Date: SUN 11:30am 21st September 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Sermon Summary
This sermon is an expository message based on 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20, with a particular emphasis on verses 17-18. The preacher draws from the King James Bible to explore the theme of Satan as the “greatest hinderer” in the world, examining his identity, strategies, and the ultimate victory over him through God’s sovereignty and the power of His Word.
1. Context and Background
The sermon begins by setting the context of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica, as described in Acts 17:1-5. Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, proclaiming Christ as the prophesied Messiah who suffered and rose from the dead. This preaching led to many conversions, including Jews and devout Gentiles, but it also provoked fierce opposition. Some Jews, moved by envy, incited a mob to create an uproar, forcing Paul to flee Thessalonica by night to Berea to preserve his life.
Following Paul’s departure, the devil used lies to undermine his ministry:
- Lie 1: Paul fled to save himself and had no intention of returning.
- Lie 2: Paul’s preaching was insincere, and he didn’t care for the Thessalonians.
- Lie 3: The Thessalonians’ suffering and persecution were a result of following Paul’s teachings.
In response, Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to counter these falsehoods, affirming his love and desire to return to the Thessalonian church, despite being hindered by Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18).
2. The Identity of the Greatest Hinderer: Satan
The preacher underscores that Satan is a real, powerful, and malevolent spiritual being, not a cartoonish figure with horns and a pitchfork. Key points about Satan’s identity include:
- Created by God: Satan was originally an angel who rebelled against God due to pride, leading a third of the angels in a revolt (Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14).
- Cast out of Heaven: God expelled Satan and his fallen angels, preparing hell for them (Matthew 25:41).
- A Liar and Murderer: Jesus describes Satan as a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is behind every falsehood and accusation against God’s people.
- A Dangerous Adversary: Satan is depicted as a roaring lion seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8) and a deceptive serpent (Revelation 12:9). He hates God, Christ, the gospel, and all true believers, opposing every aspect of God’s work with unrelenting malice.
The preacher emphasizes Satan’s hatred for truth, righteousness, and the church, describing him as wholly evil, seductive, and dangerous. He is the “god of this world” (1 John 5:19), influencing the unconverted and waging a spiritual war against God’s people.
3. The Strategy of the Greatest Hinderer
Satan’s tactics to hinder God’s work are outlined as follows:
- Doubt: Satan sows seeds of doubt about God, the Bible, Christ’s atonement, and eternal realities like heaven and hell. The preacher cites the example of Campbell Morgan, who, at 19, was swayed by evolutionary ideas but found renewed faith by studying the Bible alone.
- Discord: Satan fosters division and misunderstanding among believers, using pride, jealousy, envy, or a careless word to disrupt church unity.
- Deception: In the parable of the sower (Luke 8:12), Satan snatches the Word from hearts to prevent belief and salvation. He works subtly to blind people to the truth.
- Destruction: Satan resorts to physical persecution and violence when threatened. The sermon references the murder of Charlie Kirk (likely a contemporary figure known to the congregation) as an example of Satan’s destructive tactics when unable to counter the gospel theologically. Paul himself faced a mob intent on his death, and Satan used a “thorn in the flesh” to afflict him physically (2 Corinthians 12:7).
- Disruption: Satan seeks to disrupt Christian fellowship, worship, and service, aiming to shut down the church’s witness through internal strife or external opposition.
The preacher notes that in Thessalonica, the Jews opposed Paul not on theological grounds but with political accusations (e.g., rejecting Caesar for Jesus), leading to physical persecution. Similar tactics are seen today, with Christians accused of hate crimes or being out of step with modern values (e.g., opposing abortion or evolutionary theory).
4. The Victory Over the Greatest Hinderer
Despite Satan’s efforts, the preacher highlights God’s sovereignty and ultimate victory:
- God’s Sovereignty: Satan’s hindrances were permitted by God for a greater purpose. Just as God allowed Satan to afflict Job but set limits (Job 1-2), He allowed Satan to hinder Paul’s return to Thessalonica.
- The Written Word: Unable to visit in person, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote 1 and 2 Thessalonians. These letters became a “more sure word” (2 Peter 1:19) than even Paul’s physical presence, providing eternal truth to the church. The written Word countered Satan’s lies, affirming Paul’s love and care for the Thessalonians.
- The Church’s Resilience: Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18). Despite persecution, the Thessalonian believers remained steadfast in faith, love, and joy, as reported by Timothy.
- Spiritual Warfare: Believers are called to be vigilant, resisting Satan through faith, prayer, and adherence to God’s Word (Ephesians 6:12). A praying, preaching, and practicing Christian is a threat to Satan, while a prayerless or false Christian poses no challenge.
5. Application and Exhortation
The preacher concludes by urging the congregation to:
- Recognize Satan’s Reality: Understand that Satan is a real, dangerous enemy, not a myth.
- Be Aware of His Strategies: Guard against doubt, discord, deception, destruction, and disruption in personal and church life.
- Trust in God’s Victory: Rely on the sovereignty of God and the power of His Word to overcome Satan’s hindrances.
- Live Faithfully: Be a praying, preaching, and practicing Christian, posing a threat to Satan’s kingdom through a life of faith, love, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Value the Word: Cherish the Bible as God’s inspired, infallible Word, which provides assurance and guidance in the face of spiritual opposition.
The sermon closes with a prayer that the congregation will grasp the reality of Satan’s opposition, resist his tactics, and live victoriously through the power of God’s Word and Spirit.
Key Themes
- Spiritual Warfare: The Christian life is a battle against a real, malevolent enemy.
- God’s Sovereignty: Satan’s actions are under God’s control, and God uses even hindrances for His glory.
- The Power of Scripture: The written Word of God is a sure foundation that overcomes Satan’s lies.
- Faithful Perseverance: Believers must remain steadfast, resisting Satan through faith, prayer, and unity.
This sermon combines doctrinal teaching, biblical exposition, and practical application, delivered with a fervent tone to warn and encourage the congregation in their spiritual journey.
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