KEEP AWAY FROM IDLE AND DISRUPTIVE PEOPLE

Proclamation:

“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 you received from us.”  2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this third and final chapter of this second letter by asking them to pray for him and his fellow laborers. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)  Then he offers a brief prayer for them. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)  Afterwards, he told them to keep away from every believers who is disorderly and who does not live according to the way that they have been taught.  He repeated this later in the letter and added that they were not to treat the disobedient one as an enemy, but to make them feel ashamed and to warn them. (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)  He also told them that if an idle brother is unwilling to work, then he should not be given food to eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)  He ended the letter with a benediction. (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18)

Application:

We should be very careful regarding the company that we keep and the friends that we associate with.  “Birds of a feather will flock together.” (Author Unknown)  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)  As believers we are to witness to the lost, but we are not to fraternize with them on their level.  If we cannot pull them up with The Word of God, then we should not let them pull us down into their sinful behavior.  If we cannot help them, it is better for us to avoid them.

STAND FIRM AND HOLD ON TO THE BELIEF IN THE WORD OF GOD

Proclamation:

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.  May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15-16 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  He began this second chapter by discussing the antichrist and reminded them that he had told them about these things when he was with them. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5)  The coming of the antichrist will be in accordance with how Satan works using displays of power through signs and wonders to support his lies. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10)  The false prophets were spreading the word that the Day of The Lord had already come and Paul was telling the believers that it had not come yet. (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3)  Then Paul encourages them to stand firm and hold on to the teachings which they had received.  He ends by praying that God will encourage and strengthen them.

Application:

After the rapture, the day of The Lord will begin.  The Day of The Lord is a technical phrase which refers to the period of time beginning with the Great Tribulation. (Read Matthew 24:3-28)  The antichrist will reveal himself during this period and present himself as God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)  He will have power and he will deceive the world. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)  As bad as thing are in the world today, they will get worse because the day of The Lord has not yet come.  When it does come, believers will not be here to see it because it will occur after the rapture.  So, keep the faith and keep spreading The Word of God by mouth and by actions.  We can rest assured that we are safely within God’s hands. (John 10:29)

THE LORD GOD WILL REPAY THOSE WHO TROUBLE BELIEVERS

Proclamation:

“God is just; He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”  2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in his second letter to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  After he introduces himself and greets them, Paul states that he thanks God for them because their faith in God and their love for one another is growing and increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-3)  He tells them that he brags to other churches about their perseverance and faith in the midst of their persecutions and trials. (2 Thessalonians 1:4)  Then he tells them that God is just and He will pay back trouble to all those who trouble them.  God will punish all non-believers when The Lord Jesus returns. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

Application:

Those who do believers wrong and cause them to suffer will be punished by The Lord God. (Romans 12:19)  The Lord Jesus is coming back to gather up His church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) and to judge the wicked.  All mankind will see Him when He returns (Revelation 1:7) but our perspectives will differ.  Some of us will see Him as Savior, while others will see Him as judge.

WE SHOULD REJOICE PRAY AND GIVE THANKS

Proclamation:

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this fifth and final chapter in this letter by stating that he does not have to remind them that the day of The Lord is coming for they are children of the light. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-8)  He encouraged them to build one another up, just as they were already doing.  He also told them to acknowledge those among them who work hard for The Lord and to hold them in high regard. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)  Then he urged them to warn the wrongdoers, to help the weak, to encourage the down-hearted, and to be patient with everyone.  Then he told them to rejoice always, to pray continually, and to give thanks to God in all situations. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

Application:

We should acknowledge those who are doing a good job, and warn those who are doing poorly.  We should encourage the depressed and help those who are in need.  Remember the old saying, “There, but for the grace of God, go you or I.”  We should always be patient with others, for at some point in our lives someone was patient with us.  Believers should not walk around with a negative attitude.  We are to rejoice, everything is going to work out in our favor. (Romans 8:28)  So we should count everything as a joy, even our trials and tribulations. (James 1:2)  We should have a prayerful attitude and pray about everything. (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, and 1 Thessalonians 5:15)  We should also acknowledge God’s hand in everything (Proverbs 3:6) and then we should thank Him for everything. (1 Chronicles 16:8, Psalm 92:1, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

THE RAPTURE OF BELIEVERS

Proclamation:

“According to The Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of The Lord, will not certainly precede those who have fallen asleep.  For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever.”  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this fourth chapter by urging them to live in order to please God, more than they were already doing.  He told them that it was God’s will for them to avoid sexual immorality, to exercise control over their own body and live holy and honorably. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-5)  He acknowledged that they already demonstrated love for one another, but he encouraged them to mind their own business so that their daily lives would win the respect of non-believers. (Thessalonians 4:9-12)  Then he addressed the rapture and made it clear that the dead in Christ would rise first, and after that those who were still alive would meet them and The Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Application:

This is a comforting thought for those of us who have lost loved ones.  Although they are now asleep in death, we will meet them again when The Lord Jesus, The Christ, returns to rapture all believers.  Unfortunately, there will be some people who will be left behind after the rapture occurs and removes all believers from the earth. (Matthew 24:40-42)  In the twinkling of an eye, all believers will be changed from corruptible mortals to spiritual beings of incorruptible immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)  Woe be unto those who are left behind.

MAY YOUR LOVE INCREASE AND OVERFLOW FOR EACH OTHER

Proclamation:

“May The Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.”  1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  In this third chapter, Paul expresses his love and concern for the Thessalonians. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-7)  He also tells them of his desire to see them again. (1 Thessalonians 3:9-11)  Then he ends by praying that The Lord God will increase their love for each other and that He will strengthen their hearts.

Application:

Here the word “love” is not an affectionate term.  It implies an active seeking of the welfare of another.  “Love” here has a purpose; it is not an end in itself. (According to Bible scholar J. Vernon McGee)  Paul prays for the believers to have love for all men, and for the purity of their heart.  We would do well to pray this prayer for each other.  We all need God’s help because some of the people we encounter are difficult to love.  Also, it is difficult for us not to think evil and sinful thoughts, and to maintain a pure heart and mind.  We need for God to create within us a clean heart and a right spirit. (Psalm 51:10)  For the pure in heart shall see God. (Psalm 24:4 and Matthew 5:8)  Be reminded of the fact that Jesus, The Christ, is coming again to gather up His own.

BE ENCOURAGED AND COMFORTED AND LIVE WORTHY OF GOD

Proclamation:

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.”  1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul offers an account of his ministry among them and describes the nature, manner, and success of it. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)  He also mentions how he treated them when he was with them. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-10)  He said that he encouraged them, comforted them, and urged them to live worthy of God.  Then he said that he thanked God that they received the gospel as The Word of God and that they also began to spread The Word. (1 Thessalonians 2:13-14)  He ended the second chapter of his letter by stating that he wanted to visit them but Satan had prevented that from happening. (1 Thessalonians 2:18)

Applications:

As believers we should cling closely to The Lord God.  We should seek comfort in, and be encouraged by His Holy Word.  We should also be committed to live a life which would be pleasing to God.  We should treat one another and speak to one another with loving kindness.  We should build each other up and not tear each other down.  When we point out errors or shortcomings, we should do so with caring constructive corrections and it should be done out of love for one another.  We should walk worthy and we should encourage others to also walk worthy. (Ephesians 4:1 and 1 Thessalonians 2:12)  We have the power to do so, we just need to exercise the commitment and do it. (John 1:12)  We should do it willingly, joyfully, and carefully.