“Doing or Dawdling?”

July 25, 2010 2Thess 3:1-18   Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (320x240 wmv, 218 kbps)

LEECHES, LAMPREYS, & LOAFERS

•    parasites unwelcome in any size

THE FOLLOW-THROUGH OF FAITHFULNESS

•    not all have faith - whether immoral or religious (1f; 1Cor 5; Ac 18:12; 2Thess 1:4f)
•    strengthened by God’s faithfulness, will continue to do as Paul commanded (3f)
•    faith permits God to direct our hearts with love & perseverance (5)

ENERGETIC EXAMPLES OR DAWDLING DEPENDENTS?

•    eschatological doctrine prompted ‘fanatical loungers’, ‘theological dead-beats’
•    complicated by cultural abhorrence towards manual labour (Ac 17:21)
•    not to be idle, but earn what eat (6f, 11f)
•    not that salvation by works - but grace / faith issue in good works (Eph 2:8-10)
•    Paul and companions toiled long to be a model for church to follow (7ff; 1Cor 9:14)
•    God instituted work before the Fall: not result of curse (Gen 2:15)

HELP OTHERS AND YOU WILL ALWAYS GAIN IN THE END

•    recording artist / IT analyst Chris Bray overcame learning disability with family’s help
•    plumber Dan Huston has found God is faithful; generous with time helping others