Exhortations for Christian Living • 10.26.25
2 Thessalonians 3
Exhortations for Christian Living
Three calls to action in light of salvation
- Pray
- Obey
- Live Blessedly
Manuscript:
Good morning church family! My name is Jack Flaherty and I serve as one of the pastors here at Harvest. Blessed to be able to serve in that role and blessed to have the opportunity to open up God’s Word together this morning. Before we get started, dismiss 4th-5th graders. Rest of us please grab Bibles and open to 2 Thessalonians 3. Ushers have extras. Not as familiar with your Bible, that’s way near the back before Timothy’s and after all the other “onians.”
As we wrap up what has been a sweet series, I pray that you have you seen God increase your hope in his coming and that you are standing more firm in your faith! In fact, I would ask you to take a moment to consider what are you taking away from this study. What have you learned? How have your desires been informed? Where have you grown in obedience to the Word of God? In our thinking, feeling, doing, in our knowing, wanting, willing, do we look more like Jesus?
There is a bit of a silly way to illustrate and I need some participation. What do apple trees produce? Apples! What do cherry trees produce? Cherries. What do mommy bluejays and daddy bluejays produce? baby bluejays (hint: World Series). What do mommy and daddy cows produce? Baby cows! What do Cowboy fans produce? Saddness…JK! Idea is “Like produces like.” If you plant a watermelon seed you wouldn’t get a shoe, mice don’t produce rhinos, and Christians ought not be characterized by producing un-Christlike lives.
As Christians, God’s Spirit is at work in us. What we produce should reflect Him. Paul really hits on this 2 Thess 3. This final chapter is filled with commands (a word we see 4x) and exhortations. As we heard last week in 2 Thess 2:16-17 their words and works are to be established. This brings glory to God, helps accomplish the gospel mission, and serves as a model for other churches.
Problem is there were some inconsistencies. So Paul, in love for this church which he has overall been encouraged by, now issues some calls to action. As if he says, “Let’s get some things straightened out! We’ve encouraged you in persecution. We’ve enlightened you about coming of Christ. Now I exhort you, command you, urge you, to get after these specific areas of growth.” Lest we be blind, we ought to see that we all have some room for growth too. So today, we discuss three calls to action in light of salvation. For some of us, we need to make a total 180 in these areas. Others were a couple of degrees off. Regardless, Christian living requires reorientation of our lives every time we turn to God’s Word. Let’s listen in for that today.
Read v1-5. First call to action in light of salvation is to…
- Pray
Paul moved from prayer for the Thessalonians to offering up a prayer request for himself. Pretty cool to be asked to pray for someone, especially who you look up to. But actually the tense of this verb in v1 is to keep on praying. Thessalonians have already been praying for Paul and his mission. In fact Paul likely had people praying for him when he went to Thessalonica and likely modeled prayer for them when together. He knows Christians are to be a praying people.
Just finished a book on Prayer by John Bunyan where he says you aren’t truly a Christian if you aren’t a praying person! Paul has stated he sees good fruit so gives some confidence that and reality that Thessalonians are praying people. And then because he can’t help but depend on the Lord Paul turns to pray again. In fact, Paul prays four times in this letter, and twice in this chapter. Again, it’s a true fruit of Christian living, an action of those who are saved. Three emphases of prayer stick out in these verses.
Pray for the spread of the word of the Lord. Look at v1 it says “speed ahead” or travel quickly. That it would out race other things. Not just that it wins the race but that it also is honored. The people hear and believe the Word, the gospel message! Like this church did as 1 Thess 2:13 said, they received it as the word of God not of man. Paul says ask God to keep it going. If gospel takes root elsewhere like it did for Thessalonians than its on like Donkey Kong. Though he is a missionary clearly doing the hard work of traveling, communicating to support, reaching the locals, enduring opposition, feeding his own soul and body, Paul acknowledge God has to be at work. Faithfulness and skill must be deployed but God must intervene for souls to be saved!
Let’s be a church prays for the spread of the word like this. For our missionaries. For other gospel preaching, Bible believing local churches. For our church family. Let’s pray that the word be honored by the non-believers in our lives we are seeking to evangelize. Ours prayers help pass the baton to hearts we cannot reach ourselves. Our prayers also help the word take root in the works we ourselves are directly involved in. Christians pray and specifically pray for the word of God to speed ahead and be honored.
Pray for protection from evil by the Lord. We see in v2-3 there is a reality of opposition. Paul personally prayers for deliverance from wicked and evil men. This is not theoretical but in fact the reason he left this town in the first place. Wicked men are the reason he prays for the gospel to go forth…not all have faith but he hopes more will and he trusts the Lord is faithful to bring it about. But also trusts the Lord is faithful to help his people stand firm. So not only is he asking for that protection for himself but prays that for the church too. He trusts God will guard this church from the evil one. Again, not theoretical as the enemy has brought opposition in the form of false teaching and persecution.
This isn’t theoretical for us either. Whether from the world, from our own sinful flesh, or from the enemy there is opposition. Too often, many forget the spiritual realities around us. Too often, many put a demon behind every trouble. Both are wrong. We cannot forget the reality of a spiritual war and the weapon the prayer is in the battle. But we also just can’t go blaming the devil for everything either! This language is straight from the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6 so let’s not forsake praying against evil. Specifically talking to God and asking for His help…He will help!
Pray for confidence in the Lord. We don’t always see it but its good to be reminded and to pray for such faith and trust in God. end of v3 Paul is confidence of what God will do FOR them in keep them from evil. Now in v4-5 he is confident of what God will do IN them. The church will keep following Jesus. They are doing the commands of the apostles and will keep doing it! They will stay faithful! Notice though this confidence isn’t in what the church is about but about what the Lord will do. God will keep them going. God will direct their hearts, and really this is saying their whole being and lives, to the v5 double blessing of love of God and steadfastness or endurance of Christ.
You ever looked back to remember the hard thing you went through that is nothing now. Jesus loves us and will bring us through. He indeed directs us on the path of life! Pray for yourself and others to grow in love and steadfastness in Christ. Pray that we would be a church who moves forward on mission and in obedience not matter how costly because we confident not in our own abilities but in the Lord.
Again from Bunyan book, he cautions to not let the words of our prayers outrun the reality of our hearts. Don’t just give lip service but let prayers pour out from gospel reality of Jesus cross work. Have confidence in the Lord because of what he has done for us. We can pray for the work and word to go ahead and be honored no matter the forces because Jesus overcame on the cross! And we can obey as a response of worship for what Jesus has done. In fact, dependent prayer prepares us to obey; it’s not passive. We see the hints of that in v4-5 but increases in severity and specificity in the paragraph. Let’s read v6-15. Second call to action in light of salvation is to…
- Obey
There is a lot going on here that may at first appear complicated to unpack. And indeed there are some important question. But bottom line is obedience to the Word of God is a true fruit of Christian living. That’s what those who have experienced salvation are called to, obedience to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Did you notice how often that comes up in this section? By word count there are more references to “the Lord Jesus Christ” in 2 Thess than any of Paul’s letters and about as many in this chapter as any chapter of the NT. Paul escalates things here with reminders of the deity of Jesus. Not to mention the use of the word “command” which comes up 4x in this chapter, 3x in this section. It’s great to KNOW things but it’s another to OBEY!
Kids say I’ll clean my room I know its dirty and leave it a mess. Employee says I’ll send that email or write that briefing yet does neither. Spouse says I’ll turn on that crocpot and fails to do so. Its not just knowing what and who of commands but doing it that differentiates true Christian living!
It appears the specific issue the authors write about it idleness. This was mentioned back in 1 Thess 5:14 that the idle are to be admonished. Pastor Nick helpfully pointed out that this word means “disorderly or undisciplined.” It’s not just a laziness but it’s irresponsible behavior that’s not conforming to what ought to be done. Believers are to put their faith in action and should remain strong in both “work” and “word”. They are to spread the word but also obey the word! Again at least three aspects of obeying specifically called out here.
Obey by working. There is some debate on why a minority of the members of the church were not working. Specifically he says in v11 they’ve hear some are not busy at work buy busybodies, which reflects the play on words in original Greek well. Some assumed it was because they thought the end was near or had even already arrived, so work wasn’t needed. Others think they were exploiting the client-patron relationships common in that day. Others still suggest they were doing missional work, maybe even busily so, but not supporting their families. Finally it’s an option they were some just truly giving into the flesh in being lazy. The text doesn’t say, so while it’s not unimportant, I think we can apply the principle that obedience to God involved working without 100% concluding the reason why they weren’t working.
Work is part of an orderly and disciplined life as shown by Paul’s emphasizing the grievousness of not working. While work is harder after the fall (Gen 2:15; 3:19; Eph 4:28; cf 2 Thess 3:10), God gave Adam and Eve jobs before sin entered the world meaning that work is important part of life bound up in creation. Refusing to work, idleness, and sluggishness are regularly derided in Proverbs and elsewhere in Scripture. People whose lives have transformed by the gospel ought to work and work differently. Paul wishes that all Christians would be shown as benefactors of salvation through Christ by their diligent work.
Paul reminds us in v6 he taught this. Walking in idleness is not in according with tradition received. He recalls a specific command given when with them in v10 that if someone doesn’t work they don’t eat. Will come back to this in a minute. It even says they are to work in accordance with what he is teaching in this letter according to v14. Paul also reminds us in v7 of his example. They were not idle but as v8 says they worked hard day and night to pay for their own bread even on mission. Even though they had the right to as v9 says they meant to give an example. Might be a bit of hyperbole but they did likely labor all day and minister at night!
For those who are physically able, work is an act of obedience. That work can come in all shapes and sizes but failing to labor doesn’t cut it. It leads to getting into other business that you ought, not as a busybody! This becomes a BAD example of Christ for non-believers and a bad example to follow for fellow Christians. Same is true if you are working but not toiling and laboring that’s not repping Christ in an obedient way. Did you know there is such a thing a mouse jigglers to keep screens alert? Don’t do that or anything else to steal time form employer!
But that’s not only way we get it wrong. Sometimes we get so caught up that we only labor in our work and never on mission. That would also be wrong. Even again, sometimes we have desire to be on mission but see work as in the way. Instead it’s a platform and good! Many ways we could get this wrong. What are you teaching others about priority? In short, we all ought to do what v12 say and do work quietly and earn a living. If you’re I work is part of obedience to God.
Obey by not associating with those who don’t work. Paul warns in v6 to keep away from or not associate with those who are idle. Again in v14-15 he gives more warning about not having anything to do with a person who is characterized by disorderly living. For those who fail to cease their idleness, the church is to lovingly discipline them. This is not quite a Matthew 18 situation as the idle ones are brothers and not enemies (3:11). Nonetheless there is some level of needing to isolate from these individuals until there is a change in lifestyle. Failure to work should result in loving and restorative actions of other believers. Again some questions arise here. This is not keeping aid from those in genuine need. Nor is this full kicking someone out of the church. But its addressing Christian living that isn’t in line with the salvation we’ve received in Christ.
The disciple in comes by shame. A public acknowledgement and then ostracizing from community. This is not about feelings but that they may be shamed instead of honored in an honor shame culture. Today “shame” is self-esteem from within. Then shame was community matter from without. In all of it the community was to work together to restore them! Paul wants church not to enable this kind of disorderly behavior, like giving candy before dinner. Instead he wants people to have right view of working hard in this life in order to proclaim the hope of and be prepared for the next one. That what’s this not associating is meant to correct. Get their perspective right and thinking on work in light of heaven.
Where might you be placing your faith in the this life vs the next? Striving for physical health over spiritual health? visions of earthly future for self or others (kids, friends, etc) over heavenly future? Hope of heaven with hope of the good life? Where might you be looking for a handout and need to get disciplined? Church, where might we be enabling instead of empowering encouraging to work quietly and earn a living. Did you know even a small minority of a few people in a church can send things awry. We have to address it. This context seems to specifically address disorder work but it applies I think to all disobedience. Again, specifically in the context of a local church. Don’t enable a professing Christian but confront with love with goal of restoring a brother or sister. Let’s be a church of in love helping those who are disorderly be reminded of the truth from the Word and taste the consequences so they might realize they out disobedience and come back to the walk of Christ.
For those of us doing that it can be fatiguing. But we are called to obey by not growing weary in doing good works. Looking specifically here in v13. Echoes Paul’s general exhortations elsewhere (Galatians 6:9). Perseverance matters even when results aren’t immediate. Pastor Chris just helped put on a 24 hr race at Grey’s Lake this weekend. Mile ___ is hard, but finishing matters. Don’t stop just because people are messy and difficult. The word from Paul here is though others might be sliding don’t you slip! Don’t’ use the excuse the fly off the handle and lose patience. Don’t stopping standing firm and enabling. Don’t be afraid to remind people. Instead keep showing character of Christian life and serve the Lord and the church by doing good work.
Some questions again as to example what these are. Seems specific to the good work or commanding and encouraging others to get to work. BUT also seems to including doing the works themselves. Don’t say “well that looks like more fun” and stop obeying. Further yet, don’t forget the missional context! Keep advancing the gospel! If we are directed in the love of God and steadfastness of Christ as v5 prayer said then keep faithful in all acts of service, encouragement, and obedience—even when unnoticed.
This can be hard, especially when in others messes. If you’re doing the good work of helping other’s sins messes don’t grow weary! Keep heaven minded. I promise there is zero risk to be so heavenly minded that we do no earthly good. CS Lewis said those who do most for this world are those most focused on the next! When run down by others sin, or just tmpted to stop doing good works yourself, look to heaven and the God who reigns from eternal throne.
Which brings us to our final couple of sentences for today, for this letter, and for our series. Let’s read v16-18. We’ve been called to pray as we see Paul ask for prayer and pray for others. We’ve been called to obey as work is commended, lack of work is called out. Final call to action in light of salvation we are called to…
- Live Blessedly
Pray, Obey, Live Blessedly. I know it doesn’t quite rhyme but count it as close . This might not seem like a specific call to action in the text. And I think I would agree with that. Yet the implication is that an outflow of Christian living is a life that is blessed! This is the benediction. Benediction means blessing or bestowing a good word. And I would highlight four good words.
First in v16 we see God’s peace. For a church facing persecution and false teaching from without and facing disorder from within, peace is exactly what they need to be reminded of. In fact peace at all times in every way. There is never a time we don’t need peace, and Paul prays they would receive that. And not just a chill, hippie hipster, new age kind of peace. But peace that is legit from the prince of peace, the Lord of peace.
Second and immediately following in v16 is God’s presence. You might argue it is God’s presence that brings peace. Again the use of all. Each and every single one of the belviers. Don’t ever doubt that God desires this for others and not you!
Third in v17 we see Paul talk about his validation of authenticity in the letter, which is needed in a time of false teachers and those posing at apostles. Says he does this in every letter. Greek word graphe is writing or Scripture. This is another blessing that we can have total trust and confidence in the writings that speak to matters of salvation and godliness! What a blessing to end by reminding them not only of his apostolic authority but by way of that remind us of the confidence we can have in God’s Words!
Final blessing we see in v18 is God’s grace. Again not just some of you but every single one of the Thessalonian believers and every since one who indeed follows Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
As this letter closes with customary word of blessing I think we can walk away with final call to action of going and living in light of these blessing! These are not throw away temporary encouragements. Rather they are the bow that ties up the package and reminds them how to stand firm in their faith! Living blessedly is both passive and active—resting in God’s blessings while cooperating with His work in our lives. LeLet’s look quickly at the active and passive side of this blessed life implied by Paul’s benediction.
Receive God’s Blessings. This is the passive piece of living blessed.
- Peace: God gives peace in trials. In what ways do you or your church need peace right now? How does it help to know Jesus is Lord of peace?
- Presence: God is always with us. For those who have repented of sin and placed hope in Jesus, we are promised this! How are you reminding yourself of this blessing? And you can remind yourself by…
- Graphe (Scripture): Strengthens and guides.
- Grace: God freely offers mercy.
My dad’s family lives in Nahant, MA and from their front porch looking at the ocean you can see three lighthouses mean to guide boats safely to Boston Harbor. Receive this blessings like a beam from a lighthouse in the storm, guiding the path. Stop striving to earn God’s blessing—rest in His peace, presence, Word, and grace.
Participate in God’s Blessings. This is the active piece of living blessed.
- Peace: Choose forgiveness over resentment. Sometimes peace can be aided by simply doing what we are called to do. The unrest you feel might be self-inflicted from avoiding the clear calls to communion with Christ and others. So don’t create conflict and reconcile when it inevitable comes up.
- Presence: Stay alert to God’s presence. Are you confessing sin so that this reminder is a blessed one instead of uncomfortable? Don’t let sin be a barrier but reminder that you can run to him! We also are reminded by time in prayer and time in the Word.
- Graphe (Scripture): READ the BIBLE! Then apply what you read in daily life. WE participate in this blessing when we actually participate in this blessing. Take the next step. If you don’t read daily, that’s you step, TODAY Christian. If you read daily but is surface level, not studying the Word of God, then that’s your step. If you’re more about devotionals and Christian books, I am thankful for those but get in the Word and experience the blessing of the transforming power of God’s Spirit as you behold Him in the Bible. And if you’re doing this don’t grow weary of keeping up the discipline.
- Grace: Extend mercy and generosity to others. If we’ve receive grace than walk in it and show it to others in how we live and interact, especially in the household of God.
I grew up on the mighty Mississippi River. It flows freely but you gotta jump in a boat to float on down. God’s blessings flow freely, but we participate by jumping in in faith. If you’ve been saved them you don’t just sit back but pursue the blessings God has given to you!
Like the apple tree produces apples, a life rooted in Christ produces faithful prayer, hard working obedience, and blessed living. Each of these three calls to action are crucial pieces to the Christian life and are a part of what it means to carry out the mission or Christ in the local church and beyond. This week, commit to one practical step in each area: Pray: For belief, perseverance, or someone’s salvation; Obey: Complete a responsibility, encourage someone, or persevere in doing good; Live Blessedly: Notice God’s presence, read Scripture, or extend grace.
Like produces like and if Jesus has made you a part of his family then you are called to bear the family resemblance by heeding these exhortations to Christian living. And there is no one who walked a life of prayer, obedience, and blessing more than the Lord Jesus Jesus Christ. If you haven’t placed your trust in him alone, do it before you leave. If you have, let’s leave here firmer in our firm in Christ, striving onward in the Christian life, enduring whatever we face until we finish the race knowing by the grace of God it won’t be in vain.
Pray. “May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. May the Lord be with you all. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.”