2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
But we command you, brethren, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
withdraw from every brother who walks
disorderly and not according to the tradition
which he received from us. For you
yourselves know how you ought to follow
us, for we were not disorderly among you;
nor did we eat anyone's bread free of
charge, but worked with labor and toil night
and day, that we might not be a burden to
any of you, not because we do not have
authority, but to make ourselves an
example of how you should follow us. For
even when we were with you, we
commanded you this: If anyone will not
work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that
there are some who walk among you in a
disorderly manner, not working at all, but
are busybodies. Now those who are such
we command and exhort through our Lord
Jesus Christ that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread.
I. Associations Matter
I see two principles at play here!
1 Corinthians 15:33 says:
""Do not be deceived: “Evil company
corrupts good habits.""
Paul warns that we shouldn't hang out with
Christians who are living disorderly lives.
Don't treat them like enemies, but don't
hang out with them!
Why not!?
You'll be influenced and they'll be enabled!
II. Imitate Godly Men
"For you yourselves know how you ought
to follow us, for we were not disorderly
among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread
free of charge, but worked with labor and
toil night and day, that we might not be a
burden to any of you, not because we do
not have authority, but to make ourselves
an example of how you should follow us.
For even when we were with you, we
commanded you this: If anyone will not
work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that
there are some who walk among you in a
disorderly manner, not working at all, but
are busybodies. Now those who are such
we command and exhort through our Lord
Jesus Christ that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread."
Paul said; "We had the right to ask for
support, but we chose not to when we were
with you! We worked at our trades!"
In 1 Corinthians 9 he wrote:
""For it is written in the law of Moses, “You
shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out
the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned
about? Or does He say it altogether for our
sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is
written, that he who plows should plow in
hope, and he who threshes in hope should
be partaker of his hope. If we have sown
spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if
we reap your material things? If others are
partakers of this right over you, are we not
even more? Nevertheless we have not
used this right, but endure all things lest we
hinder the gospel of Christ. Do you not
know that those who minister the holy
things eat of the things of the temple, and
those who serve at the altar partake of the
offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has
commanded that those who preach the
gospel should live from the gospel. But I
have used none of these things, nor have I
written these things that it should be done
so to me; for it would be better for me to die
than that anyone should make my boasting
void. For if I preach the gospel, I have
nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid
upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach
the gospel!""
Paul taught that men who give their lives to
teaching the Word and sharing the Gospel
are intended by God to receive support
from those they teach!
But he traveled from city to city planting
new works and chose to support himself,
for the most part, as he did that!
I did the same thing for 14 years!
Christians are called to be givers, not
takers!
Paul says that in Thessalonica he chose to
work for the purpose of living as an
example!
In the Greek culture manual labor, like tentmaking, was considered to be beneath a
good man!
But Paul was a leader, an educated man, a
scholar, and he rolled up his sleeves!
Verse 10-12: "
For even when we were with you, we
commanded you this: If anyone will not
work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that
there are some who walk among you in a
disorderly manner, not working at all, but
are busybodies. Now those who are such
we command and exhort through our Lord
Jesus Christ that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread."
If you have decent health, get a job!
"But there's nothing available!"
Work at McDonalds, Starbucks, Publix,
anything you can find until something opens
up in your field!
You are called to be...
III. Real Deals
Men and women who other men and
women can safely look to and follow!
Brian Vanderkodde in Peru....
"But we command you, brethren, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
withdraw from every brother who walks
disorderly and not according to the tradition
which he received from us. For you
yourselves know how you ought to follow
us, for we were not disorderly among you;
nor did we eat anyone's bread free of
charge, but worked with labor and toil night
and day, that we might not be a burden to
any of you, not because we do not have
authority, but to make ourselves an
example of how you should follow us. For
even when we were with you, we
commanded you this: If anyone will not
work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that
there are some who walk among you in a
disorderly manner, not working at all, but
are busybodies. Now those who are such
we command and exhort through our Lord
Jesus Christ that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread."
In other words, mind your own business,
work hard, don't mooch off of others, and
don't enable others to behave that way!
Questions:
Associations matter
Who do you hang out with? How do your
relationships influence your life?
1. Corinthians 15:33
What does the Bible refer to here when it
speaks of living a disorderly lifestyle?
This passage talks about Christians. How
does Paul say we should behave toward
disorderly Christians?
II. Imitate godly men
How do you find a godly man to imitate?
Describe a godly man in today's world.
What does it mean to be willing to do
whatever it takes, for God?
Tell a story about how you have done what
ever it takes in your physical and/or spiritual
lives.
When have you given of yourself and your
resources for your faith?
Do you meet your obligation to help those
in the church family that can not help
themselves?
III. Be the real deal
How do you live all of this out in your day to
day life?
What can you do to do a better job at this,
than you are today?
Are you open to letting God use you?