Transcript
Today we are in II Thessalonians chapter 3 verses 6 through 15 part two. Last week we took verse 6, and today were going take verses 7 through 9. Chapter 3 of II Thessalonians is made up of the instructions concerning their testimony while waiting for the Lord’s return. Very important instructions and information we are given today.
We studied the first command given in verses 1 through 5. He says, The rest, brothers, be praying concerning us, (the purpose) in order that the word of the Lord might run and might be glorified according as also with you. Secondly, And in order that we might be delivered from the perverse (that is, twisted) and evil men; for the faith is not of all people. All people do not have the same persuasion. We must recognize that as we are dealing and interacting with people.
But in all of this, verse 3, faithful is the Lord, who will do two things. And He will do it, it is a statement of fact. Who will establish you and (secondly) will guard you from the evil one. That is a promise from the Lord. But we have had confidence in the Lord over you, that what things we command to you, you both are doing and you will do. So he has confidence in them. And it is that one element, that one principle that is important in the Scriptures. The fact that the Lord establishes and protects all of those people who are His. Who are the people who are His? The ones who are enduring to the end.
Because it is the endurance of Christ we find in verse 5, Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the endurance of Christ. This is God’s love and Christ’s endurance. It is the endurance of Christ that causes me to endure. Jesus said in Matthew chapter 24 verse 13 that the one who has endured to the end this is the one who is saved. That is the evidence, the proof that one belongs to Christ. One cannot quit. Once you receive Jesus, you cannot quit. You cannot disbelieve because the Lord gives us the faith and the Lord gives us the endurance – the endurance of Christ – all the way to the end.
So last week we started verses 6 to 15, the precepts of Paul, that is the commands of Paul for them for their particular situation there in Thessalonica. In dealing with the conduct of the believers, last week we saw in verse 6, Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So this is a command and it is not in Paul’s name, it is in Jesus’s name. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, for you to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the traditions which he received from us. Interesting Paul’s teachings and Paul’s ministry are called the traditions, the hand-me-downs for the church.
There are different kinds of traditions. There are religious traditions. There are traditions of culture. But then there are the traditions of the Bible. They never change. They always remain the same. So if you are looking for tradition, look for the teachings of Paul as he ministers in the church and to the church.
But the command is to withdraw yourself, separation. Withdraw means to avoid. Do not have social interaction with a brother who is walking disorderly. The word disorder as we saw last week means to line up with. It comes from the word (tassō), which is the root word for the word submission. Those brothers who are not in submission to the traditions and scripture; those who are not in line with leadership and the body of Christ; who are not in line with the rest of the body of Christ seeking the Lord’s will and seeking the Lord’s way, from that brother withdraw.
We will see it today, and will finish it up next week, when he talks about withdrawing from this brother. He says – we will see next week – for he will be ashamed. It is to make him be ashamed. Does that not mean he is going to get his feelings hurt? Does that not mean that somebody is going to be humanly affected by withdrawing from them because they will not listen and line up with the truth of God’s word? Yes, they will, they will be humanly hurt.
We are going to see next week from I Corinthians chapter 5 that there is a brother in Corinth who refused to repent. So Paul told them, Deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that he might be saved in the day of the Lord. The whole purpose of discipline, the whole purpose of making one ashamed, or separating from him or her because of their disorderliness, the whole purpose is to cause it to feel in the flesh for the destruction of the flesh, so that the Lord might restore them. So the whole purpose of discipline is not to punish, but to restore such a one to the Lord.
We see in verse 7 for today, For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us; because we were not disorderly among you. A couple of words that are different than the English translations that we must mention here:
The word necessary, some English texts have the word ought, that you ought to imitate us. The word ought is the word necessary.
For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us. Again, most English texts have the word follow, it is necessary that you follow us. But it is not the Greek word for follow as it is to follow behind someone. It is the Greek word (mimeomai), which is where we get our word mime or mimic from.
In Paul’s day a mimic or someone who performs mime was someone who came out on stage usually in costume and in a mask and they would outwardly express their message. They would express the story without words, just action. And sometimes one actor would play all the parts, and go behind the screen and change masks, and come out and take on a new role. But it was all voiceless. It would be all expression.
So when Paul uses the word mime or mimic he is talking about the expression of Christ without words. The person and the expression of Christ. It does not mean to copy. It means expression. And it is interesting that Paul is saying, “This is how you are supposed to walk as a believer.” As Paul said in I Corinthians chapter 11 verse 1, he says, Imitate me according as I also imitate Christ. So 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. I cannot make that statement to you. I cannot tell you, “Follow the Lord like I do.” I would say, “Follow the Lord like Paul does and like he did. He is our example.” Paul can because God appointed him for that position. So his position and his ministry is special. We do not have that ministry. But he presented himself, and his life, and his teachings as the expression of Christ and that he was functioning in the Lord.
So as you can see from the text Paul is going to make some very bold statements. Later on he is going to say, Mark out those – scope those people – who are not walking with the Lord as you see us. Scope it out, mark them. Paul says, “No, it is not your judgment. This is God’s word.” Paul followed Christ and we have been left with a human example. I cannot be perfect like Him, that is, like Christ. And yet Paul was a human being like me and like you. He followed Christ and he left us an example of what it is like for a weak human being who has a sin nature, who has the weakness of the flesh, and literally be filled with God’s Spirit and follow the Lord in obedience.
There is another text, one of my favorites in the Scripture, Hebrews chapter 11 verse 7 when it talks about Noah. Hebrews chapter 11 verse 7 says, By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, he prepared an ark for the salvation of his household; through which he condemned the world, important phrase, and became an heir of the righteousness, which is according to faith. He condemned the world by his obedience. It says, “Because of his faith he condemned the rest of the world.” In other words, one man’s obedience says that one man can obey then nobody else has an excuse. How can you say that you could not obey? You are saying it is humanly impossible. So by Noah obeying, it condemned everybody else in the world, because one man obeyed according to faith, and everybody else is held responsible.
I have held that conviction for years that even us in this little church out the middle of the country, that even though most of the people who live in this country town do not attend church here, yet at the same time God is making them responsible. He is bringing the word. He is presenting the word out here and they have no excuse. Someone has come and has given the word and so He is going to hold them responsible. It is available.
One man, Paul. Paul is the obedient one for us. Paul is presenting himself as the example and pattern. We always think of him as the one whose position and ministry is up above us and he can talk and teach all he wants to, but we are not like him. We are not as spiritual as he is. Paul’s message to the people back in the early church, and Paul’s message to us in our day as we study his letters, his message is that, “If I can do it, if I can surrender and obey the Lord and live by faith, so can you, because I am just like you. I have just been given a special position to express that and to teach that.”
So he says in verse 7, For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us; because we were not disorderly among you. So we were in order and that is why it is necessary for you to imitate us. Again the word disorderly having to do with not being in submission or not lining up.
Verse 8 says, Nor did we eat freely bread from anyone. The word for freely means as a gift. He did not even take food as a gift when he came into Thessalonica. And you would think that he should, think that he should take the donation. That is what the free gift is, freely without charge. It is interesting how Paul handled himself in the various situations.
In fact in I Corinthians chapter 9 verses 1 to 18. Now, I invite you, if you have your Bibles to turn with me. I Corinthians chapter 9 verses 1 through 18. Paul says to the church there, verse 1, Am I am not an apostle? (question) Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord? (verse 2) If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. In other words, the Lord ministered to you through my apostleship, through my position and ministry as apostle. You are proof, you are the fruit of my ministry, therefore you are the defense of my ministry.
(Verse 3) My defense to those who examine me is this, (verse 4) Do we have no right to eat and to drink? The word right means authority, (exousia). Do we not have the authority to eat and drink? We will see in a moment the Scriptures give them that authority to eat and to drink as a servant of Christ.
(Verse 5) Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Cephas by the way is Peter. He says, “Do we not have a right to take along a wife as they do?” So Peter was married, Cephas, and the brothers of the Lord. They had the right and the authority not only to be supported in their ministry, but also to support their family as well.
(Verse 6) Or is it only Barnabas and I, who have no right to refrain from working. Or is it just Barnabas and I? We have to work and we cannot refrain from working at all. Just everybody else can stop working and be in ministry and being supported. But is it just Barnabas and I are the only ones that this does not apply to?
(Verse 7) Whoever goes to war at his own expense? Soldiers get paid by the government. Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock, and does not drink of the milk of the flock? (Verse 8) Do I say these things as a mere man? or does not the law say the same thing? Interesting, quoting Deuteronomy chapter 25 verse 4.
(Verse 9) For it is written in the law of Moses, you shalt not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain. Is it oxen that God is concerned with? (verse 10) Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he who plows should plow in hope; and that he who threshes in hope should be partaker of this hope. (verse 11) If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? Here is how the church functions. Here is how the believers function. Those in ministry minister spiritual things. The people in turn, their ministry – and it is a ministry – a minister in response is material things, supplying the material things and support for that ministry. It goes around in a circle. Somewhere in that line if that circle is broken then things do not run well, things do not run smooth.
Verse 12, If others are partakers of this right over you, are not we even more? Everything in life requires this circular support. You want gasoline? You have to pay for it. You want a steak? You have to pay for it. Everything in life is built on that circle of ministry and support. Nevertheless we have not used this right; there is your example. He says, “Not only do we have Scripture to back us up, not only do we have that right because that is how the Lord functions in the church, but we do not partake of this right.” Nevertheless we have not used this right; but we endure all things, lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. As soon as you start talking about money people close off and quit and do not want to participate. So Paul says, “I would rather go out and get a job and support myself than to see you cut yourself off from the hearing of the gospel, even though I have all this Scripture to support it.”
(Verse 13) Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple? And those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? (verse 14) Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. It is a command from the Lord. So Paul says, “Not only do I have Scripture but I also have the command of the Lord that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.”
Verse 15, But I have used none of these things: nor have I written these things, that it should be done so to me: but it were better for me to die, than that any one should make my boasting void. (verse 16) For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of: for necessity is laid upon me. So he has a conviction placed upon him to preach the gospel. It is a necessity. But, woe unto me, if I do not preach the gospel! (verse 17) For if I do this willingly, I have a reward. You have got to be careful about being ambitious or willing towards ministry because you have your reward when people give you the support. But if against my will, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. So it is not my idea. In fact, I do not even want to be in it. There is too much stress, and too much turmoil, and too much fighting, infighting in the body of Christ. It is just not worth it on a human level. But he says, “If I am preaching against my will I have been entrusted with a stewardship.”
(Verse 18) What is my reward then? That, when I preach the gospel, I might make the gospel of Christ without charge – he does not put a charge on it – that I abuse not my authority in the gospel. He does not put a price tag on it. No, there is no tithing in the New Testament commanded by Paul for Christians. There is no price tag. As he says in II Corinthians chapter 9, Let everybody person be persuaded in their own mind. The fact that he knows Scripture, that he can use it to show that those who live by the gospel should be supported by the gospel, but among certain people he refused to do it. He refused to take support because he knew that they would use it against him.
So according to II Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 8 when he came into Thessalonica he would not take food from another Christian without paying for it so that no one would have an excuse. He says that we did not eat anyone’s bread free of charge. But, he says, going on in verse 8, But in labor and toil, working night and day for not to burden any of you. There is an example – not to place a burden on people. If you cannot give joyously and rejoicing then do not give. It will be a burden to you. And Paul says, “I do not want that. I want you to hear the word of God free of charge, and freely without hindrance.”
Two words that are important in verse 8. The word labor means to labor to the point of exhaustion. He said, I labored and I toiled, that is labor to the point of pain. I labored and I am exhausted. He worked night and day so he would have enough money to pay his own way. And there is a reason why. They had a problem in Thessalonica just like they did in Corinth, there were those who refused to work. So if Paul got supported by other people which was right for them to do, then these people who are not working can say, “Well, Paul does not work either.” Basically the ministry is an example. Paul is the example of how a Christian is to function.
Verse 9 in II Thessalonians chapter 3. Not that we do not have authority. He says, “We have authority.” Show you Scripture, show you commands of the Lord. Back in I Corinthians 9 Paul explained that he had the authority to walk into town and say, “I am preaching the gospel. I am ministering and I have all the Scriptures to show that even Jesus said those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel.” But there were certain Christians in Corinth who were weak. They were very carnal Christians. And he says, “I could lay this maturity presentation on you, but it would cause you not to hear the gospel. Therefore I will go get a job because it is going to offend you for me to present all these Scriptures of how I ought to be supported because it is the Lord’s will.” He says, “I care about your spiritual welfare. Therefore in order for you to keep hearing the gospel, I will get a job.” Now he did not do that everywhere, because in most places they were mature Christians and they knew, in fact they were ready to give.
In fact he told them in II Corinthians chapter 11 verses 7 through 9, he says, Did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted? He is making reference back to that I Corinthians 9 presentation where he decided to work and not charge them and not offend them in order to keep them in the gospel. But he says, Did I sin by humbling myself that you might be exalted? You see, what had happened since that time in I Corinthians 9 false teachers had come into town, and brought the health-wealth gospel to town, and told the people that they had to give to support them. And the people gave abundantly. And Paul’s looking back on that, and he is saying, Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted? Because I have preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? He says, (verse 8) I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to minister to you. (verse 9) And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one: for what I lacked the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in everything I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. And still you followed false teachers, even though Paul did that for them.
He says in II Corinthians chapter 12 verse 13, For what is it in which you were inferior in other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong. So he says, “In hindsight I should have laid the burden on you, because you turned to the false teachers and you turned against me anyway, so it all for nothing.” So he says, “I took wages from other churches.” There were churches that were concerned about him, and they sent these wages across the land wherever he was ministering and working. And yet where he was working he would not take money from anybody because he wanted to be an example of what a Christian is supposed to be doing.
So he goes on to say in II Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 9, Not that we do not have the authority, but in order that we might ourselves be given as a pattern to you, for you to imitate us. The word pattern is the word (tupos) in Greek which is where we get our English word type. Paul says, “We were a type, an example, a pattern.” Again the word imitate is the word mimic. “I am showing you how to imitate Christ,” Paul is saying. That is what the ministry is all about is being an example, saying, “This is what is like to follow Christ.”
Now in closing, I want to mention three things.
First of all, Paul’s teachings are the tradition of the church. If it is not found in Paul’s teachings it is the tradition of man that has been made up. Many things in the church come from religious tradition that are not found in Scripture. But the traditions are Paul’s teachings.
Secondly, his life is an example. Not an example of what an authority figure says to all the other Christians, but his life is an example of what a Christian life is supposed to be. He presented himself as living the normal Christian life. We think of it as something that is way are out of reach for us. This is the apostle Paul, this is way out of reach for us. And yet Paul is saying, “I am presenting to you – do you see an expression of Christ in my life? Let that be the expression of Christ in your life.” That is very important to see in our study from the apostle Paul.
Even to the point, thirdly, that Paul said in Galatians chapter 1 verses 8 and 9, If we or another angel preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached, let him be accursed. So Paul says, “It is the gospel.” If it is not Paul’s gospel it is a false gospel. That is a pretty heavy trip. A very heavy statement to make. You cannot just read Paul’s Scriptures and come up with your own teaching your own gospel. It must be what Paul taught. He was chosen for that. So he is an example.
He is an example for us as to how he lived his life. A lot of things in our ministry has changed over the years just based on Paul’s life and Paul’s example and Paul’s living. We have our website that is up there supported by donations. That if someone is felt led of the Lord to give they can give. But it is interesting we used to charge. We used to charge money for CDs, for cassettes – when we had cassettes, do you remember cassettes? We used to have to runoff cassettes and send them out, and people had to order them, had to pay for them. And the Lord dealt with us over the years, saying, “No, you give the gospel free of charge.” He will lay on people’s hearts, as they are ministered to, how to respond. But it is not something you charge. So the ministry of Paul – not only Scripture wise, not only gospel wise, but in his life example, and the way he conducted himself has been an example to us and has changed us.
So he is about ready to tell the people, notice verse 10 for next week, For even when we were with you, this we were commanding you that if anyone does not desire to work, neither let him eat. He is about ready to make the application now because people in Thessalonica stopped working waiting for the coming of the Lord. And Paul says, “No, we do not do that.” You can be without work, but if anybody desires not to work let him not eat. And so Paul is going to make that application on the brethren there. He says, Withdraw from the disorderly brother. That is a very heavy command and very serious, especially in our day when everybody tries to love one another, and not cause anybody any harm, or hurt, or hurt feelings. When in reality, separation is what brings the shame and the conviction of not lining up with the truth.
Let’s close with prayer.
