2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul’s epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the seventeenth and final in the series, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, closes out the epistle with Paul’s final exhortations: “Though the Thessalonians were brethren, Paul and the other apostles with him maintained the spiritual right to command them regarding certain behaviors in the church. Gift ministries, like apostles and prophets, are placed by Christ. Because of this, they have been given divine authority by the Son of God to carry out God’s will when led by the Spirit of God. It is thus both the right and responsibility for true ministries to come in God’s name, hold forth His Word, and reveal His will to man. This is a heavenly charge and should not be taken lightly.
“For true servants, Christ’s will is always superior to their own, and the influence of the Spirit of the Lord is greater than human flesh. Ultimately, God gives no man spiritual authority over another unless he is first willing to subject himself to Christ’s Lordship. This ecclesiastical order encourages unity and harmony in the body of Christ and provides the means for spiritual growth.
“The truth is that no man should think he has met the spiritual criteria of being a servant of Christ until he has labored not only to care for his own needs but also to help others as well. Idleness, though not recognized by many as spiritually harmful, is one of the great dangers to any society. The law of Christ demands not only bearing one’s own burdens but also assisting with the burdens of others.
“Though men are saved by grace and not by works, this does not imply that they carry no personal responsibility for salvation. Ultimately, God works in the called to do according to His own good pleasure, inspiring them to pursue the narrow gate that leads to salvation.
“To do good should be the Christian’s main purpose in life, a heavenly charge that is abundant in scripture. Yet, when men know to do good, but do it not, then as far as God is concerned, evil has been committed. The absence of doing good therefore, when it is known it should be done, is viewed as nothing less than sin in God’s eyes.
“Simply put, if a man does not seek to do good, it is impossible for him to walk in any real, true unity and fellowship with the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Every true Christian knows the inward stabilizing force of the Christ Spirit within, which produces the spiritual fruits of joy and peace. This spiritual peace, which has God as its source, surpasses human understanding. Paul prayed for the Lord Jesus to impart that supernatural encouragement which is His alone.
“True Christianity is a religion of divine favor, spiritual gifts, and heavenly blessings. These realities become available through exposure to and belief in the Son of God. It is He Who reveals the true nature of heaven, and He Who, through the sacrifice of His own life, provides a path for sinners to be accepted by God.
“Since Christ has brought us to God, then it is only fitting that we should live the remainder of our earthly lives for Him. (2 Cor. 5:15) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. This has been our heart in writing and publishing The Word of the Lord: An Expositional Study of I&II Thessalonians.”
Broadcast live on 11/27/2022