Well, once again we'll continue
our meditation in the first epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians,
in the fourth chapter, and this evening we'll read verses 10,
11, and 12. So that's the first epistle to
the Thessalonians, chapter 4, and reading verses 10, 11, and
12. And indeed ye do it toward all
the brethren which are in all Macedonia. But we beseech you,
brethren, that ye increase more and more, and that ye study to
be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your
own hands as we commanded you, that ye may walk honestly toward
them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. Most of you will remember that
last week we concluded our meditation with the ninth verse, which speaks
and tells us about brotherly love. And this is what it says.
But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto
you, for yourselves are taught of God to love one another. Well, that in itself is a very
wonderful exhortation. And then as we read on, as we
come tonight to the 10th one, 10th verse, the apostle says,
and indeed, ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all
Macedonia. So not only those in Thessalonica,
who Paul was addressing more particularly at this time, but
he says, and indeed, ye do it toward all the brethren which
are in all Macedonia. And really, of course, it refers
to the whole Church of God. What a blessing it is when we
know what it is to love the brethren. They are our best friends and
they are kindred. We don't want to have any hatred
or enmity towards them. but to be blessed with love. And that love, of course, is
centred in the glorious Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, through
his wonderful mercy, has loved us with an undeserving love. What a mercy it is that he is
such a kind and gracious God, to know the love of Christ, which
passes knowledge. And I'm sure if we know something
of Christ's love to such unworthy sinners. It will influence us
in our response and reaction to the whole Church of God. We will desire to love them,
realising that they are our best friends and that by the grace
of God one day we shall be joined with them, everyone, in glory,
in that perfect environment where there will be no hatred and no
jealousy and eternal love, centred around, of course, none less
than the Lord Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is if we do
ponder and remember what he has done to redeem our soul, It's
a wonderful thought in that hymn, On such love my soul's to ponder,
Love so great, so rich, so free, Say whilst lost in holy wonder,
Why, O Lord, such love to me? Now it is a wonder of wonders
that God should love us, And so we should be thankful for
it and hear these words that the apostle speaks to the Thessalonians
and directing them and saying and indeed you do it toward all
the brethren which are in all Macedonia But we beseech you,
brethren, that ye increase more and more." Yes, to love more
and more. You see, the more we love, the
less room for any hatred or anything which is against one another.
And when we love one another, we lose sight of all the faults
and we can thank and praise God. So there we have this important
exhortation that the apostle wrote to the Thessalonians. And
then he goes on and tells us and that you study to be quiet
and to do your own business and to work with your own hands as
we commanded you. It's important to note how these
this verse is worded. We're told to study. It's not
something which perhaps just comes naturally all the time.
But we are to study that we might be quiet and we might be peaceable
in our lives and desire the blessing of the Lord and to not be busybodies
and not be those who always pass around news, which often is not
particularly becoming. And so he tells us here to be
quiet and to do your own business. Well, it's good, isn't it? If
we consider exhortations like this. And obviously, it was necessary
to write them to the Thessalonians. And obviously, it's necessary
that they are recorded for the whole Church of God, for us to
realize the importance of them today. We read that very beautiful
chapter in Titus. And in this chapter, Apostle
writing the Titus, instructing him in what should be said and
what should be done. And he tells us he speaks to
men, he speaks to women, he speaks to young women, he speaks to
young men. It's really a comprehensive statement
as to how we should order our lives. And he tells us the aged
men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in
patience. Again, Good words of instruction
to take to our heart. This is not just my words. It's the word of God instructing
us as to how we should live our lives. And then he also speaks
about the women that they be in behavior as becoming holiness. Well, we hope we know that holiness
is good to observe and good to see. Because it means if we are
and have that desire after holiness, we are more Christ-like in our
walk, in our conversation, in the things that we do. And so
here we have this statement. Be in becoming. Behaviour as
becometh holiness. And then he says, not false accusers.
not given to much wine, teachers of good things. So you see, these
things you might think are pretty obvious, when in one sense they
are, but we do need to be reminded of them, that we're not false
accusers, we're not given to much wine, and to be teachers
of good things. It doesn't say to be teachers
of bad things, teachers of good things. And so as we come back
to this statement that you study to be quiet and to do your own
business and to work with your own hands as we commanded you. and the Apostle goes on that
you that they may teach the young women to be sober to love their
husbands to love their children you know if the world was to
take notice of such a statement as that what a different place
the world would be but nonetheless it's here for our instruction
today And to the women especially here, to teach the young women
to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. There's
much in the Word of God really about teaching. That we are to
teach the young. We are to give a right understanding
of the Word of God. It's a great privilege. And yet
it's a necessary thing to do. And so the apostle spells it
out here in this way. And then he says to be discreet. Again, some people are indiscreet
and they like to perhaps gain some eminence themselves by spreading
rumors and spreading things which are not convenient. And it needs
to be assessed as to whether what we say is expedient. The Apostle says, all things
are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. And it's good,
therefore, if we examine ourselves when we say things, whether they
are expedient. And so we have these gracious
words which are set before us, chaste, keep us at home, A few
people today are willing to keep us at home. They want to be out
and doing this. and doing that and thinking they're
hard done by if they're supposed to be keepers at home. But here
we have the gracious Word of God. And then, good, obedient
to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed. And then there's a word for young
men as well. Again, remember it's exactly
the same, really, theme as we have here in this 11th verse,
remember? To study these things. that we
might be quiet and to do our own business and to work with
our own hands as we are commanded. And then he says, showing ourselves
a pattern of good works so that people might take knowledge of
us that we have been with Jesus and have learned of him. That's
not bad works, is it? That is indeed a pattern of good
works. And then in doctrine, showing
uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity. Well, you and I won't be able
to walk that way unless we understand doctrine, unless we study to
find the truth in God's Word, the great and glorious doctrines
that there are. Doctrine is very instructive
and very wonderful and very strengthening for our souls, so we should not
turn away from it and think it is something which is irrelevant. There is a tendency to think
that everything must be experience. Well, doctrine, as Luther said
so many years ago, doctrine is heaven. And it's good if you
and I take those words to heart. And then he says, sound speech
that cannot be condemned. And he that is of a contrary
part may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of you. And then he says, exhort servants
to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well
in all things, not answering again, not purloining, but showing
all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God
our Saviour in all things. So often the Apostle directs
us to the example of our Saviour. What a wonderful example that
is for us today to always have before us that we might be a
true follower of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And he
says, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared
unto all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this
present world." These are great words, aren't they? And how good
it is if you and I are able to take hold of them and truly desire
to follow them. And then finally he concludes
with this wonderful statement, looking, what a mercy if you
and I today are looking for that blessed hope and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Well, may we be looking forward
to the coming of the Saviour. What a wonderful time and day
that will be. And then he tells us, therefore,
that you study to be quiet and to do your own business and to
work with your own hands as we commanded you. Then he says that
you may walk honestly toward them that are without. and that
ye may have lack of nothing. Again, it means that you and
I have set a good example for all those who are without, that
we may walk honestly towards them that are without, and that
ye may have lack of nothing. You see, if we're seeking the
blessings, the things of God, then all necessary things will
be added unto us. Not perhaps all that we think
we want, but all that we need. And there's a large difference
between the two. And a blessing it is when God
gives us that godly contentment. Contentment which is great gain
because we brought nothing into this world and it is certain
that we should carry nothing out. What a mercy then to be
content. Naturally, human nature is not
content. But what a mercy when God gives
us that true contentment to be thankful for all that God has
given us and realise, in fact, we're not deserving of any blessing,
any blessing naturally or spiritually. And what a wonderful thing it
is then to realise that God of grace has blessed us in so many
ways. And what a wonderful thing it
is if we can trace out his hand upon us, his glorious grace,
and truly praise God from whom all blessings flow. So these
are very simple words. They're very important words,
often not read. If they are read, not read carefully
enough. But may we read them carefully and recognize they
do speak to each one of us. We should not think, well, they
don't apply to me. The word of God applies to each
one of us. And may it be a true blessing. Amen.