A Letter Of Encouragement- Act Right Series

Series: Action [#64]

A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT- ACT RIGHT

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Introduction:

My Student Assistant is on his way to college. I am really excited for him; but I will miss his help. On his last day, he thanked me for teaching him how to do several work tasks; and for some life’s lessons. The main lesson I taught him was- If she is crazy, run away fast. This was a warning for him to remember.

Paul ended this letter with a warning. It is interesting to me that this warning is at the end. Why would it be at the end of this letter? I believe it is because it was a serious problem that needed to be handled; but Paul wanted it to be on their mind when they got finished reading this letter. The warning was against idleness. What is idleness? It is being lazy, not doing anything, hanging out, etc…

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

We are warned to…

1. Not associate with lazy people.

Why should you stay away from lazy people? Because the things they do will “rub off” on you. The Church in Thessalonica was turning into a welfare center for the lazy. Paul tells us to not allow them to use us and take from everyone while they do nothing. Paul and the other ministers worked long hours as they ministered and also worked secular jobs. Although these ministers deserved to be paid full time by the Church, they chose to not receive a salary from the Church. They were an example to the Church in how to work hard; and they wanted that to spread through the Church. The bottom line was, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.”

2 Thessalonians 3:11-12

We are warned to…

2. Not be a “busy-body”.

When people have nothing productive to do, they will find something to use up their time. One of the most popular things to do is “get up into someone else’s business.” Paul tells them to encourage these idle people to settle down, get back to work, and earn their keep. We need to stay busy.

2 Thessalonians 3:13-15

We are warned to…

3. Not get tired of doing what is good.

It is easy to get the attitude of, “If you can’t beat them, join them”. Paul is saying, “Keep going, don’t conform to the wrong things; but keep pushing for that which is good.” For those who refuse to get to work, we are told to not associate with them; but not to treat them as an enemy. We are to warn them about their behavior out of love; and we should desire to see them change.

Conclusion:

Paul ends this letter with his final greeting.

2 Thessalonians 3:16-18