Don't Waste Your Life
Now we command you brothers in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in [idleness].
The purpose of your vehicle is to get you from point A to point B, and yet when a car is stuck in [idle], it's not going anywhere.
A life of idleness does not fit a life that has been changed by the [gospel] of Jesus.
- What gifts, talents, or passions has God given you that you might not be fully using for His purposes right now?
- Is there an area of your life where you've been in "idle"—going through the motions but not really moving forward in what God has called you to do?
If you're in this room, your heart's beating, you're breathing this morning, here's what that means: that God has a [purpose] for you today.
For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but [busy bodies].
Busyness on your schedule, busyness in your calendar is not the best indicator that you're actually making a [difference] in your life.
Our greatest fear should not be failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really [matter].
- Looking back at this past year, what activities filled your calendar? Did they truly matter for eternity, or were you just busy?
- Who is the "Joe" in your life right now—someone God has placed in front of you that you might be too busy to notice?
Do not grow weary in doing [good].
We know as parents that we are called to [disciple] our kids.
Doing good is hard work and that's why Paul says, brother, do not grow [weary] in doing good.
As someone who's been changed by Jesus, you have a life to live to [glorify] Him and to make a difference.
- In what area of doing good are you feeling most weary right now? How can you ask God for fresh strength?
- What is one "good work" God is calling you to that you've been avoiding because it feels too hard or exhausting?
For you yourselves know how you ought to [imitate] us, because we were not idle when we were with you.
With toil and labor we worked night and day that we might not be a [burden] to any of you.
You want to know what makes your job sacred? That it's the work that God has called and [gifted] you to do.
It's the [heart] behind your job that matters.
- How can you see your current job—whatever it is—as sacred work that glorifies God and blesses others?
- Who in your life models hard work done with a godly heart? How can you follow their example this week?
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you [peace] at all times and every way.
Paul realizes that there's not a person in this room that can do what we're called to do here, apart from the [help] of God.
Without God's help, we will [waste] our life.
My prayer is not just that you wouldn't waste your life, but I know what you need not to waste your life, and that is that the [Lord] would be near to you.
- Where do you need God's peace most urgently right now? Take a moment to pray and invite the Lord to be near you in that area.
- As you look ahead to 2024, what is one resolve you want to make today so that you don't waste the year God is giving you?