Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "" Friday, 28 November 2014 - Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "" Friday, 28 November 2014 - Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3: Those Who Are Lazy
1-3 One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you. And pray that we’ll be rescued from these scoundrels who are trying to do us in. I’m finding that not all “believers” are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil.
4-5 Because of the Master, we have great confidence in you. We know you’re doing everything we told you and will continue doing it. May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
6-9 Our orders—backed up by the Master, Jesus—are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don’t permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn’t sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn’t be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn’t because we didn’t have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.
10-13 Don’t you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” And now we’re getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don’t slack off in doing your duty.
14-15 If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don’t let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he’ll think twice. But don’t treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.
16 May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!
17 I, Paul, bid you good-bye in my own handwriting. I do this in all my letters, so examine my signature as proof that the letter is genuine.
18 The incredible grace of our Master, Jesus Christ, be with all of you!
"Doing Good" by W. Talmadge Johnson
Throughout his missionary journeys, Paul had a special love for the people of Thessalonica. At one point, he even said, “Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you” (1 Thess. 2:7b-8a). Furthermore, the apostle had great confidence in the Thessalonian Christians. He appealed for them to pray “that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you” (v. 1b). Later he expresses his hope that they would “never tire of doing what is good” (v. 13b).
We live in a condo, so a wall separates us from our neighbors. In our early years there, we constantly heard various sounds from them: the piano, the moving of furniture. It was annoying, and on one occasion, we questioned them. Over time, my wife, who is an excellent cook, prepared homemade pie for them. Doing good has paid rich dividends.
Once my wife met a lady named Barbara who confessed her need to be delivered from her smoking habit. We offered prayers as well as encouragement, and recently, my wife baked some delicious cinnamon rolls for Barbara. God is working through our simple acts of doing good.
Hymn for Today:

"We're A Story To Tell To The Nations" by H. Ernest Nichol
1. We've a story to tell to the nations
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light,
A story of peace and light.
Chorus:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright,
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.
2. We've a song to be sung to the nations
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil,
And shatter the spear and sword,
And shatter the spear and sword.
Chorus:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright,
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.
3. We've a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who reigneth above
Hath sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love,
And show us that God is love.
Chorus:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright,
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.
4. We've a Savior to show to the nations
Who the path of sorrow hath trod,
That all of the world's great peoples
May come to the truth of God,
May come to the truth of God!
Chorus:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright,
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.
Thought for Today: 

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith."(Galatians 6:910).
Please Pray:
For the child development programs that minister to children in Mesoamerica.
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