2 Thessalonians 3:1-18, Disciplined: A standard worth pursuit.
Theological Proposition/Focus: God is a God of order and as such there he does have standards that he expects his people to work toward.
Homiletical Proposition/Application: The Christian life should be marked not by arbitrary movement but rather disciplined pursuit of Christ likeness.
Contents
- 1 Introduction:
- 1.1 Image: Following rules verse being disciplined
- 1.2 Need: As Christians, God does have standards for us to follow but as we mature it becomes less about rules and more about being disciplined. We need to be disciplined as Christians.
- 1.3 Preview: Within 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 we are going to see that fundamental to living a disciplined Christian life are prayer, diligence in work, obedience, and a consistent dependence on Christ.
- 1.4 Setting the Stage:
- 2 Body
- 3 Conclusion: What does is look like to be disciplined?
Introduction:
Image: Following rules verse being disciplined
Have you ever watched a young man or woman develop into a disciplined soldier? The process is a fascinating. At first the individual follows a litany of rules. The bed must be made so that a quarter can bounce. The uniform must be perfect. The details matter and the measurements must be exact. As the soldier matures the specific rules seem to matter less and less the point is not the rules, the point is the discipline that comes from having followed the rules. My brother is an Air Force Major and while I am sure he still follows the rules I can tell you the exact rule matters a lot less now and instead he is simply disciplined in all he does.
Need: As Christians, God does have standards for us to follow but as we mature it becomes less about rules and more about being disciplined. We need to be disciplined as Christians.
Preview: Within 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 we are going to see that fundamental to living a disciplined Christian life are prayer, diligence in work, obedience, and a consistent dependence on Christ.
Setting the Stage:
Body
Prayer for one another is essential (1-5).
We need to pray that the message of the Gospel spreads.
We need to pray for deliverance from wicked and evil people.
We pray, knowing that the Lord is faithful and directs His people.
Image:
MTR: Pray together right now.
Diligent work is worth imitating (6-13).
Idleness and disruptive behavior is grounds for separation.
The apostolic example was one of diligent work.
Diligent work is actually a prerequisite.
MTR: Ask yourself, how do I need to be working?
Obedience to Paul's instruction is expected (14-15).
Disobedience warrants a prescribed treatment.
Prescribed because it has a specific goal, restoration.
