Cornerstone Class Outline for 3/24/19
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Announcements,
praises and prayer requests—Joe Kerns
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| Purchase Mornings with Larry at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HNQKB1L |
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Good morning!
It’s officially spring as of last Wednesday!
§ There’s still a lot of cleanup left on our property
from the snowstorm, but what’s really on my mind is getting our vegie garden
started
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I’ve got snow pea
seeds ready to sow
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Then I’ll plant
radish seeds
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This morning
we’ll work through 2 Thessalonians 3. I’d call the first 3 verses a mix of
transitional items before the more lengthy section dealing with those who are
idle and disruptive
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Let’s read 2
Thessalonians 3:1-5 NIV:
1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for
us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it
was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,
for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen
you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that
you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord
direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
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3-parts to this
section:
§ Paul requests prayer for himself and his companions
§ Paul encourages the Thessalonian believers
§ Paul Prays for the Thessalonians
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QUESTIONS on 2
Thessalonians 3:1-5
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In verse one, what do you think “the message of the
Lord” is?
§ Probably the
gospel. What is the gospel?
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The good news of the person and work of Jesus
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How would this
prayer apply to us today?
§ We should pray for pastors, evangelist, missionaries
and each other that the Gospel be spread fast and believed
§ Pray for protection from wicked and evil people
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In verse 3, can
we claim this as a promise from God to us?
§ Yes!
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In verse 5, how does the Lord direct our hearts into “God’s
love and Christ’s perseverance.”?
§ Perhaps this love goes in two directions
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(inward) We
experience God’s love for us
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(outward) Because
we experience His love, we can then love Him more deeply and also love others
more fully.
§ Christ modeled perseverance on the cross
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His example motivates
us to persevere through trials, persecutions, and hardships.
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Hebrews 12:2 KJV
says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down
at the right hand of the throne of God.”
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I see this as
meaning that Jesus persevered through the cross because he looked ahead to the
joy that awaited Him when He would be raised from the dead and return to the
Father
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Likewise, we can
persevere in this life because of the joy that awaits us in heaven.
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Let’s read 2
Thessalonian 3:6-15 NIV:
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command
you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and
disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle
when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On
the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would
not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the
right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to
imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who
is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and
disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command
and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13
And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our
instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel
ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a
fellow believer.
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QUESTIONS on 2
Thessalonians 3:6-15
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The text doesn’t specify precisely what the “idle and
disruptive” behavior was. What are some of the possible things these people
were doing?
§ They may have stopped working because they thought the
second coming was imminent.
§ They may have been trying to convince others that the
second coming was imminent.
§ They may have been hyper-spiritual, thinking that they
were too important to work.
§ They were sponging off of others
§ They were healthy and able to work, so by sponging off
of others, they were perhaps taking food from those who truly could not fend
for themselves, such as the disabled, widows or orphans.
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Based on verse 11, how are these “idle and disruptive”
folks depicted?
§ They were active “busybodies,” but their busy-ness had
negative results.
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J. Vernon McGee
described them as termites—very busy, but very destructive.
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Paul, Timothy and
Silas had the right to receive support from the Thessalonians, but instead
chose to set an example and work for their own food. Why did they choose to set
an example by working for their food?
§ Perhaps to show the “idle and disruptive” folks that
even the most spiritual people work for a living.
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In verse 10, Paul gave the following rule, “The one
who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” What are some exceptions to this rule?
§ The disabled
§ Those who are unemployed, but looking for work
§ Those in crises (hurricane victims, etc.)
§ Retirees
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In verses 6, 14
and 15, Paul gives disciplinary instructions on how to deal with the idle and
disruptive folks. What is the purpose of such discipline?
§ That they would feel ashamed
§ That they would repent and start working for a living
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Is this discipline
as severe as excommunication?
§ Two of my commentaries say no
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Let’s read Paul’s
benediction from 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 NIV:
“16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace
at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
“17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which
is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
“18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all.”
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QUESTIONS on 2
Thessalonians 3:16-18
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In verse 16, what
kinds of peace do you think Paul is referring to?
§ Possibly peaceful cessation of the strife caused by
the idle and disruptive folks
§ Sensing God’s peace in their hearts and minds
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In verse 18, what
is the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”?
§ Unmerited favor
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Application/Conclusion
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Next week we’ll
begin the book of Esther
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Closing prayer
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