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On May 13, 2007: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 · Teachings On This Day On FerventWord

• You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2007. One command is for those who are disorderly. We'll talk about what that means. And the other command is for those who are not disorderly. And we'll talk about what that means as well. Really, the theme, though, of this portion is that word disorderly. It's used three times in this passage this morning. The definition of disorderly, it means slackness. It's used of a soldier that doesn't keep rank, that falls out of line as his company is moving. It refers to someone who is out of order, out of line, or even insubordinate. In rebellion to authority. Paul uses this word to describe someone who is not obedient. Someone who is not working and providing for themselves. Someone who is eating other people's food. And someone who is a busy body. It's someone really who is not fulfilling their role, their place within the body of Christ. And Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to encourage them. This is how to deal with the disorderly. He gives a command to those who are not disorderly, but need to relate to or deal with those who are. And he gives a command to the disorderly. Much like he gave in the first epistle in 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 11, he told the Thessalonians to aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, and to work with your own hands. It was something Paul commanded while he was in Thessalonica. He commanded him again in the first epistle to Thessalonians. And now once more in the second epistle, he gives similar command, the same command to work with their hands, to mind their own business, to really be obedient, to provide for themselves. And he says, We gather from that there was still some who were not listening and not being obedient to the commands that Paul was giving. And we can find that true in our lives and our cases so often because there's things that God is speaking to us. And sometimes they'll use someone teaching the word. Sometimes they'll use our time in the word. But very often it's two or three times more. hearing the same thing before we finally decide, OK, I'm going to be obedient. I'm going to do what God has called me to do this morning. I want to encourage you as we listen to Paul's commands, as we see the instruction that he gives. If God speaks to your heart, if this is an area that you need to work on and deal with, don't wait until the next time. Don't wait until the next command. But take these words to heart and put them into practice. The issue that Paul is dealing with here is really not the specifics of what these people were doing, but it's the disobedience. It's being out of line. In 1 Thessalonians 4.11, what I just read to you, he said, as we commanded, it was something already instructed, but they didn't obey. Adhere to it here in this portion of Scripture in verse six. He says that they walk not according to the tradition or the teaching that we gave you. In verse 14, he says, not according to our word or not obeying our word in this epistle. The real issue is that these people were not being obedient to the word of God. They weren't being obedient to the instruction of the Apostle Paul. They weren't being obedient to the commands of Jesus Christ. And that's what Paul is dealing with in their attitude, in their hearts, and those who are relating to them. And so we start in verse 6. It says, As Paul begins somewhat of a difficult subject, somewhat of a difficult command, he makes sure that the Thessalonians know this. By whose authority this command is made. He says, we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He's closing out this letter pretty strong, not just nice greetings like we often see in the letters, but there's still some real issues that Paul needs to deal with. And he gives a very strong, solid command, making sure that they know this is a command. We command you, brethren. It's not a suggestion. It's not just, you know, kind of work towards this or try to do this a little bit more. The command is... given also in the authority of Jesus Christ. Paul makes sure I want you to know this isn't my idea. It's not my suggestion. It's not my command. Paul would say this is in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is in his authority. This is his command. This is directly from him. And you need to be obedient to it. Here's the command. Withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. Withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. Now, this time in the service, you might want to take a look around you. And if you need to, you can switch seats. No, I'm just kidding. He says, withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. This is a command that most Christians do not consider or obey. It's a command that we typically do not follow. In our politically correct society, we don't like to address these things and deal with these things. We're more about tolerance. We're more about just allowing and not really saying anything. We don't want to offend anyone. We're more concerned about not upsetting them than being obedient to the word of God. Jesus says, withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. Now, there's three important words in this command that I want to dig into to give us some insight about what Paul is talking about here. First, he says, withdraw. And the word means to remove oneself, to withdraw oneself or to depart. He says, remove yourself, depart from, withdraw. In verse 14, dealing with the same thing, he says, do not keep company. Not to have fellowship, to remove yourself from fellowship, from company, from their presence. Proverbs chapter 14, verse 7 says, Go from the presence of a foolish man when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. If you're with us as we were studying through the book of Proverbs, we learned that foolishness is not about ignorance or it's not about not making, you know, not having a high IQ or not being very intelligent. Foolishness is to know the truth, but to reject it. And so Solomon says in Proverbs 14, 7, go from the presence of a foolish man, one who knows the truth, but doesn't follow it, but rejects it. Stay away from them. Go away from their presence when you don't perceive in him the lips of knowledge. Paul is saying to you and I this morning, listen. There are some people that you are not to have fellowship with. There's some people that you are to remove yourself from them, from their presence. There's some people that you are not to hang out with them. You are not to spend time with them. You're to withdraw. The second word in this command that I want to examine is the word brother. Paul says, withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. This word brother is speaking of a person who is part of the family of God. It's speaking of a person who claims to be a Christian. And to emphasize this and really support this, I want you to turn with me. Keep your finger there in 2 Thessalonians 3, but turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Paul deals with this here in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 as well. I'm sorry, 1 Corinthians chapter 5. 1 Corinthians chapter 5. Verse 9, we'll look at 9, 10 and 11. It says, Verse 11, But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother who is sexually immoral or covetous or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even to eat with such a person. Here in 1 Corinthians chapter 5, Paul is sharing with the church at Corinth, similar to what he says in the letter to the Thessalonians. You are not to keep company with, Paul says, those who are named a brother, those who are called Christians, but continue to live in sin and immorality and covetousness and drunkenness and all of the different things that he lists there. Now, Paul makes it very clear there's a difference. Those who are in the world, he says, I'm not talking about them, because if you were to have to depart from everybody who was like this, then you would have to leave the world. But he says, no, this is specifically dealing with those who are named Christians, those who call themselves Christians, those who are in church on Sundays, those who, you know, say that they believe in Jesus Christ, say that they have a walk with God. Those who claim those things, those who name those things, but continue to live in sin. Paul says, do not keep company with them. Go away from their presence. Withdraw. Remove yourself from them. You're not to have fellowship, Paul says, with those who are believers or claim to be believers that do not walk in obedience to God. And that's that last word that I want to look at. If you'll turn back to 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, the last word in this command, withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. The word refers to a person's lifestyle. They keep on walking disorderly. In this way, they keep on walking disorderly. We're not talking about a person who has stumbled and fallen. We all do that. We're talking about a person who is purposely, knowingly walking directly opposite of what God has commanded. Now, of course, this requires some judgment on our part. And I know that some will say, but I thought we weren't supposed to judge. In some ways, that is correct. We are not to judge in the sense of condemnation. We don't have the authority to condemn. We're not to judge a person's heart or motives. We don't know what's going on on the inside. But what we are called to do. We are commanded to judge, to make a decision regarding a person's lifestyle. We're commanded to look at a person's actions, their decisions, the way that they live, and compare that with what the Bible teaches. That is not judging. The Word of God is doing the judging, as you probably have often heard. We're not called to judge, we're just called to inspect the fruit. Look at the life. Compare it to the word of God. Does it match up? Does it line up? Or is there rebellion to the commands of God? Paul writing to the Romans in the book of Romans, chapter 16, verse 17, he says, Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you learned and avoid them. There in the book of Romans, Paul says there's some who are going to cause divisions. They're going to cause problems. There's some who are going to live and teach contrary to the doctrine you've learned. Contrary to the word of God. Contrary to the things that you've been taught. He says avoid those people. Note them. Recognize them. That person is not walking according to God's word. And then avoid them, he says. If a person is called a Christian, but they keep walking in sinful activity, Paul says, withdraw. Do not keep company with them. Avoid them. Go from their presence. So your co-worker calls themselves a Christian, but lives with their boyfriend or girlfriend. That fits what Paul is talking about here. Sexual immorality. Paul says, Your neighbor says, Someone who calls themselves a Christian but continues to live in sin, you are not to have fellowship with, Paul says. You're commanded by the Apostle Paul with all the authority of Jesus Christ to remove yourself from them. Now, like I said, this is a command that can be difficult. This is a command that most Christians do not consider or obey. Again, we're not talking about the world. We're talking about those who claim to walk with God. We're not talking about those who... Know the truth, but haven't made a decision to follow Jesus Christ. We're talking about those who claim to have a walk with God, to claim to have relationship with God, but then continue to live in sin. Paul gives this command, withdraw from every brother or sister who walks disorderly. It's a command. It's still valid. And you and I are to obey it. And that may require a change with who you go to lunch with at work. It may require a change with the family that you spend time with. This may be very, very difficult. But here's the question. Are you going to obey God or not? This is what the Bible teaches. Are you so concerned about offending someone that you're willing to offend God and disregard his command? Are you more worried about what they think and say than what God thinks and says? And we have all of our justifications and all of our reasons. If we don't spend time with them, how will they hear and how will they know and how can they repent? You first be obedient to the Lord. Withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. I know this is heavy. I know this is difficult stuff. But understand that the Bible is very clear. We have what Paul shared in 1 Corinthians 5. We have what Paul is dealing with here in 2 Thessalonians 3. We have what he shares in Romans chapter 16. We have what Jesus shared in Matthew chapter 18 in dealing with a brother who's in sin. It's very clear throughout the word of God. The command to you and I is to withdraw from those who name the name of Christ, but continue to live in sin. We'll continue on that topic. In a few moments, a little bit further, but first in the next few verses, Paul begins to deal with those who were talking about those who walk disorderly, those who are in the church of Thessalonica that were out of line. He first gives himself as an example. We find in verse seven, it says, for you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you. He gives himself, as he often does, as an example for us. And he says, look, there there's those people who are disorderly. They are out of line. And we were not like that. We didn't act that way. He calls the Thessalonians to remember his example, the way that he lived, and then to follow that example and to use that example to. Really as a test on those who are disorderly. Are they matching up with these things that Paul is saying? And he explains the details of his example in verse 8. He says, The group of people that Paul is dealing with in Thessalonica. was a group of lazy freeloaders, basically. They would not work. They didn't provide for themselves. They depended upon others to meet their needs and provide for them. They were a burden to the body. They were a burden to the Christians around them. They were out of line and disorderly. Now, some suspect that this group of people that Paul is dealing with is a group of people that had decided, you know, Jesus Christ is coming back really soon. And so knowing and understanding that Jesus was about to come back at any moment, that they just quit everything. They were just waiting. And in the meantime, they got hungry. So when people had food, they would eat it. But they were just they were just waiting. They didn't they didn't. You know, why bother working? You know, Jesus is coming back. That's a lot of headache. It's a lot of trouble. And so they just kind of quit everything, stopped everything and just decided to kick back and wait. Others say, no, that's not what. Paul is dealing with this group of people had learned about the generosity of believers. They'd seen the love that believers have for one another, the willingness to give. And so these people came in to their midst, really kind of putting on a charade like, hey, you know, speak in the lingo, speak in the language. God bless you, brother, sister, you know. Oh, yeah. You know, I'm in need. I have this and that. And can you help and provide and support me in some way? Either way, whichever kind of group it was, or maybe a different group that we haven't discussed, it was a group of people that were taking advantage of the body of Christ there in Thessalonica. And Paul says, we did not live that way. And you are to follow our example. Now, Paul could have lived that way as a minister of the gospel. He explains in verse nine, he says, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. Paul says, look, we have authority. We were able while we were there to require support from you, but instead we wanted to be an example for you. That you would be able to follow and that you would be able to test and compare those who are walking with God and those who are not. So that you aren't taken advantage of. In verse 10, he says, He says, look, we, when we were among you, we set the standard. We were the example. And, you know, he tells them two times, you should follow us. You should follow our example. This is the type of lifestyle that you should seek to live. And he says that example that he calls them to follow was backed up with a command. He gave them the command, but he also lived it while he was among them, that they would have the command, but also have the example to follow, that they might be obedient to And the command was, if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. When Paul was in Thessalonica, this was the rule. This was the command. If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. And on Mother's Day, all the moms say amen, right? If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. Paul's not talking about people who are unable to work here. He's not saying that the situation could never happen. But the general rule, the normal command is that if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. That word will not literally means to have in mind, to intend, to be resolved or be determined. Paul is describing those who it's not that they're not able. It's just that they've decided they will not. They've determined not. We will not. They intend not to work. It's not about ability. It's about a choice, a decision. Now, Christians are called to be generous. We are called to give because there are legitimate needs. You know, we were so blessed as we shared with the body not too long ago about a family that was involved in a situation and they still are. They could still use your prayers, but they have the potential of losing their home because of a person who really did some wrong things to them when they were refinancing a loan. And. And we were blessed as we shared it with you, the body and the body was generous and we were able to provide for them food and and things to take care of them in the meantime and to help them out. And that is wonderful. Those there are those legitimate needs. There are those times where we're called to give and we're not because of anyone else, but because the spirit lays it upon our hearts. And that's that's important. And that's wonderful. But Christians are not called to give indiscriminately. Christians are not called to support those who are able to work but just are not willing and have chosen not to. We do need to use wisdom and be led by the Holy Spirit in our giving. Sometimes that can be difficult because there are so many stories that you will hear. Being a church, we get people in these doors all the time. Story after story. And, you know, after you've heard five or six of them, they kind of all start sounding the same. And, you know, it's always something like, yeah, my car is down the street. It's just around the corner. You just can't see it. It's just right there. But, you know, I just need some gas money or, you know, they just all start. And it's very difficult. I was spending some time, a guy came by the church on Wednesday and seemed to be in a predicament. And we talked for about 30 minutes or so. And the whole time I'm just praying, you know, Lord, is this guy legitimate? Is this another one? You know, it can be very difficult. We need to be led by the Spirit. We need to use wisdom. Many people feel that we have the obligation or many people feel that the church has the obligation to give and support anybody who comes and asks. But that's not what the Bible calls us to do. We do need to use wisdom and be led by the Spirit. Because the command is, if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. Paul is basically saying what we commanded while we were there is how we lived. And that command still stands. Still follow the example. If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. It's a good standard to use and test as you have those opportunities to give. Be led by the Spirit. But remember the command. If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. Now, Paul is reminding us today. Paul's bringing this up. He's talking about it. He's dealing with this issue, the disorderly, because it's actually happening in the Thessalonian church. There's people that are out of line. They're not working. Instead, they're busybodies because they're not working. They've got lots of time on their hands. And so they're involved in this person's business and over here in that person's business and go around and share this with them. They're just involved. They've now become the church gossip because they've got all this time on their hands because they're not working to provide for themselves. They go around getting in everyone's business, sharing with others, living off whatever they can get out of the body. Paul says, that's why I'm writing this to you, because there really is this type of people. And we can experience the same thing in this fellowship. We can experience the same things in our families, within our lives. And we need to take the principles of God, to look at the example of the Apostle Paul and remember the command, hey, if you won't work, you won't eat. The Bible has a lot to say about these kind of things, about diligence and providing for yourself. Paul says they end up becoming busybodies, something the Bible speaks very clearly against time and time again. And I know that we have a culture that caters to that mentality with the talk shows and the celebrity gossip and so on and so forth. Don't get caught up in that. Don't get caught up in other people's business. If God wants you involved, he can involve you. It's not a good thing. Sometimes we do it because we think we're being helpful. Don't get involved in other people's business. Let God involve you if he wants you to, but don't take it upon yourself. Verse 12. Now, those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. So here's the second command. And again, he gives it with all the authority of Jesus Christ. He says, those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that And here's the command that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. Work in quietness and eat their own bread. Sounds like one of the mom sayings, shut your mouth and eat your food, right? Work in quietness and eat your own bread. As a Christian, you are responsible to provide for yourself and mind your own business. Nobody else is responsible to provide for you if you are able. You are responsible. God says you go to work, you work hard and it might be hard work and you might have to do double duty and take double shifts. And it might be difficult to provide for yourself and provide for your family. But God says that's your responsibility. I'll provide for you, but you need to work. And if you won't work, then you won't eat. Don't expect everyone else to support you. Don't expect everyone else to feed you. Get to work. Provide for yourself. Paul says this is what we command. Work in quietness. Don't talk. Don't dilly dally. But work hard. Do a good job and eat your own bread. Provide for yourself. Work hard enough to provide for yourself. And that's what God calls you as a Christian to do. He wants you to be responsible. He wants you to work hard. He wants you to be able to provide for yourself. In Ephesians chapter four, Paul is saying, Dealing with some different issues of the past and the flesh. And in dealing with those who used to live by stealing off of others, he says this, This is the principle here. God says... You need to be responsible. Maybe you used to live that kind of life. Maybe you used to live that way, but now you need to take responsibility for yourself and to provide for yourself, to work. And then Paul even adds on there and to have something to give him who has need. Paul says you need to turn it around, not relying upon everybody else to support you and provide for you. But you need to work hard to do what you need to do to provide for yourself and also to have a little bit more to give to those who have need. To give to those who legitimately do have needs where they're not able to meet their obligations. They're not able to work. They're not able to provide for themselves. Paul says, get to work, essentially. Work in quietness and eat your own bread to those who are disorderly in Thessalonica. He adds on in verse 13, But as for you, brethren, do not weary in doing good. Here, Paul is basically saying, OK, now to the rest of you who are not walking disorderly, don't get tired of doing the right thing. Keep on doing good. Keep on doing what's right. Don't grow weary of it. Keep on doing you're doing good. Now, I know it can be tempting to see the life that some can live, hardly doing anything, getting away with barely nothing. I'm sure you have some co-workers similar to that. Paul says, don't grow weary in doing good. Keep working. Keep doing a good job. Keep providing for yourself. It's a responsibility that God has given to you. Now Paul goes back to the command that we saw at the beginning to withdraw from those who are disorderly. In verses 14 and 15, he says, and if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy. but admonish him as a brother. Very similar to what we saw there in verse 6. He says, note that person, do not keep company with him. And of course, again, that requires some judgment on our part to look at Paul's example, to look at the word of God and to examine, are they living contrary to what God has spoken? I want to point out three different things here in verses 14 and 15 related to this command to withdraw from the disorderly brother. Three more things that will help us understand this command and put it into practice. He says, first of all, I want you to take note of that person. I'm sorry. If anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, that's the phrase I'm looking for, does not obey our word. If anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, this is important because Paul then tells us the standard that we are to use to obey the command to withdraw. The standard that we are to use is the word of God. Like he said in Romans 16, 17, if anyone walks contrary to the doctrine which you've received. If it's contrary to the word of God, the teachings of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the apostles, if it's contrary to that, that's the standard. We're not talking about personal convictions. Paul's not saying, you know, God's spoken to you about something. You're not supposed to drink caffeinated coffee. Well, that doesn't mean that you're supposed to withdraw from everybody who drinks caffeinated coffee. Well, I don't watch rated R movies. That doesn't mean that you're well, we could discuss that later. But anyways, not personal convictions, not just things that, you know, God has spoken to you about, but are not explicitly stated in the word of God. He's not talking about personal preferences. I prefer it this way and I just don't like to do that. You know, he's not talking about the things that we choose personally. The way that we live because of our love for the Lord and the areas that we know we struggle, the areas that we know that God has spoken to us. He's talking about the standard is the word of God. If it's contrary to the word of God, if they're walking in a way that's contrary to what the Bible teaches. That's the issue. That's the kind of people that we're talking about. That's the kind of people that we're to withdraw from. We're talking about direct disobedience to what the Bible says. Sure, it might not be good for them. It might be bad for them. It might be harmful to them. But if it's not direct disobedience to God, then that's not what Paul's talking about. I think we could look at smoking as an example, perhaps. It's harmful, very, very harmful to them. And it may be a choice that you've made. I'm not going to participate in that. And you may know that God doesn't want me to do that. But that doesn't mean that you withdraw because it's not a command that's given in the word of God. We could look at many other examples. You get the picture. You get the point. We need to use the word of God as our standard, but then we need to be obedient. As we use the word as a standard, looking perhaps at the examples that Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 5, at immorality, at drunkenness, at covetousness, idolatry, that's the standard. The things that God directly speaks against. Those who practice them, Paul says, withdraw from those who claim the name of Christ. But practice those things. The next phrase I want to point out here in verses 14 and 15. Paul says at the end of their verse 14 that he may be ashamed. He says, do not keep company with him that he may be ashamed. This is the purpose. Paul's command. This is the purpose of withdrawing. It's the purpose of removing yourself from fellowship. And the purpose is that they would be ashamed of their disobedience, that they would be ashamed of the way that they are walking. You understand how it is because you have experienced sinful activity. You know what it's like to sin. And you know that when we're in sin, we're Our conscience speaking to us. The Holy Spirit is convicting us. But you also know how it is as we justify ourselves and excuse ourselves and quiet our conscience and explain it all the way and convince ourselves, no, this is not talking about me. Convince ourselves, I'm okay in this. I have control. I know what I'm doing. I'm okay in this. God will forgive me however we explain it, however we convince ourselves we do. And Paul says, look, by removing yourselves, you're working alongside the Holy Spirit, confirming what the Spirit is speaking to them, what their conscience is crying out to them and calling to attention their lifestyle and letting them know this is directly against, contrary to the word of God. Or sometimes when we get involved in sin, it's unknowingly. We don't realize what we're doing. That can happen as well. And so by removing yourself, same thing, you're calling to attention. Hey, you're not walking right. And there's those times I'm sure that you've had them where kind of one day you feel like you wake up and realize, what am I doing? How do I get here? What how do I get involved in this? Whatever the case may be, and the person who is walking disorderly, Paul says, you're to withdraw yourself from them that they may be ashamed, that they may recognize, hey, there really is something going on in my life. There really is sinful activity. I need to go before the Lord that they would be ashamed of what they are doing. The purpose is not to punish them. I'm not talking to you. You know, you're you're not doing good. You need to be punished. You're on time out. The purpose is not to punish them, but to bring to light the sin that they're involved in, that they would be ashamed and repent. In Ephesians chapter 5, verse 11, Paul says, Don't have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. See, here's the danger. If you're spending time with and fellowshipping with, if you're having a great time with someone who calls himself a Christian but continues to live in sin, then you are agreeing with them. It's okay for you to live that way. And you may say, well, no, it's not like that. I mean, I tell them. No, here's the thing. Again, you probably have experienced this. You know how it is. Look, hey, you're doing something. Kind of a little prickle there, right? It's like, I don't know if I should be doing that. I know it's not quite right. But they didn't say anything. I mean, you know how it is. And well, God didn't judge me. Maybe he thinks it's OK. Paul says, no, don't be a part of that. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Don't silently agree with them and encourage them in it. Instead, the command, remove yourself, withdraw so that they may be ashamed, that they may be ashamed so that they would repent, so that they would be restored. It's not a permanent, you're excommunicated. It's a, you know, I'm not going to spend time with you. I'm not going to have fellowship with you because you are not being obedient to the word of God. The third phrase I want to highlight here in verses 14 and 15. At the end of verse 15 there he says, admonish him as a brother. He says, do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. And this is so important as well. We are to pull back. We are to remove ourselves. But we need to have the right attitude, the right heart in doing it. We need to do it in love, not treating like an enemy, but treating like a brother. To admonish means to warn or to exhort, to warn or to exhort. Admonish him as a brother. You're to do it in love, but you're also to warn and to exhort. In other words, Paul's saying, hey, don't just... All of a sudden step out of their lives without talking to them. You need to warn them and exhort them. You need to explain this is what I'm doing and this is why. And if you need to know, here's the scripture regarding what I'm talking about. Here's why. Here's the details. This is what the Bible says. This is what I'm supposed to do. This is what you're doing. Here's where in the scripture where it contradicts. Here's where you're disobeying God. Now here in Thessalonians, it says I'm to withdraw. And so that's what I'm doing. I'm withdrawing myself because you're walking in sin. You're being disobedient to God. And so let me warn you, you're being disobedient to God. You need to repent. If they repent, you've saved your brother. You've saved them. But if they don't, then you withdraw yourself until they do, that they may be ashamed and repent. But you're not to treat them like an enemy. Not with a bad attitude, with anger or spite. Sometimes we do that. We're not to be upset with them. We're to treat them with love. To warn them and exhort them in love as a brother. As part of the family. You know, you're living in disobedience to God's word. And I can't continue to have fellowship with you while you pursue that. I love you and I'm here to help you, but you must repent. You must turn from your disobedience to God. Can't continue to live that way. I can't have fellowship with you if you do. Not in a self-righteous attitude, not in anger, not being upset, not being frazzled, but going as a brother, as a sister, in love, to warn, to encourage. And then when they ask, hey, you want to go to lunch? Did you repent? You didn't repent. I'm sorry. 1 Corinthians 5.11 says, Paul says, don't even eat with them. They call themselves Christians, but continue to walk in sin, to live in sin. Don't spend time with them. Don't have that fellowship with them. When they call you up just to chat, hey, have you repented? You want to talk about what the word says and what you're doing? I'll be glad to talk to you. You just want to shoot the breeze and have some fun? No, I'm sorry. I'm not to have fellowship with you. That they may be ashamed and repent. When they invite you over for Thanksgiving or whatever the situation is, Paul says, withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. I know this is difficult. And I know probably for most of us, it's completely foreign. How could we do? I mean, what does that mean? And there's a million situations that we might apply this to. I know within our coworkers, within our family, within our friends and neighbors, perhaps within the body here. But this is God's word. This is what he has commanded. It's what you and I are to obey. Withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly, using the word of God as the standard that they may be ashamed and repent as we warn and exhort them in brotherly love. Difficult? Yes. Doable? Yes. Necessary? Yes. It's a command. Paul makes sure at the beginning, remember, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who are you going to follow? Who are you going to offend? Paul closes the letter in verses 16 through 18 very briefly just saying, Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle, so I write, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. He closes out the epistle bestowing upon them grace and peace, signing it with his own hand, his signature, and he leaves a heavy, perhaps difficult command in our laps. To those who are disorderly, he commands, you need to work in quietness and eat your own bread. You need to provide for yourself. Get to work if you're able. Don't depend on others to provide for you. To those who have people in their lives who call themselves Christians, who are part of the body of Christ, that they are walking in sin. They're walking in disobedience to the word of God. Paul says, withdraw from those. Encouraging them, exhorting them, doing it in love that they may be ashamed and repent. But you need to withdraw. There needs to be a separation between Are you going to be obedient to the word of God? I encourage you. Paul gave the command while he was there in Thessalonica for them to be working, providing for themselves and minding their own business. He gave the command again in 1 Thessalonians. Hey, get to work. Provide for yourself. Mind your own business. And he gives the command again. In the first epistle, it was just one verse. Here in the second epistle, he deals... Several verses with it because it's still not being listened to. They're still not heeding it because there's that danger for you and I as we hear these commands to disregard them, explain them away, justify our own situation. Listen, God wants you to know these are his commands. Whichever category you fall into, if you're walking disorderly, if you're not providing for yourself, God says, hey, work in quietness and eat your own bread. But if you're dealing with people who are disorderly in your life, if you're dealing with Christians who call themselves Christians, but they are walking in sin, God says, you need to withdraw. You need to remove yourself. Take yourself out of fellowship with them that they might be ashamed and repent. Do it in love. Use the word as a standard, but do it. It's the command. Don't wait. Don't wait for God to have to tell you again and again. And don't keep justifying your activity that's contrary to the word of God. Be obedient to the word of God. Difficult, heavy, yes. It's what Paul leaves us with. And so I leave that with you this morning as we close in prayer. Heavenly Father, we lift up our own hearts as we examine these commands and the example of the Apostle Paul that you gave to us. And God, I pray for all of us that we might be diligent to work hard, to provide for ourselves, to mind our own business. God, help us to be obedient, not to be disorderly. And God, I pray as we relate to those people in our lives who are disorderly, as those people who name your name and yet live contrary to your word, as those Christians who have gotten caught up in sin and are walking away from you, Lord, help us to be obedient to your word that they might be redeemed. Lord, that they might be ashamed and repent. God, help us to withdraw. Help us, Lord, in our own lives and situations, our own relationships, to understand what this command means, how to apply it, how to carry it out. Because we love you, Lord, and we want to be obedient to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen.