Church Relations (Part 1)
Church Relations • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsThe proper way for the local church to relate to its leadership is to know its leaders, regard its leaders, and maintain peace with one another.
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Please turn in your Bible to 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, as we begin to consider what Paul had to say about Church Relations.
Before we delve into our text let’s consider:
The Building of the Church
As we consider the building of the church we’ll identify the builder, the foundation, and the building material of the church.
The Builder of the Church
The Builder of the Church is Jesus Christ
And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
The Three-Fold Foundation of the Church
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
The apostles and the prophets are the basic foundation
Christ Jesus is the corner stone of the foundation
The Building Material
Believers are the building material of the church
you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Even though we have referenced building material, we understand that the church is the people and not the physical building. The church has two facets to it: the universal church, and the local church.
The universal church is made up of all who have ever placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. These have become a new creation in Jesus Christ; their old allegiance to the prince of this world has passed away, and they are now under a new allegiance — a new ownership — they are a part of the kingdom of Christ. And this is because Jesus, who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Those who have been with us for a while will recall that I have often referred this there being a double substitution presented in the text I just quoted. Christ took upon Himself our sin as He hung on the cross. And God poured out His wrath on that sin, as Christ absorbed the wrath that was due to our sin. That is one part of the substitution. The other part, or the flip side of the coin, is that we who have received Jesus as our Savior have been given His righteousness.
Jesus was not cursed because of His sin. He was sinless. He was perfect. He was the spotless Lamb of God. He was cursed because He hung on the tree for our sin.
On the other hand, we are not saved because of our own acts of righteousness. In and of ourselves we aren’t righteous.
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
We are saved because are in Christ! We are in Christ. Hallelujah, we are in Christ. We were crucified with Christ. We were buried with Christ. We were raised with Christ.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
We’ve been considering the universal church. Let’s consider now the local church. The local church is the assembly of people who meet together for the purpose of worship, edification, and evangelization. And our text this morning deals with the relations within the local church.
The Thessalonian church was one of three churches founded in the region of Macedonia during Paul’s 2nd missionary journey
Paul & company were with them for a very short while before persecution drove them away
Eventually Paul traveled to the region of Achaia without his companions — he began that leg of ministry in Athens
After Silas joined him in Athens, Paul sent them away to check on the welfare of the churches in Macedonia
Timothy visited Thessalonica and ministered there for some time, before joining Paul in Corinth
As Timothy reported on this beloved church he apparently mentioned certain issues that were going on there — perhaps things in which the newly founded church was confused
Some believe that one of the issues of concern was the reaction of the congregation to their church leadership
If this is true, then perhaps they resented the way the leadership had to “admonish the unruly” (vs. 14)
Thus, Paul was writing in regards to this concern
As we go through our brief passage this morning, we will see that the proper way for the local church to relate to its leadership is to know its leaders, regard its leaders, and maintain peace with one another.
Let’s read our passage together:
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, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Let’s consider first how:
The Church is to Know its Leaders
Look at verse 12 again.
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,
The term translated “appreciate” literally means “to know.” Hiebert wrote:
1 & 2 Thessalonians (1) To Know Them (v. 12)
They need to come to know their worth. They must not remain in ignorance concerning their leaders, but by reflection come to a full understanding of their true character and work. But the verb here clearly carries the further thought that they must “respect” these leaders as they recognize their true value.
There is disagreement among commentators as to whether Paul was referring to specific offices within the church, or leadership in general. F. F. Bruce, if I understand him correctly (and he is the hardest of the commentators I'm using to understand!), seems to believe that the reference is to informal leadership rather than formal leadership. With this letter being one of Paul’s earliest letters, and this church being one of the first to be planted in Europe, some believe that the official offices of elder and deacon would not have yet been established. Other’s, such as Hiebert, however, see the description of leadership in this text as relating specifically to the office of elder. After all, there were Jewish converts involved in the Thessalonian church, and they would have understood the basic premise of the OT which is foundational to the NT. And the structure of the synagogue was similar to the structure of the NT church.
I mentioned last week (I think) that we were drawing to a close of our study in this wonderful epistle. But that I was considering the possibility of following a rabbit trail. The rabbit trail I was referring to was to look at what the Bible has to say about the offices of elder and deacon. I’m still considering this rabbit trail. At this point though, I think it might be best to finish this exposition, and then come back to the rabbit trail. Of course, with Easter fast approaching, and a surgery in my near future … well, we’ll just have to see.
Whether or not Paul is addressing formal or informal leadership, the principles here apply either way.
As we continue on in our text we see three participles that Paul uses to describe the function of a church leader. It is noted by all that because there is only one definite article, the word translated “those,” Paul is not describing three classes of leaders, but three functions of a leader.
We should also notice that Paul refers to the leadership of this local church with a plural term: “those” is plural.
Note that:
Good leaders exercise strenuous effort
The term translated “diligently labor” refers to strenuous effort resulting in weariness. Some see this as being in opposition to those who were apparently idle within this church.
Note next that:
Good leaders give direction for the church
The term translated “have charge over you” gives the idea of ruling, giving direction, standing at the head. In other words, it is referring to church leadership.
There have always been some who let their leadership position get to their heads. Even though leadership is to give direction to the church, they are not to do so as part of some sort of power trip. Peter said:
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
That being said, the congregation is directed by the Lord to submit to the leadership, unless, of course, the leadership is leading them in a way that is contrary to the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews said:
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
And humility should be exercised by both the leadership of the church and the congregation.
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
The implication is that when pride takes over instead of humility, the door is opened for Satanic attack.
Note next that:
Good leaders instruct the church
The term translated “instruction” has the idea of admonition — that is to call attention to faults and defects. To offer correction and training in righteousness.
The Church is to Regard it Leaders
Look at the first part of verse 13.
and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Note that:
The church is to regard its leaders beyond all measure
Note next that:
The church is to have great affection for its leaders
Note that:
The church’s regard and affection are in response to the work of its leaders
The Church is to Maintain Peace
Look at the last part of verse 13.
and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Note that:
Paul’s exhortation is not for the church to make peace, but to maintain peace
When the leadership of the church exercises strenuous effort in their leading and teaching, it is much easier for the people of the church to highly regard them in an affectionate way. It is the responsibility of both the leadership and the congregation to maintain peace.
We’ve seen this morning that the proper way for the local church to relate to its leadership is to know its leaders, regard its leaders, and maintain peace with one another.
I have been truly blessed for the last seven and a half years to be part of the leadership team of this church. You folks have always shown me a great deal of appreciation and regard. But the truth is that I am not the only leader of this church. The men whom we call Deacons share this leadership with me. And I am so thankful for the men who have joined with me in leading this church. They truly are deserving of appreciation and honor.
Next week, Lord willing, we will continue looking at what Paul had to say regarding church relations — specifically looking at how to deal with those who need correction. Let’s pray.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We are so blessed to be called Your children. We are so blessed to have been adopted into Your family, to be given a new name, to be freed from slavery to sin, and transferred in to the kingdom of Christ.
I pray Lord, that Your Spirit would enable us all to live up to the calling we have received in Christ — to walk in a manner worthy of being called sons of God.
I pray for any who have not yet received Christ as their Savior, that Your Spirit would work in their hearts, convincing them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Convincing them of the truth of the Gospel. Making them alive in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Closing Song: Blessings
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face shine on you
And be gracious unto you,
Look with favor on you,
And give you peace, and give you peace.