Warning Against Idleness

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. 

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       A.  Some Christians walk disorderly.

 

   1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NKJV)

   14 Now we [a]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [b]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold     the weak, be patient with all.

 

     B.  Some Christians are unruly.

     C.  Separation can lead to consecration.

 

     1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (NKJV)

     Immorality Defiles the Church

     1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as         is not even [a]named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are [b]puffed       up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from           

     among  you. 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I       were present) him who has so done this deed. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are       gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a           one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord     

     [c]Jesus.

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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. 

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     D.   God sanctions work.  

     E.    Some Christians are too spiritual to be practical.

 

    1 Timothy 5:3-16 (NKJV)

    Honor True Widows

    3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them        first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is [a]good and acceptable                before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in     

    supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in [b]pleasure is dead while she lives.        7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his        own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an                    unbeliever.

    9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been          the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has              lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has                diligently followed every good work.

    11 But [c]refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ,              they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first [d]faith. 13 And      besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also                gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger      widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak              reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing [e]man or              woman has widows, let them [f]relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may            relieve those who are really widows.

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14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this [d]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 [e]admonish him as a brother.

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     F.  Idle hands should face church discipline.