You Can Keep at It - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

When I was a teenager back on the farm, we finally got a battery operated radio and I started listening to the Cardinals play baseball. Television came into being in the early 50s, and I started watching the Cardinals; and I still watch a baseball game occasionally, but only if the Cardinals are playing. Football became popular, and I have gone to see the Razorbacks a few times, and watch them play often. It matters not whether it is baseball or football; there is always a player or two that the team depends upon for a miracle win. Any time a good team loses, you can be assured that some of the great players let down…they fail to keep at it. It just seems to be one of the rules of the game. Winning as a Christian depends upon the same rule. When we let down or when we do not keep at it, our game of Christian life winds up with a loosing score, and the sad thing is it usually affects someone else in a negative way.

In our church, there are some of the players that seem to be fired up and in a winning mood any time you talk to them or observe them in their Christian walk. Sorry, but the opposite is also true with some. If you will think about this a minute, you will be able to think of Christians that fit both categories. I am really concerned and often wonder why anyone will submit their life to Christ, accept his grace and then fail to obey him to the best of their ability. A slothful Christian holds the Church back and prevents it from being a winning church in the same way that a non-committed player can harm a good football or basketball team. It is really easier to be a faithful and winning Christian because all Christ expects is that we give 100 percent of our effort, and almost every coach demands 110 percent. How can you judge your performance? Christ said that if you “Love me” you will keep my commandments. What are these commandments? If you are faithful, read the book and find what He says we should do to be faithful.

Paul held a three week revival in Thessalonica and won many to the Lord. He then wrote his first letter to help them clear up some confusion in the church and find their way to serve. When he found that there were some still in doubt and wavering, he wrote his second letter that has three major directions in it. The first chapter tells them that even though they are persecuted, God is still fair and will sustain them and punish the persecutors. In chapter two he tried to help them understand the second coming and help them to know that they had to remain steadfast to the end. In the third chapter of this book he encouraged believers to pray for him and for each other. Then he addressed the problem of unfaithfulness, and accused them of failing to do their part of the work in the church; and even more important he reminded them that they were disrupting the work of faithful Christians.

V-1-3. Note that Paul calls them brothers, so he is talking to Christian people, and not the persecutors. He called them brothers because he had a strong and affectionate feeling for them. Read between the lines and you will see that beneath the surface of the daily life of those in the church there was an invisible power holding them back. He indicates that their first line of defense was daily prayers for each other beseeching God to give them strength to overcome.

In Paul’s day it was, as is true today, the only useful living is Godly living; it requires self-discipline and choices made with a purpose in mind. Once saved, the Christian faith does not advance automatically; it takes determination and right choices on our part. You will find that this process is called “obedience” and requires some sacrifice. All through this chapter, Paul commanded the Thessalonians to focus on respectable and responsible living and to hold tightly to orthodox belief. This was then and still is the only way to be useful in God’s kingdom.

In this letter, Paul requested prayer for the missionaries that the gospel might spread through their ministry. He expressed his confidence in them to follow his instructions; and then warned them again to act with integrity and purpose because laziness was shameful and disobedience was intolerable. Paul ask for intercessory prayer from all Christians—that they would pray for the gospel to move forward and that people would respond in faith.

If you are not a regular worker in the church and if you are seldom involved in active mission work and intercessory prayer you are being singled out by Paul in verses six and beyond. Dedicated workers are instructed to stay away form you and not have anything to do with you. Dedicated and working members are to stay away from every one who is idle. Paul said that he and his workers were not idle while thy lived and taught with them—and they did not expect the church to feed them. They paid their own way. They worked night and day and were not a burden to anyone. They did this to set an example for the church to follow: and their point was that if a man won’t work he has no right to eat. Oh, how I love this teaching. It fits so well into one of our major problems in America today. A great number feel that they are the depressed and that the prosperous people owe them a living. There are some families that have gone into the fifth generation or more living on welfare. The bible teaches that if they will not work, they should not eat. I believe God’s word. Read verse 10 again for yourself.

Paul teaches us that if we are not busy at something that is worthwhile that it is human nature to find someone’s business in which we can get involved. A man that is not busy at something worthwhile is a busybody causing problems. There is a vast difference in leisure and idleness. It is no coincident that the week is divided as it is. There is one day set aside for worship and service to God. Sunday. There is one day set aside for rest and recreation. Saturday. There are five days set aside for us to work to make a living for our family. Not everyone can adhere to this schedule without exception, but faithful followers of Christ will find that something close to this ratio can be worked into their life’s schedule.

I hope we can bring this discussion right down to where you and I are living today. I have been involved in public education of your children most of my adult life and will be happy to share with you why I think God called me…and why I believe that I was called into the education field.

What do you think of your job, position, assignment in relation to what God expects of his workers here on earth? Don’t become jittery about this question because I assure you that there is no honorable assignment outside of God’s will. He is omnipotent and needs no one, but at the same time he can use anyone that will surrender their life to him.

What is your attitude toward work? If you have worked [struggled] all you life and still have needs—does someone owe you? Should others be expected to meet your needs? What did Paul preach about this?

At what point, and under what conditions can you expect others to assume some responsibility for you’re circumstances that you are experiencing? If Christ was running our welfare program in America—what changes would be made? Would America consider Christ a conservative or liberal? God’s word speaks to us and helps us relate to his plan for his people. I think he taught us to be conservative in living and liberal in giving.

You Can Stay Calm - II Thessalonians 2:1-17

As a general rule, most people are interested in future events and many of them have a particular interest in knowing more abut what will take place at the end of this age. I remember well that my parents were unable to buy many books during the depression years of the 30s, but somehow they always found a way to afford the new Farmers Almanac each year. The primary reason for the popularity of the Almanac was that it had all of the needed predictions for preparation and planting of different crops for best results. It let us know the changes of seasons, the position of the moon and where the signs were ‘at’.

I never understood what the signs ‘were’ but always knew where they were ‘at’—and I have always known that you never plant seed of any kind and expected them to sprout and grow well unless the sign was in the groin area…And just to make sure you knew where the groin area was—the illustrator drew the outline of a man and marked the important parts like the brain, the heart, lungs, and groin area. Be honest now—wouldn’t you really like to know when Gabriel’s trumpet will sound—and time will be no more?? Most people would. It may be that they just think they want to know. If you have not accepted Christ as Savior, you really do not want to know.

If you are not interested in the end time, that tells me that you have not read the bible, probably have attended church little or none, and are completely unaware of the promise of Jesus Christ that as “People saw him go, so will he come again.” I know exactly—to the very moment—when Christ will return and I believe that you want to know. I may be the only person on earth that can tell you with assurance, but I can do it. “Listen carefully” ‘He will return as a thief in the night, when he is not expected;’ And it will be at the exact time that he has set on his clock. “Believe it or not.”

Some of the particulars are very dim in my memory but at least three different predictions of the end time have come in the last thirty years. In the early 80s a book was published that heightened the interest of many as to when the end of time would come. Later in the 80s a pamphlet was circulated that had a definite prediction regarding the second coming of Christ. Both dates came and went with no expectations met… and no signs of an approaching Savior.

The last and very disturbing prediction came in connection with the end of 1999 and the beginning of the new century. Many of you can remember all the chatter about how this change in the century would bring a major break down in the computer age, in the timing system and that this Y2-k problem probably was connected to the second coming of Christ. Gabriel did not blow his trumpet! And we are all still here. YOU CAN STAY CALM IF YOU WILL ONLY MAINTAIN YOUR CONFIDENCE in the teaching of Paul regarding the second coming of Christ.

I have read what Paul said in his letters to the Thessalonians church, I hope that you have, or will. I believe Paul was inspired to write truth and if I am right you can make no mistake if you realize that Christ can return at any moment, and absolutely “NO ONE” knows when it will be. The only thing absolutely sure about this matter is that each one of us must be ready at all times. Even with this kind of expectation, WE CAN STAY CALM and MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE if we are born again.

We are fortunate to have several channels on TV that devote time and money to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have personally viewed two or three movies connected with the end time. The “Left Behind” series is one example. I realize that man wrote the script and that it had to be done in a way that would appeal to the public, but I especially appreciate the teaching that Christians will leave all behind and go to be with the Lord. The pilot of the plane flying at 30,000 feet will disappear into the heavens and the co-pilot will have to take over and land the plane. The farmer in the field will leave his plow and be gone while his family is left behind. The mother will go to be with her Lord, and her children will realize they did not make the call. The scripture teaches us that there will be turmoil as “gnashing of teeth,” and crying for the mountains to fall on those remaining.

In all of this “YOU CAN STAY CALM if you MAINTAIN YOUR CONFIDENCE in what God’s word teaches us about the end of time as we know it and the “coming of the lord.” Make no mistake. Jesus could return as you are reading this lesson. Believers are to live each moment with an expecting heart and not setting dates and time. Above all, please do not depend on scholars of biblical history, or so-called prophets, who claim to have inside information. This lesson is designed to help believers confirm the basic biblical truths about Jesus’ return and clarify what our expectations should be. To my faithful readers, I apologize for having to repeat myself in the last two or three lessons. It is necessary because the Thessalonians misunderstood Paul’s teaching in his first letter and he had to re-teach again about the second coming. I am doing what Paul did. This is reinforcement about the second coming, necessary because it is the most important event that will ever occur in our lives, or in our after life.

In 2: 1 Paul exalts us to depend upon the truth of the scriptures and to listen to no man regarding the second coming. He describes the conditions that will exist at the time. Paul describes the end of the world and Christ’s second coming. He says that great suffering and trouble is ahead, but that evil will not prevail, because Christ will return as the Judge of all of us. He makes it plain that our position is to simply make sure that we are ready and able to remain calm and confident that we are in his will and way.

In 2: 2 he tells us not to be worried or unsettled or alarmed by some false prophesy, report or letter that was supposed to have come from him saying that the day of the Lord had already come. It has not come. It will come soon, and it could be as we study this together. Our definition of time is not the same as God’s definition. Do not be deceived by what you read. Do not take MY word. Read God’s Word carefully and see what the Word tells you about this subject. Throughout history there have been individuals who epitomized evil—and have been opposed to everything that Christ stands for. These are the antichrists that have lived among us and will continue to teach error until His return.

In that final day the most noted antichrist of all time will arise. Just before Christ returns the “man of lawlessness”…”the man doomed to destruction” a completely evil man will arise and take charge of the world. He will be Satan’s chosen envoy, a diplomat operating with the power of Satan and will be known as the last of the antichrist. This will be the one mentioned in Revelation that will require his followers to wear the mark of the beast.

It is not unusual to hear people talk about some individual that they think might be the final antichrist. I believe that it is dangerous for us to label any person as the antichrist and try to predict Christ’s coming based on our assumption. Paul talks about the coming antichrist not that we should try to identify him, but that we should always be ready to face any false teacher that might threaten our faith. Christians must remember that our assurance is based on our faith, believing that God is in charge and that he will work things out according to his plan…and his plan is to protect his people here and save them in the end time. Our task is to be prepared and to spread the gospel so that others can also prepare.

In the early days of the church at Thessalonica Christians misunderstood and were actually in danger of loosing their hope in the second coming. Then they shifted to the other extreme with many believing that Christ would return any day. In this second letter, Paul tried to correct their false assumptions. He explained that there were certain events that would happen before his return. Paul assured us that the antichrist would be held back and revealed in God’s time. We have had a law abiding and God fearing nation in the past and I think that has held Satan back. The work of the Holy Spirit definitely has something to do with his deterrence. Paul did not say for sure who would hold him back…but you can be assured that someone is in his way or he would move to destroy us now.

The horror of the last days lies in the fact that the antichrist will be able to do miracles in the name of Satan, and through his power, and this will lead many to follow him. The magicians of today can perform miracles; they do it for money and show. Christ performed miracles to win people to his way. It is not who performs miracles that counts…it is the purpose that is important. The antichrist will use miracles to win people to his way…he will use them as signs and wonders to deceive many and to draw his following. He will lead many away from God. Oh’ ye of little faith, you had better believe that salvation begins and ends with God and not false teachers.

Paul knew his followers would face troubles, trials and persecution and that they would have to be strong in faith and unwavering in their efforts to live both in and for Christ. There has been no change in this teaching. We face our own problems and it is absolutely necessary that we cling to His promises to protect and save us; and to share with us that special place in heaven that He has prepared especially for us. You need not fear. You need not be upset or unsure just because you do not know when…Just be ready and YOU CAN SAY CALM.

You Can Feel Safe - II Thessalonians 1:1-12

The two Thessalonian letters were among the first letters that Paul wrote to the churches and many think they were his first. There is good evidence that they were separated by only a matter of a few weeks. You should remember that there were two primary issues addressed in his first letter, and for some reason he felt that there was a need to write about these same issues again. The issues were matters regarding the second coming of Jesus and concerns about the Greek converts who had stopped working because they were expecting the immediate appearance of Christ.

Paul and his workers spent three weeks organizing this new church and converting the core workers who were primarily Jews, and Greek. The same Jewish leaders that had refused to accept Christ as the Messiah forced him to leave the new church, and the country, and he escaped to Corinth where he remained for some time. While there, he learned that there were problems in Thessalonica that had arisen over their misunderstanding of the teachings on the second coming of the Lord. He wrote the first letter to help them grow in faith and to affirm the reality of Christ’s return.

A short time later Paul learned that some had misunderstood his teaching regarding the second coming. He had said that Christ could come any minute and some took him literally and stopped working. The Jewish leadership that had opposed Paul was now increasing the persecution of the members of the new church, and the persecuted ones interpreted this as proof that “the day of the Lord” was at hand. Paul heard of this misunderstanding and within a few weeks he wrote the second letter…that we will be studying the next few Sundays.

The greeting in verse 1 was much like the one he wrote in his first letter. However there was one word that changed that made a major difference. In the first letter he said the greeting was from God THE Father. In this letter the term became God OUR Father. This change was intended to personalize their common kinship in having the same Father…God. In the first letter he only said grace and peace to you. In this letter he emphasized the divine
source of this desire for them to have grace and peace was from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This passage gives us a great example as to why I wish that I could read Greek. Verses 1 through 10 are all in one long sentence in Greek. The English translation breaks it down into ten verses, and I am sure this makes it much easier for us to understand. I only wish that I could check the accuracy of the interpretation.

We are prone to give Paul all the credit for writing this letter, but in verse 1 the indication is that it is from Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians. Thessalonica was the capital and the largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. The most important Roman highway went through Thessalonica and then all the way to the Orient. The city had the most thriving seaport in the empire at that time. The highway and seaport made this one of the wealthiest and most flourishing trade centers in all of the empire. It was known as a free city, with self rule, and was exempted from most of the restrictions placed by Roman rule on other cities. This freedom invited many foreigners who migrated to Thessalonica. They brought with them their pagan gods and divisive influences that challenged the Christian faith—this added to the strong Jewish resistance.

Verse 3 gives us an example of how Paul was always complementary of those that were trying to serve God. He began most of his letters to all churches by stating his appreciation for them, always encouraging them to keep the faith. All sincere pastors must be careful to balance their sermons in a way that they will encourage those believers that are trying and deserving; and admonish those members that are slothful as well as those who are not dedicated to the up building of the church.

V-4. Do you as an individual, or does your church ever face trials, problems, persecution, failures, even death in your family or the church body? How do you react? How does your church react? Is there a solution always available that never fails? The answer to the last question is YES and Paul gives you the solution in this verse. The answer is always faith and perseverance. Any time we are faced with crushing trials and problems, we must have faith to believe that God is using our demise for our own good and for His glory. We must believe that God is just and fair and that he will give us the patience to endure; we must continue to trust and believe that He has not forgotten us and that in his time he will relieve our suffering. Our enemies will not escape His judgment. We must accept his timing.

Paul was persecuted [Acts 17: 5-9] and those that followed his teachings and become Christians were being persecuted by both Jews and gentiles. In his first letter to them he said that Christ’s return would bring them their relief and judgment to those that persecuted them. He did not say when this would be. They mistakenly thought that it was to happen in their time. In this second letter he tells them that it may be awhile and that while they wait for Christ’s return, they must have the faith and perseverance to hold out and hold on to God.

V-5. Christians will experience troubles because they are trying to be God’s followers in a perverse world that does not agree. [There are some who think their problems are either caused by sin [maybe in their own life] or because of their like of faith.] That is no what Paul says. He tells us here in this letter that persecutions, trials and troubles may be a part of God’s plan for his children. Have you ever punished one of your children? Why did you do it? Was it for their good? Sure it was. God has a way of spanking his disobedient children, surely it is not that he desires to punish but it is for our good.

If we have faith to believe, then our problems can cause us to look forward and upward to Him instead of looking inward and trying to fix things on our own. Problems build strong character [Romans 5:3-4], and they can provide us with opportunities to comfort others who are struggling [2Corin. 1: 3-5]. Your troubles may be an indication that you are taking a stand for Christ.

Vs. 5-12. Paul says that we should be relieved in knowing that our sufferings are giving us strength and getting us ready for judgment day. We can also gain relief from our pain by realizing the fact that on judgment day everyone will stand before God; and at that time all wrongs will be made right—judgment will be pronounced and there will be no more evil, pain or suffering. The everlasting destruction mentioned here is referring to the lake of fire that is recorded in Revelation 20: 14. This is the place of everlasting destruction and also eternal separation from God. None of those who reach this place of destruction will ever have another opportunity to be saved. We are to strive to be like Christ [Romans 8: 29], to be sanctified is a lifelong process that will end the day we meet Christ face to face [1 John 3:2]. We must want to do what is right to be worthy. We are not perfect but trying.

Do You Get Along with Others? - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

As I review the scriptures that we will be studying in this lesson and look at the challenges Paul lays out for us to get along with the others in our church, I can tell you from experience that it is not always easy to retain a truly Christ-like attitude toward all leaders, all of the time, in any church. Sadly I tell you that there can be false leaders in the church just as there can be false teachers in the classrooms. I was saved and joined a Southern Baptist Church sixty-two years ago. I have served to the best of my ability in just about every capacity except as pastor. During my years of service there has been only one pastor that I could not support. This disagreement has been one of the apostle Paul thorns in my side, unpleasant and threatening even though I believe that I was right. I pray that God will forgive me if I was in error.

In verse twelve, Paul speaks of the respect due those who work hard and are over you and admonish you. He is probably thinking of teachers, elders, deacons, and pastors of the church. I have no choice as a teacher but to admonish you that it is your responsibility to hold the hands of your leaders high while they pray, lest you be the one responsible for their failure. I also remind you that you must know what God wills in your life and in the life of your church in order to be qualified to know whom you must support or reject. Have you read your bible? Do you know when a leader is in error? You are only obligated to support the truth.

The twelfth verse indicates that those leaders that are over you IN THE LORD—which means that they are preaching, teaching, and directing as the Lord has commanded them to do, are worthy of our respect. We are to respect those that work hard among us; who are in leadership positions; and who admonish us to serve faithfully. We are to realize that our pastor has a worthy calling, and that God holds him responsible for his efforts to lead the lost to salvation and feed God’s sheep. Christian members of the church are obligated to hold ministers in the highest regard [in love] because of their assigned task in the body of the church.


The congregation of Christians in the church is obligated to live in peace with each other in order to prevent any disruption, strife, or misunderstanding that will disrupt the unity of the body of Christ. You may wonder how you can show respect and hold him and the other church leaders in your highest regards. Do not forget the other leaders in your church. The music director, youth director and minister of children and families need your encouragement too. It takes overt action on your part. You must express your appreciation; you must tell them of the times when their leadership and Christian teaching has been of benefit to you. Nothing will help them more than for you to tell them how their ministry has helped you in your Christian life. If you never say anything to your pastor, how can he know your feelings? How can he know where you stand? Preachers feel lonesome in the pulpit unless they know that they have company; supporters, and prayer warriors occupying the pews.

This can go one step forward. Actions speak louder than words. Support them at the ballot box and with a personal gift of appreciation often, particularly on special occasions.

Active Christians should never join or support the idle; it is always better to encourage the idle and weak. In fact, it is difficult for us to know the difference between idleness and timidity. Two people may be doing little or nothing; one because they are too lazy and the other may simply be shy or fear doing something wrong. You can’t help unless you know the reason for the problem; therefore there should be no criticism, only admonition, assurance, and encouragement. If we can’t help our fellow man, it is better to do nothing that will discourage.

Vs 16-18 gives three commands. A] spread joy; B] pray and C] give thanks. Most Christians obey these commands but only when they feel like it; it is easy to allow daily circumstances interfere. Actually, when you are feeling down about some circumstance over which you have no control, the best balm is to pray and give thanks for things that are right. We do not give thanks for everything, but in everything. Neither pain nor suffering comes from God. We should not thank him for the bad things that happen to us; however, we should always thank him for seeing us through the bad times, and praise him for the good that He will cause to come as a result of our problems.
V 19 tells us to keep spiritual fires burning. What do you think he means? Remember the trinity, God, Christ, and Holly Spirit, one in all—all in one. Many times in the bible one of these is referred to as fire. God appeared on Mt. Sinai as a burning light, and Moses face actually glowed from the brightness. God appeared in the burning bush. He appeared in the desert wilderness by day as clouds and at night as fire. When Christ came down from his forty day temptation his face was glowing as fire. The Holy Spirit entered the upper room as a fire. The Spirit is God on earth. Our body is his temple. He causes us to have a burning desire to do God’s will. If our lives are evil to the point that the Spirit can not work through us…we are putting out the Spirit’s fire.

One of, if not the most difficult concept for us to truly understand is that all of God’s creation was done to benefit man—with the idea that God’s family would be one of true Christian relationships—with constantly abiding ‘agape love’ always in and between the God head and humanity. The trinity is a spiritual being that demands that true believers first love must be for the holly family. We cannot see, feel, taste or smell the Holly spirit, and Satan uses this to cause us to doubt that He is present. There are many environmentalists that have no problem hugging and loving a tree. Conversationalists believe that the red billed woodpecker in the Cash River Bottoms should be found and preserved from extension. They have never seen the bird, but they love him. The Holly Spirit [God] created the tree and the bird; he is ever present but since we do not see Him we have a great problem hugging Him, loving Him, and fellowshipping with him. Our failure to recognize Him, and worship Him quinces the Holy Spirit…puts his fire out.

We are to test everything; weigh it, measure it and hold on to only the good. How do you do this? Use a test tube, a set of accurate scales, and a yard stick. You have the most accurate testing device on earth on your book shelf—it is called the Holly Bible. Study it and you will know what is good and how to avoid evil. One very good rule is so simple that most of us know it and have no trouble remembering it; therefore it is always handy and available—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

When you believe, God will save you. When you obey God, he will sanctify you through and through. You are by nature a sinner and must share the responsibility for all the evil in this old world. The price of sin and evil is death. Therefore, if you want to be held blameless, you must accept the death of Christ as payment for the sin you have committed.
“THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU.”