Pray, and Don’t Be Idle

Pray, and Don’t Be Idle

Date: Feb. 25, 2022

Passage

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 (ESV)

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 3:1

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,

In the last chapter of this epistle, Paul does two things. First, he made a request that the Thessalonian Christians pray for them. Paul had two prayer topics. The first was that the gospel message may spread and be honored in others, just as the Thessalonians had heard and honored the gospel themselves. They recognized that the gospel was their only salvation. The second was that they be protected from evil people who were seeking to thwart the gospel work. But Paul had confidence that the Lord is faithful and that the Thessalonians were doing all they had been commanded to do.

Paul urged them to do more than pray. They also needed to make sure they kept away from idle people. Rather, they should follow the example Paul showed them as he lived with them. Paul worked not only in preaching the gospel, but to make his own living as well. He didn’t depend on the charity of others, and he urged the Christians there to do the same. But there were some in the church who were idle. Paul urged them to not even associate with them.

In closing, Paul commended them to the Lord of peace and prayed the Lord be with them all.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, help us to pray diligently that your gospel may spread and be honored in all the world. And help us to not be idle in our gospel labors.

One Word: One Word: Pray and don’t be idle!

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references

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