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I Thessalonians 5:12-13
I. Biblical principles for a pastor: (This message is good for the entire
church membership.)
A. To know him (verse 12 by understanding)
1. Laboring, work. Their practices what types of work?
a. This is what we see first.
b. We often see what the pastor does before we understand why he is
doing it.
c. But this is not the way it should be.
d. Psalms 103:7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto
the children of Israel.
2. Administrating, "over you." Their policies How does he
work?
a. This is what we see second.
b. What we see is that the pastor is out front he is easily shot
at.
3. Admonishing, warning. Their principles Why he does his work? His
fears?
a. This is what we see third, but it should be what we see first.
b. Sometimes why the pastor does what he does is an abstract, but it
should not be.
1.) As an example, when I first came to IBC, during a business
meeting, I was told I would cast the tie breaking vote. I told you I
would not vote like that. I said if the church was that split on a
decision, we would make no decision. Do any of you remember that? Why
did I say that? Was there something in my past that made me say that?
2.) When it came to how the church would pay me, why did I tell the
church how they paid me was their business, and how I spent it was my
business? I did not want the church to pay my phone or electric bill.
Why?
3.) Do you remember when I told you there was a difference between
forgiveness and trust? That forgiveness is granted by the church, but
trust is what a person earns? Why did I say that? What was in my past
that taught me that truth?
4.) Why have I encouraged IBC to witness daily everywhere you go
instead of having a weekly visitation program?
5.) Why have I encouraged you to speak to me about disagreements in
private? I can listen to disagreements better if there is compliments
first. I find it hard to listen to disagreements from those that never
have a compliment. I am not fishing for compliments, but when people
constantly disagree, that is what I see when I see them coming to me.
B. It is wrong to think our pastor ought to know us first.
1. Most of the time in churches, people believe the pastor ought to get
to know them so he will know how the church operates.
a. When I first came to one church, some of the church members wanted
to know why I had not visited them.
b. I was busy unpacking and putting things away, preparing messages,
and doing other things.
c. I did not have time to begin visiting church members yet.
d. They had plenty of time to visit me, to welcome me to the church and
community, but they did not.
2. It is the responsibility of the members to get to know the man of God
so they will know how he is going to operate the church of God.
3. It is extremely important for each church to understand their church
should operate according to the Bible, not according to the most powerful
voices in the congregation.
C. To esteem him (verse 13 by respecting: not just him, but his office as
well.)
1. How?
a. "in love" by giving emotional support.
b. "highly" by respecting his office.
c. "very highly" by consistently doing so (over and
over), not just talk.
2. Why?
a. For "their works sake."
1.) Matthew 28:19-20 The Great Commission; teaching/discipling/baptizing.
2.) Ephesians 4:12-13: work of the ministry and edifying of the
saints.
3.) I Corinthians 15; gospel, shepherding.
b. For your peaceful condition.
1.) Keep yourself; peace of mind and conscience.
2.) Keep your children; experienced leaders see families lose
children to the gospel when continually critical of church leadership.
3.) Keep your church member; peaceful harmony.
3. Be at peace among yourselves.
a. When church members are in disagreement with each other, there is
often little the pastor can do.
b. Some church members fight with each other because they are
spiritually immature.
c. They will not listen to scripture because they had rather fight than
be in agreement.
D. I think verses 14 and 15 are very remarkable.
1. Compare verse 12, "and we beseech you, brethren," to verse
14, "now we exhort you, brethren,"
a. Both of these verses are written to the members of the church at
Thessalonica.
b. Verse 12-13 is more positive than verse 14 and 15.
2. The positives of verse 12-13 and the negative of verse 14-15 is the
responsibility of the membership.
a. Many people believe it is the duty of the pastor to settle disputes.
b. Verse 14-15 explains it is the duty of the membership to warn the
unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak be patient toward all,
and see that none render evil for evil.
3. Church members are not passive, as many believe they should be.
4. If church members would take their responsibility seriously, churches
would be much better a better witness to all and God would be
glorified much more.
a. This would be normal, not abnormal.
b. I have been told IBC is a remarkable church, a different church.
c. The truth is: every church should be like IBC.
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