We
have finished the Spring study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. 22 weeks of lessons.
The
final lesson covered a lot of topics and we had a good discussion time in
LG. The main topics included:
Paul
worked so he would not be a burden to the church community and to be an example
to the new believers.
Some
believers were not working because of confusion about the end times they could
not work, they were taking advantage of the generosity of the community of
believers, or they were lazy.Paul told them to listen to his teaching and to follow his example. If you don’t work, you don’t eat.
Paul then told all the believers to never tire of doing what is right.
But
how should we react to believers who do not obey biblical instructions? Paul said we need to address the issue, act
in brotherly love, do not associate with him, with the end goal of restoration. The purpose of this
discipline is not final rejection, but only correction. This example shows us how to deal with a
public, deliberate, persistent disobedience to truthful instruction.
This type of confrontation is not always easy, fun, or painless, but it is biblical. My challenge to you this week is to pray for the church body to claim the truth of God, be convicted of sin, remove the sin, and be restored.
Be intentional.
Travis
Travis
