PENTECOST 23 – Nov. 17, 2019 – 2 Thess. 3:1-6
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from 2 Thess. 3. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- There are numerous passages in Holy Scripture that reference our “hearts.” The meaning of this term, both in Hebrew and in Greek is wide and varied. It can refer to the essence of our being, our thinking, the inner place where we value things, and even our spirit or soul, our consciousness or our conscious, thinking being.
- There are also numerous places where the Scripture speaks of God pouring His love into our hearts, or that Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. In our text Paul prays that “the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” I have to say, this must surely be one of the most blessed and instructive statements in Holy Scripture. This is the will of God, expressed through the apostle! We are directed to contemplate and absorb God’s great love!
- Our prayer today should be the same, that “THE LORD DIRECT OUR HEARTS” into His love. And we should understand where He wills for our hearts to be directed and centered: the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ, His steadfast love for us!
- How hard or difficult or distasteful can this be? Is it not absolutely the sweetest and best thing that we can do? And it is important, for we have many experiences in this life which may shake our faith in God’s love. For according to our text:
I. We Face Great Difficulties In This Life
A. There Are Wicked And Evil Men In This World
Text: “Finally, brothers, pray for us . . . that we be delivered from wicked and evil men.”
B. Likewise, There Are Unbelievers
Text: “For not all have faith.” [This even within the visible church]
C. Then There Is The Devil And His Minions
Text: “The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
Statement: When we see these things we may also be tempted toward cynicism. We see evil people engage in wicked behaviors and go unscathed, unpunished by God. We wonder if He sees or cares, or if He is just. Perhaps we are tempted to self-indulgence and to forsake the cross of self-denial. We see all the unbelief in people around us and wonder if such cynicism is justified. We may begin to doubt the reasonableness of our faith in God. And the devil brings many problems and difficulties into our lives – and then mocks our continued faith in God.
Application: In the face of all of this, we pray that God direct our hearts into His great and wondrous and precious love for us. First, His gracious forgiveness and mercy in Christ Jesus – also for our sins of doubt, cynicism, and even disloyalty. We also rejoice in His loving promises to protect and defend us and deliver us. And as our hearts are directed into His love, we learn more and more about Him. And of particular comfort is the assurance that:
II. God Is Always Faithful To Us
A. To Establish And Guard Us In Faith
Text: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
B. To Continue Directing Our Hearts And Minds Into His Love
Text: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
Statement: As our hearts are directed into the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ, we become more and more confident in God. We learn not to trust in ourselves – by ourselves we are nothing, and can accomplish nothing. However, God can do all things, and He has promised all good things to us. That includes what we need for this life, and more importantly all that is needed for living at peace with God – His forgiveness and cleansing. This is also all that we need for entrance into eternal life in His glorious heavenly kingdom.
Application: So whatever may come, whatever the devil and wicked and evil men can throw at us, God will always be our shield and defense. We can count on Him. And this frees us up from worry, anxiety, care, and concern. God has our back and will insure that all is well for us. This assurance is strengthened as He directs our hearts into His love for us! And this enables us also to understand that:
III. Idleness Is Forbidden
A. The Apostolic Example Is To Work
Text: “You yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 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.. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.”
B. We Are To Keep Away From Fellow Members Who Are Idle
Text: “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.”
1 Tim. 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
C. No Charity Is To Be Given Those Who Are Able To Work But Refuse To
Text: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
D. So All Children Of God Are To Abound In Good
Text: “Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. . . . We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.”
Statement: These instructions apply also directly to us! In view of the difficult and challenging realities of life in this fallen world of sin, we will need the Lord to bolster our faith and trust in Him by “DIRECTING OUR HEARTS” into His great love for us, and the perfect steadfastness of Christ! Then we will also be eager to be at work doing all good things!
Application: And there is of course one place where our hearts are always directed into God’s love – and that is the church. Here also we are encouraged in honest labor and work, and taking care of our families. Here we have opportunity to do much good as well. So recognize the importance of your place within the church, and the blessings God wills to bestow upon you through His Word and Sacraments. These are the places where God directs us to imbibe His great love for us!
Conclusion: It is important to delve into matters of right and wrong, good and evil. It is even more important to plunge our hearts into deep contemplation and study of the love of God. This is our life, our strength, and our protection from all evil. May God grant this prayer to each of us, and “DIRECT OUR HEARTS INTO HIS LOVE!” Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep you hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.