Never Get Tired of Doing Good
Introduction
We are finishing our study of 2 Thessalonians.
Paul gives the Thessalonians (and us) a final challenge: Never get tired of doing good.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-18 NLT
Never Get Tired of Doing Good.
13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
Paul’s Final Greetings
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
17 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. I DO THIS IN ALL MY LETTERS TO PROVE THEY ARE FROM ME.
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Examine the Scriptures:
Never Get Tired of Doing Good.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-18 NLT
13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
Hard working, conscientious Thessalonians would have seen some in the church doing nothing.
This could become frustrating or discouraging.
At times Christian service, acts of kindness, and faithful living can feel unrewarding or exhausting.
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians (and encourages us) to never get tired of doing good.
Challenges from the scriptures:
2 Thessalonians 2:15 NLT
15 With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
2 Timothy 3:14 NLT (Here Paul is saying the same thing to Timothy.)
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Hebrews 10:36 NLT
36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Galatians 6:9 NLT
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
- Never get tired of doing good.
Persevere in good works despite opposition or laziness around you.
14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter.
- Take note of those who refuse to obey the scriptures.
Paul realizes that some people may not do what his letter instructs them to do.
Remember:
Obedience to scripture is for our benefit.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.
Those who refused to obey what Paul said in his letter needed to be disciplined.
- Stay away from the lazy so that they will be ashamed.
- Hold those who refuse to obey the scriptures accountable for their behavior.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 NLT (a similar withdraw of close fellowship)
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
Matthew 18:15-17 NLT
Correcting another Believer
15 “If another believer sins against you go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
In the Jewish context, pagans and tax collectors were outside the covenant community.
This means the person is to be regarded as no longer in fellowship with the church.
Withhold normal fellowship until restoration takes place.
Stay away from the lazy so that they will be ashamed, repent, and be restored to the community.
Paul hoped that the disobedient Christians would be ashamed and repent in response to being shunned by the community.
15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
Don’t “attack” these brothers and sisters in Christ.
Discipline in the church should be “brotherly”, “warn them as you would a brother or sister”.
The aim is not punishment or complete rejection, but restoration to fellowship.
Balance firmness with love.
Corrective discipline is meant to restore, not punish. Avoiding fellowship with individuals practicing persistent disobedience can provoke reflection and repentance.
Galatians 6:1 NLT
6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
Hebrews 12:5-11 NLT
New Living Translation
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
- Exercise loving discipline toward those who refuse to follow godly instructions.
Paul’s Final Greetings
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
A blessing.
Many of the Thessalonians were “shaken” by the messages from false teachers.
2 Thessalonians 2:2 NLT
2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.
“Gift of peace” scripture verses.
John 14:27 NLT (some of Jesus’ last words to his disciples.)
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Philippians 4:9 NLT
9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Romans 15:33 NLT
33 And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.
Depend on God’s peace for strength and unity.
True peace comes from God.
God’s peace accompanies believers as they continue doing good and exercising discipline in love.
- May the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.
17 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. I DO THIS IN ALL MY LETTERS TO PROVE THEY ARE FROM ME.
A final greeting
Paul makes it clear that the letter is dictated to a secretary. The final greeting in Paul’s own handwriting serves as a mark of authenticity.
The personal touch underscores authenticity, care, and concern.
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
A prayer for grace. (A benediction)
Compare this to 1 Thessalonians 5:28
1 Thessalonians 5:28 NLT
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
- Rely on God’s grace for endurance, wisdom, and reconciliation.
Grace is both a gift and a source of strength to continue doing good, resisting idleness, and living in love.
Paul has criticized his offenders, but his final prayer is for everyone.
Grace is both a gift and a source of strength to continue doing good, resisting idleness, and living in love.
