Church problems are like physical problems: if left unsolved, they grow and become worse, and they infect more people. The local church is a body; and what germs are to the physical body, sin is to the spiritual body. Paul warned of idle busybodies and told them to get to work. He told churchh leaders to "warn them that are unruly" Unruly means a "soldier out of rank." The trouble makers had not repented. They were idle while others worked. Those who were working may have been thinking, "Why should I work to support those who are lazy?" Lazy saints cause problems. Gossip spread in the church...because of their idleness and laziness and they began to argue about the Lord coming soon.
Paul expected the whole church to work together in solving this problem. We must deal in love with our members and seek to help each one obey God. Paul gave four exhortations:
1. The Exhortation of the Word 3:6
This is a command like a military order handed down from a superior officer. Paul likened the church to an army. Paul had the authority of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. The Lord's leadership extends to all areas of the church and the individual - includes our work and momeny management.
Labor has been before sin entered the scene a part of man's life. Moses - caring for sheep; Joshua - Moses' servant; Gideon - threshing wheat; David - caring for his father's sheep. There were the fisherman, Jesus the Carpenter...honest labor for the Israelites unlike the Greek. A man must be willing to work...if he CANNOT then we should support him, but only then!
2. The Example of the Apostle 3:7-10 Paul gave up his right to be supported by others...he was unselfish. Paul used his rights for the purpose of laying aside for the sake of others.
Difference between authority and stature. A leader earns stature as he obeys the Word and serves His people in the will of God. Authority comes from position; stature comes from practice and example. Stature earns the leader the right to exercise authority.
Paul wanted to make the Gospel "free of charge" - he never wanted to be misunderstood that he did what he did for money!
3. The Encouragement of the Church 3:11-15 Do not lose heart in doing what is right and good. Sin in the life of a believer always affects the rest of the church. A few can be hinderers of the Gospel and hurt the reputation of the church. "He who does not teach his son a trade, teaches him to be a thief."
Church discipline may become a necessary tool. It is not a job for the pastor and the deacons alone. Church discipline is to the church member what family discipline is to a child. It is an exercise of and evidence of correcting love. Like a loving father seeking to make his child a better person.
1. Personal differences between Christians. Matt. 18:15-18, Phil. 4:1-3
2. Doctrinal error II Tim. 2:23-26, Titus 1:10-14 Gal 2:11 Roma. 16:17-18 II Tim. 2:18 ** John 9
3. A believer overtaken by sin Gal 6:1-3
4. A repeating troublemaker Titus 3:10
5. Open immorality I Cor.5 In the case of "lazy saints", Paul told the believers to exhort them, warn them, and if they did not repent, withdraw intimate fellowship from them.
4. The Enablement of the Lord 3:16-18 The Lord has made every provision for us to obey Him. Trouble in the church reveals trouble in somebody's heart! Are you a part of the peace of the church or part of a war in the church? Do you pull others about because you have leadership qualities and they are followers you lead them astray to do your wishes? Let's fall down before the Lord and give Him willingly of ourselves to fulfill His purposes for His people. THE LORD IS COMING SOON...LET'S BE READY!!!!!!!!!!
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