Hindered But Not Hopeless Series

Hindered but not Hopeless

1 Thessalonians 2: 17-20

What precious and powerful words are recorded for our exhortation in these few verses! These words reveal the very heart and soul of the apostle Paul. He, of all men, knew what it was to face adversity and extreme difficulty in ministry. Paul knew what it was to face abuse and rejection for the cause of Christ. 2 Cor.11:24-25 – Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep.

As you consider the life of Paul, it might seem a bit depressing. We find a man who was wholly committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and yet he faced hardship on every hand. It is certain that Paul faced much difficulty, but he refused to allow the difficulties to dictate his existence. Paul had learned, and lived, a great truth – God is greater than any problem we face! The Scriptures teach us that: if God be for us, who can be against. Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. We are more than conquerors through Christ that loved us.

Many times, throughout the Bible we find the people of God facing an uncertain future and apparent demise, and yet God proved Himself faithful and mighty in their situation. Things looked hopeless standing upon the Red Sea shore with the armies of Pharaoh pressing hard behind. Defeat seemed certain on the hillside of the valley of Elah. Fear and dread were prominent on the hill of Calvary, but hope rose with the dawn.

We likely have found ourselves in similar situations and yet God has never failed us. Things may look dark, but our God is still seated upon His mighty throne! I want us to take a few moments to consider the certainties revealed in the text concerning: Hindered but not Hopeless. Paul had been hindered, but his hope was not gone.

I. A Place of Reality (17-18) – It is certain that Paul desired to be with the church at Thessalonica, but he was hindered in his desire. Rather than pouting and worrying over it, he made the best of the situation. Paul dealt with the reality of what he faced. Consider:

A. His Distance from Thessalonica (17a) – But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. He dealt with the reality that he had been taken from them for a short time. He was no longer physically in Thessalonica, no longer present with them. He would’ve liked to have been, but he was forced to leave. This has the idea of “being bereaved; torn away. It has the idea of the bereavement a parent would feel over a deceased child or the pain an orphaned child would experience.”

What a challenge that presents to us. We are under the assumption that everything must be perfect to serve the Lord. We are quick to get our feelings hurt and abandon the cause. Paul had been forced out of Thessalonica and yet he sought to encourage them in the faith.

B. His Devotion to Thessalonica (17a) – He may have been taken away in presence, but not in heart. The Lord may have allowed distance between them physically, but Paul’s love and devotion for them never wavered. He had established the church there and he longed to see it thrive to the glory of God.

This may not seem that significant until we consider the circumstances of Paul’s removal. Acts 17:5-6, 8, 10 – But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. [6] And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; [8] And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. [10] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Would you or I have cared anything about the church there after such an outrage? Paul continued to love them and sought to encourage them.

C. His Desire for Thessalonica (17b-18a) – endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. [18] Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again. Even after being threatened and forced to leave, Paul sought to return to Thessalonica. He literally longed to be there with them. The word endeavoured means “eagerly seeking to return; a serious, concentrated effort.” Paul endeavoured with great desire. That reveals “a zeal, longing, strong passion.” Do we possess that zeal, that longing, that passion for our church and the cause of Christ? Are we committed to serving the Lord above all else?