Called to Work

Normal Christianity in Extreme Times – 2 Thessalonians Series – Part 9

Confronting the Enemy Within

(2 Thessalonians 3:6-12, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, February 23, 2014)

[6] Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

God's people face many dangers, toils, and snares and the Lord is well able to carry us through them all. We do not need to make matters worse for ourselves by ignoring His instruction. Every culture has its special challenges. For the church in Thessalonica there was a strong temptation toward idleness. Friends who set a poor example “conspired” with the enemy within, the laziness of the flesh, to create a destructive situation in many Christian lives.

[7] For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, [8] nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. [9] It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. [10] For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

Paul had taught against idleness. He also had set a good example for the church through his own hard work. He knew that he had the right to their support, a theme he explains further in another place. Yes, he had the right, but he chose not to take advantage of that right. He knew that idleness was a problem for some, and he wanted to set an example for an important principle for the church: Those who were unwilling to work should not expect other people to support them. The church should not enable others to pursue a sinful lifestyle.

[11] For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. [12] Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

The report that Paul was hearing was not only that idleness was a problem, it was combined with a lifestyle of meddling in the affairs of others. People had time on their hands. They expected the church to support them, and they went from house to house getting in the way of the productive and positive work. Jesus was calling everyone who could to work quietly and productively.

Put the Word to Work: Idleness was the problem then and there. What is the “enemy within” for us and how do we set an example that would help others to see the way of life? Could it be cynicism regarding the blessing of the work that we have been gifted and called to do? How has Christ defeated this enemy? His cross work was accomplished without cynicism. Our solid hope in the life to come reminds us that our labor for the Lord, even in a “secular” job, is not in vain.

Singing Psalm 27:12 from Trinity Psalter

O to my foes' desire / Hand me not over now! / They cunningly conspire / Their charges false to vow. / Their every breath is cruelty; / How hopeless seems my cause to be!

A Second Thessalonians Hymn – Verse 9 (Louisville, SM)

An enemy within

Would like to see us fall.

Why should we follow empty words?

We'll answer when You call—

We'll answer when You call.

That the Word would run vigorously...

Normal Christianity in Extreme Times – 2 Thessalonians Series – Part 8

An Urgent Word

(2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, February 16, 2014)

[3:1] Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, [2] and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

Paul wrote at least two letters to the church in Thessalonica when he was in Corinth. After persecution thrust him out of Thessalonica, he went on to Berea, only to have angry Jews from Thessalonica come after him there. Then he was sent by sea to Athens, and finally made his way to Corinth where he stayed for many months. “Brothers, pray for us.” Paul wanted to see the Word of the Lord presented and honored everywhere, and especially where he was at that time.

“Not all have faith.” Paul knew well about the enemies to the gospel in Corinth. He knew that his life was in danger, but that was not his primary concern in seeking prayer. He said in another place, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24) He was not panicking, but he was praying and asking other Christians to pray. Many sought to stop the Word. Paul was praying that it would run ahead vigorously.

[3] But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. [4] And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. [5] May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

We still want a speedy work in our day. Our time on this earth is brief and we have a job to do. When we have gospel liberty we need to use it. We are asking the Lord to do a good work. What is our confidence in this prayer? “The Lord is faithful.” He is faithful to His own plan, and His plan is to use His church in every place and time. Yes, there is an angelic adversary and there are human adversaries who are on the devil's side. Fear not. The Lord will hear your prayers.

Paul believed that God would use the prayers of the persecuted Christians in Thessalonica to make a difference in the work in Corinth. He believed that the Lord would direct the hearts of His people to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. The same determination that kept Jesus at His post during three hours of darkness would keep the Thessalonian church faithful in prayer and Paul solid in preaching, and the Lord would do a great work in Corinth. And He did.

Put the Word to Work: Pray for the Word to run effectively all over the world with confidence in Christ's ability to work through His church. There is a race to be run. Consider the steadfastness of Jesus, and keep praying that the Word would speed ahead. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Singing Psalm 27:10-11 from Trinity Psalter

Though parents may betray, / The Lord will care for me. / Teach me, O LORD, Your way; On level path lead me. / For me my foes in ambush wait; / My way is lined with those who hate.

A Second Thessalonians Hymn – Verse 8 (Louisville, SM)

We speak an urgent Word—

A Word from God Most High.

Though enemies would still our voice,

The Lord will hear our cry—

The Lord will hear our cry.

The Lord is with you. Your future is beautiful and sure.

Normal Christianity in Extreme Times – 2 Thessalonians Series – Part 7

The Gift of a Settled Heart

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, February 9, 2014)

[13] But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a difference between the church and the world according to the Scriptures. Yet in extreme times, the church may become so influenced by the world that a biblically abnormal assembly becomes the new normal. Then the difference between the church and the world is not all that clear, and we lose our distinctiveness which is so critical for our mission.

The answer for that sad condition is for God's people to be exposed again to the truth and to believe in it. This will be the way that the Spirit of God makes the body of Christ more holy, setting us apart from the world. We are destined for a very unusual salvation, and we need to live like it by setting our hearts on things that are above, where Christ is.

The good news of Jesus Christ calls us to a confident expectation of a life of heavenly reward. That makes a difference now, because we have become convinced that the meek will inherit the earth. Therefore our obedience to the Lord's mission and our delight in God are not in vain. We will obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The realer that is to us, the saner we will be.

[15] So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.This useful life that causes us to take care of the weak and the poor and to overlook offenses against us, just to give two examples, is not rocket science. Simply put, the crazy idolatry of this world pushes us into self-preoccupation and lazy selfishness. The Spirit of Christ moves us to joyfully serve others in the name of Jesus. This is well-known, and is testified to in the Scriptures and experience. We need to hold fast to this God-loving, other-serving lifestyle.

[16] Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, [17] comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.This good life is a gift of God's grace. To be established and comforted in it is a great blessing.

Put the Word to Work: We need the grace of God to follow simple patterns of kind living. We need the peace that can only come from the face of the Savior who died and rose again for us.

1. When you feel distressed and unstable remember that God comforts and establishes you.

2. When you feel that your life has been taken away, consider that you have a secure destiny.

Singing Psalm 27:9 from Trinity Psalter

Hide not Your face from me, / Your servant now, I pray; / The day you angry be / O turn me not away! / You've been my help. Forsake me not! / God, my Salvation, leave me not!

A Second Thessalonians Hymn – Verse 7 (Louisville, SM)

The chosen of our God

Will seek the living Lord.

Established in the life of love

They stand upon the Word— They stand upon the Word.

True Love of What is Truly Worthy of Love

Normal Christianity in Extreme Times – 2 Thessalonians Series – Part 6

Loving Jesus, Loving the Truth

(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, February 2, 2014)

[9] The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan

Before the return of the Lord, there will be an overwhelming apostasy in the church. “Apostasy” is a word we use to describe a moral and doctrinal falling away from what is true. There has been apostasy in the church since the first century. But at the end it will be very notable. That future rebellion will be connected with the coming of a central figure of evil that Paul refers to with the title, “the lawless one.” The lawless one comes by the activity of Satan himself. During the gospel era, there is a restraint upon Satan, and therefore upon the revealing of the lawless one. At just the right time in God's perfect plan, the restraint will be removed, and then the lawless one will come, and he will be utterly defeated by our returning King.

with all power and false signs and wonders, [10] and with all wicked deception

When the lawless one comes, Paul tells the church in Thessalonica, he will look like a Savior to many, “with all power and false signs and wonders.” The wicked one, Satan, has wicked purposes. When his agent, the lawless one, works false signs and wonders, he does so with wicked intentions. Therefore, his activities are rightly called “a wicked deception.”

for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [11] Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, [12] in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

This Satanic deception only works on those who are perishing. Those who have been saved have joined the community of salvation by loving the truth of the true Savior. When the end comes, that which an evil one meant for evil, the Lord God Almighty will mean for good. (This also happened with the cross.) Satan will do his wicked deception, but the Lord will hand a world that would not love the truth over to the lie that they preferred. This will be good, because it will be the just sentence of God against all who took pleasure in unrighteousness,

Put the Word to Work: We need to do more than tolerate the truth in order to avoid the tug of a wicked deception from the evil one. We must love the truth. The Lord is calling all the nations of the earth to turn to Him and to earnestly seek His face. Loving Jesus and loving the Word that He has given us is not some strange aberration. It is normal Christianity, and it will be very necessary for the church in that period prior to the coming of the Lord.

Singing Psalm 27:7-8 from Trinity Psalter

Lord, hear me when I cry! / O answer me in grace! / Each time I hear You say, / “Enquire and seek My face,” / My heart in glad response will speak, / “Your face, O Lord, I'll always seek.”

A Second Thessalonians Hymn – Verse 6 (Louisville, SM)

Lord God, we love the truth.

Keep us in Your embrace.

We will not love unrighteousness.

O answer us in grace—

O answer us in grace.