Working Quietly

Actions and consequences illustration - movies and time travel

2 Commands in our text today, both are to believers.

Command #1 - Stay Away from an idle Christian! (vs. 6)

2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

Idle Christians:

possible people who had bought into the DOL happened or coming soon and have stopped working.

This command is to working Christians.

Stay away is:

keep your distance

stand aloof

It is not, shun or treat like an unbeliever.

This sounds harsh though, why would Paul say this? Why would he not just say, live and let live, help them out, etc.

Reason #1 - Christians contribute to society through work. (vs. 7-9)

2 Thessalonians 3:7–9 ESV

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

To not work is to be disobedient to what God designed his people to do from the very beginning.

Genesis 1:28 ESV

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Christians are marked by working for society to flourish in all areas of need.

Christians starting hospitals

Christians starting schools

Christians working for slavery to be abolished

Christians working for abortion to be abolished

Christians are marked by their work ethic in all that they do because we work unto the Lord.

1–2 Thessalonians Do Not Follow the Disorderly but Follow Paul’s Example (3:6–11)

An executive at a London corporation would often pass by an office where several typists worked before the computer era. The executive noticed that one particular woman was more diligent in the way she typed, working faster and taking fewer breaks than the others. After a few weeks, he asked a friend at work why she was so unusually industrious. The friend responded, “Oh, that’s Mildred. She is a Christian.” The executive pondered this and after a few more weeks asked the typist herself why she worked in such indefatigable manner. She responded, “I’m a Christian, and I serve Christ. I work heartily for him, and not merely for my human boss.” This conversation led to the executive investigating the faith further and eventually becoming a Christian. A few years later, he was speaking at a church about his conversion, and someone in the church became a Christian through this address.

Reason #2 - Christians understand that God provides through means. (vs. 10)

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV

10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

Divine Concurrence

Manual of Christian Doctrine B. The Elements of Providence in Particular

Concurrence may be defined as that work of God by which He co-operates with all His creatures and causes them to act precisely as they do

Job, God, Satan, Chaldeans

We cannot separate our work from God’s work. When we do we are saying to Jesus that I am independent from him in this part of my life.

When we understand this truth, we see our work as a response to His work and a way to give thanks to him for His provision.

Reason #3 - Christians know our sinful hearts. (vs. 11)

2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV

11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

Sinful actions come out when idleness happens

Social Media

Retirement

Work for God for your family and in the Church

Serving that takes time and energy.

GOSPEL

Command #2 - Work quietly and earn your living! (vs. 12)

2 Thessalonians 3:12 ESV

12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Command to the idle Christian.

Do your work Quietly and earn your living.

When you are busy you aren’t always in the know.