“In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,” truly a dying world, we have a great faith and hope in our God. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord…We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus…Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
Verse 15: The Gospel from Beginning to End
In this first section of the letter Paul identifies four things that he wants to accomplish in Rome:
1) v11 impart some spiritual gift
2) v12 encourage by the mutual faith
3) v13 have some fruit among the Romans
4) v15 preach the gospel
Paul was the “Apostle to the Gentiles” and he was eager to preach the Gospel to the predominately Gentile church in Rome. Follow the thought of “you”:
V7 “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints”
V8 “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all”
V11 “I long to see you”
V15 “I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome”
*Who is the “you” that he wants to preach the Gospel to? The Christians
Since Paul wanted to preach the Gospel to those who had already heard the message and believed we can reason several things:
1) The Gospel involves more than initial conversion
2) The Gospel has an integral part of the Christian’s life from beginning to end
3) The Gospel is deeper than the simple message “God loves you”
4) As one person says, “The gospel includes every aspect of Christian existence.”
The Gospel changes, empowers, encourages, teaches, and influences us forever.
5) The Gospel unites Christians (which the Romans needed)
*Remember that famous verse in 1 Cor 2:2 where Paul says, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Paul wanted to strengthen believers in their faith. And what is our faith in?
Christ and Him crucified! “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21). Our faith in that atoning, substitutionary work must constantly be renewed and reinforced.
*Paul wanted to preach the Gospel to the believers in Rome like he would new converts.
Verse 16: For it is the Power of God
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel”: Paul employs a figure of speech used to ‘lessen a thing in order to increase it.’ He uses a negative word (“not”) in order to grab the reader’s attention which intensifies his main point. What Paul is saying in an intense fashion is, “I count the Gospel my highest honor.” He is honored to proclaim the Gospel and to suffer for it with full confidence in its power. The Gospel is literally, “good news.” Though we are hard-pressed by this world and despite persecution from the evil one, we are the children of God. “Whoever believes [in Christ] will not be put to shame.”
But this shame issue is important. Remember what Jesus said in Mark 8:38 --
“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Paul would not and could not be ashamed of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of salvation in Him.
Salvation most often refers to the eschatological sense which will only be realized at the Judgment when we will escape the wrath of God, but there is also the sense in the NT that salvation is realized in the present. It impacts our lives today. It matters what you think about death, judgment, and eternity. These things impact our decisions and actions. We are saved from many things here and now such as guilt, heavy burdens, this present wicked age, works of the law, hopelessness and we will ultimately be saved from the wrath of God to come.
Punishment and Hell do not await us who believe.
You see, the Gospel is the power of God that “results in” salvation.
You want to be saved? You need the power of God – The Gospel
In 1 Cor 1:18 the Apostle says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
The message of the cross…is the power of God.
The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ who is declared in v4 as the “Son of God with power.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God and that power is available “for EVERYONE who BELIEVES.” The Romans needed to hear that there is unity in Christ… You see, “The Gospel unleashes God’s power so that people [anyone, Jew and Gentile, red, yellow, black, and white], by embracing it, can be rescued from the disastrous effects of sin, being pronounced ‘righteous’ in God’s sight,” though we are not! The Gospel says that Christ has attained righteousness and He freely offers it to all who believe – those who will receive it.
You want to be right in the eyes of God? The Bible says that God takes Jesus’ righteousness and gives it to you if you trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection. “It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”
We must note, the Gospel is universal yet particular: “to the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Verse 17: The Righteousness of God
In the Gospel the righteousness of God is manifest made real. “Righteousness of God” is significant to Romans study because besides 2 Cor 5:21, it is only used in this letter.
*It is an act of God and our status because of it.
The Jews continually looked for the righteousness of God in their behalf as the OT Prophets and Psalmists predicted. Paul announces the coming of the righteousness of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes two aspects of this righteousness that weren’t widely accepted:
1. God’s righteousness is an entirely gracious act, only experienced by faith.
2. Anyone, Jew or Gentile, can and need to experience it.
“Faith to faith”:
1. From faith in the Law to Faith in the Gospel
2. The Faith of the Preacher and the Faith of the Hearer
3. The Reference of the Growth of Faith in an individual
4. First faith = God’s faithfulness and Second Faith = Faith of an individual
5. Righteousness is received by faith and has faith, not works
*Probably for emphasis (faith, nothing but faith)
Conclusion:
“The just shall live by faith” which is quoted here from Habakkuk is a key Biblical theme.
“Abraham believed and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
We need the power of God actively working in our lives to accomplish salvation for us.
“The Gospel unleashes God’s power so that people, by embracing it, can be rescued from the disastrous effects of sin, being pronounced ‘righteous’ in God’s sight,” – saved from this present wicked age and the wrath that is to come on those who are outside of Christ.
The power of God working in us is a promise of Scripture if we will continue in the faith:
1) “It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
2) “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ…”
Receive the Gospel…Believe the Gospel…Feed on the Gospel…Trust in Christ…Do not be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes!
Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Virgins
We will enter the Scripture in a section that has our Lord and His disciples sitting on the Mount of Olives only a few days before His crucifixion. The teaching began with the disciples asking our Lord when and what the signs would be of the Temple’s destruction, His coming, and the end of the age. In this section, teaching on the near destruction of Jerusalem and the return of the Son of Man are mingled together. There are four parables taught and we will discuss the third concerning the Return: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
This parable concerns the waiting period until the Lord Jesus’ return. The intention is to describe future events and by doing so, urge a response in the here and now. As we move through the text, we will keep one, primary focus: *Waiting for the Lord’s return involves preparations for a long delay.*
[READ First Line] Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened…
A. At the time of Christ’s Return it will be something like this parable.
B. Not every individual parabolic detail can be interpreted to explain every detail of the Return.
a. Then will be like…
b. We must read this as an entire picture of the Return.
C. Background of Wedding:
a. Engagement:
1. The father would choose a wife for his son.
2. Formal (and Legal) Arrangements
Couple was legally married, but didn’t live together or have physical relations.
*The parable begins with the wedding night. The proposal and preliminary arrangements have long been made. Now the time of waiting takes place- waiting for the Bridegroom.
b. Wedding:
1. About year later
2. Bridegroom/companions went to escort Bride/maids to Groom’s home.
3. Along the way, many neighbors, friends, and family would join.
4. Marriage supper (public celebration) was held at the house of the Bridegroom
The parable ends at the home of the Bridegroom.
[READ vv. 1-2] The Virgins
A. Various interpretations
1. Children of Friends and Neighbors
2. Servants of the Bridegroom
3. Bridesmaids (Can Rule Out)
a. Would not be on the road
b. Would not supply own oil
c. Would not be excluded at the Bridegroom’s house
B. Most likely young women waiting to join the procession to the party.
C. The parade would move through the streets at night using the light of oil-fed torches, for lack of street lights. As they move through the town, they pick people along the way and these people are expected to have torches. The 10 girls were waiting for the group to get to them so that they could join in and be taken to the home of the groom where the joyous party would continue all night and possibly even a week.
[READ vv. 3-9] The Bridegroom Delayed
A. The majority of people agree that the Bridegroom is the Lord Jesus.
a. Yahweh calls Himself the Husband of Israel in the OT
b. Jesus calls Himself the Husband of the Church in the NT
B. The delay of the Bridegroom is a major point in the parable.
a. The delay is what distinguishes the wise from the foolish.
b. It is presupposed that the foolish took oil in their lamps just as the wise and they were interested in going to the party like the wise.
c. v. 4 “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”
d. By the way, nothing is made of the group sleeping.
e. The wise made preparations for a long delay while the foolish did not.
[READ vv.10-12] And the Door was Shut
A. Waiting for the Bridegroom involved preparations for a long delay.
B. Preparedness and prudence cannot be shared or in any way benefit the foolish.
C. The foolish virgins did not forget oil, but willingly chose to not take any extra. The group set out together, yet five prepared and five didn’t in the group of ten. You have to think that the wise warned the foolish that they weren’t bringing enough oil!
D. It is not that people who desired to be in the wedding party were refused, but rather that they never made the preparations needed to be accepted.
Conclusion: v. 13 reiterates the theme of the section and the parable. Watch! Be Prepared!
The difference between the 5 wise and the 5 foolish is that the wise took extra oil.
Oil has been interpreted in many ways including: good works, grace, and the Holy Spirit.
These three are obviously lacking. **The point is that the wise are prepared for a long delay.
Waiting for the Lord’s return involves preparations for a long delay.
We must be strategic for now and the future. There is a waiting period. We have our defining moment, make a commitment to the Lord, and then we realize there is still time remaining.
What do we do with this time? What is this interim period for? Why has the Lord left us here?
1. Preparatory Period: To Prepare Ourselves
a. Spiritual Growth by assembling ourselves together for study.
(Spiritual Learnedness) - Colossians 1:9
b. Glorifying God - Colossians 1:16
2. Preparatory Period: To Prepare Others
a. Teach the Gospel (Matthew 28:20) / Be Peace-Makers (Matthew 5:9)
b. Our preparation may not be transferable, but we can prepare others through teaching.
SEE John 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world…”
We have a preparatory period.
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour…
Waiting for the Lord’s return involves preparations for a long delay.
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
This parable concerns the waiting period until the Lord Jesus’ return. The intention is to describe future events and by doing so, urge a response in the here and now. As we move through the text, we will keep one, primary focus: *Waiting for the Lord’s return involves preparations for a long delay.*
[READ First Line] Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened…
A. At the time of Christ’s Return it will be something like this parable.
B. Not every individual parabolic detail can be interpreted to explain every detail of the Return.
a. Then will be like…
b. We must read this as an entire picture of the Return.
C. Background of Wedding:
a. Engagement:
1. The father would choose a wife for his son.
2. Formal (and Legal) Arrangements
Couple was legally married, but didn’t live together or have physical relations.
*The parable begins with the wedding night. The proposal and preliminary arrangements have long been made. Now the time of waiting takes place- waiting for the Bridegroom.
b. Wedding:
1. About year later
2. Bridegroom/companions went to escort Bride/maids to Groom’s home.
3. Along the way, many neighbors, friends, and family would join.
4. Marriage supper (public celebration) was held at the house of the Bridegroom
The parable ends at the home of the Bridegroom.
[READ vv. 1-2] The Virgins
A. Various interpretations
1. Children of Friends and Neighbors
2. Servants of the Bridegroom
3. Bridesmaids (Can Rule Out)
a. Would not be on the road
b. Would not supply own oil
c. Would not be excluded at the Bridegroom’s house
B. Most likely young women waiting to join the procession to the party.
C. The parade would move through the streets at night using the light of oil-fed torches, for lack of street lights. As they move through the town, they pick people along the way and these people are expected to have torches. The 10 girls were waiting for the group to get to them so that they could join in and be taken to the home of the groom where the joyous party would continue all night and possibly even a week.
[READ vv. 3-9] The Bridegroom Delayed
A. The majority of people agree that the Bridegroom is the Lord Jesus.
a. Yahweh calls Himself the Husband of Israel in the OT
b. Jesus calls Himself the Husband of the Church in the NT
B. The delay of the Bridegroom is a major point in the parable.
a. The delay is what distinguishes the wise from the foolish.
b. It is presupposed that the foolish took oil in their lamps just as the wise and they were interested in going to the party like the wise.
c. v. 4 “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”
d. By the way, nothing is made of the group sleeping.
e. The wise made preparations for a long delay while the foolish did not.
[READ vv.10-12] And the Door was Shut
A. Waiting for the Bridegroom involved preparations for a long delay.
B. Preparedness and prudence cannot be shared or in any way benefit the foolish.
C. The foolish virgins did not forget oil, but willingly chose to not take any extra. The group set out together, yet five prepared and five didn’t in the group of ten. You have to think that the wise warned the foolish that they weren’t bringing enough oil!
D. It is not that people who desired to be in the wedding party were refused, but rather that they never made the preparations needed to be accepted.
Conclusion: v. 13 reiterates the theme of the section and the parable. Watch! Be Prepared!
The difference between the 5 wise and the 5 foolish is that the wise took extra oil.
Oil has been interpreted in many ways including: good works, grace, and the Holy Spirit.
These three are obviously lacking. **The point is that the wise are prepared for a long delay.
Waiting for the Lord’s return involves preparations for a long delay.
We must be strategic for now and the future. There is a waiting period. We have our defining moment, make a commitment to the Lord, and then we realize there is still time remaining.
What do we do with this time? What is this interim period for? Why has the Lord left us here?
1. Preparatory Period: To Prepare Ourselves
a. Spiritual Growth by assembling ourselves together for study.
(Spiritual Learnedness) - Colossians 1:9
b. Glorifying God - Colossians 1:16
2. Preparatory Period: To Prepare Others
a. Teach the Gospel (Matthew 28:20) / Be Peace-Makers (Matthew 5:9)
b. Our preparation may not be transferable, but we can prepare others through teaching.
SEE John 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world…”
We have a preparatory period.
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour…
Waiting for the Lord’s return involves preparations for a long delay.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Do Not Grow Weary
In our Scripture for today we find ourselves in the Second Letter to the Thessalonians C3. There are several things going on here that we could address and some things that we can/must be challenged with as the people of God. I must give you a brief introduction to the history of one issue. Apparently there were quite a few believers in the church who were not willing to work and were sponging off of the others. There were bunches of freeloading Christians there in Thessalonica. Not only were there idlers, but there were disorderly people. They spent there time sticking there noses where it didn’t belong. It was such a problem that the Apostle Paul had to write to them and we have inspired Scripture that speaks to the matter.
It is interesting to note that Paul had actually taught these things while he was with the people and in his first letter to them he had insisted the same. In 1 Thess 4:11-12 the Bible says, “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” Then, in 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly…”
Now we come to the second letter and the problem has persisted. These were such ungodly activities (laziness, freeloading, disorderly conduct, being busybodies) that the Apostle writes, “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” (3:6)
The Apostle’s word on the matter was a very real and practical teaching. Each person should work and provide for himself. As Christians, we are to live our lives in a quiet manner, not stirring up controversy or causing any type of unrest. The Bible says in another place, “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” (Phil 2:14). As much as it depends on you, “aspire to lead a quiet life.”
Secondly, we are to mind our own business. Now, there are several Scriptures that instruct us to be our brother’s keeper (our sister’s keeper), but that is not what this is talking about and I think you know what he means. We are to show genuine concern for fellow believers who have fallen on hard times, but for the most part we are instructed to mind our own business. It is disorderly, it is gossiping, and it is ungodly to stick our noses where they do not belong. The problem is many people intentionally and manipulatively query into others affairs.
Thirdly, we are to work with our own hands. If America has lost any Biblical principles at all this is the one. We have been indoctrinated to the point that we think everybody owes us something. Well, that’s not what the Bible teaches. The Apostle tells the Thessalonians, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Now, we want our leaders and our president (who claims to be a Christian) to return to Biblical principles, correct? Well, what if he stood in front of the cameras for the whole nation to hear and said, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat”? That would cause one of the largest uproars the world has ever seen. Take note, I am not saying that it is wrong to save up SOME funds for our old age, or as a cushion for catastrophes that may hit, or even for a rainy day. AND I am NOT saying that those with health setbacks are to be rebuked for not working.
What I am saying is that, for the most part, we are to work and provide for our own households. That is pleasing to God and it is a witness to outsiders. It tells them that we are orderly, honest, God-fearing people who will provide for ourselves.
So, we “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands”
Let us read the Scripture where the point is made clear and then I will extend a few applications.
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
What is Biblical Retirement?
What is the American understanding of retirement?
Have you ever read anything in the Bible about retirement? Is it a Biblical concept?
What does God think about retirement?
It should be noted that maybe part of the problem in Thessalonica was the fact that so many of them had a faulty view of the return of Christ. (I did not plan this in light of Harold Camping’s prediction, but this speaks to the matter).
We know that the Thessalonians could not get their eschatology right because we read so much in the letters to them about the second coming of Christ. They believed, as they should have, that Christ could return any day and that it would be very soon. What they did not regard was the overwhelming amount of Scripture that teaches that Christ may be delayed. I have never forgotten the main point of the parable of the virgins-
the Bridegroom may be delayed. He is coming, but He may be delayed…
If you knew for certain that the end was one week from today, you probably would quit your job, prepare yourself, and evangelize with such zealous fervor that you would not even sleep. The Thessalonians were so caught up in the awe of the second coming that it appears they quit their jobs, yet quickly they became freeloaders and busybodies.
*I think that the Bible lays out an ideal like this:
1. Work a job and provide for your family until you can’t work anymore.
2. Save some of your resources for the day when you can’t work anymore.
3. When you are unable to work a full-time job and you have saved enough to carry you through the rest of your years, do NOT QUIT working for the Lord.
If there is such a thing as retirement from an earthly job, it is an understating that that God has given you the opportunity to serve His church full-time.
Simply Put, Don’t be Busybodies
There is actually a word-play in the phrase “not working at all, but are busybodies.” The play on words is difficult to maintain from Greek to English, but here is the essence, “they are not busy; they are busybodies.” That is a clever way of saying that there were many Christians in that town that looked as if they were busy or even intentionally performed for the public as if they were busy, but there was no substance to what they were doing. They were busy, busy, busy, but for no good reason. They had become idle, disorderly, gossips, and truly busybodies as they went from house to house demonstrating their unrighteous lifestyles.
Simply put, don’t be a busybody. Work your secular job unto the Lord and work for His church!
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10).
“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Work with your hands unto the Lord and pray that others will as well. Do not waste your time as a busybody, but honestly be busy for the Lord!
Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good
We have finally come to our last and main point. Here is the primary exhortation and challenge.
The stress of this verse may be in light of the idlers in the church. (1) The more mature believers did not need to lose heart in their struggles with those busybodies. They needed to hear from the Apostle, “Do not grow weary in doing good.” It is a good thing to keep the commandments of our God. It is a good thing to continually teach His Word to others. (2) They needed to be models of the Apostolic traditions that were passed on to them- live quietly, mind your own business, and work with your own hands. Someone in the church needed to continue to exemplify the teaching. (3) They did not need to continue to support those who refused to work, but they DID need to give to those who were in honest need. We need to be generous people, though there are some who wish to use and abuse us. I know (and you know) exactly how it feels to be used, abused, manipulated, and nagged by others, but that is no reason to shut up our resources from those in desperate need or to be selfish. We must continue to do good and not grow weary of it despite our experiences.
There may be many of us who have not fallen prey to the sin of idleness, but it may be very tempting. In my short life I have heard so many Christians say some things like “I have done enough for this church” or “How much do I really have to do?” or “If nobody else is going to work then I’m not going to do anything either.” What terrible thoughts we have sometimes!
How easy it is to fall into the trap of idleness and spiritual laziness! And, take note of this, it is a TRAP! I have seen with my very own eyes men and women who truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ begin to slowly fade away. I have seen men and women who labored for the Lord with joy in their souls, but they were tempted by the bread of idleness. Their faith began to deteriorate because they were plagued with the thought that so many so-called believers don’t care about anything, they were overwhelmed by doing so much with so little help, and they finally gave in to the idea that they had done enough in their lifetimes. They gave up… And many of them have fallen away from saving faith in our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
So, I want to challenge you this morning to not grow weary in doing good. Keep the faith!
If you are already retired or are going to retire, then retire unto God! Do not be a busybody who destroys the unity of the church because of idleness, disorderly conduct, gossip, and jumping into the affairs of others when you have no business in doing so. Work unto the Lord and serve His church. Do not grow weary in doing good. The Lord will bless you here and now with the satisfaction of joy in Christ if you continue to trust in Him and He has gone to prepare a place for those who endure in the faith until the end. Maybe you have grown weary in doing good. If so, may your mind be renewed this day, even now as we conclude this time together.
It is interesting to note that Paul had actually taught these things while he was with the people and in his first letter to them he had insisted the same. In 1 Thess 4:11-12 the Bible says, “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” Then, in 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly…”
Now we come to the second letter and the problem has persisted. These were such ungodly activities (laziness, freeloading, disorderly conduct, being busybodies) that the Apostle writes, “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” (3:6)
The Apostle’s word on the matter was a very real and practical teaching. Each person should work and provide for himself. As Christians, we are to live our lives in a quiet manner, not stirring up controversy or causing any type of unrest. The Bible says in another place, “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” (Phil 2:14). As much as it depends on you, “aspire to lead a quiet life.”
Secondly, we are to mind our own business. Now, there are several Scriptures that instruct us to be our brother’s keeper (our sister’s keeper), but that is not what this is talking about and I think you know what he means. We are to show genuine concern for fellow believers who have fallen on hard times, but for the most part we are instructed to mind our own business. It is disorderly, it is gossiping, and it is ungodly to stick our noses where they do not belong. The problem is many people intentionally and manipulatively query into others affairs.
Thirdly, we are to work with our own hands. If America has lost any Biblical principles at all this is the one. We have been indoctrinated to the point that we think everybody owes us something. Well, that’s not what the Bible teaches. The Apostle tells the Thessalonians, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Now, we want our leaders and our president (who claims to be a Christian) to return to Biblical principles, correct? Well, what if he stood in front of the cameras for the whole nation to hear and said, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat”? That would cause one of the largest uproars the world has ever seen. Take note, I am not saying that it is wrong to save up SOME funds for our old age, or as a cushion for catastrophes that may hit, or even for a rainy day. AND I am NOT saying that those with health setbacks are to be rebuked for not working.
What I am saying is that, for the most part, we are to work and provide for our own households. That is pleasing to God and it is a witness to outsiders. It tells them that we are orderly, honest, God-fearing people who will provide for ourselves.
So, we “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands”
Let us read the Scripture where the point is made clear and then I will extend a few applications.
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
What is Biblical Retirement?
What is the American understanding of retirement?
Have you ever read anything in the Bible about retirement? Is it a Biblical concept?
What does God think about retirement?
It should be noted that maybe part of the problem in Thessalonica was the fact that so many of them had a faulty view of the return of Christ. (I did not plan this in light of Harold Camping’s prediction, but this speaks to the matter).
We know that the Thessalonians could not get their eschatology right because we read so much in the letters to them about the second coming of Christ. They believed, as they should have, that Christ could return any day and that it would be very soon. What they did not regard was the overwhelming amount of Scripture that teaches that Christ may be delayed. I have never forgotten the main point of the parable of the virgins-
the Bridegroom may be delayed. He is coming, but He may be delayed…
If you knew for certain that the end was one week from today, you probably would quit your job, prepare yourself, and evangelize with such zealous fervor that you would not even sleep. The Thessalonians were so caught up in the awe of the second coming that it appears they quit their jobs, yet quickly they became freeloaders and busybodies.
*I think that the Bible lays out an ideal like this:
1. Work a job and provide for your family until you can’t work anymore.
2. Save some of your resources for the day when you can’t work anymore.
3. When you are unable to work a full-time job and you have saved enough to carry you through the rest of your years, do NOT QUIT working for the Lord.
If there is such a thing as retirement from an earthly job, it is an understating that that God has given you the opportunity to serve His church full-time.
Simply Put, Don’t be Busybodies
There is actually a word-play in the phrase “not working at all, but are busybodies.” The play on words is difficult to maintain from Greek to English, but here is the essence, “they are not busy; they are busybodies.” That is a clever way of saying that there were many Christians in that town that looked as if they were busy or even intentionally performed for the public as if they were busy, but there was no substance to what they were doing. They were busy, busy, busy, but for no good reason. They had become idle, disorderly, gossips, and truly busybodies as they went from house to house demonstrating their unrighteous lifestyles.
Simply put, don’t be a busybody. Work your secular job unto the Lord and work for His church!
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10).
“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Work with your hands unto the Lord and pray that others will as well. Do not waste your time as a busybody, but honestly be busy for the Lord!
Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good
We have finally come to our last and main point. Here is the primary exhortation and challenge.
The stress of this verse may be in light of the idlers in the church. (1) The more mature believers did not need to lose heart in their struggles with those busybodies. They needed to hear from the Apostle, “Do not grow weary in doing good.” It is a good thing to keep the commandments of our God. It is a good thing to continually teach His Word to others. (2) They needed to be models of the Apostolic traditions that were passed on to them- live quietly, mind your own business, and work with your own hands. Someone in the church needed to continue to exemplify the teaching. (3) They did not need to continue to support those who refused to work, but they DID need to give to those who were in honest need. We need to be generous people, though there are some who wish to use and abuse us. I know (and you know) exactly how it feels to be used, abused, manipulated, and nagged by others, but that is no reason to shut up our resources from those in desperate need or to be selfish. We must continue to do good and not grow weary of it despite our experiences.
There may be many of us who have not fallen prey to the sin of idleness, but it may be very tempting. In my short life I have heard so many Christians say some things like “I have done enough for this church” or “How much do I really have to do?” or “If nobody else is going to work then I’m not going to do anything either.” What terrible thoughts we have sometimes!
How easy it is to fall into the trap of idleness and spiritual laziness! And, take note of this, it is a TRAP! I have seen with my very own eyes men and women who truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ begin to slowly fade away. I have seen men and women who labored for the Lord with joy in their souls, but they were tempted by the bread of idleness. Their faith began to deteriorate because they were plagued with the thought that so many so-called believers don’t care about anything, they were overwhelmed by doing so much with so little help, and they finally gave in to the idea that they had done enough in their lifetimes. They gave up… And many of them have fallen away from saving faith in our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
So, I want to challenge you this morning to not grow weary in doing good. Keep the faith!
If you are already retired or are going to retire, then retire unto God! Do not be a busybody who destroys the unity of the church because of idleness, disorderly conduct, gossip, and jumping into the affairs of others when you have no business in doing so. Work unto the Lord and serve His church. Do not grow weary in doing good. The Lord will bless you here and now with the satisfaction of joy in Christ if you continue to trust in Him and He has gone to prepare a place for those who endure in the faith until the end. Maybe you have grown weary in doing good. If so, may your mind be renewed this day, even now as we conclude this time together.
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