FINALLY BRETHREN
II THESS. 3:1-18
INTRODUCTION
The Apostle Paul concludes the Epistle begins with the statement
finally brethren.
Much had been delivered to the brethren and chapter three is likewise
full of commands,
instruction, and encouragement for the safety of the church.
A REQUEST FOR PRAYER VERSES 1-3
The final words of this epistle begins with a request for prayer.
Paul wanted his co-workers and himself to be
in the prayers of the Thessalonians.
I Thess. 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us,
that the word of the Lord may run and be
glorified, even as also it is with you; and that we may be
delivered from
unreasonable and evil men; for all have not faith. But the Lord is
faithful,
who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil one.
Paul and his companions desired prayers for their work to continue for the master.
The prayers of brethren are effective and powerful. Never underestimate the value of prayer!
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and
pray one for another, that
ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
Paul had requested prayer for his fellow-laborers many times, he knew the power of prayer.
Philemon 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging:
for I trust that
through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
Gospel preachers, missionaries, leaders, and all Christians should be prayed for regularly.
I Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of
all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
The main thrust of the prayers were that the gospel continue and that
they might be spared
many hardships from unreasonable men that had already attacked them.
The Thessalonians
Knew from first hand experience the problems Paul had faced.
Acts 16:25-31 And at midnight Paul and
Silas prayed, and sang
praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the
foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately
all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep,
and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would
have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself noharm: for we are
all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling,
and
fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said,
Sirs, what must I do
to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
thou shalt be saved,
and thy house.
Pail, Silas, Luke, and Timothy were worthy of their prayers.
When God’s people work and pray the gospel goes forth mightily.
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 19:20-21 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the
spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia,
to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also
see Rome.
Paul had faced many difficult times preaching the gospel yet he continued on faithfully.
II Tim. 4:14-18 Alexander the coppersmith did
me much evil: the Lord
reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware
also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first
answer
no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may
not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with
me, and
strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that
all
the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me
unto
his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The power of prayer had sustained Paul in earlier circumstances.
II Cor. 12:5-9 Of such an one will I glory:
yet of myself I will not glory,
but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory,
I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but [now] I forbear,
lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be,
or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above
measure
through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn
in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted
above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it
might
depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee: for
my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul and his companions trusted in the providence and protection of God. The Lord was their protector and guide.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be
without covetousness; and
be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said,
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Sometimes the only time we ask for prayer is for our health or because
of some terrible crisis that we face. We should pray daily for our
opportunities to teach others. We should pray for every faithful
worker in the field of the Lord.
PAUL PRAISES THE BRETHREN VERSES 4-5
Paul had good feelings concerning the Thessalonians. He trusted and believed that they would obey his teaching and the commands of the Lord.
II Thess. 3:4-5 And we have confidence in the Lord
touching you, that ye both do and
will do the things which we command. And the Lord direct your hearts
into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.
Paul let the know that as they obeyed God he would always be with them. The Thessalonians could depend on the steadfastness and love of God.
I Cor. 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were
called unto the
fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation
taken you but such as is
common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able
to bear it.
God would direct and watch over them.
I Tim. 6:11 But thou, O man
of God, flee these things; and follow
after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession
before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who
quickeneth
all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed
a good
confession; That thou keep [this] commandment without spot, unrebukeable,
until
the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall
shew, who is the
blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
Who only hath
immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom
no man hath
seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Charge them that
are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the
living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
II Tim. 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner
of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering,
charity, patience,
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and
the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
With the love of God and patience there was not a command the brethren
could not obey. With patience and the love of God there was not a
work they could not accomplish for the Lord. With patience and faith
they would serve the Lord.
THE COMMAND TO WITHDRAW VERSES 6-15
The next part of the teaching of Paul has been called the forgotten commands.
Church discipline is a vital and scriptural command for the church in every generation.
Church discipline is for the good and welfare and the body of Christ. When brethren overlook and dismiss this charge they are no better than the denominations; sectarian teacher that perverts the plan of salvation.
The withdrawing and disfellowshipping of the rebellious and wayward child of God is for the benefit of saving their soul and the purity of the congregation.
This idea of church discipline is not a suggestion or maybe a good idea,
but is a command from the inspired Apostle addressing the will of God.
II Thess. 3:6-7 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 they received of us. For
yourselves know how
ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
This command is with all the authority and power of the Lord.
The brethren, that is the church is to withdraw themselves from the disorderly. The disorderly are those that are walking out of step and in disregard to the faith of Christ.
Any sinful action would be seen in this passage. The church is as strong as its weakest member. When someone brings reproach and shame to the church by their actions they are called to repent. If a brother will not repent the church is to discipline the person by withdrawal and disfellowship.
The model of the faith is Christ and Paul told others to follow him as long as he followed Christ.
I Cor. 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.
The pattern had been shown by the life and actions of the apostle and his companions. Paul and his co-workers had been faithful and lived honorably before the Thessalonians.
II Thess. 3:7-9 For yourselves know how ye
ought to imitate us: for we behaved
not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat bread
for
nought at any man's hand, but in labor and travail, working night
and day, that we might not burden any of you: not because we have
not
the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should
imitate us.
Paul and his companions laboured freely among them. There had been no financial remuneration for they work Paul had performed to establish them in the faith.
They labored and lived as examples before the people. The Apostle and his brethren had a right to be compensated for their labor yet they refused to accept payment for their services.
II Cor. 12:13-15 Truly the signs of an apostle were
wrought among you in all patience, in signs,
and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferior
to other
churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive
me this
wrong. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and
I will not be burdensome
to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay
up for the parents,
but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and
be spent for you; though
the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
I Cor. 9:6-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall
not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor
abusers of themselves
with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God.
There was a group of Christians that evidently refused to work. They had become idle and lazy. There was a teaching that Christ was to return immediately so the people had lost their incentive to work.
The laziness and idleness from this false teaching was promoting sinful practices and other false teachings.
The idleness of brethren has always been a problem.
Titus 1:9-13 Holding fast the faithful word
as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound
doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many
unruly and
vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose
mouths must be
stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not,
for filthy lucre's
sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians
are alway liars,
evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke
them sharply, that they
may be sound in the faith;
I Tim. 5:12 Having damnation, because
they have cast off their first faith. And withal they
learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle,
but
tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will
therefore
that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none
occasion
to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
II Thess. 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, this
we commanded you, If any will
not work, neither let him eat. For we hear of some that walk among
you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies. Now them
that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that
with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
The idle and lazy were condemned are were to be withdraw from.
Doing the Word
"To make the value of obedience just a practical as possible, let's
play 'Let's Pretend.' Let's pretend
that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a
company that is growing rapidly.
I'm the owner and I'm interested in expanding overseas. To pull this
off, I make plans to travel
abroad and stay there until a new branch office gets established. I
make all the arrangements to take
my family and move to Europe for six to eight months. And I leave you
in charge of the busy
stateside organization. I tell you that I will write you regularly
and give you directions and
instructions. I leave and you stay.
Months pass. A flow of letters are mailed from Europe and received by
you at the national
headquarters. I spell out all my expectations.
Finally, I return. Soon after my arrival, I drive down to the office
and I am stunned. Grass and
weeds have grown up high. A few windows along the street are broken.
I walk into the
Receptionist's room. She is doing her nails, chewing gum and listening
to her favorite disco station. I
look around and notice the wastebaskets are overflowing. The carpet
hasn't been vacuumed for
weeks, and nobody seems concerned that the owner has returned. I asked
about your whereabouts
and someone in the crowded lounge area points down the hall and yells,
"I think he's down there."
Disturbed, I move in that direction and bump into you as you are finishing
a chess game with our
sales manager. I ask you to step into my office, which has been temporarily
turned into a television
room for watching afternoon soap operas.
"What in the world is going on, man?" "What do you mean,?"
"Well, look at this place! Didn't you get any of my letters?"
"Letters? Oh yes! Sure! I got every one of them. As a matter of fact,
we have had a letter
study every Friday night since you left. We have even divided the personnel
into small groups to
discuss many of the things you wrote. Some of the things were really
interesting. You will be pleased
to know that a few of us have actually committed to memory some of
your sentences and
paragraphs. One or two memorized an entire letter or two - Great stuff
in those letters."
"OK. You got my letters. You studied them and meditated on them; discussed
and even memorized
them. But what did you do about them?"
"Do? We didn't do anything about them."
The commands of the Lord are to be obeyed!
This teaching and practice of these idle brethren was causing them to be unproductive and unfaithful in Christian service.
Christianity is a living faith for others to see and observe.
Rom. 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God.
Christian service was neglected by the brethren that ceased working and serving the Lord by their ambition and industrious tasks.
They were condemned for their weary and slothful service. Paul had warned other brethren about this very sin.
Gal. 6:9 and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
II Thess 313 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.
Heb. 13:12-16 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might
sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered
without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp,
bearing his reproach.
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By
him therefore let us offer
the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips
giving thanks to his name.
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices
God is well pleased.
For those who would not obey Paul and his commands the choice was simple.
To please God they were to be withdrawn from and called to repentance.
II Thess 3:14-15 And if any man obeyeth not our word by
this epistle, note that man,
that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
And yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
I Cor. 5:9-11 I wrote unto you in an epistle not
to company with fornicators:
Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go
out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company,
if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an
idolater,
or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not
to eat.
II John 9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ, hath
not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father
and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine,
receive
him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth
him
God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
This marking and disfellowship was for the purity of the congregation.
Church discipline has one goal, that is the saving of thee wayward person’s
soul. A soul withdrawn from
is still loved and dealt with as a brother.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the
doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Church discipline is a hard command but it is to be obeyed. The
purpose of this action is to keep a soul from hell. Church discipline
works when executed faithfully by brethren.
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from
the truth, and one convert him;
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his
way
shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
II Cor. 2:6-8 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment,
which was inflicted of many. So that
contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps
such a
one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech
you that
ye would confirm your love toward him.
Jude 22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling
them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Every command of God is reasonable and for our best interest.
Every congregation should study this subject regularly and obediently.
PAUL AND PEACE VERSES 16-18
The Apostle ends with an appeal and prayer for their peace.
When we serve the Lord and follow him devotedly we will discover peace.
The Thessalonians like us needed to find the serenity and peace of the Lord.
II Thess. 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give
you peace at all times in all ways.
The Lord be with you all. The salutation of me Paul with mine own
hand,
which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our
Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all.
The theme of peace and grace is present in all of Paul’s epistle. The inspired man of God was directing all mankind to the prince of peace and his gospel.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that
in me ye might have peace. In the world
ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
CONCLUSION
We must obey the Lord if peace is to be found. How is our prayer
life as a Christian?
Are we the pure congregation God desires, or do we tolerate flagrant
sin?
Have you obeyed the gospel of peace today?
The church must obey the Lord's commands.
Believe Jesus Christ is the son of God, John 8:24
Repent and turn from sin, Acts 3:19
Confess Christ with the mouth, Romans 10:10
Be baptized for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38
Live faithful unto death, Revelation 2:10
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