2 Thessalonians 3 - Working Hard for Jesus!

2 Thessalonians 3

Enduring Word Commentary 

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Paul was passionate about prayer for the Thessalonians, but he is not too proud to ask for prayer as well. We can see his heart for God's Word, as his prayer is that the gospel would spread rapidly. Paul's greatest passion was the spread of the gospel. Though he spent time encouraging all of the churches he planted, he is always praying for those who have not yet heard the gospel. 

Do you have a heart for the gospel to go forth in great power and effectiveness? The gospel is the only hope for the world. You don't need a degree from seminary to preach the gospel. It is a simple gospel. For God so loved the world that whoever would believe in him would not perish but have eternal life. 

We only need to share the gospel and the Holy Spirit will give it the same power it had when Paul preached it in the 1st Century.

Warning Against Idleness

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

Paul turns to those in the church who were not living in alignment with his teaching. Not only were they divisive in the church, not living like Jesus would if he were them. Note the authority with which Paul addresses the church. He "commands" them to follow these teachings. They were suggestions. Of course, we are to obey God first, but God has appointed leaders in the church to exhort the church to godly living. 

Paul not only taught them, but he and his colleagues lived it out. He wasn't asking them to do anything he wasn't doing. He led by example. Leaders who preach and teach the gospel but don't live it out will never be effective. As Jesus said in Mark 10:43-45, "The greatest among you is a servant". We call this "servant leadership".  

Paul didn't expect anything in regard to financial renumeration. He and his colleagues worked hard day AND night. Mission work is often not glamourous but very rewarding. Why? You are working for the Lord as well as those who serve. Spending a day at an orphanage or building a house for those in need is extremely rewarding at the end of the day. Paul didn't ever want to be accused of doing the Lord's work for money. 

Paul says in Colossians 3:23,

"Whatever you do in word and deed, do it the name of Jesus giving thanks to God through Him."

There are so many things to give thanks for today on Thanksgiving. Our family, our food, and our friends. Make sure you give thanks that God sent Jesus to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. 

Make a gratitude list of all of the blessings in your life. If you are like me it will be very long!  Make sure to give God thanks for the indescribable gift in Jesus! 


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