THE COMING OF THE LORD AND SERVICE--II THESSALONIANS 3:1-18-- Lesson 3

THE COMING OF THE LORD AND SERVICE
II THESSALONIANS 3:1-18-- Lesson 3

By --E. L. Bynum

Memory Verse: 11 Thess. 3:6 (N.W. I Tim. 1:15) 11 Thess.3:1-18

Our daily expectation of the coming of Christ should affect our home life and service to God in general. Those who await His coming should live a life of orderly Christian service.

I. PAUL'S PRAYER REQUEST. v. 1-5

A. The Request. v. 1-2

1. PRAYERFULNESS that the Word of God might have free course. v. 1. "The preaching of the word in the pulpit has often been replaced by the entertainment of the world on the platform." "It is the task of the pastor to feed the sheepnot to entertain the goats." Heb. 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. II Tim. 2:9, Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

a. "Free course" means to run or spread. Psa. 19:5, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. Psa. 147:15, He sendeth forth his command ment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

b. When it has free course it will be glorified.

2. PRESERVATION of Paul and his fellowlabourers. v. 2

a. "Unreasonable" men are those out of place and order.

b. Evil men without faith are constant opponents.

B. The Ground Of His Request. v. 3-5

1. PROTECTION from the faithful Lord. v. 3

a. He is faithful to His purpose, His promises, and His Word.

b. He is faithful to stablish and keep His own.

2. PERSEVERANCE and obedience of the Lord's faithful people. v. 4. "Command" in this verse is a military term, referring to an order passed down from a superior officer. Just remember that we are soldiers.

3. PATIENCE given by the Lord to those waiting for His Coming. v. 5; I Thess. 4:13-17; James 5:7, Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

II. PAUL'S DISCIPLINE REQUEST. v. 6-13

A. The Principle Of Separation Established. v. 6

1. Paul's teaching is clearly the command of God.

2. A disorderly walk not to be permitted in the Church. "Disorderly" comes from the same Greek word as "unruly" in I Thess. 5:14. It is a military term that was used to describe those who were out of step or out of line.

3. The walk of the believer is to be patterned after the divine truth of God.

4. Opponents of Biblical separation try to limit this verse to simply apply to those who refused to work, as in verses 10 and 11. However, this is a limitation that will not hold up in a true interpretation of this verse. Certainly it did apply to those who would not work and became busybodies, but it would apply to any Christian who was disobedient to the Word of God. Anyone who was out of step and out of line in any Biblical truth would be walking "disorderly." If those who would not work were to be withdrawn from, how much more so this should be done in regard to those guilty of heresy, false doctrine, and immorality.

B. The Proper Example Expounded. v. 7-9

1. Paul had not been disorderly in doctrine and practice. v.7

2. Paul had not been disorderly in financial matters. v. 8. In fact he worked making tents in order to set an example.

3. He declined support for an example. v. 9. See I Thess . 2:9; and I Cor. 9:14, Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. See I Cor. 9:3-13.

C. The Poor Example Explained. v. 10-12

1. Those who will not work are not to eat. v. 10. Paul is not talking about those unable to work, but those who would not work. Our government has disobeyed this Scripture, and so are many churches. Churches are disobedient to God when they feed a steady stream of transient, shiftless, lazy, and workless individuals who go from church to church seeking aid. See I Tim. 5:3-16.

2. Non-workers become busybodies. v. 11. (An idle mind is the devil's workshop). They were meddling in the affairs of others.

3. Commanding and exhorting proper conduct. v. 12

D. The Purposed Cure Indicated. v. 13-15

1. True believers to continue in well doing. v. 13

2. The proper course toward the disobedient. v. 14

a. They are to be marked.

b. They are not to be fellowshipped.

c. They are to be made ashamed.

3. Though disciplined they are to be considered brothers. v. 15. See Gal. 6:1, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

4. Handling doctrinal error.

a. If he is ignorant teach him the truth. II Tim. 2:23-26, But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

b. If he persists in error, rebuke him. Titus 1:10-14; Gal. 2:11, But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

c. If the error continues, avoid him. Rom. 16:17-18, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

d. Separate yourself from him. II John 9, Whosoever trans-gresseth, 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.

III. PAUL'S BENEDICTION REQUEST. v. 16-18

A. His Supplication. v. 16

He supplicates the blessing of the Divine peace and presence. 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. Heb. 13:20, Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

B. His Salutation. v. 17.

He expresses an emphatic salutation.

C. His Invocation. v. 18.

His solemn invocation of the abiding grace of God.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. For what does Paul want the Thessalonians to pray?

2. Who would keep them from evil?

3. What does verse 6 teach about the brother who is sinning?

4. What did Paul say about someone who would not work?

5. What kind of example did Paul make while in Thessalonica?

6. What is the meaning of "disorderly" in this chapter?

7. What is the walk of the believer to be patterned after?

8. What is a busybody and what should be done with them?

9. Is it the business of the Church to feed and care for those who will not work?