Title: When Being Quiet Pleases God
Text:
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (ESV)
11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
Observation:
We continue to look at the areas that the Apostle Paul admonished and encouraged this new congregation in their walk before the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
The focus in today's text is this, "and to aspire to live quietly". This is the situation that he was addressing in this charge.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 (ESV)
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.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (ESV)
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.
The call to quietness is not a call to silence. Rather, it is a call to be responsible, a call to work; to provide for your family and yourself through work. It is a call to live a life that will honor God, and not be a burden to the church and society.
1 Thessalonians 3:7-9 (ESV)
7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
Prayer:
Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the depths of Your amazing love for the world, and for man that You made in Your image; male and female, created You them. Father, I gladly accept Your invitation, "Come to Me".
Father God, the admonition and encouragement that Paul gave to the church at Thessalonica is a Word that I gladly receive. Father, I freely embrace the teaching to live a quiet life, mind my own affairs, and work with my own hands.
Father, I am willing to believe in and do those things that are pleasing in Your eyes. Lord, I need the strength that You provide to do it. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
--
Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:
No comments:
Post a Comment