"Hopeful In Spite of the Road Blocks"

“The story was told some years ago of a pastor who found the roads blocked one Sunday morning and was forced to skate on the river to get to church, which he did. When he arrived the elders of the church were horrified that their preacher had skated on the Lord’s Day. After the service they held a meeting where the pastor explained that it was either skate to church or not go at all. Finally one elder asked, “Did you enjoy it?” When the preacher answered, “No,” the board decided it was all right!”

Now, this is not a sermon about how legalistic we can be… What I want you to think about from that illustration, were the two choices the Pastor had… He could’ve saw the “road closed” signs and went back home, or he could put on his ice skates, go around the road block and get to where he needed to be… He obviously chose the latter...

As we go continue to grow in our own personal walk with Christ, Satan will try to hinder us any way that he can, to try and stop the spreading of the Gospel. When that happens, we too, will have a choice to make… Do we give up, turn around and walk away… or do we find a way around the road block and press on, doing what God has called us to do??

This morning, I want you to see that we can be “Hopeful In Spite of the Road Blocks”

Open your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20. (Read)

Meat:

As I read these words, I can’t help but see the heart of the Apostle Paul. He, of all men, knew what it was to face different road blocks and extreme difficulties in ministry. Paul knew what it was to face abuse and rejection for the cause of Christ. In 2 Cor.11 he gives us a glimpse of some of his own personal road blocks…

2 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV

24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.

Lets do the math… 40 stripes minus 1 = 39 stripes… multiply that by 5 times and that equals… 195 stripes...

And then v.25 goes on to say...

2 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV

25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

As you consider the life of Paul, it might seem a bit depressing. We find a man who was wholly committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and yet he faced hardships, he faced road blocks on every hand. It is certain that Paul faced much difficulty, but he refused to allow the difficulties to dictate his existence. Paul had learned, and lived, a great truth... and what he learned was the fact that; God is greater than any problem we face! The Scriptures teach us that: “if God is for us, who can be against. Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. We are more than conquerors through Christ that loved us.”

Many times, throughout the Bible we find the people of God facing an uncertain future and apparent demise, and yet God proved Himself faithful and mighty in their situation. For example; Things looked hopeless standing upon the shoreline of the Red Sea with the armies of Pharaoh pressing hard behind… and yet God was faithful to show His mighty hand... Fear and dread were prominent on the hill of Calvary, that Friday afternoon… but that Sunday Morning, hope rose with the sunshine…

As the Psalmist said… “Sorrow may last for the night, but Joy comes with the Morning”

We likely have found ourselves in similar situations and yet God has never failed us. Things may look dark right now, but folks... our God is still seated upon His mighty throne!… This Morning, I want to look at the certainties, (SLIDE) revealed in these last verses of Chapter 2, that show us we can be “Hopeful in spite of the Road Blocks”... Yes, Paul had been hindered, but his hope was not gone.

The first thing that I want you to see is...

1. Paul’s Desire vs. His Reality

There either have been times in your life or there will be times in your life when what you desire is not the reality you are living...

It is certain that Paul desired to be with the church at Thessalonica, but he was hindered in his desire… Rather than pouting and worrying over it, he made the best of the situation. Paul dealt with the reality of what he faced… and the reality was…

1.1 He was Separated from Thessalonica

1 Thess. 2:17 “17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.”

Paul dealt with the reality that he had been taken away from them for a short time. He was no longer physically in Thessalonica, no longer present with the young believers there... He would’ve liked to have been there, but he was forced to leave.

His word choice here carries the idea of “being bereaved; torn away. It has the idea of the bereavement a parent would feel over a deceased child or the pain an orphaned child would experience.”

Paul was their spiritual father. He led them to Christ, through the sharing of the gospel and just like an earthly father desires to see his children grow and succeed, Paul had a strong desire to see these new believers grow in their faith and succeed in whatever it was that God would call each and everyone of them to do. But he is unable to physically see them grow, because he was run out of town by the hate filled Jewish men.

So often, We assume that everything must be perfect to serve the Lord. We are quick to get our feelings hurt and abandon the cause… When we should be following the example of Paul, who had been forced out of Thessalonica and yet he sought out different ways to get around that road block and encourage these new believers in their faith…

The second reality that I want you to see is the fact that…

1.2 Paul was Devoted

He was devoted to his Christian brothers and sisters in Thessalonica. He may have been taken away in presence, but not in heart. The Lord may have allowed distance between them physically, but Paul’s love and devotion for them never wavered. He had established the church there and he longed to see it thrive to the glory of God.

This may seem a bit insignificant, but look at Acts 17:5-6, 8, 10… We looked at this account when we first opened up this book, but lets look at it again real quick… (READ)…

If you were treated in such a way at a certain town... what would your attitude be towards the people of that town? “Well, I tried to share the Gospel there and I got ran out of town… I guess those folks are on their own at this point.”… … or “if that is how this town treats people then they deserve to what is coming to them anyways.”....

Not Paul… Paul continued to love them and sought to encourage them in any way that he could. He was devoted!

The last part of v.17, back in 1 Thess. 2… says that Paul...

1 Thess. 2:17b “... endeavored more eagerly to see their faces with great desire.” Remember we are talking about Paul’s Desire vs. His Reality… Even after being threatened and forced to leave (That is his reality), Paul strongly desired to return to Thessalonica. He literally longed to be there with them.

The word endeavoured means “eagerly seeking to return; a serious, concentrated effort.” Paul endeavoured with great desire. That reveals “a zeal, longing, strong passion.”… Do we possess that zeal, that longing, that passion for our church and the cause of Christ? Are we committed to serving the Lord above all else? Or do we see a road block and just turn around and go back home?

The Third part of Paul’s Reality is the fact that...

1.3 He was Deterred

1 Thess. 2:18 “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.”

Satan was well aware of who Paul was and how the Lord was using him. Again, if we look at the book of Acts 19:11-15… (READ)

Satan was not happy with Paul’s accomplishments. He was angered that the Lord had empowered Paul and was using him a mighty way… and so, as v.18 says in 1 Thess. 2, Satan “Hindered” Paul, Silas and Timothy from returning to Thessalonica together “Satan hindered us.”

That word “Hindered” means - “to cut in a road; to make impassable.” Satan did all he could to put up a “roadblock” in front of Paul. He was determined to hinder Paul’s work for the Lord… But, even in the face of constant adversity, Paul loved the believers in Thessalonica and sought out, all the more, a way in which he could minister to them.

Beloved, If we are seeking to serve the Lord and share the gospel of Christ, we can count on adversity. You might as well go ahead and plan for some “roadblocks” to be put in your way. The challenge for us is to find hope in spite of the road blocks and seek a means around them and continue serving, for the glory of God and the good of the church!

The second Certainty that I want you to take notice of this morning is...

2. Paul’s Ability to Rejoice

It is a common phrase between the Apostles… Paul said it multiple times, Peter said it, James said it… “Count it all joy”, “Rejoice when trials come your way”, “Rejoice when you suffer for Christ’s sake”… “Rejoice, Rejoice, again I say rejoice!”

Trouble and difficulty were a constant reality, but all hope was not lost. Paul looked for reasons to be joyful and and he rejoiced...

Notice first of all...

2.1 His Question

1 Thess. 2:19a “19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?… ”

Even though they have been separated from the believers in Thessalonica, Paul, Silas and Timothy were able to find hope, they were able to be joyful and rejoice… Paul basically says “do you know what we are hopeful in, do you know why we are able to rejoice?”...

Paul realized there was much more to life and ministry than what he experienced in the physical realm. He knew that his ministry was not based upon just physical happiness. He knew that there was much more than what was revealed on the surface. His joy was not deterred by the difficulties that he faced. He knew that God was doing something powerful and eternal in the lives of people! His hope, his joy, his crown of rejoicing was in the ministry and salvation of souls rather than the temporal problems he faced… … and that leads us to…

2.2 His Answer

1 Thess. 2:19 “19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”

The NLT paraphrases this verse like this “what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!”

Paul new that there is much more to life and serving the Lord than what we experience in our bodies. There is a heaven to gain, souls to reach, and a glorious Savior to serve!

For many who observed the ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, it may have appeared to have been a complete failure. He was only there three months and ran out of town. He desired to return and yet he was hindered.

In light of a modern phrase, Paul didn’t “sweat the small stuff.” His pleasure was much deeper than a few inconveniences. He was confident that many had received Christ. He was confident that they were committed to serving the Lord even in the face of opposition. Paul had the assurance that he would stand with them at the coming of the Lord and it caused him to rejoice!

Isn’t that what it is all about anyway? Y’all, We are not here to please ourselves and establish our own recognition. We are here to serve the Lord and reach the lost. There is nothing more precious than the assurance of standing before the Lord with those whom we introduced to the Redeemer! We have had our difficulties and without doubt they will continue and probably get worse… But we must not focus on these temporary inconveniences,... instead our focus needs to be on the eternal hope that we all have in Jesus Christ!

When Paul’s focus was in the right place, you cannot help but see...

2.3 His Peace

1 Thess. 2:20 “20 For you are our glory and joy.”

Can’t you just sense the peace that Paul has in his heart as he writes this letter? It is not a letter that seeks sympathy for his adversity. He is not sad hearted or discouraged. Paul is at peace with God. He is rejoicing for the souls that have been saved. He is looking forward to the day that Christ calls for His church. He is joyful for the church and the work that they are doing.

Folks,… nothing will ever compare to the peace that our Lord gives. We face some difficult and uncertain days, but even in the midst of all that we can enjoy peace. Our hope is not based upon the rules and regulations of this world. We have the assurance of a home in heaven through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, Life can be and will be hard to bear at times, but even then, there is peace that passes all understanding!

And finally this morning, Paul was able to rejoice because he saw...

2.4 His Profit

Satan had hindered the apostle and even sought to defeat him, but Paul was victorious. The world may have believed that Satan had gotten the upper hand, but Paul was laying up treasures in heaven. He had reached lost souls for the Lord. They had been born again in Christ and possessed an eternal hope. Paul may not have received much earthly compensation, but in heaven, he would receive his reward!

Pastor and Author, Tony Evans, write this in his commentary and as we are to be “ready and actively waiting” for the Lord’s return, it is my hope and prayer that everyone of you has the same desire… he says this…

“In light of Jesus’s return, Paul’s greatest joy was leading people to Jesus. He had a kingdom perspective, an eternal perspective. When I get to heaven, I want to see a welcoming committee there because of what I’ve done on earth. I want to look around and say, “I invested in her”; “I led him to Christ”; “I discipled and built them up.” There is a deep, unshakable joy in saying, “Lord Jesus, let me deliver to you these other saints. They are my joy.””

I know that the world doesn’t understand us as Christians. There are times when we’ve all asked ourselves if it was really worth it. We need to be reminded that this world in not all there is for the redeemed. You may never receive the recognition or compensation that you deserve down here, but I assure you that God is keeping a record. He will not forget one act of kindness done in His name. And I can assure you that ...

“It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ; One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, So bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

Closing:

We all face difficulties and hardships; that is simply part of living. As long as you live, trouble will abound. The enemy seeks to hinder and defeat us any way he can. There will always be opposition to the work of the Lord, but we don’t have to resign to defeat. We may be hindered, but we are not hopeless!

Let me remind you of something else that the Apostle Paul said in the book of Romans...

Romans 8:35 NKJV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:37–39 NKJV

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you feel hindered and discouraged? Are you finding it hard to be “hopeful in spite of the Road Blocks”??

Let me encourage you to seek the Lord and lean upon Him. Trust in Him even when you don’t understand and He will strengthen you.