Monthly Archives: November 2022

2 Thessalonians 3- Lord of Peace

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Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18

No matter who you are in this world, you are looking for peace. Everyone is searching for inner peace, the nations are searching for civil peace, marriages and families are striving for relational peace. So how do we obtain peace? And what causes us to be in such distress in our lives?

The answer is very simple, its Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah called The Lord the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) When Christ was incarnated, the angels declared “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to man” (Luke 2:14) It’s very apparent and evident, that Jesus Christ is our source for peace

So why don’t we have peace on Earth right now? It’s very simple, because of our sins against God and the curse of sin on this Earth. The Apostle Paul tells us “The whole Earth groans and travails in pain together “ (Romans 8:22) We live in a fallen world, therefore there is going to be alot of pain and trouble for us all. But also sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) when we sin, it grieves our soul because of our longing to be with our Creator, our Heavenly Father. Sin also has consequences, and usually creates even more problems for us and everyone around us, it’s a vicous cycle that only Christ can break!

Christ paid the wrath of our sin on the cross, therefore reconciled us back to our Heavenly Father. (Isaiah 53) This is why Jesus Christ is only souce of peace, you will never find peace until you turn away from your sin and put your faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul said “The peace of God surpasses all understanding or comprehension” (Philippians 4:7) When you surrender to Christ, you will be not only washed by his blood and baptized by the Holy Spirit, but you will feel a wave of peace that renews your soul

The prophet Isaiah also said this “If you would just have listened to my commandments, then you would have peace like a river” (Isaiah 48:18) If you would just listen to the voice of Christ, calling you to come home, then you would have peace like a river! Jesus paid it all for you, so you can live for him in peace!

As Paul ends his epistle “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all” The amazing grace of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, may his peace flow over you Amen!

2 Thessalonians 3- Lazy Christians?

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For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15

The Apostle Paul is a straight shooter and doesn’t mince words when it comes to teaching the Church self discipline. Here Paul is not correcting the “lazy” Christians. There are a couple ways to look at this, first there are Christians who don’t really do any work for The Lord. In fact, in my experiences with Churches today, the majority of “Christians” are not “working” for The Lord at all. They check off their required boxes each week to be considered a Christian, but they are not actually living the Christian calling.

Nowadays everyone seems to have a social media channel these days, however what annoys me mostly is how they want you to pay them money every month, and some even withhold content unless you’re a paid subscriber. Nobody should ever be charging to share the gospel, this in my opinion is blasphemy to make a business selling the word of God. What does the Apostle Paul say “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all” Do you think the early Church expected people to financially support every Christian who was sharing the gospel? Absolutely not, but this is where we are at today in Christianity.

In fact if you go back a few verses Paul says “If you don’t work, you don’t eat” (v14) Everyone was expected to pull their weight and work besides serving in ministry. Even Paul himself worked as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3-4) Now I understand, some people do supply Paul with money, food, or housing, but this wasn’t the normal requirement. Paul never told anyone if you don’t pay me, I’m not going to share the gospel. In fact Paul says “We don’t peddle the word of God for a profit” (2 Corinthians 2:17)

While I understand there are some cases where a Pastor/Preacher needs some financial support to live, the financial burdens shouldn’t all fall on the people of the Church. And ministries today should never require someone to pay a subscription, to hear the word of God. This in my opinion is exploiting Jesus and as Paul said, its just being very lazy. And actually I think this whole financial system that has been created by the Church, has turned off alot of non-believers because they see the greed and corruption in the system

Should we make a career from working in the Church? When did the Bible ever teach this is a career or occupation? This is a calling by God, and every Christian in some capacity is expected to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone they meet (Matthew 28:19) Amen

2 Thessalonians 3- Withdrawal Yourselves

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Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

We live in a generation where the Church is trying to normalize sin, where the Church is not only telling its members they don’t have to repent but they are also elevating them to leaders in the Body of Christ. What does Paul have to say about this “You withdraw yourselves from every brother that walk disorderly and not after the tradition that you received from us”

The Church today is trying normalize homosexuality and sexual immorality, is this in alignment or tradition of what Christ taught? Jesus said “From the beginning God created them male and female” (Matthew 19:4) This destroys any liberal nonsense that God is fine with transgenderism. Jesus goes on to say “The man will leave his father and mother, be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5) Jesus is quoting Genesis, the Covenant of marriage is between One man and One woman, period. This makes any gay marriage, totally illegal and void under the eyes of God. Secondly any sex outside the covenant of marriage is immoral. This includes heterosexual people “shacking up” or “hooking up” The only sex in the Bible that is permissible, is between a husband and a wife

Those who teach that Jesus is accepting of homosexuality or gay marriage are liars and blasphemers. They twist the word of God for financial gain. As the Apostle James taught “Not many of you should become teachers, because you will be judged more strictly “ (James 3:1) These false teachers and false prophets will be judged by God more severely on judgment day. So be careful what blasphemous propaganda you are supporting or promoting within your Church

What did Paul say “Don’t be deceived , neither homosexuals or the sexually immoral , will inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) Jesus and the Apostles made it very clear, sexual immortality will never be tolerated in the Kingdom of God, in fact Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) Is a homosexual Born Again? They can’t be, they are not regenerated, they are still depraved living in their old sin. As the Apostle Peter said “As a dog returns to its vomit” (2 Peter 2:22) How do we know if someone is not saved, they are like a dog going back to its vomit, they are people who continue to live in their sin, there is no regeneration, there is no change of heart, there is no love for God or obedience to Christ

I understand this is a strong message, however the Body of Christ is under a deceptive attack. Don’t be deceived, God will not ordain sin, Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) Do you really love Jesus? Then your actions or fruits should demonstrate this! (Matthew 7) Amen!

2 Thessalonians 3- Mission of The Church

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Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

What was the main goal of the Church here? Paul says “Pray for us, that the word of The Lord may have free course or spread quickly” The Church was sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, this was the command giving us by our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) This should be the mission statement for every Church, the gospel needs to be spread by whatever means possible

Sounds like an easy job, right? Wrong, anytime you share the gospel, heavy opposition usually follows. Paul says “That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men” doesn’t that sound like today’s society also? Wicked and unreasonable, these are the type of people usually you face when trying to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. However it’s our calling and duty 

But even though it’s a struggle, we always have hope because as Paul says “The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil” God will never leave or forsake us, Jesus is faithful. Whatever Christ promised us, we can count it as a guarantee, we never have to wonder and hope that God will save us, it is already finished! We may not always understand the plan or the path, but we should know God will always use things for our good and his glory (Romans 8:28)

So how do we know what to do as the Church? Paul says “May The Lord directs your hearts”, follow the will of God being filled and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Whatever you are doing for your Church or your daily life, ask “Is Jesus Christ leading my heart”? Again what is the mission of the Church? Doing the will of God, being led by the Holy Spirit, having Jesus Christ lead your heart to fulfill the Great Commision, Amen!

2 Thessalonians 2- Stand Fast

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But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

This is a great message Paul is giving the Church, and I believe this is a message the Church really needs to hear today, stand firm in your faith in Jesus Christ! We live in a depraved and wicked society today, influenced by demons, and many lost or fallen away from false teachers and false doctrine. 

As Paul says here “Stand fast or firm and hold the traditions you have been taught” We see this alot today, “Christians” who keep jumping from doctrine to doctrine because of someone we saw on social media, you need to stand firm in what the Bible says, not what a slick talker says.  The Church is continually under attack, however deep Church tradition affirms many essential doctrines such as the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, Communion, the Holy Spirit, ect. While there may be varying differences in interpretation, these were essential doctrines and teachings of the Church. 

How do we know who the Church is? Paul states it in the beginning of this teaching “God has from the beginning , chosen you to salvation” We didn’t wake up one day and just say “I choose Jesus” or “i’m going to Church today”, God has chosen us , we were called by the Great Shepherd to be his sheep (John 10) Christ saved us, we didn’t save ourselves. 

Now how do we understand the gospel or truth? Paul says “Through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of truth” The unsaved world rejects the gospel and doesn’t believe it’s true, why? Because they are not sanctified by the Holy Spirit. As Paul says also “The natural man doesn’t understand spiritual things” (1 Corinthians 2:14) That’s why when you go out on the streets and evangelize, people look at you like you have three heads, they can’t understand spiritual wisdom from God, unless they are converted by the Holy Spirit

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

In a world that is in total chaos, take comfort or encouragement, that Jesus Christ is already victorious. Every good word that Christ spoke is a promise and guarantee, there is no need to question, anything Jesus said is a done deal, Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33)

So instead of wavering in your faith, being tossed back and forth from false doctrine and false teachers, stand firm in your faith in Jesus Christ, be sanctified and led by the Holy Spirit, all glory to God our Father, Amen!