BUT SATAN HINDERED US

1 THESALONIANS 2:18

NO DATE

 

Unable to visit the new Christian church at Thessalonica.

 

      1.  Not from want of will, lack of desire.

 

His great attachment to the Christians of Thessalonica.  Earnestly desiring to come - praying to come.  1 Thessalonians 3:10.

 

      2.  Not prevented by God's special providence.

 

Acts 16:6, forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the Word in Asia. 

 

:17  Assayed to go into Bithynia:  but the Spirit suffered them not.

 

      3.  But Satan hindered us.

 

? Violent persecution stirred up in Thessalonica!  Dared him to return?

? Unable to leave Corinth?  Divisions in church, philosophical heresies?

 

? Personal illness, inability?

 

In any event, here is the master of all evil, the prince of the power of the air, intently watching the journeys of 3 humble men; far more concerned about their movements than about the doings of Tiberius or Nero.  These despised heralds of mercy his most dreaded foes.  They preached the name that makes hell tremble  Satan a fierce hater of the preaching of the gospel.  Not mind social annihilation, racial tensions, psychiatry, church work.  But the gospel...

 

Paul's struggle with Satan.

 

2 Corinthians 12:7  Then...messengers of Satan to buffet me.

 

Ephesians 6:12  we wrestle not against flesh..

 

2 Corinthians 4:4  the god of this world hath blinded the minds.

 

 

I.  PAUL NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO STRUGGLED WITH SATAN

 

The testimony of all the saints in heaven - Satan hindered us.

 

The witness of all who have written a line on the holy page - Satan hindered us.

 

The word of all who have carved a consecrated name on the rock of immortality - Satan hindered us.

 

Revelation 12:9,1012; 1 Peter 5:8.

 

      1.  Job

 

Buffeted, hurt, broken by Satan.  Evil messengers trod upon one anothers heels; tidings of woe only when benefit of goods, property, home, children, health.  In ash heap.

 

      2.  Moses

 

2 Timothy 3:8  As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses.

 

Jude 9  Michael the archangel when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses.

 

      3.  Nehemiah

 

2:19; 4:1-3; 6:1-14  Sanballat and Tobiah.

 

      4.  The Savior Himself.

 

The infant child - Herod's sword.

 

The beginning ministry - three temptations left for a season.

 

Attack of Pharisees, Sadduces, Herodian, encompassed His death.

 

His apostles - Luke 22:31 Satan...sift you as wheat.

 

      5.  The infant church - to blot it out.

 

Like Pharaoh against Hebrews - all the male babies to be slain.

 

Like Ahasuerus [sic, Haman] - against Mordecai - Israel.

 

            1.  Persecution, fire, flame, faggot, sword.

 

            2.  When this availed not, then bruises, schisms.

 

            3.  Finally, acceptance of the world.  Compromise.  Church and Empire one and same thing.  Temptation Jesus refused the church accepted.  Precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, became like earthen pitchers, works of the potter's hands. 

 

Did the saints uplift the cross?  They uplift the crucified. 

 

Did the saints uplift and preach the sacrifice of the Christ?  They preach the sacrifice of men.

 

Did God's minister speak of Jesus and the One infallible head of the church?  They speak of the Vicar of Rome and the infallible head of the hierarchy.

 

As far as tinsel could counterfeit gold.

As far as glass could simulate the gem.

As far as candle light could rival the sun.

As far as drop in a bucket could imitate the great ocean.

 

It has copied God's masterpiece, the gospel of the Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

II.  HINDERS US TODAY

 

      1.  Those who would come to Jesus.

 

      2.  New converts.

 

Compare:  Abraham, Genesis 15:11, you offer the sacrifice.  But unclean birds come down upon it; you have need to drive them away.

 

      3.  Those who would do God's work.

 

Compare:  Joshua, Satan at his right hand to oppose him.  Zechariah 3:1.

 

From all points of the compass, all along the line of battle, in the vanguard and in the rear, at dawn and at midnight, Satan hinders.  If we toil in the field, he seeks to break the ploughhandles; if we build the walls he seeks to bust down the stones.

 

            1.  By what is pleasing.

 

Pulls us away.  Gratifying to the flesh.  Satan never brushes the feathers of his bride the wrong way.  Generously deals with us according to our likes, tastes.  Flavors the bait to the fish.

 

            2.  By flagrant, open opposition.

 

Compare:  Martin Luther, determined to go to though there be as many demons as tiles in the roof.

 

Compare:  Wartburg Castle, a spot on the wall of his study where threw ink stand at devil.

 

 

III.  THE PRESERVATION OF THE PEOPLE AND CHURCH OF GOD

 

The devil a defeated person, Revelation 12:12 he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

 

John 12:31  now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

 

Colossians 2:15  having spoiled principalities of power, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over time..

 

Revelation 20:1-3,10

 

He so strong we so weak. 

 

What we do?

 

      1.  Prayer.

 

The devil flees when he sees

The weakest saint upon his heels.

 

      2.  A defeated person.

 

I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

 

John 12:31

Colossians 2:15

Revelation 20:1-3,10