II Thessalonians Chapter 3

II Thessalonians 3:1-2 ~ The Importance of Hearing the Word

"Now once we are saved, once we belong to Christ, Satan cannot have our soul. The only thing he has left to do is stop us from growing."

II Thessalonians 3:5 ~ The Endurance of Christ

In this text before us today in  II Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 5, it is the word patience or endurance. Translated from the Greek word hupomenō, which means to remain under. It is related strictly to circumstances. To remain under one's circumstances is to endure. The endurance of Christ means that he is praying that the Lord will direct our hearts to remain under our circumstances in the endurance that Christ produces.  It is the endurance that belongs to and is produced by Christ in the believer's life.

II Thessalonians 3:6 ~ Withdraw from Disorderly Brothers

We consider all the human and humanitarian reasons why we should not withdraw from those who are disorderly. Mainly because we will hurt their feelings. But in reality that is part of the repentance process.

Later Paul is going to tell us to separate yourself from the disorderly so that they will be ashamed and it will bring them to repentance. But it is interesting that withdrawing or avoiding is part of the ministry that the believer has, not only to those who are not saved, but to the ones who are saved.

II Thessalonians 3:7-9 ~ Paul is our Example

Paul is saying, "As you see the expression of Christ in my life, let that be the expression in your life." He is putting himself up as an example. Do you see Christ working in my life, that is how He should be working in your life. Why? Because we have the same Christ. How do I know if it is the leading of the Lord or not? Well, what did Paul say? How did Paul handle it? How did that happen in Paul's life? In other words Paul is saying, "I am imitating Jesus Christ." Now that is a pretty bold statement to make to say, "I am an imitator of Jesus Christ.  He is saying, "Now all of you other Christians, you follow the Lord like I am following the Lord." That is a pretty bold statement to make.

II Thessalonians 3:16 Part 1 ~ The Concept of Peace

The Lord is our peace. The moment that I received Christ He gave me himself. I am now at peace with God because I have Christ. Christ is my peace, you see. When He promises to give me peace, He promises me to give Himself. In other words, everything around me might be in turbulence - the flesh, or circumstantially - but the Lord is there to say, "I am right here." Then we might say, "Yes, but my flesh and my circumstances are not at peace." There is no peace with my circumstances. There is no peace with my flesh. That is not what God promises. It is becoming one with Him that is peace. It is not a feeling, it is a relationship.

II Thessalonians 3:16 Part 2 ~ The Condition of Peace

When anything comes along that grabs the attention of your mind and gets you anxious and worried, give it to the Lord. And guess what? You will experience the peace of God. I am always in Christ therefore I am always at peace with God. That makes the peace of God available to me. I do not always experience the peace of God though I am always at peace with Him. For me to experience the peace of God I am to be satisfied with the Lord; handle the world with moderation; and everything that comes my way that draws me into anxiety and worry, I am to give it to the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving so that I can be at peace. Not so that my flesh can be at peace. Not so that my conditions can be at peace. The situation might never go away. But the point is we can experience the peace of God because Christ is our peace. He is the Prince of peace and the Lord of peace.

II Thessalonians 3:16-18 ~ How to Pray

The definition of prayer is to express my submission to the Lord for His will to be done. To express my submission to the Lord for His will to be done. It is a submissive act on my part to turn the situation over Him. When I am submitted to the Lord and His will in my circumstances I will experience the peace of God. I will be at one with Christ. When I am lined up with Jesus I will experience His peace.