BUILT TO LAST: GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE – BE STRONG, BE SURE!

2026-07-05

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

2 Thessalonians 3:1–18 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 6But 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. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8nor 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, 9not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14And 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. 15Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

2 Thess. 2:15–17 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

1. He’s already given you what you need

2 Thess. 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

• “everlasting consolation” (paraklēsis means comfort forever)
• The idea given is through God’s overwhelming love He has given us overwhelming comfort; we are not hopeless
• He has equipped us to not only believe what His Word teaches but has equipped us to DO what His Word teaches
• Warren Weirsbe stated, “Paul was concerned about two aspects of their Christian life: their word and their work, their saying and their doing. If our walk contradicts our words, we lose our testimony. Our “walk” and our “talk” must agree; good works and good words must come from the same yielded heart.”[i]

2 Thess. 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

2. So be strong, and be sure

2 Thess. 3:4-6 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 6But 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.

• Paul encourages the church “DO” what God has commanded in the“love of God and into the patience of Christ”
• The word “disorderly” is an unusual word which is only used in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church.
• Doug Magnum said, “There are two main groups of interpretations of ataktōs…Some that Paul was confronting a faction of believers in Thessalonica who were refusing to work and, consequently, that English translations of these terms should convey the idea of “laziness.” Others… maintain that the group with whom Paul was concerned were active and working but were “disruptive” or “disorderly” in their behavior.”[ii]
• Either definition leads us to one conclusion, we are to be active and productive in our ministry within the church

3. And don’t give up and don’t give in

2 Thess. 3:10-15 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14And 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. 15Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

• This is a very practical application Paul gives to the church. He tells them to be faithful in their work and not be influenced by those who don’t work.
• He teaches that we should all be about the Father’s business without getting entangled in the issues of others.
• It is important not to dismiss the “busybodies” altogether, but to encourage them to change their ways.

A faith that is “built to last” is one which refuses to compromise and refuses to delegate. It is dependent on the faithfulness of Christ.

Questions for us all?

1. Does your life match His Word?
2. Does your work match His command?
3. Does your action match His heart, or are you a busybody?

[i] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 202–203.

[ii] Derek R. Brown, 2 Thessalonians, ed. Douglas Mangum, Logos Research Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2026), 2 Th 3:1–18.