Paul's Desire to Visit Thessalonian Church Hindered by Satan

Charles E. Whisnant ,[object Object]

I Thessalonians 2:17-20 (18)PAUL CARED ABOUT SEEING HIS SPIRITUAL PEOPLE. Satan is out to get you and your joy in Christ Vs. 18 “We want to come to you.” 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 1 Thess 2:18) ,[object Object],Paul desired to see their faces. Note he said “I” this time. He had sent Timothy, since he couldn’t go, but not because he didn’t want to go. He wants to know their spiritual condition, not just to dump information on them, but to nurture their spiritual condition Charles,I'm not going to make this a public comment, but I find your comment on depression thoughtless, to say the least.
Depression for a Christian could be called a lack of faith, wouldn't you say.
I had said, depression is generally a result of sinful actions or thinking. A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY AND SOCIETY AND CHURCH OFTEN CAN LEAD TO WORRY, FEAR, AND ANXIETY (SECULAR TERM WOULD BE DEPRESSION.) Christians work through the signs of “depression” or worry or fear, or anxiety. A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior and even abuse on the part of individual members of the family occur continually and regularly, leading other members to accommodate such actions. Dysfunctional family members have common symptoms and behavior patterns as a result of their common experiences within the family structure. This tends to reinforce the dysfunctional behavior, either through enabling or perpetuation. The family unit can be affected by a variety of factors. A SPIRIT-FILLED BELIEVER WILL BE ABLE TO GET ALONG IN A DYSFUNCTIONAL SOCIETY AND WORK THROUGH WORRY, FEAR, AND ANXIETY. Christians who are Holy Spirit-filled will be able to work through times of emotional drama in their lives. It’s the Elders’ desire to bring people in the church to a fuller spiritual life. We desire to see our people grow in their spiritual life. Paul wanted to evaluate spiritual needs. If they were growing, teach them more. Lead them, mother them, father them. I believe there is in these passages in I Thessalonians, Paul’s cure for a dysfunctional church. And why there are so many Dysfunctional - Definition: (A cultural term, not a biblical term) relating badly: characterized by an inability to function emotionally or as a social unita dysfunctional familydysfunctional behavior not performing as expected: failing to perform an expected functiona dysfunctional bureaucracy Satan hindered us -- On a different occasion
the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus
(so the oldest manuscripts read), Ac 16:6, 7, forbad or hindered them in a missionary design; here it is Satan, acting perhaps by wicked men, some of whom had already driven him out of Thessalonica (Ac 17:13, 14; compare John 13:27), or else by some more direct
messenger of Satan -- a thorn in the flesh
(2Co 12:7; compare 2Co 11:14). In any event, the Holy Ghost and the providence of God overruled Satan's opposition to further His own purpose. We cannot, in each case, define whence hindrances in good undertakings arise; Paul in this case, by inspiration, was enabled to say; the hindrance was from Satan. GROTIUS thinks Satan's mode of hindering Paul's journey to Thessalonica was by instigating the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers to cavil, which entailed on Paul the necessity of replying, and so detained him; but he seems to have left Athens leisurely (Ac 17:33, 34 Ac 18:1). The Greek for
hindered
is literally,
to cut a trench between one's self and an advancing foe, to prevent his progress
; so Satan opposing the progress of the missionaries.—Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary Satan will try just about anything to hinder the church family from accomplishing its biblical purpose. SO WHY DIDN’T PAUL GO BACK TO VISIT THIS CHURCH FAMILY? In this case, Satan. Paul was one who could know if the Lord was stopping him (Acts 16:6-7) or if the devil was involved. Plan on Satan visiting you. Satan is going to do his best to bring down any ministry of Christ. While we purpose, Satan hinders. WHAT AGENCIES SATAN EMPLOYS TO HINDER THE WORK OF THE CHURCH? A MALIGN POWER WHICH HINDERS US IN OUR HOLY ENTERPRISE Criticize someone spitefully, that is false or misleading with the intent to harm. He assails the most faithful workers He seeks to foil the aggressive intentions of the church. HOW? Doing mischief. Suggesting difficulties. Magnify obstacles. Getting us moody. Displaying emotions, especially unhappiness or anger, clearly and intensely. He fights battles in the mind. What a wreck in the inner life of some. He suggests doubts He magnifies difficulties He will make distractions in accomplishing the purposes and there is immediate surrender. MUCH OF WHAT WE WOULD DO BUT CANNOT. Realizing Satan is active in stopping our purposes. How do we know Satan is working? Lying Tempting Scattering the Word away Harassing Accusing Sifting as Peter shaking him up. Smite with disease Possessing Kills Devours Deceives He will inspire indifference, Where there should be enthusiasm He will foster extra-conservatism He will promote criticism and ridicule of what is evil HE ATTACKS THE CHURCH He is after the church. Revelation 2:9,13, 24, 3:9. HE ATTACKS THE LEADERS Satan wanted Job in the Old Testament Satan wanted Peter in the New Testament He wants to shake up their lives. He wants to flip your life in the air and shake it all loose so you will fail. He wants to steal, kill and destroy your very life. He will want to hinder the progress. Any spiritual activity, ministry, obedience, prayer. SATAN’S OJBJECTIVE? Is not for you to get rich, have bigger houses, a new car, a new washer and dryer. He delights to see God’s servant set upon the pinnacle of the Temple. His objective is to prevent our glorifying God. WE NEED TO LEARN TO HAVE A MILITARY OPERATION TO BREAK UP THE ROAD, DESTROY THE BRIDGES, AND HIT THE VARIOUS OBSTACLES.

Paul's Desire to Visit Thessalonian Church Hindered by Satan

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Tendances (20)

En vedette

En vedette (9)

Similaire à Paul's Desire to Visit Thessalonian Church Hindered by Satan

Similaire à Paul's Desire to Visit Thessalonian Church Hindered by Satan (20)

Plus de Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, Pastor/Teacher Charles e Whisnant

Plus de Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, Pastor/Teacher Charles e Whisnant (20)

Paul's Desire to Visit Thessalonian Church Hindered by Satan