Paul Admonishes Christians to Work and Not Be Lazy

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Paul Admonishes Christians to Work and Not Be
Lazy

• 2Thessalonians 36-18

Presented by Bob DeWaay February 11, 2007
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Paul Urges Church Discipline for Those Who Evade
Obligations

• 2Thessalonians 36
• Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our
  Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every
  brother who leads an unruly life and not
  according to the tradition which you received
  from us.

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Paul Had Given Previous Instruction, So Now
Church Discipline

• 1Thessalonians 514
• And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly,
  encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be
  patient with all men.

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Pauls Example

• 2Thessalonians 37
• For you yourselves know how you ought to follow
  our example, because we did not act in an
  undisciplined manner among you,

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Pauls Exemplary Hard Work

• 2Thessalonians 38, 9
• nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for
  it, but with labor and hardship we kept working
  night and day so that we might not be a burden to
  any of you not because we do not have the right
  to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a
  model for you, that you might follow our example.

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Pauls Right That He Did Not Exercise

• 1Corinthians 914
• So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the
  gospel to get their living from the gospel.

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A Moral Duty to be Willing to Work

• 2Thessalonians 310
• For even when we were with you, we used to give
  you this order if anyone will not work, neither
  let him eat.
• Proverbs 1626
• A worker's appetite works for him, For his
  hunger urges him on.

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A Play On Words Not busy But busybodies

• 2Thessalonians 311
• For we hear that some among you are leading an
  undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but
  acting like busybodies.

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A Strong, Binding Command

• 2Thessalonians 312
• Now such persons we command and exhort in the
  Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and
  eat their own bread.

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Be Careful Not to Think Obedience Isnt Worth the
Effort

• 2Thessalonians 313
• But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of
  doing good.
• Galatians 69
• And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in
  due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.

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Church Discipline

• 2Thessalonians 314, 15
• And if anyone does not obey our instruction in
  this letter, take special note of that man and do
  not associate with him, so that he may be put to
  shame. And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but
  admonish him as a brother.

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Pauls Prayer/wish for the Church

• 2Thessalonians 316
• Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually
  grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord
  be with you all!

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Concluding Benediction

• 2Thessalonians 317, 18
• I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand,
  and this is a distinguishing mark in every
  letter this is the way I write. The grace of our
  Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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Applications

• Work done as unto the Lord is never menial.
• As Christians we should never be known as
  sluggards.
• Christians should work so that they can care for
  those who cannot.

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To Work is to Serve Christ

• Colossians 323, 24
• Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for
  the Lord rather than for men knowing that from
  the Lord you will receive the reward of the
  inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

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Laziness is Condemned in the Bible

• Proverbs 66-8
• Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and
  be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or
  ruler, Prepares her food in the summer, And
  gathers her provision in the harvest.

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Laziness is Condemned in the Bible

• Proverbs 69-11
• How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When
  will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep,
  a little slumber, A little folding of the hands
  to rest-- And your poverty will come in like a
  vagabond, And your need like an armed man.

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Christians Should Work and Help Others

• Ephesians 428
• Let him who steals steal no longer but rather
  let him labor, performing with his own hands what
  is good, in order that he may have something to
  share with him who has need.

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Christians Should Work and Help Others

• Titus 314
• And let our people also learn to engage in good
  deeds marg. occupations to meet pressing
  needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

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