The 15^th Sunday After Trinity

SERMON

INI

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

In Christ Jesus, our Savior, dear fellow-redeemed:

I would expect that at various times each of us has had a desk or a house that has been less than orderly. There are times in everyone’s life (I think) when things get rather messy and out of place. Some people have an easier time with organization than others and keep things in better order. Orderliness is, to a degree, a gift. Sometimes what looks disorderly is really quite ordered within its own system, and what works for one won’t always work for another. There is also such a thing as "too much" organization when so much time is spent organizing that nothing ever really gets done.

All of these are examples of order and organization in this life—order and organization which in some way need to be present so that things will be accomplished in an efficient manner. However, when God speaks of Himself as being a "God of order" He has in mind something of an even greater significance.

In writing to the Corinthians, Paul said, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Several verse later, Paul gives this instruction to the Corinthians: “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

The Corinthians Christians needed this instruction because at the time in which Paul was writing there was chaos in their congregation. Sinful activity was being mixed with worship and overall congregational life was disorderly. Therefore, Paul wrote to the Corinthians telling them to put things in order, spiritually speaking, so that they might worship and serve God in a pleasing fashion.

Just as a house may become cluttered so that you can’t find anything in it and it looks awful, so too our spiritual lives can become messy and cluttered. When we leave worries lying around in our hearts and in our lives, they are cluttered. When we bring things into our hearts and lives that are really too big to fit in there (at least if God is going to stay there too) we are cluttering our hearts and our spiritual lives. When we leave little misconceptions, misunderstandings, and false assumptions littered around then we are accumulating more and more clutter. The busier we get, the easier it is to have a cluttered home because who has time to clean? So too, the busier we become in our lives the less attention is often paid to spiritual lives and the more cluttered they too become.

So this morning, we heed Paul’s words to keep our spiritual house in order. Under that instruction there are many examples we could consider, many passages of Scripture to which we could turn. This morning, we will limit ourselves to three thoughts from the words of Paul: KEEP YOUR SPIRITUAL HOUSE IN ORDER – I. The power of example II. The necessity to work III. The stamina for doing good

I.

Paul does not in his letter to the Thessalonians nor anywhere in his epistles underestimate the effect and the power that an example of one person will have on another…and neither should we.

A person’s example can have a tremendous effect on someone else either positively or negatively. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Paul was warning the Corinthians not to associate with and not to follow the bad example of those around them. There is a real life story of a famous person that illustrates this very point.

Mark Twain, the author, had a Christian wife while he himself was anything but a Christian. Twain’s Christian wife, Olivia, frequently prayed, studied God’s Word, and sought to follow God’s will in her life. All of this produced much ridicule from her husband and his equally non-Christian friends. They would mock her praying and make jokes about other aspects of her Christian life. Over time, in the face of such ridicule and mockery from her husband and others, Olivia drifted away from the Word of God and began to put her faith on the shelf. Later in her life when Olivia was gravely ill and all other hope seemed lost, Mark Twain told his wife: "Olivia, if you must, pray and rely on your faith now." To this Olivia sadly replied, "I haven’t any (faith)." Her husband’s bad example and that of his friends had its effect on Olivia and destroyed her faith. There is a HUGE power behind the example people give.

If someone else’s bad example can have a negative, destroying effect, then it is also true that a good example can have a positive, beneficial effect. Paul wrote to the young pastor, Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy, as a pastor, had an extra measure of responsibility in providing an example to the flock; but EVERY child of God can be a powerful, effective example to fellow believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

To Titus, Paul wrote: “…in all things show yourself to be a pattern of good works.” (Titus 2:7). To those in Corinth who were married to an unbelieving spouse Paul wrote telling them to stay in that marriage because their example might be what would lead the spouse to God’s Word and faith. Paul wrote, “how do you know O wife, whether you will save your husband…or how do you know O husband whether you will save your wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:16).

Even human logic and simple common sense demonstrate the power of example. It doesn’t take much to see that in our world people do follow the leader. People who otherwise wouldn’t do a particular thing act will do it because someone else whom they want to follow is doing it.

Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13, 14, 16). We are lights and salt of the earth when we follow a good example and when we are good examples to others. This is a very large part of having our "spiritual house" in order.

Paul used himself as an example for the Thessalonians: “You yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we did not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.” [vv.7-9]

To be disorderly is, literally, to "come out of rank" in a military setting. Paul had a specific disorderly conduct in mind when he said, "we did NOT present to you a disorderly conduct." When Paul and his fellow missionaries were in Thessalonica they did not expect to be supported by the congregation, but gladly worked as an example to the congregation. Paul and the others worked hard not only preaching the Gospel but also working in secular employment to provide for their physical needs.

Paul and his fellow missionaries had every right to expect bodily/physical support from the people whom they served. Paul wrote this word of God to the Corinthians: “Who ever goes to war at his own expense? 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? Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? For it is written in the Law of Moses, 'You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.' Is it oxen God is concerned about?...If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things. If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the Gospel of Christ...Even so, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should live from the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:7-9, 14).

By the authority of God's Word, Paul had every right to say, "You should support me. I should be receiving my sustenance from you because I am preaching the Word of God to you." But, in order to be an example of working hard (an example needed by the Thessalonians) and faithfully, Paul and his fellow workers did not take their sustenance from the congregation.

Paul was concerned about the example he provided to the people so he did not "force the issue" regarding the things he needed for his life. Paul did not want to be a burden to the congregation so he considered the example he would set and then acted upon that godly consideration. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to follow that same good example for their own lives.

Whenever Paul directed people to follow his example it was not because he was saying, "Look at me I am such a model of Christian purity." Rather, "Look to me and when you see my example following the example of our Savior, then follow that example." And so to the Philippians Paul said, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9). Likewise the writer to the Hebrews wrote, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the Word of God to you, whose faith follow considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrews 13:7); and the apostle John wrote, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but what is good” (3 John 11).

The power of example – Paul put his example in the forefront for the people to follow, but he also tells them to GET AWAY from those who are providing a bad example. Get away—separate yourselves spiritually from those who are disorderly. “We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us” [v.6]

WITHDRAW! Separate yourselves from those who follow a disorderly way not according to the tradition which Paul preached. This is not "tradition" in the same way we might speak of it. Paul is not referring to the things we do because we’ve always done them; but rather, the tradition of the truth of God’s Word. If someone departs from that truth do not follow that example, and in fact do not associate yourself with that example. LEAVE! Separate yourself! Lest you be pulled into their disorderliness.

In your own spiritual house consider the example you are setting. Is your spiritual house put in order according to God’s Word by which you are reflecting a good example to those around you—not just unbelievers who might see your example and be led to search the scriptures, but also your fellow Christians? Is your spiritual house in order, giving a good example to all? In our world there are those in the public eye who will say, "It’s not my responsibility what people will do with the example I set." YES it is! God says so.

In your spiritual house are you following an example that is not leading according to God’s Word? Both setting and following a God-pleasing example is important for the orderliness of our spiritual house. The power of example is a very important part of putting your spiritual house in order.

II.

There was disorder in Thessalonica that came about because people were not working. They believed that Jesus’ return was imminent and, therefore, there was no reason to work because soon it wouldn’t matter anyway. To this errant belief and disorderliness, Paul said, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” [v.10]

Not working is not God’s will…or more specifically, not being WILLING to work is not God’s will. We start first of all with the work that God has given us to do above all else.

We have our employment, but THE work which God gives EACH of His children to do is to go out and make disciples of all nations. Our purpose is to spread the Gospel, to reflect the Gospel in everything we do. Christ is coming but we know not when. Until the day that Jesus does indeed return we need to be busy working in the work He has given us to do. Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). The Thessalonians were in error to stop working. As long as this earth stands every child of God should be busy in that work even as Jesus was!

While we are on the earth we also have employment and careers to provide for our physical needs. Paul was also speaking about this work when he said, "If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat."

We have in the last number weeks heard about a great many lay-offs in our country. This passage does not apply to someone who has lost a job and has not yet found another one. That person is willing to work but cannot it. This passage does not apply to retirees who have put in many years of faithful service and now are letting the younger generation complete those tasks. Rather, Paul is speaking about an unwillingness to do any work—whether it be for pay or other things. This applies to children unwilling to work and to help their parents. This applies to adults unwilling to work and do the things that are necessary for their family, for their employment, and whatever other responsibilities we might have. Paul says that if anyone is not willing to work in the responsibilities God gives (particularly regarding employment), then neither should he eat.

God’s intention is that we be faithfully working in the things of this earth, and this was His intention from the beginning. Even before sin came into the world God put Adam and Eve into Eden to accomplish the work of caring for the garden. Sin has come and made work burdensome at times, and painful at times, and hard, but work is God’s design.

In Ephesians and Colossians God describes how an employee and employer should relate to one another and how work should be done for the benefit of both (Ephesians 6; Colossians 4). Still there are people who fall into the same trap as the Thessalonians and believe they are entitled to something FREE…without working.

In this life there are people who truly need help and we should not hesitate to help them. God tells us to do so when He says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). James asks what kind of faith we would be showing if we are not willing to help someone who has an earthly need when we have the means whereby to help him? (James 2:15ff). Help those in need. If you need help, seek help. But where there is ability and opportunity to work, God’s direction is to set your spiritual house in order and be busy with the work of the Gospel and all other responsibilities which He gives.

There is another very important reason for having our spiritual house as one that is busy with what God has given us to do. If we become lazy or idle it can lead to great damage and danger. We heard the example of David in the Old Testament reading. We see the example also in Thessalonica where there were those who became "busy-bodies."

Paul spoke against this as well when he wrote, “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” [vv.11-12]

It is hard to find a good English word to use for what Paul describes. Paul actually uses a "play on words." What Paul says is that rather than being busy toward the goal of accomplishing work, those who are "busy-bodies" are "busy around" everybody else doing everything except what they should be doing. They were "working around" instead of "working toward" one’s own business. They were not busied in their business, but over-busied by the work of others. If we get busy with distractions; if we get busy worrying about things about which we have no business, we become ineffective workers—ineffective stewards of what God has given us to do. A waste of labor, gossip, being involved in things that have no value…all of these things are part of what Paul here directs the Thessalonians to leave behind.

Here our flesh sees an open door. If we are perhaps pursuing an activity that is displeasing to God and someone comes to correct us, our flesh might leap at the opportunity and say: "AHA! Don’t you be getting involved where you don’t belong! That’s my business and none of yours! Stay out! Don’t be a busybody!" This is not what Paul has in mind.

This admonition of Paul to not be "busy-bodies" is not a way to close the door on other people’s involvement with our spiritual house. God not only wants, he COMMANDS us to correct our Christian brothers when they are in error. He says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). He tells us to take heed to others more than to ourselves (cf: Philippians 2:3-4). There is an important business that each of us has with one another’s business, namely to watch out for one another and help one another out of sin when we become aware of it.

Having an orderly spiritual house involves the necessity of work – working in the Gospel and working in the responsibilities God gives us on earth, including our responsibility toward others.

III.

The stamina for doing good can shrink and fade at times. Paul encouraged the Philippians and us, “Do not grow weary in doing good.” [v.13]

When we as individuals or as a congregation help someone who is in need and find out later that the person has squandered our help, or were lying to us when they asked for help…when this kind of thing occurs it becomes easy to grow rather cynical and unwilling to help in the future. Those people who take advantage of our help are sinning in doing so, but let US not grow weary of doing good.

We may grow tired of correcting people in their sin if they keep rejecting us; if they say, "I don’t want to hear it! Just stay out of my life!" Or if they make life miserable by cutting themselves off from us because we have had the courage to correct them according to God’s Word. These are difficult things to face, but do not grow weary in doing good.

The way to "not grow weary," to maintain positive and effective stamina and motivation is to remember WHY we are doing it. The motivation and therefore the stamina to keep on doing good is to remember the goodness that our God has shown to us. We are not doing good for the fame and the fortune. We’re not doing good in order to be put upon pedestal and to hear, "My what a wonderful person you are!" -- not even to hear people say, "What a great Christian you are!" These are not the reasons for doing good! If these are the reasons, then as soon as they stop we will grow tired and weary of doing good.

The reason to keep on doing good is to demonstrate (to be an example) of love reflecting the love that God has shown us in Christ Jesus. Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant describes this very well (cf: New Testament reading). God, who sent Jesus to pay the debt of all our sins—has wiped it away completely without any merit in us. It is an amazing gift! If God gives us that gift out of His love then we too will be moved to show love to one another. Love will include forgiving all of the sins others commit against us, as well as pursuing every other avenue of doing good toward them.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians (speaking of their work in the earthly work place): "…with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:7). THERE is the motivation, the stamina to keep doing good in the workplace! Whether it is working faithfully so that when I receive an hours’ worth of wages I have done an hour’s worth of work; or if it is doing things faithfully even when my co-workers are not; whatever aspect of my earthly employment may involve me with doing good…its not for my boss, its not for my co-workers, its for the LORD whom I’m serving!

Likewise, Jesus will say to the believers on His right hand at Judgment Day: “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). The stamina to keep going, to not grow weary in doing good is to remember the Lord for whom we are doing it; to respond to God’s love in the fullest possible measure that we can employ in our work and responsibilities.

Set your spiritual house in order! God has given you every display of love, every reason to follow His will. Following God’s will in our lives is to follow the example set forth by Christ and by faithful Christians; to work in the Gospel and in the responsibilities of earth, and not to grow tired because Christ will strengthen us by His grace. Amen.

—Pastor Wayne C. Eichstadt