Let them eat the food they earn! 2Thes.3:12
A. This is we command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
1. Brothers are to stay away from every brother who is idle! 2Thes.3:6
2. Brothers are to stay away from a brother who does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 2 Thes.3:6
3. Nowadays we say it this way!
Brothers are to stay away from a brother who does not live according to what says in the Bible!
4. The original word idle means wandering around not doing good things!
5. Satan is one who lives this way! Job 1:7
6. I always believe same energy for evil can be used for good!
Do you know why I have this wisdom? Because I believe Jesus! You can too!
B. Thank God we have example set for us! 2 Thes.3:7-8
1. For you yourselves] know how you ought to follow our example. 2 Thes.3:7
2. We were not idle when we were with you, 2 Thes.3:7
3. Nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. 2 Thes.3:8
4. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling. 2 Thes.3:8
5. So that we would not be a burden to any of you. 2 Thes.3:8
6. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help. 2Thes.3:9
7. But in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 2Thes 3:9
C. This was the kind of work ethic old style Americans set for us.
1. When I was in Abilene Tx. everyone work very hard.
They developed this saying in greetings to each other--> Don’t work too hard!
2. Chinese in Hong Kong and China greet each other with this saying!
Do you eat yet!? Chinese were without much food to eat for a long time!
3. This was how hard I worked. When I arrived home, I fell down and slept on the floor!
My children were too small to see! May be they did not understand!
4. Otherwise, how do you think!
America’s population is a faction of China but they produce four times China produce!
D. If a man will not work, he shall not eat! 2 Thes.3:10
1. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat.
2. We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 2Thes.3:11
3. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 2 Thes.3:12
4. But you, brothers, be not weary in well doing! 2Thes.3:13
5. If any man obey not our word by this letter, note that man. 2Thes.3:14
6. And have not company with him, that he may be ashamed. 2Thes.3:14
7. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2Thes.3:15
In my 50 some years of experiences, this kind of man leave the church soon!
8. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 3:16
E. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace! Acts 20:32-25
1. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an
inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32
2. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. Acts 20:33
3. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. Ac 20:34
4. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak. Acts 20:35
5. Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive. 20:35
6. You study to be quiet, do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you;
you may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing. 1Thes.5:12
7. Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who
admonish you. 1Thes.5:12
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this on May 1, 2016
Video: English Cantonese – Recorded 5/1/16
Part 1