Please click here for the audio and click here for the video portions of this message. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.
WHOLESOME FELLOWSHIP. II Thessalonians 3:13-18. 2/20/2022. #08.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-18 [New King James Version]
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this 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 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 epistle; so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
1. Persevering Diligence
a. Paul had admonish church to deal with the unruly
a1. Those who did not work should not eat
a2. The church was not to allow disruptive and burdensome behavior in the assembly
b. As with the Galatians (6:9), Paul tells the Thessalonians not to become weary in well doing
a1. Correction and admonishing are hard
a2. Unruly believers can wear down a church
a3. It was important to stay consistent in work
c. Many challenging areas that can wear us down
a1. Staying moral in midst of temptation (Joseph)
a2. Consistent Bible study (Ecclesiastes 12:12)
a3. Wrestling with temptation (Ephesians 6:11-12)
a4. Vibrant prayer life (James 4:1-4)
a5. Witnessing in face of opposition (Acts 5)
a6. Church discipline (Matthew 18:15-18)
a7. Physical infirmities (II Corinthians 12)
d. Philippians 3:14 we must persevere in our walk
e. Weariness of mind and flesh is caused by weakness
a1. We desire to be at peace and to relax
a2. No one likes to deal with problems
a3. We tire of dealing with problem people
a4. John 16:33 we are called to persevere
2. De-fellowshipping
a. Paul tells us to have no company with disobedient
a1. Those who violate Word are not to be encouraged by complicit brethren (I Corinthians 5)
a2. Romans 16:17-18 avoid the disorderly
b. Paul gives several steps to restore the wayward:
a1. Refuse to keep company with rebel (we are not to enable this behavior)
a2. Goal is to produce sense of shame
b1. Guilt can motivate repentance
b2. True believers know how to blush
a3. Not treat him as an enemy (errant brother)
a4. Hebrews 10:19-25 admonish the wayward to repent and be restored (purpose of church)
b1. Lk. 10 the wayward are to be rescued; not rejected
b2. Active seeking and not ignoring
c. Once there is repentance, then fellowship can be restored (forgiveness means not holding to account)
3. Benediction
a. Paul closes the epistle with a usual benediction
a1. May God give you peace (peace of mind, peace within spirit, peace with the body of Christ, and peace in hope [Philippians 4:7])
a2. The Lord is with us (Matthew 28:12-20)
a3. The grace of God be with you
b. Paul signs the letter with his own hand
a1. Silvanus or some other scribe usually wrote the letter as Paul dictated
a2. Paul added his authentic signature
c. Paul emphasizes that peace only comes when the entire body is obeying God
a1. The leadership must watch over the flock
a2. Every church has challenges to face and must remain diligent (Revelation 2-3; Hebrews 13:7-17)
d. 3 aspects of church life must be always guarded
a1. Correct belief (II Timothy 3:15-17)
a2. Correct behavior (James 1:22-25)
a3. Correct building of kingdom (Matthew 28:19)
Key Verse: Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.