BE STRENGTHENED AND PROTECTED BY GOD Posted 8.7.08
2 Thessalonians 3
The passenger liner Titanic was built in the early 1900’s using the most advanced technology available at the time and was promoted in the brochure as “designed to be unsinkable.” With the experienced crew on board, its demise on April 15, 1912 shocked the world. It was strong. It was powerful. The passengers on board no doubt felt completely protected, yet it failed
In our lives we often develop the same sense of false security because of healthy bank accounts, strong self-esteem, successful business pursuits, victory in politics, or any number of positive circumstances. We must remember however, that circumstances change, earthly dependencies fail, and things are not always as they seem. The only true strength and protection in this life comes from God, and it is His will to share it with us. We all need it, but the question is will we avail ourselves of it?
Weakness and vulnerability pounce with a vengeance at times, and 2 Thessalonians 3 provides five ways to embrace God’s strength and protection daily.
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY - INTRODUCTORY
How do you strengthen yourself mentally? Physically?
How do you strengthen yourself spiritually?
How do you protect your loved ones?
How does God protect you?
Scriptures for further study: John 17:11; Isaiah 41:10; Ephesians 3:16; Exodus 15:2; 2 Samuel 22:33; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 46:1; Philippians 4:13; 1 Peter 4:11; Joshua 24:17; 1 Samuel 30:23; Ezra 8:31.
THROUGH PRAYER (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)
The apostle Paul has quite a resume including writing most of the New Testament, leading thousands to Jesus, working as a tent maker to support himself, extensive traveler, and pastor/friend to many. We can mistakenly assume he was “larger than life,” but one of his most repetitive pleas in the letters he writes is “pray for us” (verse 1). Paul knew his need for prayer. Do you?
The first key to the strength and protection of God is the willingness to ask for prayer. We must recognize our need for God’s constant lordship in our lives and be unafraid to vocalize it to others. While I do not advocate airing every need to anyone, anywhere, I do encourage all to seek faithful prayer partners. Everyone needs prayer. Find people you trust and develop an intercessory relationship.
Pray for God’s message. I love Paul’s prayer request. “Pray…that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored…” (verse 1). Paul spoke about prayer in many different ways throughout these letters, but this particular aspect is unique and a most unselfish prayer. Our Bible study fervently prays for each other’s requests from spider bites to deaths in the family, but this verse convicted me about how little I pray for God’s Word to spread and change the world. Often we get so absorbed in our own situations (which ARE important to the Lord) we forget to pray beyond ourselves.
Another challenge is to pray for God’s message to resound in each of our situations. For example, if I am praying about going on vacation this week, why not pray that God will share His Word through me somehow in the midst of it? “Faith comes from hearing the message” (Romans 10:17). How can I share His message today? Sometimes through a smile or a helping hand; perhaps a prayer or Bible verse; God is creative. Are we willing to be His mouthpiece?
Pray for others. Paul has regularly espoused his commitment to pray for the Thessalonians. Now he is teaching them to pray for others too. In all of the previous seven chapters he has empathized with them through their persecution and other internal hardships, but now he seems to be challenging them to a fresh perspective. Pray for us. There are other things going on in the world, and it will do you good to think about someone else.
Often we think our situations are so dire that nothing else deserves attention. I can be extremely guilty of focusing the majority of my prayer time on my children, but I have learned that I am often more strengthened in my faith when I get outside of my immediate circle of need and spend time interceding for others. There is immense freedom in releasing the pressing needs of your heart and crying out for the needs of someone else, perhaps even someone you don’t know well. Selflessness breeds strength and balance. Who can you pray for today?
Pray for deliverance from wicked and evil men. Once again Paul becomes very specific, and I am challenged to detail my prayer requests more. Everyone around us needs deliverance from wicked and evil men. A friend who recently lost her mother needs this prayer so her heart will be protected from thoughtless and cruel people during this time of grief. Our entertainment industry could use a major house cleaning and many governments are immersed in wickedness. From individual situations to world stages, this prayer is needed. Spiritual warfare is real. Study Ephesians 6 and be proactive in prayer.
Paul’s final phrase in verse 2, “for not everyone has faith” is profound because we Christians often forget this very fact. As I walked down the hall of my son’s dorm at basketball camp I was greeted with non-stop profanity. Not from a player, but from a coach! This man was cursing boys up one wall and down the other for everything from messy rooms to the type of sheets they had on their bed. Paul’s admonition took on new meaning for me. I left their praying, “Lord, deliver us from those who think they can treat children like this, who think they can treat anyone like this!” I become so immersed in my little Christian family, Bible studies, church, and friends that I fail to remember the evil that still fills the earth. Our prayers can strengthen us and this world in Jesus. Who can you pray for today?
In what area do you feel weak and/or vulnerable? Perhaps prayer is the answer for you.
Questions for further study:
Who has asked you for prayer recently?
Who have you asked to pray for you recently?
Who do you trust to pray for you consistently?
What have been your most pressing prayer requests lately?
What have been the prayer requests others have conveyed to you recently?
How often do you pray about spreading God’s message?
How often do you engage in spiritual warfare?
What does your prayer life look like?
Scriptures for further study: Ephesians 6; Philippians 4:6; 1 Samuel 12:23; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 6; Luke 18:1; Romans 8:26; James 5:13-16.
THROUGH FAITHFULNESS (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5)
Faithfulness is to be dependable in every way and it begins with God Himself.
God’s faithfulness. Paul lays the foundation saying, “the Lord is faithful” (verse 3). If we know we can trust Him to be faithful, He then enables us to develop the same faithfulness in our own lives. Faithfulness is His character. He cannot deny who He is and does not ask us to be faithful without being faithful Himself. But He does ask us because He fulfills His part of the equation.
Personal faithfulness. Our responsibilities are outlined in verses 4 and 5 as commitment to continue in the faith, in God’s love, and Christ’s perseverance. God simply wants us to be faithful in our relationship with Him. Keep on keeping on. Maintain His love above all, not the world’s view of love but His. Refuse to give up on the Lord whether our circumstances are pleasant or painful. Be faithful to Him even when He doesn’t seem to be doing anything “our way.” He is Faithful. Are we?
In what area do you feel weak or vulnerable? Perhaps a fresh commitment to faithfulness is the answer for you.
Questions for further study:
How has God shown His faithfulness in your life?
How have you shown your faithfulness to Him?
In what way do you need to see the faithfulness of God today?
Scriptures for further study: Psalm 57:10; Psalm 91;4; Psalm 117:2; Proverbs 3:3; Lamentations 3:23; Galatians 5:22; 1 Samuel 12:24; 2 Samuel 22:26; Deuteronomy 7:9, 32:4; Psalm 31:23; Psalm 33:4; Psalm 37:28; Psalm 97:10; Psalm 145:13; Psalm 146:6; Matthew 25:21; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 10:13; Hebrews 10:23.
THROUGH GODLY CHOICES (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)
Paul was once again addressing specific issues in the Thessalonian church, but each one has relevance for us today.
Keep away from the idle and the godless. A group of people developed within the Thessalonian church who believed Jesus was coming back momentarily, so they quit their jobs, choosing to simply sit around and freeload off of everyone else as well as cause trouble. Paul met this challenge head-on by instructing the others to avoid this group altogether. This is a strong statement when you are discussing other believers, but Paul knew the importance of protecting the work of God in each individual life.
The phrase “keep away” does not imply a withdrawal of all contact but the withholding of close fellowship. Until these people regained the truth in their lives, they would be welcome at the church services and be treated with civility, but there would be little interaction beyond the surface.
Many of us would benefit from limiting our contact with some people in the same way. When believers are in a rebellious or overtly sinful season of their life, acting as though everything is fine is the worst thing we could possibly do for them. This passage is not about non-believers. It is about believers who know better but have made poor choices. We must allow them time to return to the truth. It is rarely permanent but extremely necessary. When we don’t join in with their idleness and troublemaking they often become teachable.
Pay your own way. Paul wanted to emphasize the importance of personal responsibility. No one gets a free ride just because they don’t want to work. We see this beyond the financial realm too. Many of our churches and ministries have a minimal number of people who do all the work. Each believer has gifts to share but few explore them and use them as God intended. We’ve become so accustomed to demanding everything from our leaders and their spouses, we’ve become listless congregations, always taking and never giving.
My family spent quite a bit of time at my brother’s home recently. He and I engaged in tug-of-war daily regarding who pays for what. We both wanted to bless the other. How refreshing! Everybody wanted to give, and it worked. We split the cost of many meals. I babysat for his children and cooked some. He drove with me to take my son to basketball camp and visit our dad. We found a comfortable, workable balance during our time together, and it was such a blessing. I pray our local churches will do the same as well as each of us in our many relationships and groups. Be a giver.
Set a godly example. Paul could have easily limited himself to ministry, but he had such a desire to set the tone for this group. He wanted everyone to want to participate, work hard, and find ways to ease the burden of others. We can talk and write about such things until we run out of words, but nothing speaks louder than a real life example. What example are you setting?
My dad shared with me about the new pastor in his church. Pastor Jack visited him in the hospital every day, and since my dad has returned to church, this pastor has shown himself to be very hands on and down to earth. The congregation has noticed that Pastor Jack does not come to simply oversee and supervise their activities but gladly gets his hands dirty and enjoys the camaraderie. Pastor Jack has shown my dad, and I’m sure others, Jesus by his example. What about you?
Settle down. One of the primary results of idleness is trouble. Without focus and direction and purpose these idle Thessalonians became busybodies and troublemakers. Paul directed them to “settle down” (verse 12). Often the chaos in our life is the result of similar idleness. When we’re not sure where we are going or why we are doing what we are doing we can end up in detrimental experiments or simply bouncing from place to place.
A current teeny-bopper song boasts, “This is real, this is me, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.” That should be our life song. Know God’s call, know who you are in Him, be where He wants you to be, and settle there. Always growing and seeking, but settled in Him.
Extend it to every relationship as well. The Thessalonians were experiencing manipulation from some, ungodly expectations from others, and inappropriate interference as well. It was time to settle into God’s best. Everyone cannot be on the front row of your life. It is physically impossible not to mention unproductive and ineffective. Find out God’s call and live there.
How long? Let’s just focus on today. I don’t need the five-year plan for every relationship in my life or every ministry or activity. Find out God’s best for today each day, and go from there. I am in the midst of a two-year writing course. I have no idea what God will have me do when that is finished, but I don’t have to know. All I know is today I need to work on my next lesson! Settle down with the Lord. It is His will for you.
Do what is right. As Paul says in verse 13, never tire of it. Doing the right thing should never become a distant memory for us. How do I know what is right? Spend time with the Lord. We serve a God who speaks, directs, guides, and leads. He will show you not only what is right in a general sense (such as being kind and paying your bills on time), but He will show you what is right for your individual life (such as who to spend time with and how to spend your money Find out what is right in God’s eyes and do it.
Don’t feed people’s sin. In verse 14 Paul reiterates what he said earlier about not associating with those who refuse God’s best. The phrase “do not associate with” actually translates “do not mix together with” but carries the meaning of disassociation that will bring the person back to a right attitude. The aim is restoration to fellowship, not punishment. Other than Jesus, Paul was the original teacher of tough love!
The church then and now has always battled those who take advantage. Because of the generous nature of Christ, believers enjoy giving and sharing, but the Lord makes it clear throughout His Word that there must be balance in this area. Giving continually to an idle, lazy, troublemaker serves only to enable his sin. Even Paul, who deserved the gifts of the church for his ministry, insisted on paying his own way to set a godly example.
I have met far too many people over the years who have allowed family members, church members, and even best friends to expect far too much of them. If you are one of those people, heed God’s challenge today. Reexamine the giving of your time, talents, and resources through prayer and listen for God’s clear direction. Be willing to pull away if that is God’s will.
Warn the disobedient. Sometimes the godly choice is to speak the truth in love. Some people won’t “feel ashamed” as Paul said in verse 14 when others begin to disassociate with them. Some people need it word for word. My only caution here is to make sure that you are the one God is calling to speak, and if He has called you, cover it with grace and love as well as complete truth.
Differentiate appropriately between the enemy and a fallen brother. A Christian in sin is not the enemy. They simply have more lessons to learn, as we all do! They are struggling with doing the right thing. We want to help them get back on God’s page, but it is imperative we take the proper steps to get there, lest rather than help them we fall into their sin.
We cannot make godly choices if we don’t spend time talking to God about the situations in our lives. Who are you talking to? How much time are you spending talking to God about your choices?
In what way are you weak and/or vulnerable? Perhaps godly choices will make the difference.
Questions for further study:
In what way have you become idle or has someone you know become idle?
What steps can be taken today to discourage that idleness?
List your favorite type of work to do. Find ways to do it!
Recall a situation (past or current) in which you knew someone was taking advantage of another. How was it handled? What could have been done differently? What was done well?
Who has placed expectations upon you that are not from God? How are you resolving the conflict?
Who do you have the greatest opportunity to set a godly example for? How are you doing? What can you do to improve your example today?
In what way or area of your life do you need to simply “settle down”?
Who do you need to distance yourself from?
Who do you need to warn?
Who do you need to help?
Who is a busybody in your life?
What steps can you take to distance yourself from them?
Project idea: List three projects you can have ongoing in order to avoid idleness for example: scrapbooking, reading, and journaling.
Scriptures for further study: John 9:4; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Philippians 2:12; Colossians 3:23; 2 Timothy 3:17; Hebrews 6:10.
THROUGH GOD’S PEACE (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:16)
Personal peace. Paul emphasized the importance of God Himself extending peace. While God often uses people to bring a sense of peace in our lives, the message here speaks of an encounter with God. Paul wanted believers to be intimately connected to the person of Jesus Christ and experience Him as the Lord of peace, not because of calm circumstances or sufficient sleep, but simply because He is Peace. His very existence in our midst demands peace without regard to the situation.
Prevalent peace. God’s peace is always available, at all times, in every situation for everyone who believes. God’s peace is not limited to missionaries in foreign countries, soldiers in the midst of war, or pastors laboring within the church. God’s peace is for you. In your job, your family, your ministry, and every area of your life, God offers the peace that only He can give. Probably the weakest link in the Body of Christ lies right here, believers without God’s peace. Without it we become unsettled, uncertain, and reckless. When we receive it, however, it becomes our greatest strength in every decision, every relationship, and virtually everything we participate in.
In what area are you weak and/or vulnerable? Perhaps God’s peace is the answer.
Questions for further study:
In what situations and with what people do you sense the peace of God most easily?
What situations or people tend to disturb the peace of God in your life?
How can you allow God’s peace to have more control in your life?
Who or what are you depending upon for peace besides God? (i.e. money, job, person)
Scriptures for further study: Psalm 34:14; Psalm 119:165; Proverbs 14:30; Isaiah 26:3; 48:22; John 14:27; 16:33; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 3:15.
THROUGH GOD’S GRACE (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:17-18)
We must be careful when we press in to a lesson such as this that stirs us afresh to prayer, faithfulness, godly choices, and God’s peace that none of it is possible without the grace of God. Pride and arrogance have no place in the will of God, in the strength of God, nor in the protection of God. It’s all about God’s amazing grace.
God’s grace comes to the humble. When Paul made a point of writing with his own hand, it was a personal touch, but it was also a picture of humility. Elsewhere he mentioned writing such large letters, and common thought is that he had very poor vision. Though he was a spiritual leader throughout the area with an obvious anointing and authority from the Lord, he seemingly enjoyed reminding everyone he was just like them. Which he was, and we must never forget it. Grace is equal at the foot of the cross.
God’s grace comes through Jesus and is available to all. God is not merely looking for an underprivileged child or hopeless cause on which to pour out His grace. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (verse 18) means exactly that. It is for all. For you, for me, and it is wonderful and will strengthen and protect you like no other.
In what way are you weak and/or vulnerable? Perhaps a return to God’s grace is the answer.
Questions for further study:
How have you experienced the grace of God recently?
To whom can you extend God’s grace today?
Scriptures for further study: John 1:17; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:17; Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 9:8; 12:9; Ephesians 2; Philippians 1:7; Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:1; James 4:6.
Project Idea: On a piece of paper, list each of the five tools God uses to strengthen and protect us: Prayer, Faithfulness, Godly Choices, God’s Peace, God’s Grace.
Beside each one describe a time when you experienced God’s strength and protection through that element.