2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15
Title: Work till Christ comes: “do what is right”
Introduction: How does Eschatology, the theology concerning the second coming, the Parousia (pah-ro̅o̅-seeʹuh), affect our behavior?
• Talk of the end of the world tend to make people behave strangely; we see sufficient examples in modern American film and media, particularly science fiction genre
• The Church in Thessalonica, established by Paul on his second missionary journey had difficulty dealing with the concept as well. The greater scope of his first letter was that Christ’s return was imminent. They however confused imminent with urgent. The church was largely comprised of Greek converts.
The Biblical Problem:
The Thessalonians became Idle because they thought since Christ’s Return was so imminent that the Could Just Sit back and wait doing nothing and there by staying out of harms way; and this what their culture taught them was the easiest thing to do.
The Biblical Solution:
Paul admonished them in love and correction, maintaining that the example he and his fellow missionaries set for them regarding their work ethic should be observed.
Bridge illustration: 2000 years have past and still, the Parousia has not occurred. I’ve been asked before by a young child “why do we not go to meet Jesus when we get saved, why does He keep us here?” Friends we are still here for a reason. And yes, He will return for us at some point, not even He knows. This contrast is result of much debate and social discord. There are still groups today who put themselves into seclusion to wait out the end. I can see now the reason The Father tells no one, not even His son, when the end will come; When we have a great event in the near future that we are trying to reach out toward through the vastness of time, we loose track of the here and now.
The Contemporary Problem:
Many people do not have the will to work to any extent because they see the coming some major event, a wedding, a graduation and so on, as the beginning of their servitude; much like the early Christians saw the coming of Christ as the start of their existence, putting this earthly life on hold.
Thesis: Your work reflects who your are, so put forth the greatest effort to make the most impact in your Life by following Paul’s example; remember, vocation is ministry more so that ministry is vocation
Transition to body: So the question to ask is: Why do we need to work till Christ comes? Why NOW?
Body
I. Point: It is our duty to maintain a degree of order in our lives through our labor, that we do not become a burden to others.
a. 2 Thess. 3:6-10-6 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. 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 make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
b. Exposition of text: Orderliness is associated with good work ethics.
i. Interpretation: What the NIV translates in v.6 as “idle” is from the Gk literally means “disorderly life” or “walking out of ranks”
And again the contrasting word in v.7, at•ak•teh•o: essentially meaning “to behave ones self orderly”
ii. Application: Paul considered the church to be like an army; and if the army does not obey their orders, there can be no victory. Unfortunately, some of the saints were “out of rank” This was not the first time they had been warned either- 1 Thes. 5:14.
14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
We see here a contrast of culture as well; The Jews honored honest labor and required all their rabbis to have a trade. But the Greeks despised manual labor and left it to their slaves. This Greek influence, plus their wrong ideas about the doctrine of the Lord’s return, led these believers into an unchristian way of life. The Hellenist lifestyle that was founded after the expansion of the Macedonian empire under Alexander was one of “anything is good if it makes you feel good”. This is what is referred to as “Hedonism”
c. Illustration: Order and discipline usually do not feel good. Think about a spanking when you were little. It made the point, and it stopped you from doing whatever wrong you were doing, but it did not feel good. This is perhaps the reason we in our culture today, not unlike the Greeks of the Church in the bustling sea port of Thessalonica, reject order in favor of “if it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad” as it was put my a popular music artist in the 90’s.
I love to read about military campaigns. I discovered an interesting tactic that seems to span most cultures in their military endeavors: The enemy will always try to take out the officers of an army on the battle front first. So in defense, often armies will not provide any special kind of uniform or other form of attire that makes the commanding officers stand out. Why do they try to take out the opposing officers first though, why not the infantry or the snipers? Because the officers are who bring order to the regiments. With out order, they are doomed to fail.
d. Transition: In battle, if the opposing forces manage to take out the officers, the soldiers then tend to become uncoordinated; they butt into each other and get in each other’s way. This too is a danger of “and undisciplined life” among believers.
II. Point: Idleness leaves us open to dangers otherwise not present when we are busy “doing what is right”
a. 2 Thess. 3:11-13-11 We hear that some among you are idle. 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 bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
b. Exposition of text: The Biblical definition of a busy body would be “always working but doing nothing”
i. Interpretation: The Gk term used in the text here means quit literally to bustle about uselessly, to busy one’s self about trifling, needless, useless matters. used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about other’s affairs. Young’s literal translation words it “nothing working, but over working”
ii. Application: It’s is a simple truth that if we don’t take care of our own affairs, we will start trying to take care other’s affairs. This is dangerous. When we start spinning our wheels so to speak, we open ourselves up for a host attacks from the enemy, From Satan.
c. Illustration: Almost every culture has its saying about idleness. The Romans said, “By doing nothing, men learn to do evil.” Isaac Watts wrote: “For Satan finds some mischief still, for idle hands to do.” The Jewish rabbis taught, “He who does not teach his son a trade, teaches him to be a thief.” In contrast, Have you noticed that God called people who were busy at work? Moses was caring for sheep (Ex. 3). Joshua was Moses’ servant before he became Moses’ successor (Ex. 33:11). Gideon was threshing wheat when God called him (Jud. 6:11ff), and David was caring for his father’s sheep (1 Sam. 16:11ff). Our Lord called four fishermen to serve as His disciples, and He Himself had worked as a carpenter.
d. Transition: So what then is the manner work we are to do till Christ comes? What was Paul speaking of when he said “never tire of doing what is right” v.13
III. Point: A quiet, orderly life is the key to living void of idleness as prescribed by Paul.
a. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)
b. Exposition of text: He gives the command in 2 Th. 3v.13, “never tire of doing what is right” In Galatians 6:9 the reason given is because “we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Souls will be won for Christ if we will not give up and do the work that is needed, here, now.
i. Interpretation: hay•soo•khee•ah is the Gk word used by Paul to describe the lifestyle that ought to be lived by the Thessalonian believers, and by us. The word means quite literally: one who does his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others.
ii. Application: We as children of God live lives that are viewed by nonbelievers constantly as the standard for living in which out faith demands. A life of meddling in other’s affairs, leaching off others, and using our faith as an excuse is not what is going to win the lost to Christ. So you ask the question: what will?
c. Illustration: Paul sets forth an example in his own life: Paul actually had the right to accept gifts and not work on his own if he chose, but for the purpose of setting a good example, he worked and labored to support himself that he would not have to burden the people of the cities he evangelized. He made a choice, he chose to “do what is right”
; Early in life, Paul learned a trade, probably from his father. The trade was tent making and other leatherwork (Acts 18:3). Practice of this trade provided Paul later with means to support his missionary activity (1 Thess. 2:9; 1 Cor. 9:6).
d. Transition to conclusion: Work is not always easy. I have worked full time my entire way through college, and I’m in my first year of my Masters. I’ve worked for the same company the entire time, 7 years. But I’ll tell you this, my work has shaped who I am today. I me my soon to be wife at work even. I have been blessed with the opportunity to reach more people with the Gospel that I ever would in a congregational setting. Work is hard, and so is the Christian life. Christ did not die so that our lives might be hedonistic. He died that we might be redeemed from this life, and the sin that has corrupted this world that we were born into.
Conclusion
Restate the thesis: Your work reflects who your are, so put forth the greatest effort to make the most impact in your ministry by following Paul’s example; remember, vocation is ministry more so that ministry is vocation
Recap points:
It is our duty to maintain a degree of order in our lives, that we do not become a burden to others
Idleness leaves us open to dangers otherwise not present when we are busy “doing what is right”
A quiet, orderly life is the key to living the Christian life void of idleness as prescribed by Paul.
Spear: The truth is if your not doing the Lord’s works, your doing someone else’s. “A servant cannot serve two masters” The lyrics of a song I found in doing my research expound on this truth.
idle hands are the devil’s playthings
by will oldham
(from There is No One What Will Take Care of You)
Idle hands are the devil’s playthings
The devil’s playthings, the devil’s playthings
Idle hands are the devil’s playthings
The devil lives deep down
Deep down among the fiery rafters
Eternal screamers, unsainted sinners
Those who let their souls get the best of them
And now they live deep down
Point of appeal: Get right with Christ today friends; never tire of doing what is right. We reap what we sow, is your harvest worthy? Our work is hard, but our boss, our master, is the greatest.
