Our responsibility 2 Thessalonians 3

Overview Encouragement in suffering (ch 1), Confusion over the day of the Lord (ch 2) Our responsibility in the light of his coming (ch 3).

Chapter 1: Suffering Chapter 2: The Day of Lord Judgement Rapture Judgement Seat of Christ Marriage Supper of the Lamb Christ returns with Church Great White Throne Satan in Pit Lake of Fire New Heaven and New Earth 7 years 1000 years Tribulation 7 Seals 7 Trumpets 7 Vials The Millennium The Church Age Outline of the End Times Chapter 1: Suffering Chapter 2: The Day of Lord Judgement

Our responsibility in the light of his coming 2 Thes. 3:1-18 Towards one another (2 Thes. 3:1-5) Pray for our workers/leaders (1-3) Obey apostolic teaching (4) Workers/Leaders pray (5) Personally (2 Thes. 3:6-15) Avoid the unruly (v. 6) Follow godly example (v. 7-9) Earn your own living (vv. 10-13) Expect discipline (vv. 14-15) Pray (2 Thes. 3:16-18)

Pray for our workers/leaders (1-3) Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters, (1) that the Lord’s message may spread quickly and be honored as in fact it was among you, (v. 1) – success of the message (2) and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. For not all have faith (v. 2) – protection for workers But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one (v. 3) 2 Tim. 4:16-17a At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me 1 Cor. 10:13  No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Obey apostolic teaching (4) And we are confident about you in the Lord that you are both doing – and will do – what we are commanding. Mat. 28:18-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Workers/Leaders pray (5) Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ.

Avoid the unruly (v. 6) But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us.

Follow godly example (v. 7-9) For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying.  Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

Earn your own living (vv. 10-13) For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”  For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.  Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.   But you, brothers and sisters,  do not grow weary in doing what is right. 

Expect discipline (vv. 14-15)  But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.  Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Pray (vv. 16-18) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.  I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.