Paul, Silas and Timothy had been run out of Thessalonica

…then out of Berea

The message of one God, not several; that of Christ, His cross, salvation by no other…was all a problem to both the pagans and the hard-hearted, close-minded Jews

>>Maybe we’ll do a study on Acts and see the pattern there

Written some months after departing

They had been in Thessalonica only a short time, very little time to teach/preach

…and yet, the Word had taken hold; the seed had born fruit

Separation

Torn away—aporphizo word speaks of being orphaned, includes a parent being orphaned of his/her children

…had not left of their own will; forced out of town; leaving their spiritual offspring behind

This the depth of affection Paul had for the the church in Thessalonica

They attempted to return for a reuniting; unable to do so

There is real, serious concern for these people

…in the Greek, to run after, at least emotionally

It was a complex relationship

As fellow believers they were

brothers, loved by God

In 1:4 and 2:1;

As the one who had given them their first tastes of the Gospel he had a mother-like role

…expresses the parental role in 2:2 …like a nursing mother...

As the one who took them deeper into the truths of the Word he became ...

…in 2:10 …like a father...

e.g when Bill drove off to Indiana...

There is a sense of grief , even if mixed with pride, e.g. when a child ships off to boot camp

They were like his (their) adult children

The believers in Thessalonica had become dear to Paul and company

…Then they had been ripped apart…not like these voluntary things we have experienced

Despite distance, nothing could tear them from his heart, their hearts—as individuals and as a group

Intention

To return; eagerly; with great desire; apparently repeated attempts;

…other translations use “every effort;” nothing more specific than that

Most likely did get there on his next trip—he did get to Macedonia; a couple of Thessalonian believers are mentioned by name

Adding his name to the statement adds a sense of intensified expressed desire to the statement “this is personal statement here!”

Added “I, Paul...”

Sidebar comment:

Luther’s comment, “There is much religion in the pronoun”

David in Ps. 18:1-2,

Psalm 18:1–2 ESV

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Paul only gets this personal in a couple spots in his writings

Opposition

Satan hindered them

No doubt through the agency of many along the way

Whenever the ungodly cause us trouble, they are fighting under the banner of Satan, and are his instruments for harassing us

Calvin, The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Romans and to the Thessalonians

The mobs of Philippi and Thessalonica were acting as Satan’s agents

Many scholars suggest that this sort of thing was a continual action upon Paul & co.

Taking the total picture, no doubt that this is an attack by Satan

Paul understands any opposition to be Satan’s doing

Anticipation

To display them to Jesus upon all their arrivals in Heaven or to a returning Jesus

…most likely, in the context, presenting them at Christ’s return

]Without intending to come to this thought, this looks like yet one more clue to a pre-trib rapture; the expectation the Jesus would be returning any time]

One suggested image here is that of a a teacher taking pride at the graduation of a particularly difficult student who ultimately excels

The only others were the Philippians

Philippians 4:1 ESV

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

…the rest were among the “also-rans”

Makes us wonder how the other churches might react if they read these these two letters

Would the Colossians or the Galatians…or the Corinthians think “Hey, what about us?”

Maybe they would! Maybe that would have driven them to re-examine their actions in view of Paul’s teaching and his correction

WITFM

Looking at this from both sides

From the offspring’s side

They have lost their source of nourishment

…but they have not only survived; they have thrived

We don’t know what they had

…not likely they had any written Gospels

…may have had access to OT scrolls

…may have had notes from Paul’s teaching

>>had their memories of Paul’s teaching

…>>and the Spirit in them…and they let the Spirit work!

They did NOT side idly by; they put their faith to work

1 Thessalonians 1:9 (ESV)

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Do you want to be the pride of your teachers? Or, do you want to be the also-rans?

If we recognize ourselves among the also-rans, what are we going to do about it?

From the parents’ side

They didn’t just let them go

They listened for reports (1:8-9)

They stayed in touch (2 letters)

…sounds like there was some 2-way communication, questions/concerns addressed

The concerns were addressed

From the perspective or church leaders (Pastors and Deacons) we’re watching and listening

…as we’ve said before, we ask questions

>>>not because we’re nosy

…>>>we are concerned for you

We want to be able so present all of you as our joys and crowns

Putting This to Work in our LIves

There are some personal aspects of this…making your relationship with Jesus personal

Knowing, following Jesus as Savior; making Him Lord, Master, of your life

Buying fire insurance—claiming Him as Savior—is easy; but did you really?

Many claim, few will be claimed at the judgement

Many will say “Lord, Lord, didn’t we....

Jesus will say “Depart...

Strive to be the prize pupil; the joy and crown

…not for the benefit of the teacher; but ultimately to be part of that radiant bride of Christ

Treasure the personal relationships we have with other believers

Those who brought us to the Lord

Those who took the time to nourish and encourage us

Those we’ve led to the Lord…nourished and encouraged