1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 - Hindered But Not Hampered
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Introduction:
In the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament, we see Nehemiah and some of the Israelites starting to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem. The task is arduous and unrelenting just at face value. There is a huge task to be done and not a ton of men to get it done. Yet, it gets even harder when opposition starts to come. Sanballat the Samaritan governor, Tobiah the Ammonite, and other enemies of Israel start to heckle and threaten Nehemiah and the Jews. So while the Jews are building the walls, they have to split up into two groups - one holding weapons and the other working on the wall. Even those who are working on the wall end up carrying a weapon in one hand as they work. This opposition continues until the wall is finished. The enemies of Israel eventually fail in thwarting the plan of God.
You see, Satan is always working to hinder the workers of God. He seeks to steal, kill and destroy. He hates anything that brings God glory. He hates anyone who brings God glory. Yes, Satan is allowed to hinder the work of God’s servants while we are on earth. However, the work is not hampered. The work may be stalled at times, but it is never completely impeded or arrested. The plans of God are fulfilled no matter what opposition comes from the evil one. Our sovereign God does what He wills in the face of any and all opposition.
And with that, let’s jump in and read our text for today:
But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,
because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
For you are our glory and joy.
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
Let us pray.
Prayer.
Today we are going to see three aspects of a believer’s work for Christ. The first is:
I. When Living for Christ… Your Work Will Be Hindered (2:17-18)
I. When Living for Christ… Your Work Will Be Hindered (2:17-18)
But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
As many of you may recall from our previous sermons, in Acts 17 we see Paul and his companions thrown out of town from Thessalonica. They weren’t able to stay nearly as long as they wanted to. Paul uses the phrase torn away to express how they did not desire to go but yet had to.
This phrase, ‘torn away’ is actually one Greek word - aporphanizō (a-poor-a-pha-nee-zo). This word presses in on Paul and his companions’ sadness of being removed from the city. The word literally means to be made orphans. He compared their being ripped from Thessalonica to the pain that a child has who has had his or her parents taken away. This is quite a statement. It shows the love and dedication that Paul and his companions had for this new church plant.
As the the great 4th century theologian John Chrysostom once said, “He did not say, separated from you,’ nor ‘left behind,’ but orphaned from you.’ He sought a word that might sufficiently show the pain of his soul.”
It was this pain in his soul that made him yearn to be back with these new believers. He states that his heart was still with them despite the fact that his body was far removed.
And it is this desire that brings us into the main thrust of these two verses and our first point today.
Despite the longing that Paul and his companions have for the people in Thessalonica, there is a hindrance that is keeping them from going back. And this hindrance is Satan himself.
This word hindrance is actually a military word. Soldiers would tear up and destroy a passage to hinder the movement of the enemy forces.
That is the imagery that Paul uses here regarding Satan. He is seeking to prevent passage back to the believers in Thessalonica. He wants to keep them from hearing any more about the Gospel. He wants to rob them of the truth of God’s commands and Word.
In 2 Corinthians 4:4 we see how the enemy works:
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
He blinds the minds of unbelievers. He hinders their ability to hear and understand the Gospel. Satan and his demons work tirelessly to prevent the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
But he does not only work on unbelievers. We have just seen him work against believers as well. In fact, the Scriptures speak of Satan this way:
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
He is your adversary. Note a very important distinction here. Unbelievers aren’t our adversaries. The Bible is clear that it is not unbelievers who are directly hindering the moving of the Gospel. It is actually Satan and his demons. Yes, they use human beings to do their bidding. Yet, these people are nothing more than pawns in the spiritual battle raging around us.
Ephesians 6:12 says:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
We do not fight against liberal theologians, pro-abortion groups, sexually perverse individuals, or other people doing evil things. Yes, we must oppose anyone, anything, or any idea that sets itself up against the will and knowledge of God as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:5, but we must remember that our real battle is invisible.
Our real battle is spiritual and not physical. Our real labor is done on our knees in prayer. Our real labor is done sharing the good news of the Gospel to our family, neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
There is most certainly a time for activism - voting, public service, rallies, and other ways to positively influence our culture. But the real fight that believers fight is spiritual in nature.
We must grasp the fact that Satan is seeking to destroy our lives and hinder our sharing of the Gospel.
How does Satan’s work of hindrance look practically in our lives today?
I think that the most common way Satan works to hinder the work of the believers today is busyness.
The old quote still rings true. If Satan can’t make you bad then he will make you busy. Some of us have so much going on that we don’t have margin in our lives to do the will of God.
We don’t have time to serve Christ because we are too busy doing what we want to do.
There are definitely legitimate seasons of busyness that come to our lives. Sometimes we have to work hard to provide for our family and lose margin. Sometimes we have training for our career and lose margin for a season. When we have young children and babies we may not have the margin to share the Gospel as often as we would like. During these naturally busy times we still need to stay focused on the Lord and what He has for us. He will still give us opportunities to share the Gospel in the rhythms of even our busiest seasons of life. We just have to keep our eyes on Him and not ourselves or our tasks.
I remember being in residency and working 80+ hours a week and really struggling with focusing on myself. I was fatigued and was fighting to survive. It became quite difficult to focus on anyone other than myself and my family. I was in survival mode. Yet, God used a man gifted in evangelism to encourage me to look beyond myself and see the people who were hurting, sick, and struggling in front of me. He encouraged me to see that their eternity was at stake. Although he acknowledged that my life was very difficult at the time - he reminded me that I had the hope of Jesus Christ while many under my care did not. This was very convicting for me and helped me change my attitude and focus.
Although there are legitimate seasons of busyness that we have mentioned, I must say that sadly these seasons of busyness that we have discussed thus far aren’t normally the reasons for margin issues in most people’s lives today. Many spend so much time on their hobbies that they don’t have margin.
Satan is using these hobbies to hinder the spread of the Gospel and hinder our spiritual growth.
Movies and television as well as other forms of entertainment dominate our culture.
Sports are one such hobby that quickly becomes an idol for many in our culture. It used to be something that was more entertainment driven - but now it has become a way of life even for families of young children. Travel sports have started sucking up time and money from American families and have stolen them from the church many Sundays. Childhood sports is now an annual 17 billion dollar industry as of 2019 - which is more than the NFL brings in each year! In 2016, a research study by a group called Families in Sports Lab found that families spend between 2-10% of their income per child that are in travel youth sports (1). Compare that to the national drop in church giving and it is quite a convicting statistic. And tragically, many Christian families miss church on Sundays for youth sports week after week. Sports is definitely an idol in our nation and is being used by Satan to hinder the spread of the Gospel.
And as strongly as sports takes the seat of idolatry in our culture, I think it has now been dethroned by social media.
Most Americans spend countless hours on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media feeds. This mindless time browsing steals any margin in life. Social media is probably the biggest time-waster on this planet right now (probably even above television/streaming media). In fact, according to most estimates, the average time spent on browsing social media per person per day in 2022 is around 147 minutes - that is 2 hours and 27 minutes! Just shy of 2 and half hours per day (2)!
My friends, I will not make a law where there is no law here. There is no Scripture that teaches that to have a social media account is a sin. Many godly people do in fact have them. However, I do encourage you strongly to take a serious look at your social media and see if it is being used by Satan to hinder your spiritual walk and sharing the Gospel. So many people miss opportunities to share the Gospel because they are wasting their lives - one tweet or Facebook post at at time. Please, seriously evaluate your time management each day and set boundaries that prevent too much screen time. Get accountability. And if you can’t seem to manage it despite all of this - consider giving it up completely.
I realize that attacking social media is not kosher in a world dominated by it. And I realize that there is oftentimes vehement opposition to any negative talk about social media in our culture. But as a pastor, my job is to see the struggles of our flock and of our culture and speak into them. Take a good look and see if the harms are outweighing the benefits in your life. Be humble and seriously evaluate what are the best decisions for you and your family as you walk with Christ.
Satan is working to hinder the advancement of the Gospel and is using countless ways. Evaluate your lives my friends. It’s time to cast off what is not eternally significant and to focus in on what will last into eternity.
When living for Christ… your work will be hindered at times… but take heart, because when living for Christ…your work will also be helpful.
Scripture References: Acts 17, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 10:5
II. When Living for Christ… Your Work Will Be Helpful (2:19-3:2)
II. When Living for Christ… Your Work Will Be Helpful (2:19-3:2)
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
Paul sees the church in Thessalonica as his hope and joy and crown of boasting before Christ. He calls them his glory and joy.
This crown of boasting is referring to a victor’s crown or wreath. It was used for winning athletes. He mentions this, not out of a prideful boasting in himself - but as a confirmation that he is doing the work of Christ by spreading the Gospel. Their faith is a visible proof of his faithful work as an evangelist.
Note that this doesn’t mean that Paul sees them as another notch in his belt. Some evangelists and pastors have this view of evangelism. These people are deceived if they think that converts gain them more favor with God. It is those who are focused on God and the work that He is doing - who see themselves as working through the power of God and celebrate His great work for His glory - that are able to fully receive the rewards of faithful labor. We are most certainly to be sharing the Gospel regularly - but it not us who saves but Christ alone who brings about salvation. Paul and his companions understand that everything is for God’s glory and all salvation comes by grace through faith and not by works. They understand that salvation is initiated only through God’s gracious work of drawing souls to Himself. They understand that to bring God glory is greater than anything else.
It is clear that Paul’s work has been helpful in moving forward the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Moving into chapter 3, we see that Timothy’s work was also helpful for the church. Let’s read verses 1-2:
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
In the book of Acts (Acts 17) we see that Paul and his companions went from Thessalonica to Berea for a short time until the unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica came and ran them off from there as well. They then went to Athens and planted a church there also. It was at this time that we see that Timothy was sent out. After planting this church, they went to Corinth which is likely where Paul is as he writes this letter.
Timothy was sent to help the church in Thessalonica. Sending Timothy was a big deal for Paul. Timothy was Paul’s spiritually adopted son. He cared greatly for Timothy as we see so clearly in his personal letters to Timothy. But his heart for the church in Thessalonica led him to be left alone - or abandoned in Athens - as he sent Timothy to them.
In going to the church we see two works that Paul exhorted Timothy to do while back in Thessalonica.
1. The first is that he was to establish them in their faith. (3:2)
The Greek word for establish here is stērizō (stare-ee-zo) which can also mean strengthen. As we have already discussed, this church had not had the leadership of Paul and his companions long before they were removed and cast out of the city. Paul did not know whether the church had been firmly established yet. He knew there were some converts as we saw in chapter 1. But he also knew there were many more Gentile converts than Jewish converts. And although there was excitement in this, there was also a lot further that these former pagans had to go than a Jewish convert in changing their lives. As we mentioned before, the Gentile converts in Thessalonica had around 25 or more gods and goddesses before coming to Christ. Their lives would have to change dramatically as believers.
So Paul wanted Timothy to be sure that this church was established on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.
2. The second is that he was to exhort them in their faith. (3:2)
This Greek word is parakaleō (par-a-ka-lay-o) which also can mean to implore, encourage, and comfort.
Because this baby church was left in its infancy when the Apostle Paul and his companions left, Paul realized that they needed encouragement and comfort. They needed to be exhorted to follow Christ but also comforted in the trials and persecutions that were inevitably befalling them.
We see this same language written in Acts 14:22-23 as Paul and his companions established and exhorted the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Note the assurance of tribulations and hardship. Yet also note the encouragement and exhortation here. Timothy was being sent to them to be sure that they were established well with elders being appointed as well as exhorted and encouraged to continue following Christ.
When living for Christ, your work will be hindered at times. Yet it will be helpful and used by God… And although it will most certainly be helpful and used by God, it will also be hard...
Scripture References: Acts 17, Acts 14:22-23
III. When Living for Christ… Your Work Will Be Hard (3:3-5)
III. When Living for Christ… Your Work Will Be Hard (3:3-5)
that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
Paul has just discussed the need for comfort and encouragement and being established or rooted in Christ. And now he moves on to talking about afflictions and sufferings as a believer. It is in this particular order because we must be established and stand firm on Christ first and foremost. Only then can we be exhorted and encouraged to continue walking in faith as we face the trials and afflictions and persecutions of this world.
Paul did not only send Timothy to establish, strengthen, encourage, and exhort the church of Thessalonica.
3. The third reason that he was sent was to help them stand firm. (3:3)
Note verse 3 - that no one be moved by these afflictions. This word moved refers to being shaken from one’s beliefs. It also can even speak to being flattered into moving. Satan’s temptation to Eve in the garden was one of flattery. He spoke persuasively and convinced her that eating the fruit was actually a good thing for her. That she deserved to eat the fruit (Genesis 3).
Beware brothers and sisters of flattery like this from the evil one or those under his influence. Although Satan may certainly directly attack you to make you move - his cunning ways can be more subtle than overt persecution at times.
We see this with all of the worldly philosophies and liberal theological teachings and relative truths today. He works on getting people to move just a little from where they are established in the Word. Just a little at a time. Until before they know it, they are way off of their foundation. Before they know it, they have eaten of the forbidden fruit - they have given into erroneous teachings. They have believed a lie.
Scripture shows us that those who are truly His will always repent and God will bring them back. No one will snatch them out of Christ’s hand (John 10:28). Those who are not His will continue with a trajectory of worldliness and deception however.
For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
In verse 4, Paul then reminds the church that he had warned them of the difficulties that were to come. They should not be a surprise. This sounds a lot like Jesus in John 15:20:
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Brothers and sisters - this word is for us as well today. We should not be surprised when life is difficult. We should not be surprised with persecution and afflictions. As both Jesus and then Paul have just taught here - they will assuredly come. It is not an ‘if’ but a ‘when.’
But I pray like Paul says here in verse 5:
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
I pray that each one of you stands firm in Christ. That you are truly saved and following the Lord Jesus Christ. Because if you are not firmly rooted in Christ - you will be moved from your spot.
It is only those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ - confessed of their sins and repented (or turned away) from them - that are firmly established. My friends, Jesus Christ - God made flesh - who came to earth some 2000 years ago and lived a sinless life - was crucified on the cross for our sins and buried - who rose three days later. It is only by believing and following Him that we can stand firm.
Scripture References: Genesis 3, John 10:28, John 15:20
Conclusion:
This final point leads us to the conclusion of today’s message. Satan will seek to hinder your work fellow believers. Your work will be hard and arduous at times. But your work - when done through the power of Christ - will be helpful in bringing about the Lord’s will here on earth. He will use you to share the Gospel and strengthen and encourage other believers as well. Stand firm on Christ. Do not be moved.
Let us pray.
Prayer
If you would like to learn more about salvation through Jesus Christ or want to obey Jesus by obeying the first commandment of a believer in going through the waters of baptism - please let me know.
Have a blessed week.