Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
May 2, 2021

A Painful but Necessary Task
by Bryan Gibson
Read every word of this text from 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, NKJ
(6) But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. (7) For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; (8) nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, (9) not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. (10) For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (11) For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. (12) Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. (13) But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. (14) And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. (15) Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
To make the teaching in this text as clear as possible, let’s break it down into five parts.
1. The Problem
One specific problem is identified in v. 11: “…there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.” They should have known better, both from Paul’s teaching (v. 10), and from his example (vv. 7-9). Disorderly conduct can include other sins, of course, which explains the more general warning given in v. 14: “…if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle.” If a brother in Christ refuses to obey the Lord, his brethren must take action (see 1 Corinthians 5 for further teaching on this subject).
2. The Action to be Taken
“Withdraw from” (“keep away”—NAS, ESV) is the command given in v. 6, an action further explained in v. 14: “…note that person and do not keep company with him.” As we learn from 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, we cannot take the same action with every unrepentant sinner in the world, because we would “need to go out of the world.” But our own brethren, those who clearly know better, that’s exactly what the Lord says we must do. Don’t make the mistake of supporting those who refuse to do what they know is right—“if any man will not work, neither shall he eat” (v. 10).
3. The Spirit in Which This Action Should Be Taken
“Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (v. 15). His soul is precious, so don’t cut off all contact with him. Just make sure this contact with him is for the purpose of urging him to repent.
4. The Purpose of This Action
The purpose is stated very clearly in v. 14: “that he may be ashamed.” Ashamed enough to hopefully lead him to repentance. Not only that, but going back to 1 Corinthians 5 again, this time verse 7, we need to make sure this “little leaven” doesn’t leaven the “whole lump.” You don’t want him to start rubbing off on others, and if nothing is done about it, others might get the impression that it’s no big deal.
5. The Way This Action Could be Avoided
In this specific case, get back to work and quit depending on others to take care of you—“we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread” (v. 12). But again, that’s not the only commandment given through Jesus Christ. If we would all obey the Lord (v. 14), and repent when we don’t, the action described above would never be necessary.

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
(temporary during pandemic)
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.