2 Thessalonians 3

2 Thessalonians 3:1

As he brings his second Thessalonian letter to a close, Paul says, “Pray for us.” Notice that he doesn’t say, “Pray for our programs.” He doesn’t say, “Pray for our projects.” He says, “Pray for our preaching.” Last century, God did a mighty work in London through a giant of the faith named Charles Haddon Spurgeon. His sermons are studied to this day. The story is told that one Sunday afternoon, a contingency of ministers came to the massive Metropolitan Tabernacle to observe him. Assuming the stout man at the side of the building wearing bib overalls to be the janitor, they asked, “Sir, would you kindly show us the power plant of this huge structure?” “Certainly,” the man replied, leading them to the basement. As he opened the door at the end of a hallway, the ministers expected to see a mighty furnace. Instead, they saw over two hundred men on their knees praying for the upcoming evening service. “Prayer, gentlemen,” he said, “is the power plant of the Metropolitan Tabernacle.” The manSpurgeon himselfknew where the power lay.

2 Thessalonians 3:2

Secondly, Paul asks that the Thessalonians pray that he would be delivered from “unreasonable"or, as your margin renders it"absurd” men. Who were these “absurd men”? Act_17:5 describes them as “lewd fellows of the baser sort” who tried to get Paul in political hot water by saying he advocated Caesar’s overthrow. Was Paul preaching that there was another King besides Caesar? Certainly. He served the King of kings, Jesus Christ. He also argued that men were to be submitted to those in authority over them (Rom_13:1). “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” God declared in the ninth commandment (Exo_20:16). These “absurd men” provide a classic example of what it means to bear false witness. You see, telling a lie is not the only way we bear false witness. We bear false witness whenever we simply misrepresent the truth. How do I know this? There is another incident in the Word where we see false witnessesat the trial of Jesus Christ. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.Mat_26:59-61 While Jesus had indeed said, “Destroy this temple and in three days, I’ll rise again” (Joh_2:19) He was speaking of the temple of His own body. So, too, Paul preached the Lordship of Christ, but also that we should submit to earthly authority. In both cases, false witnesses gave the right information, but with the wrong implication. Notice Paul doesn’t say he wants to debate the false witnesses. Rather, he simply asks to be delivered from them. Gang, there are those who will twist what you say to their own end. What are you to do? Do what Paul did. Don’t complain. Don’t explain. Instead, pray that God will take care of them in His time, and in His way because if you start defending yourself, you’ll never stop. A man and his son in need of money decided to sell their donkey at the marketplace. The townspeople shook their heads in disgust that the man would make his son walk while he rode the donkey. After hearing the criticism, the man quickly dismounted, and his son got on in his place. As they walked a little farther, they again heard the townspeople murmur, “How could that son be so disrespectful as to make his father walk while he rides the donkey?” The man then joined his son astride the donkey, only to hear the townspeople down the road say, “How cruel of those two to ride that poor little donkey!” In response, both father and son dismounted the donkey and walked farther, amidst criticism that they were fools for failing to utilize their donkey. At last, in desperation, the father and son picked the donkey up, and carried it the rest of the way. Try to defend yourself, and, like the poor man and his son, you’ll find yourself carrying a heavy burden. Instead, do what Paul did. Leave your defense to the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

“There are unreasonable, wicked men,” says Paul. “But the Lord is faithful. That’s how we know you’ll do well.” I am often asked about our follow-up program for those we baptize every week. “We give them a Bible and a tape and pray for them,” I answer, because, like Paul, I firmly believe that the Lord will establish those who are truly His. If it’s a philosophy or program we’re pushing; if it’s attendance we’re trying to buildthen, yes, we need a program. On the other hand, if it’s simply Jesus we’re preaching, He will, through His body, embrace those who come to Him. And He will tap some of you on the shoulder to allow Him to do just that.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Newer translations render “the patient waiting for Christ” as “the patience of Christ.” I suggest to you that both translations are true, and both are linked together. The only way we can have the patience of Christ is by waiting for Him, knowing we’ll soon be with Him. I have observed that the most peaceful, patient, and contented people are those who truly live in the expectation of Jesus’ return.

2 Thessalonians 3:6

The word “travail” refers to the pain of childbirth (Joh_16:21). In other words, Paul is saying it wasn’t easy, but he and Silas worked hard to support themselves even as they ministered to the Thessalonians.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

Before Rush Limbaugh fans agree with this verse too quickly, notice it says, “If any man would not work…” It does not say, “If any man cannot work…” The Bible has much to say regarding compassion for those who cannot work, so be very careful before withholding food from someone who appears to be lazy.

2 Thessalonians 3:11

Whenever a person who should and could be working is not, he will be a busybody. You see, when Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, it was God’s mercy and wisdom that said to him, “You need to work” (see Gen_3:17-19). Evidently, the “unreasonable and wicked men” of verse 2Th_3:2 did not understand this, for they had enough time on their hands to endlessly discuss Paul’s faults. I once read an article about the shuttle Discovery. The article explained that its repaired fuel tank would be escorted to the launch pad by a six-eyed scarecrow. The scarecrow was intended to scare the woodpeckers that drilled 195 holes in the shuttle last month. The launch was delayed for two months due to the danger of ice forming in the holes and damaging the shuttle during liftoff. The billion-dollar technological peak of man’s abilities was grounded by two little woodpeckers. So, too, it only takes a couple busybodies poking where they ought not to damage the work of God.

2 Thessalonians 3:12

The best thing you can do with a busybody is to stay away from him or hernot out of rejection, but for restoration. If gossips and busybodies have no audience, they eventually stop. Be Not Weary in Well-Doing A Topical Study of 2Th_3:13 Sometimes we grow weary in serving, giving, sharing, and ministering. At the end of Paul’s teaching concerning the Second Coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom, the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to give the Thessalonians a short exhortation with long-term implications. Why were the Thessalonians not to be weary in well-doing? I believe Numbers 7 gives us the answer. It came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle and had anointed it, that the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were princes over the tribes, brought their offerings before the Lord. And he that offered his offering on the first day was Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah. And his offering was: One silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the second day, Nethaneel, the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer: One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the third day, Eliab, the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer: One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the fourth day, Elizur, the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer: One silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the fifth day, Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer: One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the sixth day, Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, did offer: One silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, a silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the seventh day, Elishama, the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered: One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the eighth day, offered Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh: One silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the ninth day, Abidan, son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered: One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the tenth day, Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered: One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the eleventh day Pagiel, the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered: One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year. On the twelfth day, Ahira, the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered: One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; one kid of the goats for a sin offering; and for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year.Numbers 7 The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalms 119. There, the Word is portrayed as a teacher, a comforter, a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Extolling the power and beauty of the Scriptures, Psalms 119 is worthy of its length. In contrast, Numbers 7the second longest chapter in the Bibleredundant and a waste of time at first reading. The Bible is God’s instruction manual for how to live. Why, then, does He seemingly waste paragraph after paragraph recording the gifts brought to the temple? Couldn’t the Lord have simply said all of the princes gave exactly the same offering and used the leftover space to talk about things that really matter, things like marriage or child-rearing? Why does He list the offerings one at a time? The author of Hebrews gives us the answer: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye had shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.Heb_6:10 In Numbers 7 and similar passages, God is saying, “I delight in individually listing what each one of these men has done for Me. Although it might be boring to you, it delights Me to record for all eternity the gifts each of My children has given Me. It doesn’t bother Me a bit to take space in My Word to record what each man gave. To you, it might seem repetitive and redundant. To me, it’s delightful and important. I will not forget.” Consequently, dear brothers and sisters, whatever you give in the Name of the Lord will not be forgotten. Others may not see what you’ve given or the sacrifices you have made in time and energy. The Lord sees. And He who sees in secret will reward you openly (Mat_6:4). If you are giving, loving, and sharing without any recognition, the Lord is delightfully and accurately recording your labor of love in eternity. He will not forget any good work you doeven if it is nothing more than giving a child a cup of cold water (Mat_10:42). Don’t be weary in well doing! I have a problem with this exhortation, you may be thinking, because I don’t care about rewards in Heaven. I’d rather be rewarded now. I’d rather use my time and energy for my own recreation and pleasure. I don’t care about treasures in Heaven. I want treasures now! When you see the Lord and He opens the books to determine what rewards He will be able to heap upon you, your heart will leap for joy if He finds your page full of sharing, giving, serving, and teaching. If your page is empty, your heart will break. “Wait a minute,” you say. “I thought there were no tears in heaven.” According to Rev_7:17, God shall wipe away every tearwhich some have suggested to mean that there will be tears in Heaven. If this is the case, I believe those tears will come on the day we stand before our Lord and give an account of all the blessings He heaped upon us, all the abilities He gave to us, all the opportunities He opened before us that we wasted because we grew weary in well-doing. Think of it this way: All year long we give financial contributions to this group; we help with that project; we donate to this ministry; we help fill that needperhaps all the while saying, “Ouch, this hurts.” On April fourteenth, it all changes to, “Whew! I’m glad I gave to that one. Oh, boy, I’m glad I shared with this one,” as we see how our donations positively impact our tax return. Right now we might be struggling or growing weary in well-doing. When we get to heaven, however, it’s April fourteenth. We’ll say, “Wow, Lord, I can’t believe the rewards I receive simply because of the little service I did for You. I only wish I would have done more.” Brethren, be not weary in well-doing. Make sure you’re investing in eternity with your time, money, abilities, and energy. God remembers, rewards, and delights in everything you do for Him. Looking at Ministry A Topical Study of 2Th_3:13; 1Ti_1:12 Flying home from Nampa, Idaho, our small plane was affected by the storms scattered all over the western portion of the country. With the hot dog I had gulped at the airport threatening to reappear, I looked out the window and for a fleeting moment wondered, Why am I doing this? Perhaps as you’ve ministered, witnessed, or shared the gospel with people and found the way bumpy and brutal at times, you’ve wondered the same thing. Following are seven reasons to join Paul in thanking Christ Jesus our Lord for allowing us to minister in His Name. Looking Around Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that the people I most respect wholeheartedly serve the Lord. There is solidity to people who have walked with the Lord for years, who speak about the Lord experientially, who have studied the Bible thoroughly. On their way to the Promised Land, the children of Israel set up camp numerous times on their forty-year pilgrimage. Although the location changed, the layout was always the same: The tabernaclewherein dwelt the shekinah glory of Godwas always set up in the middle of the camp. Guess who got to camp closest to the tabernacle, closest to the glory. It was those who were involved in servicethe Levites (Num_2:17). I have found that to be true even today. Those who are involved in serving the Lord and sharing the Word get to camp closest to the place where His glory is most clearly perceived and enjoyed. There is a richness and depth about them that stand in sharp contrast to the emptiness of the world. Looking Within “Give and it shall be given unto you,” Jesus said, “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. For with the same measure that you mete, it will be measured to you again” (see Mat_7:2). In other words, to the degree you give out, you get back. As I look within, I know this to be true. The same is true for whatever you do for others. When you do something for someone elsewhether it’s mowing a lawn, writing a check, or baking a cakeyou receive as much joy as the recipient. I’m so thankful the Lord has ordained each of us to ministry (Joh_15:16), because as I look within, I realize how empty our lives would be if we weren’t sharing, serving, or giving to others. Looking Down When I look down at the tactics of the Enemy, I’m thankful I’m in ministry. Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.Deu_25:17-18 On their way to the Promised Land, the enemies of the Israelites picked off those who were lagging behind. The same thing is true of you and me. The most dangerous place to be in your Christian experience is in the back of the pack. That’s where the Enemy attacks. Those who say, “Well, I’ll make it to church if it’s convenient for me,” or, “I’ll have devotions if I happen to wake up early,” are the folks most prone to get picked off. “Be sober,” Peter says. “Be vigilant because your enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (see 1Pe_5:8). He heads for the easy targetthe stragglers. I’m thankful I’m in ministry because I have to be here almost every day of the week. When the Lord saved me, He must have said, “You know, Jon, you’re a bit flaky. How will I keep you in church? I knowI’ll make you a pastor!” I think the Lord wants every one of us in ministry so we cannot take the option of missing a week or two, a month or three. If you’re locked into a Sunday school class, if you’re helping with youth work, if you’re parking cars or folding bulletins, it’s for your own good! It keeps you at the front and protects you from falling prey to Satan. Looking Back I remember my Fourth Grade Sunday school teacher, Ernie Friesen. One afternoon, he stopped by my house for no real reason. He reached into the trunk of his car, pulled out a softball and glove and said, “Let’s play catch.” There on Flamingo Drive in Campbell, California, we tossed the ball in front of my house for about half an hour. That’s all he did. We just played catch for a while before he said, “Gotta go, Jon. Thanks a lot, buddy!” and drove away. For some reason, that simple game of catch really impacted me. Years later, after I had finished teaching in a large convention in San Jose, a man came up to me with tears in his eyes and said, “Jon Courson, you don’t remember me, but I’m so proud of you.” “Ernie Friesen!” I said. “I’m so grateful for you!” As I look back, I have so many memories of people like Ernie who changed my life as they ministered to me. I look back and thank the Lord for godly parents, faithful Sunday school teachers, on-fire youth pastors, and for guys like Duane Davidson. He was a senior in high school who took me out witnessing with him when I was only a lowly freshman. I realize now it’s my turn to be a father, to work with kids, to be a pastor. Looking back, I am so grateful for the opportunity to do for others what so many others did for me. Looking Ahead As I look ahead to heaven, I’m thankful I’m in ministry. I can join the twenty-four elders and cast my crown at the feet of the One who alone is worthy of it (Rev_4:10). Who gave us our abilities? Who gave you the ability to be a mechanic, to have a sense for business, to play the guitar? Every good and perfect gift comes from above (Jas_1:17). A man can receive nothing except what’s given to him from heaven (Joh_3:27). Here’s the way it works. God gives us abilities, opens the doors for us to use those abilities for Him, anoints us as we serve Him, empowers us as we minister for Him, blesses the fruit of our labor for Him, and then gives us a crown. Amazing! If, as you were about to deposit your life’s savings in the bank, the manager whispered to you, “Don’t do it. We’re shutting our doors tomorrow and claiming all deposits. You’ll never get your money out,” would you say, “Oh, well, I’ll take my chances”? Of course not! Yet the Master says to us, “Put your treasure in heaven. Don’t put it on earth. You’ll never get it out” (see Luk_12:33). What do we so often say? “Oh, well, I’ll take my chances.” Look ahead and be wise, dear saint. Invest your life in things that are eternal, and you’ll never regret it. Looking Out “Lift up your eyes,” Jesus said. “The fields are white with harvest” (Joh_4:35). As I look out, I see people all around us who are hurting and ready to receive Jesus. I read an account of a party at a civic center pool attended by two hundred lifeguards and their friends. They were celebrating the fact that, for the first time in city history, no one had drowned during the entire season in any of the city’s lakes or public pools. It was not until almost everyone had gone home that a man was discovered dead at the bottom of the pool. In the midst of two hundred lifeguards enjoying their success, a man had drowned. No one knew it until the party was over. So, too, as we come together and celebrate our salvation and God’s goodness to us, we must also understand that people around us are drowning in sin, depression, confusion, and discouragement. As wonderful as it would be to be a doctor who helps people physically, or a philanthropist who helps people financially, there’s nothing like helping people get saved eternally by sharing the good news of the gospel with them. Precious people, look and see a neighbor or friend, child or relative who is ready for harvest, ready to receive Jesus. Looking Up Finally, I’m glad I’m in the ministry when I look up and see Jesus on the Cross, dying for me. “It’s the love of Christ,” Paul said, “which constrains me” (2Co_5:14). Jesus’ love is why we share with others, why we endure a turbulent plane ride or two, why we continue on in ministry. Looking within, looking down, looking around, looking ahead are important. None, however, matches looking up at the Cross. Even if there were no heaven, even if people didn’t respond, even if I didn’t get to experience God’s glory, I would still be in ministry because of the love Christ showed me when He rescued me from present disaster; when He snatched me from eternal darkness; when He saved my soul.

2 Thessalonians 3:15

The only people who have the right to point out the dirt on another’s feet are those who have a towel about their waist, a basin of water in their hands, and are willing to wash them. If I’m not willing to come alongside someone in humility and love, I have no right to point out the dirt I see in him.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Paul closes, saying, “Here’s my own signature. This letter is not forged. It’s the real thing. Grace be with you all.”

2 Thessalonians 3:18

So Paul’s letter ends the way it began: with grace.