Pastor West Anniversary

Theme: Faithful Stewards of the Flock

Sermon Title: A Faithful Flock for the Faithful Stewards

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NASB95

12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

In Chapter 5, Paul is explaining how the Christians of the Church at Thessalonica are supposed to act (v. 1-11)

Christians who are aware that Jesus is coming back

Christians who have the sense not to listen to false prophets saying that everything is all right

Christians who are alert and sober

Christians who are people of the day and not the night (people striving to live right)

people who know to encourage each other and build each other up

to those people, Paul says this . . . .

1 Thessalonians 5:12 NASB95

12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

Appreciate . . . why

because they are working

physical labor

mental labor

spiritual labor

because they have charge over you (they carry the burden of responsibility)

it falls on them

the church is a 2nd family that they are responsible for

house that needs taken care of

kids that need to be taught how to act and survive in this world

because they are teaching you

teach and follow it up with example

1 Thessalonians 5:13 NASB95

13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Esteem them very highly - Show them great respect and love

Get along with each other, because that helps them.

Trying to keep peace between members is one of the most mentally exhausting things