2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
Key verse 3:1
" Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."
The Thessalonian Church was a young church. Paul stayed with them for about a month. He had tremendous success that the Jews were enraged and raised so much trouble that he had to be smuggled out, in peril of his life, to Beroea. Timothy visited Paul and gave a report about how they were doing. Based on his report, Paul wrote 1 and 2 Thessalonians to address three things: To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution, instruct them concerning holy living and correct any misunderstanding about the second coming of Christ. In this last chapter, Paul reveals his hearts desire: The gospel may spread rapidly and be honored. When the gospel is honored, it totally redefines our worldview. In this chapter, it redefines our view of work. We work not because we have to, but because of our love for Christ. May the gospel be honored in your life.
First, the gospel may be honored. What was Paul's urgent prayer request? Look at verse 1, "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you." Here the "message of the Lord" refers to the gospel. Simply, it is the message of what the lord has done to purchase our salvation. He ask them to pray that the gospel may run well, run fast and wherever it goes, it may have a 'glorious reception'. In other words, it may be honored in the lives of those who hear the word. It may be honored, in culture, in government, and every aspect of human life love, marriage, finances, etc. However, the reality is not everyone will accept. There will be wicked and evil men who will oppose it. The reason is in verse 2, "not everyone has faith". It takes faith to accept we are sinners in need of the gospel. It takes faith to believe that we are only saved through Jesus Christ alone. It takes faith that we don't have all the answers.
Regardless of the outcome, Paul believed God will fulfill his plan and purpose. Look at verse 3-5 "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." Here Paul expresses his confidence in God's faithfulness and love. He did not put his confidence in his formidable intellect, charisma, nor his coworkers, nor the converts at Thessalonica. He was not even alarmed by wicked and evil men. His confidence was in God alone. He believed God will work out everything for the good. Nothing can thwart the work of God. In the end, God will be glorified.
When the Great revolution burst upon the unhappy land of France in the 18th century, the streets ran red with blood. The guillotine worked overtime cutting the heads of the aristocracy and clergy. In England, the conditions were just as bad as in France. England was also ripe for a revolution. Then came the brothers John and Charles Wesley came with the gospel. The gospel spread rapidly and was honored. Millions turn to Christ. The historian W. E. Lecky wrote "The Methodist revival saved England from bloody revolution." What saved England was not the British Army but the work of the Holy Spirit. John Wesley preached 42,000 sermons traveling 250,000 miles. That is like traveling from the east to the west of the US 83 times! Charles his brother was a musician and a worship leader. He wrote 6,000 hymns. The gospel lead great social improvements during the industrial revolution. There was a great revival missionaries were sent to carry the good news to other lands. Let us pray the gospel may spread rapidly and be honored in our church, our family and our nation.
Second, work as your expression of love for Christ. In verses 6-14, Paul addresses an issue that plagued the church. It had to do with work. He teaches them a gospel-centered view of work. There were three groups that disturbed the Thessalonian church: 1. The false teachers 2. The persecutors 3. The loafers or the idle. Look at verse 6 "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us." The word idleness comes from the Greek word for "being disorderly" or "out of line" as in a military march. As Paul mentioned they do not live according to the teachings they received from him. Throughout this section, there is a military ring to Paul's tone. He repeats the words 'command' and 'obey' five times. These are usual terms for 'the commands given by the officer to this men'. Paul's words are very strong. It was so serious that he commanded them to "keep away from every brother who is idle" and "do not associate with them". He was concern their influence would be like cancer within the church.
Paul was not addressing those who could not work due to a handicap or those who could not find jobs. Rather he was more concern with those able-bodied people who have an opportunity to work, but absolutely refuse to do so. There were many reasons for the idleness within the church. Among them were some high-class Greeks, who disdain manual labor. Some had the belief that Jesus is coming again so they didn't have to work. Others were just plain lazy and were sponging off the generous members of the church. This issue was causing fights, divisions among the church members. According to verse 11, they were busy in a different way. They were busybodies, which means "to be busy about in useless matters." They were busy meddling in people's affairs. They were not a blessing but a burden. When they came around, families locked the door and pulled down the shades. Paul had told them in his first letter to return to work, but evidently they refuse to listen.
According to Paul, the refusal to work is out of line of the gospel message they taught them (6). Ultimately, they were not rejecting Paul, but Christ himself. What does God say about work? Genesis 2:15 says "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." God created man to work and be a steward of the world. Exodus 20:9,10 says "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God." Eph 2:10 reads, "we were created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." The book of Proverbs is devoted to warnings against idleness and laziness. Idleness has caused the downfall of people and nations. 2 Samuel 11 records the account of David who fell into idleness. Instead of leading his men into battle, he stayed home and became idle. As a result, he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband to cover up his sin.
Our modern culture is also infected by the disease of idleness. Most people don't have the right view of work. They consider work a curse. It is considered a bad four letter word. We always look forward to the weekends and we hate Mondays. There is a saying "TGIF: Thank God it is Friday" Basically, it is saying "Thank God I can be idle." Even if they are at work, they spend their day in unproductive things. A survey from careerbuilder.com says 51 percent of workers spend idle time on social networks during the work day. 11% over 1 hr or more. There are many able-bodied people who can work but refuse to do so depending on the government. They expect a bail out or a handout thus increasing the national debt. Because of our fallen nature, our default is to be idle. We want to take advantage of our employer, we want to sponge off the government and others. We need the holy spirit to work in our hearts.
How did Paul view work? Look at verses 7-10 "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'" When Paul came to Thessalonica he was not idle. Since he was one of the apostle, he could have demanded special treatment. He had a right to such help and some monetary fees for his services. When former president, Bill Clinton spoke at the UC-Davis, he was paid $100,000. But Paul did not charge anything. Rather he paid for everything! He paid for the food and lodging. While serving the ministry, he worked by making tents to supply his needs as well as his coworkers. He made up his mind not to be a burden to others. he wanted them to make himself a model for others to follow. Paul borrowed from an old common workshop saying 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.' ESV reads "anyone unwilling to work". If a person doesn't work, he might as well starve to death. Animals work hard to gather food to survive. If he doesn't work, then he is not even a human being.
Paul said he wanted set his work ethics as a model for them to follow. Where did his model come from? In 2 Cor. 15:10, Paul says he works hard because of the "grace of God". He works as an expression of God's grace. Psalm 66:5 says "Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!" Since the creation, the trinity (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit) has been at work. God worked through creation for man's behalf. When man sinned and rebelled against God, God worked to find a way to redeem man from sin. God worked to shepherd a nation of slaves to a kingdom of priests. In just the right time, God sent his son to complete the work of salvation for man's behalf. Jesus was king of kings and lord of Lords, so he should have been served hand and foot. His hands were callous and bruised working as a carpenter. During his ministry, he worked long hours to serve the crowds and his disciples. Finally, he worked hard to carry the cross to Calvary. While he was on the cross, he worked to provide for his mother and his disciples. Jesus did not even ask to be bailed out from the pain and suffering. Even after his resurrection, he worked hard to restore his fearful disciples. God is also working through the Holy Spirit. He is a counselor who hears our prayers and needs. He is working to this day sanctify his children who await for Jesus second coming. All Jesus' labor in life and death was for our behalf. It was his expression of love for us. It was for our salvation. We know to love the unlovable, takes a lot of work. How much more did God work to save us! It cost him his own son.
Because of what Christ has done, it gives work a whole new meaning and perspective. Look at verse 12 "Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. The ESV version reads "their work quietly and to earn their own living". From this verse, we learn there are two types of work. There is work that leads to rest and quiet. There is also work that leads to restlessness. Generally, people work to get better status, higher pay, the house, the HDTV, impress another person, etc. There is nothing wrong with these things. But if that is our ultimate purpose for work, then it leads to restlessness, because it is never enough and never satisfies. Work becomes an idol. It becomes our means of salvation, security and self-worth. In the end, it leads to restlessness. There are many tragic stories of how people lost their jobs and committed suicide. On the other hand, there is a work that leads to real rest. In other words, it quiets the soul. This comes when you realize how God worked so hard for your behalf by sacrificing his one and only son for your salvation. You don't need to prove your worth by your pay grade, car you drive, etc. Rather, your worth is based on the works of Christ. Your salvation, security and self-worth is not in your job, but Christ alone. It gives a whole new meaning to work. Work is no longer a curse but a sacred duty before God. Colossians 3:23 reads "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men". It becomes a means to express our love for Christ and to serve others. Our souls find rest and contentment. All of us here at West Loop have a variety of occupations. Regardless of what we do, we can work as an act of worship. Students work hard in school as an act of worship. A father works hard at his job to support his family as an act of worship. A teacher can teach difficult and unruly students as an act of worship.
Suppose there are those who absolutely don't listen to instruction. Look at 14 "If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed." Church discipline is often looked with distaste. But it is necessary. At the same time, Paul was very mindful. In the world, if someone is not doing their job, loafing around. There is no mercy. They will be fired! The spirit of discipline should be one that is done gently and prayerfully. It should be done with great humility. To "feel ashame" is to lead them to repentance. Paul's intention is not that he be excluded from the community, but reinstated in it.
Third, The Lord of Peace. Paul ends the chapter with God's blessing. In spite of all the problems within the church, he prays the Only Jesus peace can bring an end to the Thessalonian conflict. All Churches struggle with a myriad of issue, theological, social, etc. There are generational struggles, racial issues, etc. Reconciliation can only be by the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Look at 16 "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."
In this passage, we learn Paul's main prayer is the gospel may spread rapidly and be honored. Our main prayer for our church is that the gospel may be the center of our church, community, family and daily life. We also learn that work is the expression of our love for Christ. This work leads to true rest and quiet in our souls. Finally, we learn ultimately, we need the Lord of Peace in our life. Through Christ, we can resolve any conflicts we face in life.