D. THE CONCERN OF THE APOSTLE. 2:17-20 1. His Heart for the Thessalonians. 2:17 2. His Hindrance by Satan. 2:18 3. His Hope in the Thessalonians. 2:19-20 1. His Heart for the Thessalonians. 2:17 (The Homesick Brother) V.17 a) Desired to Come - I. They were as parents’ taken away from their children, as no one can take away parents hearts from their children, in the same way could Satan not take their hearts for the Thessalonians. II. Like parents that has not seen their children for a while, so they had a great desire to see them. III. Taken away (Gr. Aporphanizo) means to be separated as an orphan. The Thessalonians had become orphans for a short time. 2. His Hindrance by Satan. 2:18 V.18 b) Decided to Come - I. Satan can hinder God’ s messengers. Rom.15:22; 1.Cor.16:9 Only in a limited and controlled way, Job.1:12 where it works for the best of His children. Rom.8:28 II. The Holy Spirit can also hinder, Acts 16:6-7 and He is right now hindering Satan’ s coming messenger - the Antichrist. 2.Thes.2:6-8 3. His Hope in the Thessalonians. 2:19-20 (The Expectant Soul-winner) V.19-20 c) Delivery at His Coming- I. At Christ coming He will give commendations and rewards to the faithful. Matt.25:14-23; Rev.22:12 II. The reward of the saints is measured by what they did to His people. Matt.25:31-40 III. Paul and his co-ministers knew that the Thessalonians would be their - Hope, joy, crown and glory. IV. The crown is not only how far they ran the race but also how far they helped other believers to run the race. It is not just a crown for the head of the faithful but a reward and everlasting joy and glory. V. There are different crowns for the faithful: 1. Incorruptible crown. 1.Cor.9:24-25 A crown for those who run the race and complete the task of God for their lives. 2.Tim.4:7 2. Crown of righteousness. 2.Tim.4:8 A crown given to those who longed for Christ’ s appearing, those who longed for righteousness and only sees Jesus as the fulfiller of that righteousness. Matt.5:6 3. Crown of life. James 1:12; Rev.2:10 A crown for everyone who enters heaven and remained faithful until they died. 4. Crown of glory. 1.Pet.5:4 A crown given to them that were living examples for the Church of God. 5. Crown of rejoicing. 1.Thess.2:19 A crown given to them that builds up the saints and caused them to run the race.