Introduction

B. WE ARE TO SERVE WITH STRONG CONFIDENCE (v.18)

“Because we wanted to come to you — I, Paul, again and again— BUT SATAN HINDERED US”.

Yes, God indeed has the power to stop Satan. But God in His wisdom allows it for at least FOUR reasons:

1. To allow evil to run its course, that His GRACE might be fully revealed
2. That God’s WISDOM AND WILL be ultimately glorified
3. To build and deepen our faith
4. Most importantly, God has ALREADY intervened in time-space history – THROUGH THE CROSS!!

C. WE ARE TO SERVE WITH STEADFAST CHEER (v.19)

“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?”

If we are not careful, soon enough, four deadly spiritual conditions creep in:

1. Living for self rather than living for God
2. Living for the temporal rather than living for the eternal
3. Living in the flesh rather than living in the Spirit
4. Living from the outside-in rather than living from the inside-out

Conclusion

Power up and power through – as we keep our eyes on the Guide!