Paul commands the Thessalonian believers to not associate with undisciplined, idle believers.
Christians are to avoid idleness and idle believers and admonish them to work hard for the glory of God.
Introduction:
Some members of the church of Thessalonica were guilty of laziness. They were not working. I think one of the reasons why this kind of problem arose is because some of them mistook the meaning of the second coming of the Lord as an excuse for them to lay aside their labor and not be faithful in their work.
There was a man that took out a loan with a balloon payment because thought that Jesus would come back before the note was due! We still have some folks today who use spiritual matters as an excuse to shirk practical, down-to-earth responsibilities.
The Bible is practical down to earth book, and this passage proves it!
It deals with subjects that are very, very important. Here's one of those subjects, the subject of laziness. The Scriptures make it very clear here that laziness should never be a part of a Christian's life.
I heard about a fellow who saw two guys lying in a ditch. He said, ''I think I'll see which one of those is the laziest.'' He said to them, ''I have a twenty-dollar bill I want to give to the one of you who is the laziest.'' One of them jumped up and said, ''I'm your man, give it to me.'' He said, ''No, you aren't the man.'' The other guy looked up at him and said, ''Just roll me over and put the $20 in my right pocket.'' He gave the bill to him.
Laziness. You know you are lazy when you have to work up enough energy to take a nap. Laziness. The Bible has a lot to say about it. The book of Proverbs is just filled with warnings against the danger of being a lazy person. I want to just point out a few verses in Proverbs for you.
Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 19:24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Proverbs 24:30–34 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I
looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
These are just some of the passages in the Old Testament book of Proverbs that warn us against the danger of laziness.
Let's look specifically back at II Thessalonians 3 and see what God's Word has to say in terms of how a church fellowship is to deal with those in their midst who will not work.
I. Avoid An Idle Person
2 Thessalonians 3:6–9 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. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 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: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
Word Studies:
• Command - to declare to announce, to announce a message from the king. This is not a mere suggestion, but rather a command of God.
• Withdraw - literally to keep away from someone to avoid them.
• Disorderly - Out of step. A military term.
Paul was commanding the Thess. believers to refuse to associate with or hang around members of the church who persisted in living in a manner that was contrary to the teaching of God's Word. Churches today are so far removed from the biblical concept of church discipline that we react violently when someone mentions it.
• Church discipline protects the witness of the Church. People see that we take sin seriously.
• Church discipline protects the people in the Church. People tend to rub off on us. Sin will infiltrate a church. The sin of idleness is especially dangerous. One way to become lazy is to hang around lazy people!
A. Paul’s instructions
2 Thessalonians 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
What traditions did Paul refer to? His own teaching inspired by the Holy Spirit. He was specifically referring to laziness, sloth or idleness.
What did Paul teach? The Gospel, the teachings of Christ.
GOD CREATED MAN TO WORK!
God ordained work before the fall of mankind. When Adam was created, God immediately put him to work.
Exodus 20:9–10 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
WE ARE TO DO OUR WORK FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
Colossians 3:17 AV
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Offer your work to Jesus as a sacrifice of praise. That job at the plant can be an act of worship, your desk or computer can become an altar unto the Lord. Your hammer, your pencil, you phone can become a holy instrument of praise to Christ. To do our work to God's glory means we strive for excellence in whatever we're doing. ILLUS: Art Evans washing cars. It's not drudgery when you do it for the Lord's glory!
It doesn't bring glory to God when you drag into work 30 minutes to an hour late. It doesn't bring honor to Jesus when you just rush to get through with no concern for the finished result.
B. Paul’s example
2 Thessalonians 3:8 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:
To reinforce his teaching, Paul worked for a living. Picture Paul up late at night sewing tents by candlelight so he can get up early the next day to preach the gospel! As an apostle he had a right to expect the Church to provide for his living while he taught among them. However, some traveling preachers misused this authority and became freeloaders. Paul worked day and night as a tent-maker to provide for himself. He did this to give an example to young believers.
1 Corinthians 9:6–14 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
We need to take note of this principle. ''A Christian leader may appeal to the authority of the Word, but if he or she cannot point also to his or her own example of obedience, people will not listen.''
Christ died for us, gave Himself for our sin - redemption was hard work or the Son of God!
C. Personal Application
One of the great dangers in the Church today is idleness or to put it bluntly laziness. I mean spiritual laziness. Many Christian people are hard workers at work and at home, but spiritually idle!
1) Spiritual disciplines - Prayer, study of God's Word
2) Church Attendance -
3) Involvement -
Avoid hanging around with so-called Christians who are idle and lazy. Hang around people who encourage you and motivate you.