Thessalonians will once again be in chapter 3. I believe that’s on page 1,260 of your pew Bibles. This will be the second sermon on a portion of this passage. The preaching of the word this morning will be focused on one verse, 13. But for context, we’ll begin reading at verse 6. 2 Thessalonians chapter 3. beginning at verse 6. Let’s give attention to the very Word of God.
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. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 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. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command, if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busy bodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person and have nothing to do with him that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Thus far in the word of God. Thanks be to God. Amen. Please be seated. Could you pray with me? Heavenly Father, as we come to the preaching of your word, we know that there’s no one sufficient for this work. And so we pray, Lord God, use your spirit powerfully in our hearts today that we might hear you clearly, hear you, speak to us. We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen. How are you growing? Are you growing in weariness or in fruitfulness? How are you growing? Earlier this morning, we read from Genesis, and we were considering Joseph It may be difficult to find throughout scripture of another mere man who grew more in fruitfulness and good works than Joseph.
He was hated by his brothers. He was persecuted by his brothers. He was sold off as a slave by his brothers. And yet, even as he was sold off, he was constantly serving the Lord in Potiphar’s house. Everything was left in Joseph’s charge in Potiphar’s house because he was doing good works. He was engaged in serving the Lord, even in his slavery. And then as Potiphar’s wife was calling him into sin, and he again serves the Lord by running from that temptation, what happens?
He’s thrown into prison as a result. Joseph is suffering persecutions and wrongful imprisonments, and yet even in prison, he was serving the Lord. Whatever was done in the prison was done by Joseph. The keeper of the prison was so enamored with Joseph, he puts everything under his charge. Joseph was pursuing good works, even in the midst of persecution.
It’s a bit of what our passage is all about this morning. As we’ve read, 2 Thessalonians In a portion of chapter 3, once again this morning, we find this context that the believers were in. They were seeking to be faithful to their Lord and God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and some of them were being idle, some of them weren’t working, some of them had cast off this command to work, were not following the teachings of Paul and Timothy and Silas, The call was to discipline them. But in the midst of that call was this command, was this encouragement. You see those others walking in idleness, but for you, for you brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. That’s our passage for this morning. That’s what we want to focus our hearts upon this morning, just that one single verse in the midst of the context in which it’s set forth for us this morning.
And as we do, I’d like us to see that Jesus Christ encourages the pursuit of good works for his glory and for the good of his followers. Jesus Christ encourages the pursuit of good works for his glory and for the good of his followers. We’ll see that this morning in three Short points. First, Christ calls believers to continue good works. Secondly, Christ gives good works for his glory. And thirdly, Christ encourages believers to press on. Well, as we go through this text this morning, this single verse this morning, I want you to be asking yourself, how am I growing? Am I growing in weariness or am I growing in fruitfulness? Well, first, Christ calls believers to continue good works.
As I mentioned earlier, Paul is really addressing a subset of the church here now in verse 13. He’s addressing a certain group as for you brothers. He’s setting them aside, he’s isolating them in a sense in this case, isolating them from those brothers who were idle. This portion of the letter is written specifically to those who are not straying, to those who are not busy bodies, to those who are not idle. And he calls them, he has a concern for them.
Do not grow weary in doing good. This word in the Greek could be translated, don’t lose heart. That’s the way it’s translated as Paul writes to the those in Corinth in his second letter there in chapter 4. So we do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. Don’t grow weary. Don’t lose heart. That’s the idea. That’s his concern. And so Paul sets forth this concern here.
It must be that he knew that this was a possibility, that they would grow weary in their good doing. That this young church, these young believers, the immature believers would become tired, exhausted, or discouraged as they followed Christ. Paul probably knew this from his own experience, his own ministry, that this is possible. Or maybe he had seen it in them. Or maybe he was informed of it as Timothy goes and comes back. Or maybe just in his pastoral wisdom. Paul was sensitive to this as a distinct possibility, indeed a likelihood that these faithful, these immature believers might even stop doing their good works. Or more plainly, they might stop following Christ.
Why? What was going on in the church? What was going on in Thessalonica at this time? In fact, this one, The verse seems a little bit out of place, this concern of Paul’s, as he inserts this warning in the form of a command, not merely to alert him to the possibility of this problem, but in a sense to wake them up to it. He could have placed exclamation points around this sentence, this verse. If he had a PowerPoint presentation, there would have been fireworks going off in the background. Brothers, sisters, do not become weary in your doing good.
So why? Well, we can certainly understand that they were being persecuted. And they were enduring that persecution. Think about a young believer. already being persecuted, already most likely being shunned by family, by former friends as they begin to follow Christ. This persecution might have been more physical. Maybe they were required to leave house and home as they proclaim their faith. We don’t know the particular circumstances, but we do know that they were suffering persecution.
We also know that there were members in the Church who were idle and busybodies. That’s the context that surrounds this verse. Members who were not glorifying Jesus Christ, members who had determined not to follow the example set for them by Paul and Timothy and Silas, members who, by their idleness, were likely causing some dissension and unrest in the Church. And so possibly these were trying to continue to perform these good works, pursuing these good works, and trying to help those who were in idleness.
Imagine the weariness of taking a meal to a family whose father, whose husband, has just stopped working. And the family needs food, and so you’ve brought a meal to them. And not just one. You’re on your fifth or sixth now, and he’s still not working. How weary might you become? That’s possibly what’s happening. We just, we don’t know. But we know they’re difficult circumstances.
And Paul calls these young believers to continue pursuing good works. He understands the hardship. For he has experienced it himself. And he knows the call of Jesus Christ. continue to follow me, continue your good works, continue to be lights, continue to shine forth my radiance and my righteousness. And so this warning of Paul’s, this concern of Paul’s is said positively in the English. It looks like a command, and I really would take it that way.
Don’t become weary. Don’t stop. It also takes the nature of a warning, doesn’t it? If we turn this coin over on the other side, a command on one side and maybe a warning on the other, Paul’s concerned that they might stop. And so he’s saying, continue, regardless of your circumstances, continue your good work, continue the good works that I have given you or else. Now, Paul doesn’t say or else, does he?
But it seems to be implicit. In the current context, it would be reasonable to understand the words as a warning this way. If you stop your good works, you’ll become like one of those who’s fallen into idleness. You’ll become just like them. In other words, you’ve fallen into sin.
For good works are really not optional. They weren’t optional for Joseph as he sold off into slavery, as he’s in Potiphar’s house, as he’s in the jail. They weren’t optional. And they are not optional for those who are in Thessalonica. And they’re not optional for us today.
It’s exactly what Paul writes to those in Ephesus. In chapter two, for by grace you’ve been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing. It’s the gift of God, not a result of work, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship. Why? Created in Christ Jesus for good works. If you’ve been saved today, one of the reasons is set forth here, for good works.
And so the call is to grow in faithfulness and the call is to grow in fruitfulness. Just as Jesus preached in the Sermon on the Mount, every healthy tree bears good fruit. Every healthy tree bears good fruit. He was contrasting it with the unhealthy trees, which bear bad fruit. But Jesus is saying that if you’re a healthy tree, you will indeed bear good fruit. Do you think of good works that way? A fruit? Do you think of good works as a command? That’s not an option? And that which, if not pursued and engaged in, will lead you into sin?
Let me be clear. Good works are not a means of salvation. That’s not what Paul is preaching to those in Thessalonica. That’s not what I’m preaching this morning. Good works are not a means of salvation. Let’s make sure we understand that this morning. They’re not to be done to earn the favor of God. You cannot earn the favor of God. Jesus did that. You have no ability to add to what Jesus has done. So please don’t place them in that category.
They’re not. But if you’ve been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ and the call is to work for him in all circumstances at all times, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who’s in heaven. And that’s exactly what Joseph did. He was letting the light of Christ shine before him even in Potiphar’s house, even in prison. Now, we’re not in Thessalonica. And I doubt many of us are suffering in the same kinds of persecutions that those in Thessalonica were suffering.
But we know, we know as Christians, we’re told in scripture that we will suffer. And in the midst of suffering, whatever it is this morning, however you’re suffering this morning for Christ, you’re commanded to pursue and continue your good works. And that’s where we must begin this morning. whatever your circumstances, whatever’s happening, whatever afflictions you’re experiencing.
We don’t take the good works and set them aside, well, I’ll do that later. It’s not the call. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. Brings us to our second point. that Christ gives good works for his glory. Well, Paul knew that it was a possibility that the believers in Thessalonica would grow weary. And so that’s why he writes this verse. At least, that’s my understanding. And it’s quite easy for us to become weary, isn’t it? To tire, to even be exhausted. And we’re not talking about physical exhaustion here, we’re talking about spiritual exhaustion. Spiritual That’s the context of this entire letter. Everything in this letter is spiritual, obviously. So that’s the context of this verse. Don’t become spiritually weary. And so Paul knew that this was a heart problem, a potential heart problem. Maybe those in Thessalonica were thinking at this time that the idol guys were around them, the persecutors were next door, maybe in their own house.
They’re thinking, why should I continue to serve? Why should I continue to serve these who aren’t even working? Why should I continue to radiate Christ to those who hate me, who’ve cast me off? What good is this faith? What good are these works that I’ve been pursuing as you, Paul, have commanded us to pursue? What good are they? In other words, what profit are they bringing to me? That’s the root of the problem, isn’t it? What profit are these good works bringing to me?
You see, weariness arises when one does not receive that which one expects from good works done. If the expectation is that good works will bring a profit or be of a benefit that I can see and appreciate and receive, then the root of heart weariness begins to show itself. If we’re looking for a return, and I think most of us can confess that maybe at times Maybe at all times, in fact, we’re actually looking for a return for the works that we perform. Whether that’s from an individual whom we’re serving on the face of this earth, or whether it’s from heaven above, meaning from Jesus Christ.
This is how our corrupt hearts think, admit it or not. That if I do something for you, then you should recognize it. And you should, at a minimum, be thankful for it. That’s the minimum. And that’s with regard to individuals here on the face of this earth.
What about Jesus? Even if you take the position that you’re serving Christ in your good works, many times, again, maybe at all times, we’re looking for a reward from heaven. What am I going to get? Some good providence, some blessing. I think, brothers and sisters, we have to admit, maybe deep down, that we’re looking for a return on our good works.
Whether that’s from an individual or from Jesus Christ. What am I to receive? That’s my expectation. And there’s the problem. For our good works are done for a return. And as we don’t receive it, maybe as an individual doesn’t say thank you, Or maybe we don’t receive that blessing which we’re expecting from the Lord on high. We throw up our arms. We say, why am I doing this? We become weary. You can think of those in Thessalonica thinking and saying the same things. Why am I doing this?
What am I receiving? So we have to ask ourselves that question this morning. What is our expectation? What’s my expectation in working for Christ? What return am I looking for as I serve the living God? In other words, what’s my motive for pursuing the good works that I’m called to do as a follower of Jesus Christ? Why am I pursuing good works today?
Or maybe you’ve stopped. Maybe you have become weary. Maybe you are exhausted. You’ve seen the return is insufficient and you’ve stopped. Maybe you’ve been offended or hurt. You served someone here, maybe even in this church. And not only have you not received a thank you, but you’ve been hurt or offended at their response. It’s just not worth it. And it leads us again back to the heart.
Ultimately, we have to ask the question, why does Jesus give us good works? Why has he given them to us? You’ve been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that you should walk in them. Why? Why did God give those in Thessalonica good works to perform?
And here’s a hint, and it’s the same for both. It’s not so that you’d receive something. Let me be a bit more clear. Good works are given to you as part of your sanctification. They’re hard. Truly good works are truly hard. And they will knock off the rough edges that are on your sinful hearts. Just ask those in Thessalonica as they are serving the church. As they’re seeking to love those who are in idleness despite their sin. As they’re seeking to love their enemies who are persecuting them.
Good works are sacrificial and they’re given to you for opportunities to pour yourself out into others as a representative of Christ so that you’d be made more like him. You see, we think doing good works is actually for that person. It’s not. It’s actually for you to be made more like Christ because none of us are yet.
So buying good works that He gives you to perform, He’s changing your nature, your makeup, your image to be more like His. And so now you have to ask that question, who am I serving? Who am I serving as I do good works? Am I serving myself, or am I serving Christ? Am I seeking His glory, or am I seeking my glory?
You see, if you’re serving yourself, you’re going to fail every single time. Because you’ll never receive that which you’re expecting to receive. Every good work will turn out to be disappointing and lead to utter despair and weariness, ultimately turning into idleness. But if you’re serving Christ, if you’re truly seeking the glory of Christ and pursuing your good works, you’re not focused on the response from others, you’re not focused upon that blessing that you might receive from the throne upon high, you’re focused on the glory of Christ.
Who was Jesus serving as he went to the cross? Have you ever thought about that? I think as we think of that, many of us think, well, he’s serving me. And indeed, he was, if you’re trusting in him this morning. But really and truly, he was serving his father, wasn’t he? So that’s the idea. Jesus Christ, as he went to the cross, sought to glorify and serve his father.
And so if you’re serving Jesus, every time you do a good work, you’re going to be successful in it. You’re going to achieve the goal every single time, for Christ is going to be glorified in all that he gives to you. Every single instance, every single good work, it’s a guarantee. What a joy to be able to serve this one who has risen and ascended as he gives you good works to do, knowing that every single time you accomplish that which he’s given you, you will achieve the goal of glorifying him.
Praise be to the Lord. That brings us to our third point. Christ encourages believers to press on. Well, I think we have to ask the question, how was it that these in Thessalonica would continue to press on in their good works being surrounded by sin and misery? I think we have to ask the same question of ourselves. How do we pursue good works being surrounded by sin and misery? What has Christ given? to encourage you this morning to continue in your good works. Let me suggest four things given by Christ, a promise, himself, prayer, and finally, the supper. First, he gives you a promise that a harvest will be reaped.
That’s what we read. That’s what we read in Paul’s letter to those at Galatia. Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. What a blessing, what a promise. If you continue to pursue good works, if you don’t get weary, if you resist the temptation to become idle in doing good works, then here’s the promise. In due season, we will reap. What an encouragement. Do you see it as such? The Lord promises in due season we’ll reap. Not we may reap, not maybe, maybe you will. No, we will reap if we don’t give up. Now, we don’t know when. It may not be in our lifetime. Indeed, our children, our covenant children, may see the harvest after we’ve gone to our graves, but that shouldn’t even dissuade us.
Only encourage each and every one of us as the promises that there will be a harvest as a result of your good works given to you by Christ. It’s guaranteed. It’s a promise of the Most High God who cannot lie. Does that encourage you? It should. Where else can you go to have a guarantee that success will result from your work? Only in the promises of God. Second, Christ gives you himself. Do you think of him that way? That he’s given himself to you?
Jesus was always growing in fruitfulness. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. And he’s gone to the cross. He’s gone to the cross so that you would not grow weary or faint-hearted, Hebrews chapter 12. For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and now is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Why? So that you may not grow weary or become faint-hearted. He’s given himself to you on the cross for that purpose.
So while you’re serving Christ, the one who’s given himself to you so that you would not grow weary, and as you serve like Jesus for the joy that’s set before you, then and only then will you actually be strengthened and encouraged in your works of service to him. As I said earlier, these good works are given to you to make you more like Christ. And as you’re made more like Christ, you’re going to have that joy in serving just like Jesus. And so your strength will increase and the weariness will fade.
Third, Christ gives you prayer. Indeed, prayer is your lifeline. Jesus has torn the veil in two so that you have access to commune with the living God, with the Lord Almighty. And by and through his death, resurrection, and ascension, he’s continued to intercede for you, placing you within earshot of the triune God. And so Dr. Luke writes this. As Jesus taught them, he told them a parable. to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Do you understand prayer that way? That you can constantly go to the Lord Almighty through Jesus Christ and say, Lord, I’m feeling weary. I know that you’ve given me this good work to do Lord, I’m not sure I even want to do it, but would you change my heart and give me a desire to pursue that which is going to be hard? And by and through it, Lord, help me continue to change me to be more like Christ. That door is always open. Every single time you hit an obstacle to performing good work, that door is open for you to pray. It’s your lifeline.
The veil’s torn. And finally, the supper. Christ gives you the supper. So what is weariness? As we think of weariness in a physical context, it’s, I don’t have the strength, I’ve worn out, my muscles hurt, they ache, I just don’t even feel I can take the next step forward. That’s a picture of spiritual weariness, but the supper is exactly for that. is to give you the strength and nutrition, the spiritual nourishment and growth in Christ that you need.
That’s what we read this morning. That’s what we confessed. That’s what the supper is. That’s what the supper does. That you would be, as you feed upon Christ this morning, that you would be lifted up to Him. lifted up to glory by the Spirit. It’s a supernatural mystery, but it’s happening.
And from that posture and position next to Christ, feeding upon Christ, that you’ll be able to see more clearly what the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is doing through these good works He’s giving you. And with that better eyesight, you’re able to pursue them with joy and rejoicing. Yes, Jesus Christ encourages the pursuit of good works for his glory and for the good of his followers. Joseph continued in his good works despite those circumstances that the Lord put him in time and time and time again. And he’s calling you even this morning, whatever the circumstances that he’s put you in, whatever the afflictions, whatever the difficulties, to continue to pursue the good works for his glory and for your good.
Amen. Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for how you work. What an amazing thing it is that you allow us to to work in your kingdom, that you allow us to work for Christ, that you’ve given us servants’ hearts to pursue all that Jesus has given to us. And so we ask now, Father, give us the spiritual strength we need through Christ to continue to pursue that which you’ve given to us. We thank you for them. What a privilege it is to serve you. Father, give us the strength of the heart to do that which you’ve called us to. We ask this in Jesus’s name, amen.