2 Thessalonians 3

CONTEXT - How to live in light of Christ’s return

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 “so that we ourselves boast about you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.”

How to understand suffering in light of Christ’s return

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 “Now we ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken in your mind or be alarmed whether by a spirit or a word or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,”

How to understand understand false teaching that will multiply before Christ’s return

Chapter 3 - How to understand our responsibility while we wait for Christ’s return

OUTLINE - 4 Ways not to be a spiritual couch potato

Keep praying

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 “1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men, for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.

With a concern for unbelievers to be saved v.1

With a concern for God to be glorified v.1

With a concern for the wellbeing of God’s church v.2-3

With full expectation from God since He is faithful v.3

Keep persevering

2 Thessalonians 3:4-5 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5 And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”

In obeying God’s Word v.4

In the love of God v.5

In the steadfastness of Christ v.5

Keep working

2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 “6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who walks in an unruly manner and not according to the tradition which they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we did not act in an unruly manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the authority, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would imitate us.”

To not burden others

1 Timothy 5:8-10 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in affliction, if she has devoted herself to every good work.”

There is a HEFTY requirement to be eligible for financial support by the church.

The church is not unicef.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 “10 For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are walking in an unruly manner, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that working with quietness, they eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers, do not lose heart in doing good.”

To serve others - busybody vs doing good

Our command from God is to WORK

With quietness

1 Timothy 2:12 “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”

It’s our design before sin

Genesis 2:15 “15 Then Yahweh God took the man and set him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”

God works

Genesis 2:1-3 “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. And on the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created in making it.”

Psalm 74:12 “Yet God is my King from of old, Who works deeds of salvation in the midst of the earth.”

Psalm 111:2 “Great are the works of Yahweh; They are sought by all who delight in them.”

Colossians 1:17 “And He is before all things, And in Him all things hold together.”

Philippians 1:6 “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

John 17:4 ““I glorified You on the earth, having finished the work which You have given Me to do.”

Keep pure

2 Thessalonians 3:14-16 “14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take special note of that person to not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually give you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! 17 The greeting is in my own hand—Paul, which is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.”

In obedience

In unity

In peace