Read: I Thessalonians 2:17-3:7

This is a recap of this past Sunday’s message [7/23/2023] in our morning worship service at Tylertown Baptist Church.

We like to think that we’re in control of our lives. We make our plans and chart the course for our days, weeks, and even years. But we don’t like to confront the fact that people’s decisions, circumstances around us, and even spiritual forces are outside of our control, and we must trust that God is working in these situations when we are not capable.

I. Separation Can Stress Us

We’re about to have our only child move off to college.  Don’t think it’s not a stress on our souls to not know where he is or if he’s safe 24 hrs. a day.  Paul was in a similar situation…  He’d spent just a few weeks with the Thessalonian believers and then was forced to leave them to fend for themselves.  It must have been like birthing babies into the world and then being pulled away from them, not knowing what will happen to them.  You can hear the stress in Paul’s writing as he was torn up inside wondering about his friends and if they’re okay. 

The saddest day in the Bible is the Sabbath day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  They didn’t even write about it because it was been so sad and gut-wrenching.  To have had Jesus by your side for 3 years and then within 24 hours He’s gone… it must be terrible.  But the most joyful day was Sunday, when the separation was over and Jesus was back.  In His absence, God had not failed… He had not abandoned His plan or His people… He was working.

II. Circumstances Can Surprise Us

Paul was used to conflict and persecution, but he surely thought he’d have more time with the Thessalonian church.  He obviously wasn’t prepared to be run out of town.  That’s how circumstances work sometimes…   We call it TRAGEDY…  When something terrible hits us out of nowhere.  Numerous families in our community have felt the pain of tragedy over these past few weeks. 

We spend so much of our lives trying to stay ahead of tragedy. 

We give our kids cell phones, track their steps, know their friends and plans… all to avoid the pain of tragedy. 

We eat healthy, work out, take vitamins and medicine… all to avoid tragedy. 

We plan our future, work hard at our jobs, unplug the toaster oven… all to avoid tragedy. 

But we can never prepare for everything.  I have to trust that God is Lord of the things that are out of my control.  And even if tragedy strikes, His promise is that He’s our comforter and working for our good.

III. Satan Is Working Against Us

Life’s troubles are not just random happenstance.   There is a real enemy who is working against the people of God and the Gospel.  Paul says that “Satan kept them away”.  I can’t imagine what happened, but it must have been a powerful work of the enemy.  I can’t control the evil that other people do… and I can’t control the work of Satan.  I have to trust that He who is in me [God, the Holy Spirit] is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  I can always call on God’s protection and guidance.  The Lord may still allow me to walk into danger, but I can know He’s with me and will use me in that place.

IV. But God Is In Control, No Matter What

I’m just a simple human being… I can’t know everything… I can’t be everywhere…  My strength is very limited.  Therefore, I have to place my faith in the One who does know everything… and can be everywhere…  and whose strength is without limit.  Plenty of things are outside of my control, but I trust that God is taking care of me in a thousand ways I can’t see, and He’s at work for those I love when I faithfully lift them up in prayer