Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Joy and Crown

Bryan Schneider · May 15, 2021

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

sharonrpc.org/sermons/joy-and-crown

Summary

Though opposition has separated the missionaries from Thessalonica in person, their hearts remain bound to the believers with family-like affection.
Paul describes the separation as an orphaning and repeatedly emphasizes his eager desire to return face to face.
Satan hinders the attempted reunion because he opposes the embodied gathering, encouragement, and worship of Christ's church.
The Thessalonians are the missionaries' hope, joy, crown of rejoicing, and glory as they anticipate presenting Christ's people at his coming.
Faithful ministry shares both gospel truth and life, combining teaching with tenderness like a nursing mother and exhortation like a father.
Church leaders must love people more than recognition, control, or abstract theological display and will give account for their care of souls.
The entire church imitates Christ by gathering, serving, admonishing, encouraging, and loving one another with his enduring love.
Jesus loved his own to the end, washed their feet, gave himself for them, and makes his people his joy; their love for one another evidences discipleship.

How do the family images in 1 Thessalonians 2 describe the missionaries' relationship with the congregation?
Why does Paul characterize physical separation from the church as being orphaned?
What does eager desire for face-to-face fellowship reveal about healthy Christian affection?
Why might Satan especially oppose the gathered worship and mutual encouragement of believers?
In what sense are the Thessalonians the missionaries' hope, joy, crown, and glory at Christ's coming?
What responsibility do pastors and elders bear for the souls entrusted to their care?
How does Jesus' conduct on the night before his death define love for his own?
Which one-another commands distinguish a functioning church family from an audience that merely hears a sermon?
Why can online access serve those unable to attend without fully replacing embodied communion?

Pastoral affection: Christ-shaped tenderness and concern that binds gospel ministers to the people whose souls they serve.
Orphaned separation: Paul's forceful description of being torn bodily from the Thessalonians while remaining united to them in heart.
Crown of rejoicing: The people in whom Christ's saving work is displayed and over whom gospel workers rejoice at his return.
Embodied fellowship: Face-to-face gathering in which believers worship, encourage, challenge, serve, and share life together.
Satanic hindrance: The adversary's opposition to gospel ministry and the strengthening communion of Christ's gathered people.
Account for souls: The responsibility of church leaders to watch over people before Christ and to answer for that care.
Love to the end: Jesus' steadfast, serving, sacrificial love that remains faithful through death and supplies the pattern for his church.