A) Honor, Great Respect & Love For Pastorate
NLT 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
Check 2 Corinthians 10:8
Luke 22:25ff
ESV Luke 22:25 And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Luk 22:25 ESV)
See "The Leadership Paradox" & "Spiritual Authority"
Some have argued that the role of a pastoral leader is unbiblical.
Mike Frans story
My friends on the Egalitarian issue
Clear scriptures on authority of a spiritual leader
How we should relate to Christian leaders
Vineyard philosophy: Christian leaders should take off titles and pomp, yet members should embrace biblical values concerning their leaders.
Jesus is our Shepherd: Always remember this. That does not mean we disregard spiritual leaders serving Him. It should encourage us to honor them all the more.
IF a Christian leader takes the role that Jesus has ascribed to him, a servant, then it is tempting for others in the body of Christ to disregard that leaders place in the body of Christ. Yet Paul here encourages honor. Some who have felt dishonored have sought to elevate their leadership roles and have intentionally built walls between the clergy and the laity. This is error.
The term here for honor in Greek is know. How does 'know' come to be translated as honor? This actually means here to know fully. The idea is that the Thessalonians did not realize fully how God had placed these 'elders' among them. They were being told to appreciate the true worth of these elders.
labor is tied to 1.3
Paul wants them to be loved and not thought of simply as the cold voice of authority.
B) Encouraging Fellowship & Worship
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
Lazy: All have a ministry
Just because there are spiritual leaders 'over you' does not mean you do not have authority. Notice the authority implied in Paul's instructions. These are not to the pastors
but to the members of the body. He tells the members to warn the idle. Encourage the timid, etc....everything is customized to the need of the individual. Lather everything with
humble patience...but know that you are a minister of Jesus Christ and you encourage those around you to be all they can be!
C) Impartation Benediction & Emphasis on Scripture Reading
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. 25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with Christian love. 27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters. 28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Emphasis on the return of Jesus never leaves Paul. Neither does the concept of pursuing holiness. Paul is heavy on prayer. Paul is vulnerable. He fights for the way we greet each other! This is a community cultural value. How do you welcome people in the church, in your LifeGroup, into your home? Warm loving greetings are important. But brothers, don't hug the women front on! Be holy when greeting one another.
Be devoted to the reading of scripture. Listen to God's word!! Why? There is more power in God's word than in any other word.
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