Most recently I shared with you from 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 on the theme, “The Word of God Changes Lives.” This time I will share with you from 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 with an emphasis on, “Christian Concern for the Family of God.” Paul writes, “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” (1 Thess. 2:17–20).

As I shared with you previously, Paul and his co-workers had been chased out of Thessalonica by an angry mob. The mob had been stirred up by a group of jealous unbelievers. In verse 17, Paul states they were, “torn away from” the believers in Thessalonica. The Greek word translated here as, “torn away from” is ἀπορφανιζω which was used to describe being, “ma[de] an orphan.”^[1] In the 1^st Century, this could refer to losing one’s parents or to parents losing their child.[2] Paul and his coworkers felt as though they had lost the Thessalonians because of their physical separation. These new believers were without the discipling influence of Paul and his coworkers. The apostle expresses his dissatisfaction with being separated from the Thessalonian church. Paul knew these new believers needed to be instructed and grounded in their faith. Even though a letter could be written (i.e. 1 Thessalonians) it was less than ideal. Do you realize how much you have learned in your life by watching and listening to others? Most of us learned to pray by listening to older mature believers pray. We received instruction from Pastors, Sunday School and Bible Study teachers, and Christian parents, among others. The Christian life is not lived in isolation. It is not carried out at a distance. All believers, especially new believers, need to be discipled.

Notice that even though Paul and his coworkers were physically separated from the Thessalonians they were not separate in heart. D. Michael Martin in his commentary on 1 Thessalonians observes, “Paul’s description of his separation from the church was designed to express clearly that his absence did not result from indifference on his part.”^[3] The Thessalonians were on the minds and in the prayers of Paul and his team. Furthermore, they were very eager to be reunited with the church in Thessalonica (18a). Paul describes how they had repeatedly attempted to travel to Thessalonica but had been hindered by Satan (18b). The effort that Paul and his coworkers were expending to travel to Thessalonica, only to be prevented, could only be explained by spiritual warfare (cf. Eph. 6:10-12; 1 Cor. 7:5). The enemy of our souls did not want the Thessalonians to be discipled. We learn in 1 Thessalonians 3:1 that ultimately Timothy was sent to the city. Before I move on from this point, be aware that Paul doesn’t attribute every obstacle to his ministry and plans to demonic attack (cf. Rom. 1:13; 15:22). Not every difficulty in life is the result of spiritual warfare. Sometimes the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from traveling where he desired (Acts 16:6-7).

In verse 19, the apostle refers to the Thessalonian church as the “hope, joy, and crown of boasting before the Lord Jesus” when he returns. Every believer will stand before the Lord one day and be rewarded based upon how they served Christ during their lives as believers (1 Cor. 3:13-15; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:6-10). The very existence of the Thessalonian church confirmed the gospel work of Paul and his coworkers. These regenerate individuals were the Spirit-produced fruit of Paul and his team. The Lord will reward his servants in heaven for their faithful obedience and gospel work carried out during their earthly lives.

I want to leave you with this, Paul and his coworkers didn’t consider their work among the Thessalonians complete when they trusted in Christ. Salvation is the beginning, not the end of the Christian life. God is in the process of conforming every believer to the image of his Son Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). This was the apostle’s goal in ministry as well (Col. 1:28-29). Paul had genuine Christian concern for the sanctification and spiritual wellbeing of the saints in Thessalonica. Brothers and sisters, do you have Christian concern for the sanctification and spiritual wellbeing of the saints in your church? You may wonder, how you can evaluate such a thing? Here are a few indicators:

1. Do you pray for the spiritual growth and health of the believers in your church?
2. Do you attempt to get to know the believers in your church beyond surface-level interactions?
3. If so, do you ask the believers in your church about their walk with Christ?

It may seem overwhelming for you to do such a thing. Here are some ways to go beyond surface-level interactions:

1. Pray and ask God to give you a heart for him and the believers in your church.
2. Pray and ask God to mature the believers in your church and help them to be spiritually healthy.
3. Become involved in serving the believers in your church when you are able.
4. Join an Adult Bible study when you are able.
5. Join a Small Group when you are able.

It is possible that your church isn’t offering ministries right now, other than the Sunday Morning Worship Service. So, what do you do? When you see someone standing/sitting alone before or after the service, go talk to them. Introduce yourself if you don’t know them. Ask them questions to get to know them. Listen to them while they respond. Tell them some things about you and your family. It is a start. Show Christian concern for the believers in your church.

^[1] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 119.

[2] Charles A. Wanamaker, The Epistles to the Thessalonians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1990), 120. F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, vol. 45, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1982), 54. TDNT, 4.487–88; Philo, De Specialibus Legibus 2.31; Euripides, Hecuba 149; Sophocles, Antigone 425.

^[3] D. Michael Martin, 1, 2 Thessalonians, vol. 33, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 97.