THESSALONICA: EXCEL STILL MORE

Hope, Joy, Exultation -- 1 Thess. 2:17-20

Thessalonica

What Do Babies Need To Survive?

• Food• Shelter• Protection• Rest• Love

Infant Churches Need The Same Thing

• Food from God’s word

• Protection from persecution

• Times of peace and comfort

• Love

The Destabilizing Work Of Satan

If Satan wanted to destroy an infant church, what would he do?

He’d separate her from her parents.

Acts 17:5-9 – “But the Jews, becoming jealous

and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the

city in an uproar…And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the

others, they released them.”

Causing Paul and Silas To Have To Flee

• Acts 17:10-13 --The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea,and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews…But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

He Would Spread Lies About Motives

“1 Thes. 2:17 --But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.

Would Make Them Feel Abandoned 1 Thes. 2:18 –

“For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.”

Satan Was Hindering

Never underestimate Satan’s power in this world.

His is the prince of the world.

Never overestimate Satan’s power in this world.

He is bound and controlled by Jesus.

Satan attempts to sow dissension

“…our exhortation does not come from error or impurity…”

“…we never came with flattering speech…”

“…nor with pretext for greed…”

“…nor did we seek glory from men…”

Hope, Joy and Crown of Exultation

Paul’s true motives were pure and righteous.

He had a genuine love for these new brothers and sisters in Christ.

What Might Be Our Joy? Our possessions? Matthew 6:19-21 -- “Do not store up for

yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But storeup for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Our Prestige, Position or Pride?

2 Peter 3:10 -- But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Our Family? Matthew 10:37 -- “He

who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

We Expect Paul To Say Jesus!

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 -- For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

What Does Paul Say? YOU! It is the church

in the presence of the Lord.

It is ALL about people coming to Christ.

It is ALL about heaven!