This week we continue with the fourth oldest book in the New Testament as recorded in its publishing. We began with James on our year-long journey chronological study of the New Testament. Hence the reason we are calling this message series Chronos. It's a word that means “time.” We will be journeying through time back to the start of the early church. For the next month we will continue walking through the second book written to those in Thessalonica.
Today, we open to the first chapter of this amazing letter to the church plant in one of the main travel junctions in all the Roman empire. A city of around 300,000 with some upper class but a great deal more working class people. The city was made up of Romans, Greeks and a powerful group of Greek speaking Jews.
The leadership collective (paul, silas and timothy) were sending this letter to the new church plant in Greece as encouragement and to correct some issues that had arisen. Paul had only spent three to four weeks at this house church and as a result, everything he said and taught could be misconstrued. Let’s be real. I know some hear the words on Sunday, read the words on Monday and rarely give the idea of being a witness to the world the rest of the week. Paul is addressing this issue with the new believers in Thessalonica. He gives four ways to motivate these insolent believers to lead a life worthy of their leader - Jesus. Let’s take a listen…
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
From our vantage point a few thousand years later, the word “command” in this verse is authoritarian and controlling. However, when a group has separated from the cultural norm, the leader or leaders have to be concerned about the whole group. Remember, many of the new believers had to leave their temple or families of origin, to be in this group. There was an inner reliance on one another and if one part of the group stops functioning, the rest of the group is in danger.
The Jews honored labor and required all their rabbis to have a trade. The greeks on the other hand despised labor and left it to their slaves. This Greek influence was corrupting the group. The witness of the new Christian sect was at stake.
Paul knew some followers could not work due to physical limitations. Paul was focused on their willingness. When a person cannot work and is in need, we should assist them. But those able bodied people who are unwilling should be sent away until they are willing. This teaching falls in line with both James teaching (2:14-17) and John’s (1 John 3:16-18). Paul’s first way to motivate the insolent believer is to remind them of their commitment and hold them accountable.
As the former prime minister of England, Margret Thatcher once said, “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
Let’s continue…
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 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. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
The second way to motivate the new insolent believer is to be an example. In the same way, the apostle Paul gave of himself. Paul gave up the “right” to be paid for his services in an effort to be an example to those who might come after. A truly dedicated leader will use his rights to build up the people AND give up his rights and privileges, if it helps the lesser. Every Christian worker has the right to support from the body (the church) as He serves the Lord ( Luke 10:7;Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18). However, the greatest influence is that of a Godly leader living and sacrificing for others.
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instructions in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
The third way to motivate the new insolent believer needs to come from the body itself. Paul could have used the idiom from Japan:
“The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”
This saying makes a point that any deviance from the agreed upon norm needs to be met with resistance, In the same way, anything that deviates from the ways of Christ should be met with questions and then tested prior to adoption.
Paul understood the culture of His day and in Thessalonica. Like today, none of us exist in our own hermetically sealed bubble. We are all in this together. People unwilling to work in concert with others would have been AND are detrimental to the movement taking root. Individuality can and does splinter the group from within as well as from those outside. After all, the body of Christ (the church) is the only true witness about the truth of the Messiah. If they were seen as lazy or unloving, the message might be rejected without investigation. They needed to show the culture the best of Christian life.
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. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
The final motivation for the New insolent Believer to conform to the image of Christ even though they:
Reminded of their commitment
Seen the example of the Godly
Experienced the positive effects of unity
Is to invite them to come before the cross again and confess/contemplate the peace of Christ.
If someone is still unwilling to submit and obey the teachings of more mature Christians then as stated in verse 16 - They have never experienced the peace of Christ.
Let’s be real. We all know people who read their bibles, been around the church forever and are part of the community potluck, who don’t act anything like Christ. They are the Christian equivalent to GLUM, the negative guy from Gullivers Travels, "We're Doomed, We're never going to make it!"
Paul was doing his best to be encouraging while knowing, anytime you have a collection of humans together, there is bound to be disputes. It’s normal to disagree. However if there is trouble or conflict in the church, then rest assured there is trouble in somebody’s SPIRITUAL heart, usually a leader.
If Christ is Lord, then there is peace in the heart and peace in the church. Not only does God’s peace enable us to obey Him, but so does His presence.
References: Wiersbe Commentary: p. 204-208;
