Sermon Tone Analysis

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 2000

Virtues of Work

 

Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not.

Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle never know.

/-- Charles Kingsley /

 

Introduction

 

In chapter one Paul comforted the Thessalonians about their suffering.

In chapter two he corrected their understanding about the Day of the Lord.

Then he challenged them regarding Christian living; or living by the truth.

In chapter three he chastises some unruly brethren who were troubling the Church.

Some members of the assembly had misinterpreted Paul’s teachings about the return of Christ, left their jobs, and were living off the generosity of the church.

They were idle while others were working.

Yet they expected the church to support them.

They were also spreading gossip about people in the church.

They had time on their hands and gossip on their lips, but they defended themselves by arguing, /“The Lord is coming soon!”/ Paul expected the whole church to work together in solving this problem.

The church in love must deal with its own members and seek to help each one obey God.

To assist them in this task, Paul gave four motives to encourage the careless believers to turn from their sins and start earning their own bread.

I.

The Exhortation Of The Word  

II.

The Example Of The Apostle

III.

The Encouragement Of The Church

IV.

The Enablement Of The Lord

 

I.

The Exhortation Of The Word

 

*2 Thessalonians 3:6* /But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us./

/ /

The first motivation Paul gives believers for orderly living is a */command/*.

He commands them */to withdraw/* from disorderly brothers.

The word */withdraw/* stellw means */to avoid, to abstain from associating with/*.

This meant that they shouldn't have fellowship with the disorderly.

Paul handed down this order from His commanding officer, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The New Testament Church is sometimes describes as an army.

Jesus Christ is our commanding officer.

Believers are expected to obey His commands.

As soldiers in Christ's army we are called to work together in harmony.

We are to follow the same rules.

We are to conduct ourselves in an orderly way.

The Christian soldier must be disciplined in all areas of life.

He must lead his family well and set a good example in the community also.

Unfortunately some of the Thessalonians weren't doing this.

They were walking in a disorderly way.

*/Disorderly/* ajtaktw" means */irregular, out of step/*.

It described a soldier who was marching out of step with the rest of the battalion.

One who is doing his own thing.

In the army soldiers can be charged for disorderly conduct.

For conduct unbecoming their station.

God commanded Adam to work in the garden of Eden.

He had to dress it for the Lord.

God still expects men today to work so that they can provide for their families.

Some of the Thessalonians weren't doing this.

Therefore Paul commanded the faithful brethren to withdraw from them.

/Why?/

So that they wouldn't be lead astray too.

Paul didn't want this to disorderly conduct to spread; he wanted to stop it.

Application

/ /

/Are you walking in step with your brethren?

Or are you behaving in a disorderly way?

Are you working to support your family?/

God commands us to be disciplined, to work together under one standard.

We are */commanded/* withdraw from unruly brothers.

II.

The Example Of The Apostle

 

The second motivation Paul gives for orderly living is his own example.

/a.

Paul Lived An Orderly Life/

 

*2 Thessalonians 3:7-8* /For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,/

/ /

Paul reminded them how he had lived in an orderly way amongst them.

Paul didn't take the easy life when he ministered at Thessalonica.

He wasn't lazy but instead worked hard to support himself and his ministry team.

*1 Thessalonians 2:9-10* /For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; /Paul had lived a disciplined life with them./

/He loved them and didn't want to burden them with the expense of providing for his needs.

Paul willingly worked to the point of exhaustion to help them.

He didn't take food from his brethren, but fully supported himself.

Paul and his associates lived orderly lives.

These disorderly brethren ought to take note of this.

/ /

/b.

Paul Left A Good Example/

/ /

*2 Thessalonians 3:9-10*/ not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat./

/ /

Leaders Don't Push

 

General Eisenhower used to demonstrate the art of leadership with a simple piece of string.

He'd put it on a table and say: "Pull it and it'll follow wherever you wish.

Push it and it will go nowhere at all."

 

/Why was Paul so keen to leave this sort of example?

Why didn't he ask for support, surely he was entitled to it?

/Yes, Paul did have the right to be supported, he even says so in verse 9.

As an apostle, Paul had the right to expect financial support; but he deliberately gave up this right that he might be an example to the young believers.

In this attitude, Paul proved himself to be a mature Christian leader.

Selfish leaders use people to build up their support, and they are always claiming their rights.

A truly dedicated leader will use his rights to build up the people, and will lay aside his rights and privileges for the sake of others.

Every Christian worker has the right to support from the church as he serves the Lord.

We must not use Paul’s example as an excuse not to support God’s servants.

But any servant of God has the privilege of setting aside that right to the glory of God.

Paul did this so that he might be an example to the young believers in Thessalonica.

Paul left them a good example to follow.

If the apostle Paul worked hard whilst he preached the Gospel shouldn't believers work hard too.