Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 29, 2022

Get Back to Work!

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

1. Introduction

• progression of the letter: comfort (1), composure (2) and correction (3)
• addressing the idol of idleness
• For the glory of Christ and the testimony of His church, await His return through a lifestyle of active engagement.

2. Address the Problem 6-9

• authoritative command and significance of appeal to Christ
• withdrawal from the idle
• contradiction of truth received
• from instruction to example

3. Prescribe the Solution 10-12

• key principle: not willing to work…not eat
• report of some not busy…but being busybodies
• another appeal to Christ
• solution: work quietly and eat your own bread

4. Encourage Community Stewardship 13-18

• avoiding discouragement
• refusal to condone or enable
• aiming for restoration
• peace from the Lord of peace

5. So What?

• Determine to prioritize obedience to God’s word.
• “But Christ’s love and His apostles twelve he taught, and first he followed it himself.” (the country parson in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales)
• Recognize that the real problem is not one of specific timing but of sinful tendency.
• “We’ll Work till Jesus Comes” (E. Mills)