The apostle Paul had encouraged the believers in chapter one. He had given them 'Enlightenment upon the doctrine of the 'day of the Lord' and the return of Christ in chapter two. Now in this final chapter, Paul gives the believers some practical advice and exhortations. This advice is not just for the church at Thessalonica, but it is certainly applicable to us today.
I. Prayer and Patience v1-5
A. Be praying
1. Pray for the ministry (v1)
a. That the Word of the Lord might go forth unhindered.
1) Even though Satan is at work in this world, we can still pray and see God answer.
2) The only way to counteract Satan's lies is with the truth of God's Word
3) Paul asked them to pray that the Word might have free course or run freely, unhindered
b. Like it did in Thessalonica
(1 Th 2:13) "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
1) In only a few short weeks of ministry there God had worked mightily through His Word
2) So it was that God's Word was glorified through the lives of those who received it.
2. Pray for the minister (servant) (v2)
a. No one wins the battle alone.
1) There has never been a preacher used of God who was not supported in prayer by God's people
2) No matter how talented, gifted, or intelligent a man may be (and Paul was certainly all of these) he still needs God's people praying for him.
3) The majority of God's work is done not on our feet, but on our knees!
b. Paul had told them to pray.
1) For their deliverance from unreasonable and wicked men.
2) The believers in Thessalonica were going through very difficult times, but they needed to remember that they weren't the only ones who were having trouble.
3) It will help us when we are going through trials, if we remove our focus from ourselves and place it upon the needs of others.
B. Be patient
1. Through our confidence in God. (v3-4)
a. He is faithful
b. He will establish us - will stabilize us
c. He will protect us from evil
d. He will work through us as we are obedient to Him
2. In the love of god (5a)
a. In the midst of their trials, Paul admonishes them to not forget to love the Lord.
b. The Lord is more interested in our hearts than in what we do or say.
c. If He has our love, everything else will fall in line.
3. In waiting for his return (5b)
a. Once again Paul sets before them the goal of the Christian's expectation.
b. Jesus Christ!
c. Note: Titus 2:13
(Titus 2:13) "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" c. We should face each day with the realization that Jesus could return before that day ends.
II. Working and Eating v6-12
A. The command to separate (v6)
1. Not an option! Nor a suggestion!
2. God commands it "in the name of our lord Jesus Christ"
3. Note the basis for this separation
a. 'Every brother that walketh disorderly among you'
1) Disorderly = unruly, not keeping order, insubordinate
2) Those who were out of line in their Christian life
3) These were the members who had quit their jobs and had become a burden on the rest of the brethren.
b. 'Every brother that walketh ... Not after the tradition which he received of us'
1) Paul had instructed the church about this in the first epistle
(1 Th 4:11-12) "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; {12} That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
(1 Th 5:14) "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."
2) Since they refused to submit to the truth as God's messenger had delivered it, they were to be disciplined.
B. The example of Paul (v7-9)
1. They had followed Paul's example in the beginning.
2. However, because of deception and false teaching, some had been moved in their belief and practice.
3. Paul reminds them of the example he had set for them while he was with them.
a. He paid for his own meals
b. He worked night and day to pay his own way
c. Not because he had to do it, but for their sakes, so not to become a burden to them.
C. The principle restated (v10-12)
"If any would not work, neither should he eat."
1. A philosophy that has grown in popularity these days is that the world owes us a living.
a. The growing number of government social programs has intensified this.
b. Unfortunately, many people have adopted the attitude of "why work?"
c. We shouldn't oppose programs that help others, but we need to be careful not to embrace the wrong philosophy toward work!
2. Paul commands believers to carry their own weight and not to become a burden on others. v10
a. By withdrawing from them through discipline, the disorderly brethren would lose their free meal ticket.
b. They would be forced to reconsider their actions and go to work or starve.
c. Note: the example of men laid-off from their jobs: as long as they had unemployment compensation pay they were not in any hurry to find a job, but when that was gone they were working in order to put food on the table!
3. Their idleness led to other problems v11
a. They became "busybodies"
b. Usually the type of person who doesn't mind his or her own business is trying to take care of someone else's.
c. "Idle hands are the Devil's work shop" it isn't scriptural, but it is true!
4. Paul exhorts them to do right v12
a. Quietly go back to work…
b. And provide for their own needs.
c. They don't need to make a big deal about it, just do it!
III. Hearing and Doing v13-15
A. Keep on keeping on. (v13)
1. Paul addresses the rest of the brethren
2. Be not weary in well doing
a. Don't get tired of doing right
b. We can grow weary: physically we get tired in the ministry…
c. However, the admonishment is to keep on.
(Gal 6:9) "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
B. Do what we have been commanded (v14-15)
1. Mark those who are disobedient
2. Break fellowship with them
3. Discipline in love with the purpose of bringing to repentance and producing a change in the disorderly brother.
4. Church discipline has been misunderstood and misused in many cases.
5. The purpose is not to make enemies, but to gain brothers.
(Mat 18:15) "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
IV. Paul's closing remarks v16-18
A. Prayer of peace for all (16)
B. Genuine authorship (17)
C. Grace for the journey of life (18)
Some excellent practical advice for each of us this evening. We need to heed Paul's advice about prayer and patience, also about the principle of work, and being obedient to what God, in His Word, has commanded us to do.
Are you praying for this ministry? And for this pastor? Are you carrying your share of the responsibilities around here? Are you in obedience to what God wants you to do? Why not come tonight and yield yourself to Him. Come and re-commit your life to Him. Jesus is coming soon, are we looking for Him tonight?