Peter Barnes: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
SERMON NOTES: THE LONGING HERALD (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)
In 1839 William Burns was preaching for Robert McCheyne in Dundee in Scotland when McCheyne was making his way through Palestine to encourage a mission to the Jews. Revival broke out in Dundee – virtually the opposite situation to Paul’s. Paul was absent and there was trouble; McCheyne was absent and there was revival.
- We are to warmly desire Christian fellowship.
– 2:17. There is more communication and yet more isolation in both church and world. Paul uses the word for ‘orphaned’; the noun is in John 14:18. In leaving, Paul is referring to Acts 17:10.
- Satan seeks to hinder us.
– 2:18. John Chrysostom says that it was the opposition; J. B. Lightfoot says that Paul was sick; Sir William Ramsay and F. F. Bruce say that it was the legal ban (see Acts 17:9); James Denney says that it was problems at Corinth. We do not know.
– Acts 16:6-7, 10; Rom.1:13. We may be hindered by God, by Satan, or by circumstances. All three can make sense in their own way.
- What matters is salvation at the coming of Christ.
– 2:19-20; see Phil.4:1. What do people call their ‘pride and joy’? With Paul, it is saved people.
– In the day when Christ comes again, when Paul sees the Christians from Thessalonica lined up on Christ’s right hand, he will experience in full what he knows here on earth – his hope and joy and crown and glory.
Paul is a herald of the gospel, but more than that, he is a longing herald.