Introduction: What do you aspire to? What is your ambition in life? What do you want to accomplish? The Holy Spirit instructs Christians to focus their ambitions on a certain direction, one very different from the world’s.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12 (that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.)
Body:
- Aspire to live quietly.
- Not running in various directions, in a disorganized way, but staying home and minding their own business, 2nd Thessalonians 3:11-12 (For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.). Not causing division or disruption. Peaceful- free from hostility and conflict towards others. Not trying to cause problems.
- 1 Peter 3:4 describes a Christian woman (rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.). Try to get along with people as best you can. Do your best not to stir the pot.
- We should try not to go out of our way to draw attention to ourselves. We should not desire people to look at us and all that we are doing. We should not make a display of ourselves. Matthew 23:5-7 ”But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ ”.
- Leading a quiet life also means not allowing the world to distract us from our Christian service. Recall the following account of the Sower and the seed, Luke 8:14 ”Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”. These three are obstacles to being fruitful spurts of Christ.
- 2 Timothy 2: 4 ” No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
- Mind your own business.
- This would include not meddling in the affairs of others. Being a busybody is evidence of a disorderly life, 2nd Thessalonians 3: 11 ” For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.”. An undisciplined life. We are not to be nosey, wanting to know everything happening in other people’s lives. Many people love to hear all the latest gossip. What is happening with Mr. X or Missus? Why?
- Proverbs 26:17 ”He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”. The dog will probably bite you. Don’t invade people’s privacy.
- Advice- do not interfere in other people’s lives. Let them open up to you if they want. Do not pry. If someone is not ready to share, do not pressure them. Be there for them, but do not dig or pry.
- Work with your own hands.
- God expects those who can work to do so.
- 2nd Thessalonians 3:10-11 says, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.”. Not being willing to work, being idle and doing nothing gets many people in trouble. An idle mind is the devil’s playground, Proverbs 19:15 ”Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.”.
- Christians are meant to work. We have responsibilities while we are on earth, and we must not ignore them 1 Timothy 5:8 ” 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.”. Doing nothing is bad in God’s eyes.
- We are to be diligent in our work, Colossians 3:23 ”And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”, also Ecclesiastes 9:10 ”Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”.
- Walk properly
- We are to behave appropriately toward outsiders- those outside the body of Christ. Set a proper Christian example,
- 1 Peter 2:12 ” having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”. Hopefully, our walk might lead others to become followers of Christ. We are to be light bearers to the world,
- Philippians 2:15 ” that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ”. Our light should penetrate the spiritual darkness in the world. Also, sinful behaviour may cause unbelievers to speak against God,
- Romans 2:24 ” For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.”. We do not want our improper behaviour to cause others to speak against the gospel or the church. Our proper walk includes not being in need. We should not be lazy and be in need of others to support us. We should never take advantage of the kindness and generosity of others. We need to do our best to care for ourselves.
Ecclesiastes 11:6.”In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.”
Conclusion:
The Holy Spirit, in our text, reveals what a Christian’s aspirations and ambitions should be. Aspire to live quietly, mind your own business, work with your own hands, and walk properly toward outsiders.
