Take Two: 2 Thessalonians 3, Proverbs 16

The close to this letter carries with it several final thoughts. This is common with Paul's writing.

2 Thess 3:1-2 is a personal prayer request from Paul to the church. Pray for us. Pray for opportunities to share the Word. Pray for the Word to take root and to grow rapidly. Pray that we will not be stopped by opposition. These prayers SHOULD serve as a clear reminder that we are not in the "business" of gaining knowledge or studying the Bible. We are in the "business" of life transformation and that occurs when God takes the sown seed of His Word and works it to accomplish His purpose.

Some people say to me at times, "I wish I could get something out of the Bible when I read it." I have been there. Here is what I know from experience. If you will ask God to speak to you through His Word and will go about what it takes to grasp it (more on that in another forum if there is interest), then God will speak. He will take His Word and apply it in incredible ways.

Some people say that they want to be part of a church where life transformation takes place in large proportions. The prescription for this (which I would call "revival") is a movement of God in response to the prayers and brokenness of His people. In other words, "God, open hearts of people to hear and receive. Anoint your Word as it is preached and taught that it would be powerful. Anoint your Messengers...that their words will be well chosen, powerful, and relatable. Bring Holy Spirit Conviction as you apply your Word to lives."

2 Thess 3:6 is a strong admonition. It does not "play" too well in our politically correct culture, but it is the Word of God...even if not too "pc." Stay away from brethren who do not lead lives consistent with what you have been taught. This is broad spectrum teaching and presupposes that attempts at reconciliation have been attempted (MT 18). It assumes that the lifestyle/conduct of the brother is detrimental to the cause of Christ. It does not mean "necessarily" some huge ugly sin. In 2 Thess 3:7-13 we see it implied that some of the "unruly" lifestyle spoken of is being a busybody and not working to provide for oneself. A "busybody" is one who goes around with great stories/philosophies/ideas...eating your grocieries...and then moves on to the next house to do the same. ( I saw a Little House on the Prairie episode about this once...)

What do you do if they will not listen to your attempts to correct them? "Keep away" from them (2 Thess 3:6). What is the standard to measure their lives against? The example that Paul had given. The reason for this type of response to the person's conduct is give in 2 Thess 3:14-15. Do this, not because he is an enemy, but because he is a brother and his actions need to be corrected. It is the exercising of "church discipline."

2 Thess 3:16-17 is the closing benediction and Paul's authenticating mark. As we saw yesterday... there was some concern about letters or messages surfacing that were presented as being from Paul that were not (2 Thess 2:1-2). Paul said that any letter from him would bear his characteristic signature (mark/handwriting style) to validate that it was from him. A good application point to that is that not everything is as it appears at first glance. Make sure that everything bears up to scrutiny. Examine it closely.

Proverbs 16:3 is the takeaway today. Abundant life begins with the decision, "I am committed to fulfilling the Lord's purpose for my life...no matter the cost." In everything we do...God is the point. He is why we work diligently. He is why we conduct ourselves as we do. He is the reason we "put up with" what we do. When we begin with this objective...then we are destined to KNOW the will of God. Once we KNOW the will of God and are committed to doing it, God directs us to DO the will of God. He provides the resources, ability, and power. Know and Do the will of God.

By the way: Tomorrow is Zephaniah. (Right after Habakkuk in the OT). See you there!

Take Two: 2 Thessalonians 2, Proverbs 15

As we look at chapter two...let me offer a caveate before we dig in too deeply. The subject is the coming of the Day of the Lord and involves details of the advent of the antichrist and so forth. There is little consensus among scholars about the details of the rapture, the great tribulation, and the Second coming. Each position...tends to spend a great deal of energy picking apart the other guy's position...without being able to conclusively convince others of his own. This is because there is a "mystery" involved in the details of this prophesy. I have friends who would hold firmly to each position...and all of them love God and I expect they will all be with me in heaven one day. I consider them to be men of God and to have effective ministries today in the places they serve. I do, however, think they are wrong on their positions that differ from mine. I also believe...that one's beliefs on matters like this are in the realm of Christian liberty...not because God needs us to offer Him suggestions on how to do it...but because it relates to prophesy which, by nature, is a mystery to be revealed. If I could encourage you to hear ANYTHING as you look at "end-times study" (i.e. Eschatology)...it is to hold onto the big picture. There is a Day coming when all righteousness will be rewarded. Our King will make all righteousness known and He alone will be worshipped and honored. At that same time...in the making known of righteousness...He will be judging all that is/who are unrighteous. One cannot affirm righteousness without condemning unrighteousness. This does not make Jesus somehow "unloving." To the contrary...it is the love of God and His infinite mercy that holds back the Coming of this Day...that many shall be saved (2 Peter 3:9-10).

In 2 Thess 2:1-2, Paul warns the church to accept no false message that the Day of the Lord has come...even if it appears to have come from him. He appeals to the church to examine the claim in light of what they know about the end-times from the teachings of Scripture and the prophesies available to them (2 Thess 2:3-5).

Paul states that the "force" restraining the anti-christ's appearance and the unfolding of his scheme is none other than the Holy Spirit (2 Thess 2:6-7). Satan has been at work seeking to set himself up as the world power worthy of worship since before the Fall of man. He is actively at work seeking to bring it about even now. However, he has no power or ability to go any further than God permits. When he comes onto the world scene...it is expected that he will be a prominent figure who will look much like a Messianic figure. He will "preach" a message of peace and will accompany his message with signs and wonders (2 Thess 2:9). Many will be deceived and believe this messenger (2 Thess 3:10). This is not because he is somehow more powerful than God and won the wrestling match for the souls of men; rather, God sends a deluding influence...or "gives them over" (Romans 1) to their own way (2 Thess 2:11).

Now...lest the Thessalonians get sidetracked trying to identify the "what" and "when" of the coming fo the Day...Paul reminds them that they are not looking for the antichrist...but the Christ (2 Thess 2:13-14). Others are majoring on discovering the time of the rise of the antichrist...Paul instructs the church to be looking for the rapture. In other words...the rapture is the next big event for the church. There should be no more emphasis on the immediate need to preach the gospel AFTER the revealing of the antichrist...than there is right now! Those without Christ are lost today...period. Their demise will not be more imminent after the antichrist appears. They are bound for eternal separation from God right now. They live everyday separated from Christ. They live without the power of God working in them today.

Paul encourages the church to stand firm in the teachings they have learned from him and not to become sidetracked with these "other" things (2 Thess 2:15). In doing so, they are useful to God to the purpose for which they were created. There is no PEACE to be gathered in discovering the "secrets" of the antichrist. Peace comes from God...and Paul prays that the church will experience that peace and comfort one another with it (2 Thess 2:16-17.)

Proverbs 15:3 is the takeaway today. There is nothing hidden from God. Every sin is apparent and obvious to Him. Both our sins and others. We should live in light of these truths and choose our course with these in mind everyday.

Take Two: 2 Thessalonians 1, Proverbs 14

The second letter to the Thessalonians was sent a short time after the first. Paul was likely responding...either to questions or to observations made by the messenger(s) who delivered the first letter. He addresses some specific matters of false teaching in the letter and some instruction on church discipline.

Chapter 1 begins with a typical greeting. 2 Thess 1:1 identifies Paul as author along with Silvanus and Timothy. Paul begins by giving thanks for the church's growth (as he had prayed in the last letter) (2 Thess 1:3). Now that Paul knows specifically of some of what is going on in the church, He is "proud" of their growth and progress (2 Thess 1:4). This growth is occurring in spite of the persecution they are enduring.

The persecution they face is not/should not be a surprise to them. God is acting justly toward them. (Note: sometimes we all feel that we are suffering unjustly as Christians...as though God is "doing us wrong.") The suffering they were enduring was due to the kingdom (rule/reign) of God. They were "counted worthy" of enduring the suffering by God who was in control...and God would reward them with relief (2 Thess 1:7) and reward their persecutors with judgment (2 Thess 1:6).

I know that most of us will not line up to be "counted worthy" of suffering. No one seeks out suffering (I hope). However...think of it in this way: There was a great need in the Kingdom and God chose this group of believers because He knew of their faith and faithfulness. He had confidence in them and therefore...they were counted worthy of God's approval as His instruments in this matter. (See also Acts 5:40-42).

When will God act to judge the unrighteous and relieve the righteous? At the Day of the Lord. We are not promised plush living on this earth. God never guaranteed health, wealth, and prosperity here. He promised a hope in the Day to come. We are not to cling too tightly to the things of this earth...or to covet the things that people of this world desire. We have a greater hope that awaits if we are true to the God who saves.

2 Thess 1:9 is one of the best description of hell that I know of. It is a place of ongoing (eternal) destruction. What makes it hell is not the physical suffering (which is there), but the fact that it is a place separated from the presence and power of God. Life without God is "hell." Even if one thinks they are prosperous, accomplished, living the good life...without God...it is always less than what life could be for them. Some though...would exchange the potential life WITH God for the comforts of a temporal life which they can control for a few decades..and then vanishes for eternity.

2 Thess 1:11-12 is Paul's prayer for God's continued work and faithfulness in the lives of the church. Again...not a prayer for their deliverance from persecution. It was a prayer for God's faithfulness to continue (in the midst of persecution).

Proverbs 14:15 is the takeaway today. We are called to be discerning. We are not called to ignore information...nor believe all claims wholesale; rather, we are called to consider everything and act righteously in light of it. Whether it is considering the pastor's sermon (which ought to be examined against the Scripture, and then accepted-or rejected if unbiblical), or in hearing the claims of philosophers who would offer insights into things this world considers true. Be discerning. As someone's grandfather used to say..."look before you leap."