New Testament Reading

New Testament Reading

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

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.

9 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.”

11 We hear that some among you

are idle. 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 bread they eat.

13 And as for you, brothers, never

tire of doing what is right.

14 If anyone does not obey

our instruction in this letter,

take special note of him.

Do not associate with him,

in order that he may

feel ashamed.

15 Yet do not regard him as an

enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Workin’ at It2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

November 17, 2013Rev. John W. Landis, DMin

Being a Christian is easy!

Claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior

Being a member of a church is easy

Say you want to

Repent

Baptism

Once you get past the initiation You don’t have to do much for the

rights and benefits

Benefits

• Entertainment on Sunday morning– But you don’t have to attend

• Someone to pray for you when you need it• Folks to come visit you when you are sick• A place to socialize– Potluck!

• Wedding• Funeral– Including a meal after

Salvation!

Salvation is a gift given in grace!

Having a congregation to go to is not an ENTITLEMENT!

Too many consume and don’t do anything to contribute!

At the least one needs to contribute time and finances

as they are able!

You may not be able to do what you used to do or give what you

used to give

Things Change!

That does not give you the right to contribute nothing!

You are also required to offer the gifts you have been given

to others!

There is always something you

CANdo!

You are to use the gifts you are given in service to the church and

to others.

Jesus did NOT let his followers get by with doing nothing!

The crowd yes . . .His followers NO!

Luke 9: 57-6257 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I

will follow you wherever you go.”58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have

nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you

go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go

back and say good-by to my family.”62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and

looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

THAT does NOT sound like NO requirements to me!

You gotta be

Workin’ at It

What should we do?

• Do something of service to the congregation– Based on your ability and gifts

• Support the congregation financially– As you are able

• Support those in the congregation with prayer• Visit people when they are sick• Do something of service for the community

without requirement of return• Share your faith and the good news of salvation

DO SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS

SOMEONE OTHER THAN

YOURSELF!

DO SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS

SOMEONE OTHER THAN

YOURSELF!

When all contribute

GREAT THINGS HAPPEN!

Same thing in our

Personal Spiritual Life

If you WORK at it

YOU GET FED SPIRITUALLY

Workin’ at It• Personal Spiritual Disciplines– Prayer– Meditation– Bible Study– Doing something for someone• With no expectation of return

– Having your story ready• Sharing it when you have the opportunity

What should we NOT do!

• Gossip• Take advantage of others who do work• Dissuade others from working• Complain about what others who are working

do instead of helping them• Cause others to do things that are NOT their

gifts because even though they are OUR gifts we aren’t willing to do it

• Not help when we are asked and able

Don’t just CONSUME

. . .CONTRIBUTE!

Will we be kicked out of church if we don’t do those things?

NO!

But maybe we should

“EAT OUR OWN BREAD”

Or maybe better yet,

maybe we should work

quietly and diligently!

That way we can be part of the

community that provides

the bread to those who can’t work!

Not working earns you the title of

CONSUMER!

Using your gifts in service to Christ earns you the best title of all . . .

“Good and Faithful Servant”

and an invitation to

“Enter into the Joy of the Lord!”