THE INSTRUCTED CHILD OF GOD
II Thessalonians 3:1-18
INTRODUCTION
The second coming of Christ is not a doctrine to examine and study; it is a truth to grip our lives and make us better Christians. It is not enough to know about His coming, or to believe it; we must practice it in daily life. Unfortunately, some of the believers at Thessalonica were abusing the doctrine of Christ’s return, and in this final chapter, Paul exhorts them to change their ways.
In chapter three, Paul’s writings deals with present day instructions for Christians. It is good to be prepared for the future; it is wonderful to be obedient in the present.
I. PRAY FOR GOD’S MINISTERS 3:1-5
A. For Their Ministry vs. 1
1. What a tremendous power the believer has in prayer!
a. Though Satan is at work in the world, we can still pray to God and see Him answer!
b. Paul’s request is that they pray for his ministry of the Word
2. The only way to counteract Satan’s lies is with the truth of the Word of God
a. Paul desires to see it “run freely” throughout the world
b. The Word is ignored; Paul yearns to see it glorified
3. The Word did have free course among the believers at Thessalonica, and was being glorified; because they received it and believed it
NOTE: I Thessalonians 2:13
NOTE: II Thessalonians 2:13
B. For Their Deliverance vs. 2
1. He also prays that they might be delivered from wicked men
2. Wherever we take the Gospel, Satan will raise up unreasonable (perverse) and evil men to oppose us
cf. Acts 18:1-12
3. These unbelievers oppose the Word themselves, and even oppose those who would give out the Word
NOTE: “He is faithful” is the watch word of the steadfast Christian
C. The Promise Of The Lord vs. 3
D. The Confidence Of Paul vs. 4
E. The Patient Waiting For The Lord vs. 5
1. The believer needs to be patient as he prays and gives out the Word
a. God is able to give us this patience as we grow in our love for Christ
b. The steward who became impatient as he waited for His Lord had trouble with his heart Matthew 24:42-51
2. Paul tells us to love His appearing II Timothy 4:8
NOTE: Where there is love, there will be patience and hope
II. WITHDRAW FROM UNRULY BRETHREN 3:6-10
A. The Command vs. 6
1. Some of the believers had misapplied the teaching concerning the return of Christ
2. “If the Lord is coming back soon,” they argued, “then we ought to give up our jobs and wait for Him to come!”
NOTE: How foolish men can be when they resist the clear teaching of the Word of God!
3. Paul admonishes the true believers to withdraw from these lazy Christians who are disobeying the Word of God, that the offenders might be ashamed and correct their ways vs. 6,14
4. They should treat them as brothers, not as enemies; but they should not put up with their sin
B. We Have Been Given An Example vs. 8-9
1. He points back to his own teaching and example
2. While with them, Paul had worked with his own hands and supported himself and his co-laborers I Thessalonians 2:9-12, Acts 20:33-35
C. They Have Been Given An Admonition vs. 10
1. He had repeatedly taught them to work faithfully as Christians and care for their own needs
a. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat II Thessalonians 3:10
b. The church cared for those who had honest needs Acts 6, I Timothy 5
2. This is a terrible testimony to non-Christians Colossians 4:5
a. The second coming of Christ ought to impel us to work harder
b. The second coming of Christ ought to impel us to be faithful to obey His Word
III. WITHDRAW FROM DISOBEDIENT MEN 3:11-13
A. Their Actions vs. 11
1. The church is not obligated to help the man who is able to work but who will not
2. Those who refuse to work become busy-bodies; they have time on their hands, and they interfere with other people’s business
NOTE: I Timothy 5:9-16
NOTE: I Peter 4:15
B. Their Instructions vs. 12
1. With quietness we work
2. With quietness we eat our own bread
C. Our Exhortation vs. 13
1. When faithful Christians see unfaithful Christians living as they do, it often discourages them
2. Paul encourages them, “Be not weary in well doing! Don’t give up!”
3. Let’s be found faithful when Jesus comes
III. HEARING AND DOING 3:14-15
A. The Word Of God Is To Be Heard And Obeyed vs. 14
1. The man who refuses to obey what Paul has to say is to be marked by the believers and treated accordingly
2. This is not official church discipline, as in I Corinthians 5, but personal corrective action by individual members of the church
3. We ought not to encourage laziness
4. If each Christian would obey the Word of God, what a better church we would be!
B. Christians Must Have Discernment In Relationships vs. 15
1. Spiritual maturity discerns between brothers and enemies of the Gospel
2. Disagreeing without being disagreeable
3. We win the lost; we love the brethren
a. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34
b. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12
c. These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17
d. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently I Peter 1:22
NOTE: One of the marks of the Thessalonian church was its attitude toward the Word of God. They heard and received the Word, and believed it (I Thessalonians 1:5-6, 2:13), and shared it with others. But over the weeks, some of the believers had become hardened to the Word: they heard it but did not obey it. The evidence of their unbelief and disobedience was seen in the way they lived, and their lives were a disgrace to the church. We must be hearers AND doers of the Word (James 1:22-27).
IV. THE BENEDICTION 3:16-18
A. In Love vs. 16-17
1. Paul’s closing benediction deals with peace and grace
a. How these believers needed peace!
b. They were going through terrible tribulation; some of their number had died; some were living disorderly lives
c. We can have peace in our hearts if we surrender to Christ, believe His promises, and look for His return
d. Nothing will encourage the tested believer like the expectation of Christ’s return!
2. This peace comes from His presence:
a. “The Lord be with you all”
b. This is the God of peace giving us the peace of God Philippians 4:4-9
B. In Grace vs. 18
1. Paul adds his personal signature and his benediction of grace
2. This is the way Paul closed all of his letters, and this was the test of a genuine letter from Paul
3. Satan has his counterfeits and
forgeries, so Paul assures them that this letter is authentic and authoritative
NOTE: I Corinthians 16:21
NOTE: Galatians 6:11
NOTE: Colossians 4:18
CONCLUSION
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments;
For this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Sermon Outlines 