This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Be The Example For Others To Follow, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3.10, 4/14/2019

BE THE EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW

2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:10

BE THANKFUL FOR OTHERS IN CHRIST
V:13-15. “ But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. “
A. It is good when we thank God for other brothers and sisters in Christ.
    1. We all play an important role in the building of God’s Church.
    2. God loved us so much that before the foundation of the world, He chose us
        in Christ.
   3. It is not by any worth that we have that we are saved, but the grace of God.
B. Having been born into this world, He called us out.
   1. To those He called He justified.
   2. Those He Justified, He sanctified.
   3. Having no belief in God, He gave us a measure of faith to believe in Him.
C. He called us, so that we might glorify Him with good works.
   1. It was the death of His Son that put into motion our way to salvation
   2. We have the Gospel truths to guide our steps and to grow our faith.
  3. Having knowledge of the Word which is our sword, we can stand firm
      against   all  evil

ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER IN CHRIST
V:16-17. “He gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. “
A. It is from faith in God’s Word that we draw encouragement, hope, joy and peace.
    1. Jesus began a good work in us which He will see to completion.
    2. It is our job as believers to serve God with gifts, talents and resources, that
        He has given us.
 B, It is our job to spread the Good News of salvation to all we come in contact
      with.
    1. Not only that, we are to live our lives according to God’s commands as
        example for others to follow.
    2. Our lives ought to be a sermon in progress.
    3. Every time the world see us they should get more Godly examples.

PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SERVE
V:3:1-3. “ Finally, brothers, 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 men, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. “
A. Paul recognized the power of corporate prayer.
    1. He called on the Churches that He established to pray for the success
        of the mission.
   2. We ought always be in prayer for our pastors, their families and all
        work to spread the Gospel.
    3. Satan and his demons are on the attack to prevent the spread of the
        Gospel.
    4. From what we read of Paul, he faced persecution in every city
        he preached and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
B. Our prayers affect us first, then the one they are directed.
    1. Praying to God illuminate our sins and force us to ask forgiveness.
    2. It is our prayer that in some way cause God to act on the one
        prayed for.
C. We should pray the God put His arm of protection around those
     serve Him and open doors for the Gospel to be preached .
    1. Those we pray for, are blessed by God.
    2. We also become the beneficiaries of our prayers for others
         serving God.
    3. Jesus said that whatever we ask the Father in His name would
        be done for us.


EXPRESS CONFIDENCE IN THE WORK OF OTHERS
V:4-5. “ 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. “
   A. It is good to be encouraged to continue in God’s work by our teachers,
       1. as teachers, we need to take time to conceder the work others are doing
           for the Lord and express our confidence in them.
      2. We never know if someone is feeling discouraged by the work they are doing.
      3. Every one matters, and they need to hear us say so.
B. In this day and age, it is easy to text others and express your appreciation
     for their service.
     1. I Believe it is important to let people know that we are praying for
         their success in the ministry.
     2. Often times people working it in support roles  don’t get the recognition
        they deserve.

STAY AWAY FROM LAZY BELIEVERS
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle 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.
A. Apparently Paul have received word that there were some believers who
    believed that Christ would be returning soon and saw no need to serve
    in any way.
    1. Some believed that they had no need to work but live off the labors
       others..
    2. The members of the Church in Jerusalem had sold their possessions
        to support the ministry.
    3. Perhaps the word was out that they could live off the offering to the
     Church.
B. Paul reminded the Church at Thessalonica, of their example of
    his example of working daily to support himself  while
    teaching the Gospel.
    1. Paul commanded the working believers not to associate with lazy
     believers.
    2.  He laid down the rule, if a man didn’t work, he shouldn’t eat.
    3. We are not only responsible for ourselves, but responsible to be
     role models for others.

BE THE EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW
V: 9-10. “ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
A.  The Church is not a welfare organization.
    1. Donations are given to promote the mission of Jesus Christ.
    2. The Church should help believers who cannot help themselves.
    3. However, the Church is under no obligation to help those who are
        able and will not work.
B. Paul was not a pastor of a Church, but an evangelist and a church
    planter.
   1. He could have easily expected the Church to take care of him,
      sense he took care of the Church with his spiritual labors.
   2. Paul chose to be the example that he wanted the average
      Church member to be. 


Rev. M. Mitchell
Asst Pastor Of  Greater Macedonia Baptist Church
5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North
Houston, Texas 77041

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