The Church's Commitment to Righteous Works (2 Thess. 3)

To encourage each of us not to be idle but to be committed to the work of the Lord through this church.

Don’t cower; be confident.

Paul ends his communication to the Thessalonians with a prayer request that the Word of God would advance and be honored (or glorified is more literal- doxa in Greek).

I like how the KJV translates this- “that the Word of the Lord may have free course.”

“He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.” (Psalm 147:15, ESV)

Let me make 2 points on this prayer:

We should constantly communicate the Word of God

The word of the Lord has come; it is complete; we have the responsibility to share it— read it, teach it, give the Bible away.

We cannot just sit on this treasure as if we need to be careful to preserve it.

God has preserved His Word for thousands of years, and is making it readily available in more and more languages still.

The Wycliffe Translators website: In 1999, our leaders realized that at the speed we were going, it would be at least 2150 before a Bible translation could be started for every language that needed one.

As they thought about the people perishing around the world every day without receiving the Good News of the gospel, they felt God calling them to adopt a new goal for accomplishing this mission.

Our leaders committed to do everything we could to see a Bible translation program in progress in every language still needing one by 2025.

Today, at least 2,000 languages still need a Bible translation started, and Wycliffe is working faster than ever to reach those languages as soon as possible.

But it’s not just about passing out Bibles or putting it in different languages. It takes people to take that message and speak it to others.

Paul was doing that. He would go to these different cities, preach the gospel and start churches. Pray that the Word of God would be honored, as it was among the Thessalonians (end of v.1).

There should be no competition in ministry.

Paul is asking another group of believers to pray for faithfulness and success in his own ministry.

Do you realize that there are some who would view that request with disdain? We can get competitive with just about anything, including spreading the gospel.

One local church cannot fulfill the Great Commission. It takes all believers everyone, and we should pray for other churches, ministries, and missionaries.

But we know that spreading the gospel will be met with hostility at times. Paul also asks them to pray that they would be delivered from wicked and evil men.

Why do we often shy away from telling people about Jesus? Fear, but v.3—> [READ]

“For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful.”

Remember this when you face challenges because of your faith.

Remember this when people turn their backs on you or cast you off as crazy.

Remember this when people don’t listen when you share the Truth.

“For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful.”

He will establish you and guard you.

Paul is saying don’t cower; have confidence. How? By remembering that the Lord is faithful.

He prays an incredible prayer in v.5: May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. If that is true, then Paul knew the Thessalonians would continue to do the right things.

What causes you to cower when living out your faith? Challenge those feelings with the Truth that the Lord is faithful. He can help you overcome your insecurities or whatever you feel you lack.

Don’t cower; be confident.

Don’t deviate; be determined.

Command: Don’t deviate from the teachings of scripture & become lazy in the Lord’s work

More specifically, Paul says not to be influenced by a brother who walks in idleness. Keep away from is more a warning against falling into the same pattern of conduct.

“idleness” (ἀτάκτως atáktōs: disorderly. In a disorderly manner, irregularly)

It can mean being out of rank (think military).

The contrast is between being idle and walking in the traditions received from Paul. In other words, Don’t deviate from the teachings of scripture & become lazy in the Lord’s work.

Not a command to totally disassociate themselves from those who are idle.

1 Thess. 5:14 “admonish the idle”

To shun these people would go against the very nature of the gospel they were to follow b/c Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

Paul’s helping them discern how to protect themselves

Follow the example of Paul (v.7-10)

Could have demanded from the Thessalonians as apostles (1 Cor. 9:6-14), but they worked hard and took care of themselves.

V.10--people were becoming lazy and allowing the church to take care of them, being a burden

The problem--v.11— “busybodies” The idea is to bustle about uselessly; to busy oneself about trifling, needless, useless matters.

There’s the sin of slothfulness here— just outright laziness. Laziness shouldn’t be part of the Christian’s life.

But there’s also the realization that busybodies aren’t necessarily about the more important gospel work that needs done. They might appear busy, but they are idle— out of proper order.

Paul encourages those who are idle in v.12 to do their work quietly and earn their living.

And he encourages all people in v.13 not to grow weary in doing good.

If there are some who are growing idle—they’re straying from the straight path of Scripture and being lazy in their service for the Lord— have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

You continue to be faithful and active in serving the Lord. Those who aren’t—leave them alone, and the intention is that they will be ashamed.

Notice that it doesn’t say the faithful must shame the unfaithful—no, the example of the faithful will shame the unfaithful— it’s a passive shaming so to speak. Your faithfulness might be the best encouragement to break the idleness of an unfaithful believer.

Don’t regard him as an enemy; warn him as a brother. And let your example be part of that warning.

Sometimes you can become so distraught with the unfaithfulness of others that you actually start following their example.

You grow weary in doing good. You start slipping away from what the Lord has commanded. Maybe you start believing that there is no reward or no reason to stay faithful.

Maybe in that moment, you need what Paul prays for next: the peace and presence of God (v.16).

Let me end with this encouragement: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Your labor is not in vain.

You might not always see its impact, but it is not lost.

You might think your faithfulness is making no difference to an unfaithful person, but you can’t always measure it.

Be steadfast and immovable. Stay committed to righteous works.

Hymn, My Savior First of All

When my lifework is ended and I cross the swelling tide, When the bright and glorious morning I shall see; I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, And His smile will be the first to welcome me. I shall know Him, (I shall know Him,) I shall know Him, And redeemed by His side I shall stand; I shall know Him, (I shall know Him,) I shall know Him By the print of the nails in His hand.

Do you know what’s so incredible about this hymn? It was written by Fanny Crosby— a woman who was blind. But she knew that one day she would see that bright and glorious morning when she would know her Redeemer.

Every person who has give their life to serving the Lord— when your lifework is ended and you cross the swelling tide, you will see your Savior and everything will have been worth it!

Your faithfulness to Christ is not in vain—you will see Him one day!

Your commitment to serving Him is not in vain— others might see Him because of Your faithfulness.