1 Thess. 2:17-19; 2 Cor. 11:22-27, A Heart for the Church

Craftsmen love to show off their creations.  The watchmaker delights in his watches, the artist his painting, the mechanic his fine-tuned engine, and the plumber his unclogged drain.  I have wood-working friends whose creations are always out to see in the home and they will gladly get the latest and show it to you.  It makes sense.


Likewise, servants of Christ who invest in the local church ought to find joy in a fellowship that is maturing into the likeness of Christ (Eph. 4:16).  The Apostle John was like that: I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk in the truth (3 Jn. 4).  Paul told the Philippians to fulfill my joy by being like-minded (Phil. 2:2).  When Paul spoke of all his afflictions (2 Cor. 11:16-27) he showed his deep love for the church by including this at the end of the list: besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches (v28).  Indeed, Paul saw himself, by God’s grace, as a “master craftsman” when it came to ministry (1 Cor. 3:10).

This perspective of Paul was not simply the result of his calling.  His concern for the churches ran deep.

·        It was a family concern, v17a.  The phrase taken away from you is the Greek “apo-orphanos.”  He was taken away from them as a parent is taken away from his child.

·        It was a heart concern, v17b.  His heart was still there, in Thessalonica, even though his body was in Corinth.  Remember how he told the Colossian church: though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ (Col. 2:5; cf. 1 Cor. 5:3).

·        It was an urgent concern, v17c.  Paul endeavored (took great pains) eagerly (a great degree, more than normal) to see your face with great desire (passionate desire). 

·        It was an active concern, v18.  Paul’s attempt to return to Thessalonica was not just words; he actually tried but Satan kept him from it.  Paul had been thrust out of Thessalonica by the trouble that had arisen.  He went on to Berea where the same Thessalonian Jews stirred up trouble again.  He then went to Athens where they got word from Thessalonica.  Somehow Satan kept him from going back, a statement that recognizes the way God uses even the work of Satan to perform His will.  

·        It was a rewarding concern, v19-20.  All Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10).  It is not an issue of “are we really saved” but is an issue of reward, to receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  Again, it’s the Master Builder, Christ, working through us, who will give rewards to His servants.  Paul is completely accurate in using such terms as hope, joy, crown of rejoicing and glory when he thinks of that day.  The Thessalonians will receive reward for their faithfulness; Paul will receive reward for his faithfulness and it will include his service in Thessalonica.  

Does this resonate with you?  Do you have such a love for your local church?  It will show when you stand before Christ.  Church problems often cause us to walk away from the local church but that does not reflect the mind of Christ.