How Should We Handle Messy Stuff? (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10) Part 2
GIST: When you encounter satanic opposition, don’t forget God’s sovereignty but continue to work toward His purposes and devote yourself to prayer.
Two weeks ago, we came to this passage and walked through what it had to say about Paul’s love for these believers and what that means for how we should love each other (with deep affection, gospel-drive, and active dedication). However, we had to skip some other great stuff this passage also develops, so today, we’re going to come back to those. Specifically, we’re going to look at what Paul shows us about facing opposition as we strive to live for and love like Jesus. Even though we’ll only be looking at a few of these verses in details (the ones I didn’t talk about last time ☺️), let’s read them all in context again in opening→
“17 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, 18 because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, again and again--but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy. 1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 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. 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. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you-- 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?”
Again, there are several points I want to address this morning we weren’t able to talk about last time, so let’s dive straight in with our gist: When you encounter satanic opposition, don’t forget God’s sovereignty but continue to work toward His purposes and devote yourself to prayer.
I. Satanic Opposition & God’s Sovereignty
So, this passage brings up a serious question. Is the suffering in our lives from God or Satan? Paul seems to express both here.
“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…. 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. (2:17-18 & 3:3b-4)
This isn’t anything unique to this passage either. It comes up all throughout Scripture, so I want to take a few minutes to walk through some implications here. However, I know there is no way I’ll address this as thoroughly as it could be, so let me try to walk us through at least three key thoughts about this balance.
1. Even Our Suffering Isn’t Outside of His Hands.
“...Truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place.” (Acts 4:27-28)
Undeniably, the crucifixion of Jesus—the public murder of the most innocent man who ever lived—was an objectively terrible act. And this was accomplished at the hands of real people. Sin was on full display in their lives, and they were responsible for their action. Nonetheless, Jesus’ death was also part of God’s plan. Without it, we would never experience His salvation. This was something the disciples learned clearly after His resurrection: even when things seem completely out of our hands, when wickedness seems to be winning, Jesus remains 100% in control.
This is true of Paul’s situation here, as well. Though don’t fully know how he knows that this prevention is from Satan, but as an apostle faithful to Jesus, inspired to write this, and very deliberate with his words, we can trust that he has every reason to believe this. Nonetheless, he also knows that the struggles he is facing are part of God’s bigger plan for his life. God wasn’t caught off guard by any of this. The same is true in your life as well. There is nothing outside of His control. No matter how broken things look right now, you can trust the sovereignty of the all-powerful, all-loving God.
2. What Satan Intends For Evil God Can Use For Our Good
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
Whatever this thorn in his flesh was (oh, and speculations abound!), Paul called it a messenger of Satan. Clearly, as Satan’s intentions are to turn us away from God, this was meant to at one level divert Paul’s focus. However, what did God use it for? To keep him humble, to remind him of his need for Jesus, so he wouldn’t miss out of all Jesus had in store. This wasn’t the plan of Satan, but it 100% was the purpose of God.
3. God’s Correction And Testing Are A Sign Of His Love
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6). Sometimes, suffering is correction because we’re sinners who need corrected. Always, gives us an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus and learn more about walking with Him. His disciple and direction are gifts of His love.
In fact, there is no evidence in Scripture that God only allows hard things to befall people caught in sin (though we do see that). Ultimately we know there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1), so the end result of this is meant to strengthen our faith and draw us near to Him…for our good. Look a few verses down in Hebrews 12: “... He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:10b-11).
Now, returning to the immediate context of this passage. The affliction Paul was encountering was opposition that was getting in the way of Him being able to share the gospel with a particular group of people. In contexts like this, how should we react? Well first, remember God’s still sovereign. Then→
II. Continue To Work Toward His Purposes
“1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions.”
Paul couldn’t come himself, but, as we pointed out last time, he didn’t give up. He found another way to reach out. We’re reading one of those ☺️, but before that he also sent Timothy in his stead. We talked about this two weeks ago, but there are a few points about Timothy's ministry to the Thessalonians that I wanted to point out before we moved past this.
First, he calls Timothy a co-laborer with God. This is such an awesome description, and one we should take to heart. The idea of coworking or co-laboring is working alongside towards the same end and for the same purpose. It is true that Timothy and Paul were coworkers in that sense, but on a much deeper level what made Timothy an effective minister to send to Thessalonica was that he was a follower of Jesus—and they were working together.
I just want to pause there for a second. Do you see yourself like this? Is your life all about His purposes? Are you striving to love Him and love people like He’s called us to? To live this full and vibrant life for Him…and with Him? And that with Him part is huge. So often we feel alone—even in ministry. If we are co-laborers with Christ, this should never be the case.
As far as NBA basketball goes, the Denver Nuggets have been my team for the past several years. As such, I’m not much of a Lakers fan. However, though I think the Nuggets are the better team in the Conference Finals right now, I can’t count the Lakers out… because they have Lebron James. Regardless of your opinion of where he ranks amongst all-time greats, for the past 20 years, just having him on the team has proven to often be enough to make all the difference. In fact, given the opportunity to play two-on-two against anyone in the world, you’d probably feel pretty good about your chances if he’s your partner. And that’s a flawed human basketball player! What about the King of Kings, Master of Universe, Creator of All Things, Great Lover of The World? If you are working with Him, what in the world are you afraid of?
And if you’re working with Him, what in the world are you doing? Well, that’s the next two words well look at ☺️. Timothy went to establish and exhort. The word establish implies making something solid or firm. It is a direct reference to Paul not wanting these young believers to be moved or shaken by the afflictions they were facing. Timothy came to make sure their foundation was solidly built on the truth of Jesus. This implies instruction. Teaching the Bible. Applying the Bible. What about exhorting? Well, I think there is actually some “directing” implied with this, as well. However, it also means to encourage or comfort. Hm. Truth and love? Have we seen these two put together before? It’s what we’re meant to be about. Show the truth. Teach the truth. Lay the foundation— And love, love, love, love, love!
Ok, one last observation this morning. Remember His sovereignty, continue to work toward His purposes, and→
III. Devote Yourself To Prayer
“9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?”
Yes, I know we addressed this briefly last time, but we need to see this. I need to see this. Paul could not be with them, but this did not stop him from praying earnestly. He was praying with sincerity. These weren’t routine prayers or memorized chants. These weren’t mumbles of obligation. He cared enough to really seek God’s face on their behalf. And… he did this continually. He didn’t stop, even though his circumstances (not being with them) did not change. He knew they needed Jesus, and He trusted that Jesus understood better than him what that would take. And that touches the last point too, as he prayed, he prayed with eternity in mind. What concerned him most? That their faith would be strengthen, that their walk with Jesus would be unhindered, that they would experience the riches of His grace. Like he later wrote to the Ephesians: “...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)!
TAKEAWAY
Let’s just hit that gist again: When you encounter satanic opposition, don’t forget God’s sovereignty but continue to work toward His purposes and devote yourself to prayer.
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