Summary: Paul makes it clear his aspiration (desire) to be with the Thessalonians and how his advances were being thwarted by Satan in 1 Thessalonians 2:18.

"Service and the Second Coming" - Part 12 of 13

1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

“Paul’s Crown In Them – Part b”

1 Thessalonians 2:18

I. Paul’s COURAGE before them. (vv. 1-4).

II. Paul’s COMMITMENT to them. (vv. 5-6)

III. Paul’s CARE for the Thessalonians. (vv. 7-9)

IV. Paul’s CONDUCT among them. (vv. 10-12)

V. Paul’s COMPASSION for them. (vv. 13-16)

VI. Paul’s CROWN in them. (vv. 17-20)

1. His ABSENCE from them. (v. 17)

2. His ASPIRATION to be among them. (v. 18a-b) wished, desired Galatians 4:9; Colossians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 12:18; Hebrews 2:4; 2 Timothy 1:4; Romans 10:1; Philippians 1:23; Colossians 1:9-12

A. His desire was CORPORATE. (v. 18a) 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 10; 1 John 1:3, 7; Hebrews 6:11-12; Acts 2:44; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 4:31; Matthew 18:20; Acts 12:12; 20:7-8; 1 Corinthians 5:4; 7:5; 14:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:10

B. His desire was INDIVIDUAL. (v. 18b) Romans 1:12; Galatians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 1:15-16; Romans 15:23-24

3. His ADVANCES were thwarted by Satan. (v. 18c) (lit. to break up the road and raise obstacles – hindered; impeded) Romans 1:13; Zechariah 3:1-2; Romans 15:22; 1 Peter 3:7; Galatians 5:7; Acts 24:4; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; Revelation 2:10; Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:9-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3; Luke 11:52; Matthew 23:13; Acts 4:17-18; 5:40; 1 Peter 5:8; Esther 7:6; Luke 22:31-32; Matthew 13:39; James 4:7-8; 1 John 3:8-10