3 Debilitating conditions in the Church; Discouragement, Deception, and Disobedience.
2 Thessalonians 3
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
6 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 [a]he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread [b]free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and [c]exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this [d]epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but [e]admonish him as a brother.
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every [f]epistle; so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
III. Disobedience (3:1-15)
People used to ask me, “What are you preaching about today?” And I had a standard answer; “Sin” and they ask, “what about sin?” and I’d say, “I’m agin it.”
That’s an old preacher joke. I don’t get asked much about what I’m preaching anymore. But there is something very true in that interchange. A lot of the time, maybe even most of the time, when we spend time studying, preaching the Word of God, the topic is some sin to avoid.
Why do we do that? Because the sum total of the purpose of any life is to bring glory to God. If you are not a believer, that means repenting of sin and placing your faith in Jesus Christ.
If you are a believer, bringing glory to God means, as one Christian comedian put it; “Doing the dos, and not doing the don’ts.” In other words, avoiding the sins of commission and omission.
And so, sermons and Bible lessons are designed to teach us how to avoid sin. And the role of the Church is to help the believers in it to avoid sin and disobedience. Because they tarnish the glory of God shining in us.
Last week;
So, first, what was going on in the church of Thessalonica?
A. What’s the problem in Thessalonica?
Clues in the passage
6 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 [a]he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread [b]free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
What’s going on here? There are people who are not working. They are sponging off of other believer’s charity. Now, we have some understanding of this. We know that the early church did a lot more to support some of its members than we do. And there was a reason for that. First, there were some who were unable to work and provide for themselves, particularly widows. And the church in the book of Acts set up a system to ensure that they ate every day. They had their needs, that they were unable to meet, met.
Colossians 3:23-24 exhorts us: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (NIV).
Oswald Chambers summed it up well: "God comes into our mortal flesh and we do our ordinary work, in an ordinary setting, among ordinary people, as we would do it for Him."
In the 1600s, there lived a monk named Brother Lawrence whose job was dishwashing. He learned a profound truth that God's presence could be experienced even in the grind of daily, routine work. "For me," he wrote, "the time of activity does not differ from the time of prayer…in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are calling together for as many different things, I possess God in as great a tranquility as when upon my knees at the blessed Sacrament." He found no urgency for retreats, because in his mundane tasks, he met the same God he loved and worshiped as in the stillness of the desert.
So, Paul has to address this problem. The prep work; approach them humbly, positively, in view of their relationship to God
A. Approach them humbly
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified,
I think it is interesting that Paul starts this last chapter about disobedience by asking for the prayers of the Thessalonian believers. Here we have the apostle Paul, about to address a big issue about people in the church not working, sponging off of other believers, and he starts that section by saying, “Pray for us.” We need your prayers. We covet your prayers.
Why does he start with that? Because he knows that the work they are doing depends entirely on God. He knows that in his flesh, he is prone to failure. And he knows that God answers prayers. So, he is dependent on them. That is a very humble place to start a conversation about disobedience.
And we to, if we ever need to talk to a fellow believer about sin in their lives, should begin with an attitude of humility, not arrogance. Remember what Jesus said,
Matthew 7:2-4 2 For with what [a]judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
B. positively; Approach them with a positive message first
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Look at what Paul says to them before he pinpoints the disobedience among them. He says that he wants them to pray for them, “that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,”
He is pointing out how quickly they came to faith back when Paul, Silas and Timothy first came to Thessalonica. Remember that story?
Acts 17: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
They reasoned with them over 3 sabbath days. That is 2 to 3 weeks. Over 3 weeks time they were convinced to leave follow Jesus Christ and be baptized. And remember that after 3 weeks, those who didn’t believe managed to drive Paul and his team out of town.
And yet, despite the fact that the preachers were gone, and the persecutors were still there, they held on to that faith.
So, Paul says here, “Pray for us that the gospel will go out in other cities the great way that it went with you guys!”
What other positive thing did he say?
He is about to give them directions for dealing with disobedient people in their church. And he says this;
4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
We know that you have a good and obedient spirit. We know you want to do what is right and righteous.
And when we go to another believer who is being disobedient, we should not only do so with humility, but also with a positive message first. We go, reminding them of who they are in Christ.
C. Approach them based on their relationship to God
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Three times here he draws their attention back to God. He reminds them that it is not Paul’s Word, or rules that they should live up to, but God’s. And even if Paul doesn’t succeed in persuading them to obey, God will. Look at what he says.
the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
we have confidence in the Lord concerning you
may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
And we should do the same thing. First, we need to be sure that the issue we’re addressing is a “sin against God” issue, not an “I don’t like the way you do things issue.” We all have personality differences. But differences in personality are not sin.
This may take a little Bible study on your part. But look at what else this means. Once we know that what they are doing is truly sin, or disobedience, as defined by Scripture, we go to them and remind them that God is working to correct their behavior. You may be the means by which the message is delivered, but it’s ultimately God to whom they are accountable. And He will deal with their sin, even if the church doesn’t.
the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
we have confidence in the Lord concerning you
may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Now, that was the prep work. Now we have the actual dealing with disobedience part.
E. Seven parts to dealing with disobedience
1. Confront them
That’s what Paul has been doing by this letter. He says,
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and [c]exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
This is Paul’s second confrontation.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
He had to say this before. Apparently, there had been a problem before. He confronted it. And some still refused to stop the behavior. So, he confronts it again. And this time may have been more public than the last time.
We are taught by our Lord to go in private first.
Matthew 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.
But this had become a public issue. And an occasion of direct disobedience, so Paul takes it to the church. Can you imagine this? A letter comes from the apostle Paul to your church. So, of course, we’re going to read it to the church. Everybody is gathered to hear this encouragement from Paul.
This letter would have been read before the congregation. But then you get to the part about,
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
And everyone knows who they are talking about. Well maybe this public shame would be enough to change their behavior. The person has been approached privately, then 2 or 3 go to them. But if this isn’t enough, there is a second step.
2. Withdraw from them
6 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 [a]he received from us.
They were to withdraw from the person. Now what might that look like in Thessalonica. Number 1, if they show up at your door at mealtime, you don’t open the door to them.
In the church setting you may withhold communion, and they may be sent home upon arrival.
Jesus said this,
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.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Treat them as a heathen and a publican.
Now, I’ve always wondered about this. Does this mean totally shunning the individual? There are Christian groups who practice that. They won’t even acknowledge a shunned individual on the street.
But I don’t think that that is what Paul is saying here, or that Jesus was saying in Matthew. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says, if a brother will not listen to the correction from the church, you are to treat that person as a heathen and a publican.
Well, what does that mean? In Jewish society, the heathens and publicans would be entirely shunned. You wouldn’t do business with them, eat with them, converse with them, go into their house…nothing. Again, if you saw them coming down the street, you’d cross to the other side to avoid them.
But is that what Jesus means by “treat them as a heathen and a publican?” I don’t think so, and for one very big reason. Which gospel am I reading these words from? The gospel of Matthew. And what was Matthew’s profession before he become a disciple of Jesus? He was a publican. Did Jesus shun Matthew before he became a disciple? No.
In fact, Jesus was criticized for associating with “publicans and sinners.” So how did Jesus treat them? He treated them like individuals who needed to repent. He loved them, but confronted their sin, and urged them to repent.
I think about the story of the woman at the well. She would have been considered a heathen and a sinner by certain orthodox Jews. They would have shunned her. But Jesus sat at a well and had a conversation with her. He asked for a drink from her. He confronted her about her spiritual condition.
Now let’s add to that what Paul says here.
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly
But look at verse 13 -14
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this [d]epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but [e]admonish him as a brother.
There is still an association with the person. There is conversation and love as brothers and sisters in Christ. But there is withdrawal. What does withdrawal mean? This is vague. But it may be purposefully vague. Because every incidence of disobedience isn’t the same, and so they require different kinds of withdrawal. This is a tricky question, but if I had to advise someone from the 1st century church on this matter, I would say that the withdrawal should fit the disobedience.
Since they were disobeying by mooching off of other’s meals, the invitation to those meals should stop. Since they were sinning by not working, the separation from them should be specifically targeted to the hours of work. If you see them out and about, going from house to house during work hours, pull them aside and lovingly, but sternly encourage them to “get a job.”
And the same holds true for the withdrawal from other believers who are disobedient. It has to do three things; First it must be done in love. Second, it must get the message of required repentance across. Third, it must not “enable” continued sin.
Well, that’s step one and two, confront and withdraw.