How To Deal With The Disorderly
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 9/29/2013 PM |
Text: | II Thessalonians 3:6,11,14,15 |
Psalters: | 299, 72, 386, 271 |
- Who they are.
- Who are the “disorderly” (6,7,11).
- This speaks of one who is out of step while in a marching rank (soldiers or band).
- Specifically, Paul speak of those who did not do the things commanded of them (3:4,6,12).
- The disorderliness was that they did not obey (disobedience, 14) God’s command to work.
- Some in Thessalonika were not orderly, preferring to walk out of sync with all the other professing saved ones.
- Specifically, the disorderly walk was not working (11), having quit their jobs/callings and were doing no work.
- In addition their disorderliness was that they became “busybodies” (11; I Thess. 4:11).
- Further their disobedience is aggravated by the fact that they remained unrepentant after being admonished.
- Such disorderliness is easily possible given our human natures.
- Who are the “disorderly” (6,7,11).
- The faithful and orderly are given a calling.
- Paul is addressing the church as a whole, not just the elders.
- Specifically, fellow-believers are to “withdraw” themselves (6) and “have no company with him” (14).
- First, they are to “note” those walking out of sync in the formation, i.e., identify that such are out of step.
- “Withdraw” is to set in order by withdrawing oneself, so do not go along with them in their disorderly marching.
- This command to withdraw fits with the revelation of our Lord Jesus.
- And we are to “admonish” or warn them as a brother, not as an enemy.
- This shows that the withdrawal is not shunning or a complete ignoring and avoiding.
- Continued contact is accompanied with conversations which show them that they are being disorderly to the Lord.
- As a “brother.”
- The purposes.
- The ultimate purpose for the brother/sister is that they might be “ashamed” of their folly.
- Treating them in a way that they realize they are doing something wrong, that they are out of formation.
- The goal is that they repent, turn from the wrong way in order to march in the right order.
- Other purposes are:
- For the preservation of the purity and integrity of the truth, of the church, and of her witness in the world.
- For the protection of the faithful believers from errors of doctrine and practice.
- Let us determine to carry out this calling to gain and to restore as we wait our Lord’s return.
- The ultimate purpose for the brother/sister is that they might be “ashamed” of their folly.