1Thessalonians 4:9-12
Busy or Busybody
I. \\#1Thess 1:1-2\\ Introduction
II. \\#1Thess 1:3-10\\ Paul’s Knowledge of the Thessalonians
III. \\#1Thess 2:1-16\\ Paul’s Plan for the Thessalonians
A. \\#1Thess 2:1-12\\ To Plant A Church with Godly Character
B. \\#1Thess 2:13-16\\ The Seed Was Accepted
IV. \\#1Thess 2:17-4:12\\ Paul’s Heart for the Thessalonians
A. \\#1Thess 2:17-20\\ The Planter’s Desire
B. \\#1Thess 3:1-5\\ The Planter’s Anxiety
C. \\#1Thess 3:6-10\\ The Planter’s Joy
D. \\#1Thess 3:11-13\\ The Planter’s Prayer
E. \\#1Thess 4:1-12\\ The Planter’s Hope
1. \\#4:1-2\\ Paul speaks from his heart and the Word.
2. \\#4:3-4\\ Paul gives reasons to follow these instructions.
3. \\#4:3-12\\ Paul gives instructions.
a. \\#4:3-8\\ Instructions for sexual purity
(1) \\#4:3\\ That they abstain from fornication.
(2) \\#4:4\\ That they know how to possess their vessel.
(3) \\#4:5\\ Do not allow the lust of concupiscence.
(4) \\#4:6\\ That they do not defraud a brother in any matter.
(5) \\#4:7\\ Remember, God has called us to holiness.
(6) \\#4:8\\ If you have a problem with these
instructions, your problem is with God!
b. \\#4:9-10\\ That they love one another.
c. \\#4:11\\ That they be not busybodies.
d. \\#4:11\\ That they work.
e. \\#4:12\\ That they walk honestly, even toward the lost."
f. \\#4:12\\ And that they lack nothing. (probably
speaking of spiritual
We are looking at section in this book which contains Paul’s heart for these
young believers \\#2Thess 2:17-4:12\\.
1. Paul has shared the anxiety he had over having to leave them so abruptly.
2. He has told them of the joy he experienced over hearing of their condition and
love for him,
3. Paul has expressed his prayer for them.
4. And in this last section we have been looking at, Paul has told them of us
hope for them. (Among other things, that they would continue to abound more
and more.)
To that end, Paul is giving the church some instructions that will help them to
walk like God wanted them (and us) to walk. I have said repeatedly, that these
are not rebukes for problems they have; but rather, encouragements that they
might continue on the path of righteousness.
Perhaps if we will heed God’s encouragements, we won’t have to be rebuked either!
I. \\#1Thess 4:3-12\\ Paul Gives Instructions
A. \\#4:3-8\\ Instructions for sexual purity
B. \\#4:9-10\\ That they love one another
1. \\#9\\ Paul uses a word to describe the type of bond that a church has
within itself.
a. Paul calls the type of love the church should display to each
other "brotherly love."
b. The love of the church for each other is not a physical love.
c. One might go further to say it is not even as much of an emotional
love.
(1) Most men probably would not describe their tie with their
brother as a strong emotion one.
(2) Maybe the ladies would, but not the men.
(3) I believe this is another of many reasons why God selects the
words that He uses so carefully.
(4) This is not a sisterly love. It is not a gender-neutral love.
It is a brotherly love.
2. The love between brothers is more of a practical love than an emotional
love.
a. Brothers are bound by a blood bond that creates a tie between
them.
b. Brothers stand together against all others.
c. Brothers help each other.
d. Brothers promote each other.
e. Brothers honor one another.
3. This is the type of love that should exist between believers.
a. We are bound by a blood bond—the blood of Jesus Christ.
b. Whether there is an emotional tie between us or not, we stand
together, and we stand for each other.
4. One thing that Paul mentions is the fact that the Thessalonians
needed no instruction on this matter.
a. The reason why is because God has already taught them.
b. Just like there is a God-imparted bond between physical brothers,
so there is a God-imparted bond between brothers and sisters in
Christ.
c. \\#10\\ In fact, Paul says that this love has been demonstrated
through all Macedonia which is large land region of that area.
5. Even so, Paul encourages that the Thessalonians would "increase more
and more" in this character. Apparently, you can not love too much!
C. \\#4:11\\ That they be not busybodies.
1. There are actually three instructions that I have blended into this
word "busybody."
2. To me, violating these three instructions would make a person a
busybody.
a. "study to be quiet"
(1) A busybody is someone who talks too much and about the wrong
things.
Pr 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth
his lips is wise.
(2) The problem with talking too much is you have to constantly
be looking for new material. That drive forces you to talk
about things that should not be spoken.
(3) The Bible speaks more of sins that can be committed with the
tongue than any other organ.
(a) One can falsely accuse…
(b) blaspheme
(c) lie
(d) flatter
(e) slander
(f) be a talebearer, that is, tell truths that should be
spoken.
1Ti 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house;
and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they
ought not.
(g) be unkind
(h) speak foolishly
(i) speak hastily (without thinking)
(j) gossip
(4) The New Testament writer, James, gives us strong warnings of
what our tongue can do.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.
Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our
members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of
nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
(5) Notice Paul says "study" to be quiet.
(a) To study implies work, effort, and practice.
(b) For many, overcoming the misuse and over-use of talking
will be a life-long study.
(6) James tells us that no person can control the tongue.
James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly
poison.
(a) From that, along with other Scripture, I deduce that if
you are going to talk too much, you are going to get into
trouble.
(b) And the best course of action is just to be quiet, just
like the text says!
b. "do your own business"
(1) I do not think this verse means, "Do your own work."
(a) That is what we tell children in grade school to keep
them from copying off another’s paper.
(b) That is probably not what Paul is thinking.
(2) More likely, Paul is saying, "Mind your own business."
(3) A busybody is someone who meddles in other people’s affairs.
(4) I have never understood this tendency on the part of some
people who feel they are qualified to tell others how to
handle their own affairs, and I guess that means preachers
too.
(5) While there is a right way and a wrong way to do almost
everything, unless your advice is requested, it is usually
best not to give it.
(6) Now, there are some times when we may have to break that
rule.
(a) Some times, and on very rare occasions, a family member
may need to speak to a very close relative about a
potential danger that looms on the horizon.
i. This has to be a rare occurrence.
ii. For one thing, this is a bridge so sensitive that if
it is stepped on too many times, it will collapse!
iii. Here, one must tread lightly, gently, and very, very
rarely!
(b) And of course speaking to people about their soul is
another sensitive matter.
i. Some think that this is an issue too sensitive for
a stranger to speak about.
ii. However, on this topic we have a command from God
Himself.
iii. Even so, we should remember that this is the
private business of another.
iv. If we are told by an individual that he or she does
not want us meddling in their spiritual affairs,
we should, at least for a time, back away.
(7) Anytime we feel that we have a need to meddle in someone
else’s business for any reason, we need to make sure of two
things:
(a) That this is something God wants us to do.
i. Since God has told us in His Word to tend to our own
business, that is the course of action to follow.
ii. Before you step across this line, make certain you
have the mind of God.
(b) Pray!
i. To get involved in someone else’s affairs is likely
a once-in-a-lifetime event.
ii. If God is directing you to do so, it must be over
something extremely important.
iii. Don’t waste the opportunity; or worse, don’t make
things worse.
iv. Pray before you go, while you are there, and after
you have left.
c. "work with your own hands"
(1) While there is no rebuke given to this church in the book
we are studying, Paul does make mention of this sinful
activity again in his second letter to the Thessalonians.
2Th 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly,
working not at all, but are busybodies.
(2) This would indicate that there was a problem with this sin
in that church.
(a) Perhaps the reason Paul is mentioning in the first
letter is because he either picked up on a few who
were pronged to do this or because Timothy picked up
on it on his return visit.
(b) However, in the second letter, Paul plainly associates
not working with being a busybody.
(3) A busybody is someone who never gets his or her work done.
(4) This is primarily because they are too busy talking and
minding everyone else’s business.
(5) Some people might be amazed at how much more work they could
get done in a day if they did not have a telephone or a
computer!
D. \\#4:12\\ That they walk honestly toward the lost."
1. This is likely intended as a result of not being a busybody.
a. It is hard to tell from the grammatical structure of the sentence
whether this is intended as the benefit of not being a busybody
or a new instruction.
b. It could be a little of both.
2. As a result of doing right, we demonstrate a honest and pure life to
the lost world around us.
3. As another instruction, we understand the necessity of being honest
to everyone.
a. If it is a new instruction, Paul’s thought here would be that we
not treat the saved one way, and the lost another.
b. Certainly, we should be honest toward the saved, but we are not to
get the "us and them" mentality.
c. God’s people do not want to win the battle of possessions by
having the most toys at the end of the game.
d. We want to win the battle of life by seeing the lost come to
Christ.
E. \\#4:12\\ And that they lack nothing.
1. Again, this could be a result of not being a busybody.
a. By obeying God’s principals, we will receive God’s blessings.
b. The opposite also stands to reason; that is, if we disobey God’s
principals (i.e. act like a busybody, fail to do our own work),
then God will not bless us.
2. This is an interesting phrase with which to close this section out.
3. I don’t think this is just a DESIRE that Paul has for these believers.
a. i.e. "I hope that God gives you all the things that you need
so that you not lack anything."
b. I think Paul is telling us to live in such a way that we can have
all that God wants us to have.
(1) Please do not use this as justification for the false
"name it and claim it" doctrine.
(2) All one has to do is to look at the lives of the Apostles to
see that they did not have the riches and comforts that
those charlatans promise.
(3) What we consider NEEDS and what these early church fathers
considered to be NEEDS is two different things.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
c. However, we can have what God desires us to have IF obey Him.
d. Paul is instructing believers to live in that way.
I read somewhere that you are either busy or a busybody. To be busy living for
God will earn you His blessings. Being a busybody will earn you His ire. The
question we have to decide is which do we want.
<Outline
Index> <Close Window>
