First Thessalonians (13)
Notes
Transcript
A Healthy Family
A Healthy Family
As we continue in Chp.5, Paul has once again shifted his focus.
From the latter part of Chp.4, through the opening verses of Chp.5, he has dealt with the rapture of the church, the end times, and the church’s responsibility to be aware and committed during the time leading up to the Lord’s coming.
Our text this morning is certainly needful in the latter days, but in reality these verses paint a picture of what the church ought to resemble at any time.
Keep in mind that Paul had founded the church in Thessalonica and he had a vested interest in her prosperity. Even though he was removed from them, he still longed for them to prosper in the faith and continue the work that they were called to do.
Our passage this morning offers sound wisdom in regard to the overall health and well-being of the church.
I want to preach for a little on the the thought “Living with heaven on your mind, a Healthy Family.
The first thing we see about a healthy family is…
I. The Stewardship of the Family
I. The Stewardship of the Family
being a good steward goes beyond just finances.
stewardship carries the idea of having a responsibility to take care of what God has given you regardless of what it is.
So Paul lays out for the Church what the responsibility is of the Leadership and membership of the family.
A. The Responsibility of the Leadership
A. The Responsibility of the Leadership
Here Paul speaks to us concerning the role of the pastor.
He reminds them and us of the importance of this role and our attitude regarding the pastor.
Let me just make a quick note here: if you sit under a pastor that thinks it is his way or no way, then you have a pastor that is a dictator and not a leader.
the pastor is not lord over the church, nor is he to be a dictator, but because God has ordained the office of the pastor and because it is an office ordained of God, it is to be viewd with respect and humility. A pastor should never demand respect. It should be given because the office is ordained of God.
I do not have much respect for many of the presidents as men, but I do have respect for the office they hold.
A church that does not have a proper attitude or respect for the pastor will never prosper.
The first thing that Paul lists out as a responsibility of the leadership is…
The first responsibility of the pastor that he speaks of is their…
a. Labor (12a)
That is an interesting term that reveals much to us.
It involves much more than just working or laboring among a people.
It goes beyond a simple job or task.
Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons A. Their Labor (12a)
The word has the idea of “laboring to the point of exhaustion, and then to keep on laboring, even when one has become weary; to toil to the point of weariness; to work beyond what one is capable of doing.”
Now, Paul does not reveal that in order to receive sympathy or in arrogance.
He is simply revealing the heart of God’s man for the work he has been called to do.
Paul’s commitment to the church was not limited by physical weakness or weariness.
Even when his body was tired and he didn’t feel like doing anything else, he continued to labor among them.
I know that there are preachers today who are lazy and are only seeking to benefit themselves, but a man of God who has his heart right, devoted to the church and its work, has no problem laboring among the church.
He will go beyond what others would be willing to do.
The church has an obligation to pray for the pastor and encourage him in the labor he is engaged in. [Chris Benfield, Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons, 2015, 1225.]
a. Labor (12a)
b. Lead (12b)
Here Paul deals with the leadership of the Pastor.
the term “over you” indicates a leader.
church leader must be able to provide spiritual discernment and guidance for his flock Heb.13:7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
God has given the pastor a command to guide the flock that he has been made the under-shepherd of.
As a Pastor I stand here as the Chief shepherd’s delegated undershepherd exercising oversight and authority in His name.
Why is this so imprtant?
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
a. Labor (12a)
b. Lead (12b)
c. Lecture (12c)
The third responsibility is to admonish (give instruction).
That expression comes from the verb noutheteō, It refers not merely to academic data imparted impersonally but to instruction for the purpose of correcting and changing people.
It is teaching with an element of warning, designed to direct the sheep to holy living (cf. 1 Cor. 4:14).
B. The Responsibility of the Membership
B. The Responsibility of the Membership
Anyone that has been a part of a family knows that chaos in the house leads to a very unhappy home.
When the children disobey
When the wife disrespects the husband
When the husband lords over the family
It can cause a very volatile environment
Likewise, when believers do not obey the Lord’s commands or submit to the leadership of His appointed leader, they can make life in the local church miserable and unproductive.
That is why it is imperative that Christians realize and fulfill their responsibility to their pastors.
Paul gave the Thessalonians a threefold responsibility to the membership of the family:
a. Have Appreciation for Leadership
Esteem is a translation of the common New Testament word oida, which means to know by experience
The connotation here is that believers are to know their shepherds deeply and respectfully and to value their service.
Such knowledge is much more than the mere recall of their names or the general awareness of some facts about their personal lives.
Instead, it entails a close, personal acquaintance that results in the caring appreciation of the Lord’s servant.
It is common for people to be unkind, critical, and indifferent toward their pastors when they do not know them well.
But believers who truly know there pastor will not be as likely to have such negative attitudes toward them.
Rather, they are more likely to treat them with heartfelt respect and gratitude.
a. Have Appreciation for Leadership
b. Show Affection to the Leadership
The congregation of believers not only have the duty to esteem (“regard,” “think about”) its pastors
Paul uses another verb which is translated “very highly”
Similar, to showing appreciation, this second verb, indicates something more than simply snowing in a respectful way.
This phrase calls for limitless respect for church leaders.
It carries a tone of agape love.
Paul intensified this responsibility even further by telling the Thessalonians they must have high esteem for their shepherds in love, not because of their personalities or the favors they rendered, but because of their work.
So beyond appreciating the man because they know him, the saints are to hold him in even greater regard because of his divinely designed and energized calling.
Love is the familiar word agapē and refers to selfless, sacrificial service for others.
The work the shepherds do is their ministry of the Word, which feeds the souls of the flock.
Therefore the people under them are to lovingly acknowledge their ministry labors, greatly respect them, overlook their non-sinful human frailties (cf. Prov. 10:12; 1 Peter 4:8), speak well of them, encourage them, and give their best for them.
a. Have Appreciation for Leadership
b. Show Affection to the Leadership
c. Be At Peace With Leadership
The concept of believers living in peace with one another is a familiar New Testament exhortation (Rom. 14:19; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:3; Col. 3:15; James 3:18).
But here Paul’s admonition specifically referred to the relationship between the Thessalonians and their pastors.
A pastor can only do but so much to keep the peace
Just like a mother or father that trys to keep the peace between siblings, they can only do but so much.
when children are at peace with each other, they are at peace with their parents.
Same goes for the church.
II. The Partnership in the Family
II. The Partnership in the Family
Living as a family is a partnership is it not?
Everyone helps
Everyone looks out
Everyone is effected
It is no different when it comes to the church family.
Paul now begins to describe what a healthy family partnership looks like and how we are to help those that are in need inside the family.
A. Warn the Wayward
Paul reveals a biblical principle that is often overlooked and neglected in our day.
The church is obligated to warn the unruly.
We are obligated to sound the alarm and seek to lovingly correct those who have strayed.
The word unruly is actually a military term and it speaks of “one who is disorderly; out of ranks, or subordinate.”
It presents the idea of an officer correcting a soldier who has disobeyed orders or is not marching in line with his company.
This is little done in our modern society, but it is needful and beneficial.
We are to admonish those who are living purposely outside the will of God.
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
We have a biblical obligation to warn those who are walking out of line.
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
A. Warn the Wayward
B. Comfort the Concerned
This speaks of those who are “fainthearted, weary in their faith, almost ready to give up and abandon the work.”
These are to be comforted, calmed and consoled.
Oh how we need to be mindful of that need in our day.
We all know those who were once committed to the Lord and active in church, but for some reason they grew discouraged.
They became fainthearted and faded away.
We are obligated to reach out to those who are weak and comfort them.
We need to encourage and support them in their time of weakness.
[Chris Benfield, Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons, 2015, 1226.]
Provide encouragement to those who are discouraged or faint-hearted.
Kind words and actions can restore hope.
A. Warn the Wayward
B. Comfort the Concerned
C. Strengthen the Struggling
We know that we are to support and encourage those who are weak, but this actually reveals much more than is commonly perceived in this passage.
Those who are weak speaks of “those who yield easily to temptation; easily led astray; those who are burdened, discouraged, or defeated.”
Clearly this is more of a spiritual application than that of a physical nature.
Paul ministered in a day of gross sin and immorality.
The early believers were faced with all manner of temptation and opposition.
It was not uncommon for some to yield to the temptations that were so prevalent.
Many were led astray by the teaching of false doctrine.
Due to the intense opposition they faced, many were discouraged and defeated spiritually.
We too find ourselves in a society that closely resembles that of Paul’s day.
Temptation abounds on every hand.
There is an abundance of false doctrine and apostasy being spread and encouraged today.
Many believers find themselves exhausted and often discouraged by the constant bombardment of the world.
Those who are strong in the Lord need to support those who are weak.
▪ We need to understand that this goes much farther than just an encouraging word.
The idea of support literally means “to cling and hold to; to hold up and support.”
A simple, “Brother I know that you are struggling and I will pray about it,” isn’t enough. We must be there for them, standing alongside them, supporting and holding them up.
Rom. 15:1—We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak…
Support those who are weak, whether spiritually, emotionally, or physically.
Be a source of practical help.
A. Warn the Wayward
B. Comfort the Concerned
C. Strengthen the Struggling
D. Practise Patience
The church had likely handled Paul’s instruction pretty well up to this point, but now he adds a final obligation that is much harder to embrace.
Not only were they to care for and support those of like faith,
they were to show patience toward all men.
That includes those who had never been saved, those who had no desire for the Lord or His church, and those who were difficult and different.
▪ We are instructed to be patient toward all men.
That has the idea of “longsuffering, steadfastness, persevering with patience.”
Sometimes we have difficulty with patience toward those of like faith, and especially toward those who offend us or speak harshly toward our faith and Lord, but we must express godly patience toward them as well.
We need to understand that they have not received what we possess.
They don’t know the Lord.
We can’t expect them to embrace and support things they know nothing of.
We cannot abandon them or refuse to share our faith.
We must be willing to go again and again if that is what it takes.
Consider where you would be had it not been for the patience of a loving and compassionate God.
I pray that we will learn to see others as God sees them rather than what is revealed on the surface.
Patience reflects Christ’s character.
Extend grace to others as God extended grace to you.
III. The Relationship to the Family
III. The Relationship to the Family
Paul concludes this thought with an exhortation regarding our relationship to others inside and outside the family.
As a Hildebrand I have certain expectations I have to meet.
Not as musch as say Baron Trump, but I come from a very long line of Hildebrands some traveled long distances for religous freedom. I have had some that have died for this country.
For me to do anything that would bring disgrace to the Hildebrand name would be detrimental to our heritage.
Unless my nephew or cousin have a son, the hildebrand name in my immediate family will end with my nephew.
the blood line will continue but the name will fade off the scene.
So I have a responsibility in my relationships inside and outside the family to live honorably because the Hildebrand name could cease with the death of my nephew.
If I have such a high expectation to live up to as a Hildebrand, being a child of God should push me to live with an even higher expectation in my relationships inside and outside the family
A. The Expectation
It is within human nature to return that which has been given.
When we are shown love and appreciation, we feel compelled to return that same love and appreciation. However, we are often tempted to return evil or anger for the same.
Most deal with the urge to “get even” or “return the favor.”
A healthy church does not operate on the principle of revenge.
Revenge is not what God desires of us or expects of us.
The Christian is expected to rise above the temptations of the flesh and render loving-kindness for evil.
Even when we are mistreated or wronged, we are to show love and godliness.
This applies to every situation and every circumstance.
There is never a time when it is acceptable for a Christian to lash out or seek revenge.
We need to express the love of God rather than the hatred and anger of men.
Does not Jesus tell us in Matt. 5:43-47
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
And does not Paul reiterate this in Rom. 12:19-21
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
A. The Expectation
B. The Embrace
Actively seek opportunities to do good to others, both within the church and in the broader community.
Reflect God’s love through your actions.
We are to always seek and follow that which is good and godly.
Notice this isn’t reserved for those of like faith, although it is expected there as well, but it is to be embraced and shown to all men.
A church that is filled with love will be a prosperous church, while a church that is filled with wrath and strife will struggle and fail.
May we be known for love and compassion rather than anger, vengeance, and ill will.
Rom. 12:18—If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Gal. 6:10—As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has spoken to the church in Thessalonica and to us regarding our spiritual health and well-being.
We need to embrace the great truth that is revealed in these verses.
How are things among us?
Are you a good steward of the church family God has given you?
Are you apprecitive and affectionate?
Are you mindful of the needs of others?
Are you willing to come alongside those who need support and help?
Are you living up to the expectation of a Child of God?
Has God revealed an area that you need to address?
Maybe God has reveled to you today that you are not part of His family.
Wont you come today and be saved?
I pray that our church will be a healthy church made up of strong, committed, and compassionate Christians!
Closing challenge
Let love and respect define your stewardship
Let Helpfulness and prayerfulness define your partnership
Let kindness and forgiveness define your relationships.
Strive to be a vessel of God’s goodness wherever you go.
