Honoring Those Who Serve

Honoring Those Who Serve

Introduction:

We need to respect; honor; love those who rule over us as elders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). It is important to recognize those who serve us – because of the tremendous responsibilities they have. A great hindrance of the church today is a failure of members to know their obligations to elders. What can we do to honor those who serve?

I. Know them. (1 Thessalonians 5:12)

A. There is a dual responsibility here.

1. Elders need to be accessible.

B. But...what does it mean to know them?

1. Know their lives; know the truth they advocate.

2. Know their desire relative to the congregation.

C. This duty to know means to recognize their authority, to respect, and highly regard their leadership.

II. Esteem them highly in love. (1 Thessalonians 5:13)

A. Christians have a responsibility to love everyone.

1. For sinners. Should love their souls.

2. For our enemies. Mt. 5:43-44; 1 Thess. 5:15

B. For brethren. John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:11, 23

1. It would seem that we have are to have a special love for brethren!

2. Rom. 12:10; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 1:22

3. Back to 1 Thess. 5:13 – a special love for our elders.

C. Why? Because of the work they do.

1. Heb. 13:17 – they watch for our souls.

D. There is a lack of respect/love for them in the church today.

III. We honor the elders by submitting to them. (1 Timothy 5:17)

A. Obviously, not in things that are unscriptural. Acts 5:29

B. Elders are to RULE WELL and we are to OBEY.

1. Some only want to obey as long as everything goes their way.

2. We are to do more than just obey – we are to submit!

a) Means to give into their desires & abide by their decisions.

b) Eph. 5:21; 24; 1 Pet. 5:5 – submit to one another.

C. But, elders are exempt from taking in the desires of the congregation in making decisions. Elders are not LORDS over the church.

IV. We honor them by imitating them. (Hebrews 13:7)

A. Follow in their footprints as long as they follow Christ’s. (1 Cor. 11:1)

B. Rom. 12:1-2; Titus 2:11-12 – these are expectations for EVERY Christian – not just those who serve in leadership capacities.

V. Pray for them. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

A. Pray that the church may be in peace.

B. That the elders will lead with humbleness and in a godly way.

VI. Call on them when in need. (James 5:14)

A. Do we hide our troubles from them?

1. Or can they be sought after for advice/wisdom when times get rough?

Conclusion: Are you as a member here in subjection to our elders?



Honoring Those Who Serve Introduction: We need to respect; honor; love those who rule over us as elders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). It is important to recognize those who serve us – because of the tremendous responsibilities they have. A great hindrance of the church today is a failure of members to know their obligations to elders. What can we do to honor those who serve? I. Know them. (1 Thessalonians 5:12) A. There is a dual responsibility here. 1. Elders need to be accessible. B. But...what does it mean to know them? 1. Know their lives; know the truth they advocate. 2. Know their desire relative to the congregation. C. This duty to know means to recognize their authority, to respect, and highly regard their leadership. II. Esteem them highly in love. (1 Thessalonians 5:13) A. Christians have a responsibility to love everyone. 1. For sinners. Should love their souls. 2. For our enemies. Mt. 5:43-44; 1 Thess. 5:15 B. For brethren. John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:11, 23 1. It would seem that we have are to have a special love for brethren! 2. Rom. 12:10; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 1:22 3. Back to 1 Thess. 5:13 – a special love for our elders. C. Why? Because of the work they do. 1. Heb. 13:17 – they watch for our souls. D. There is a lack of respect/love for them in the church today. III. We honor the elders by submitting to them. (1 Timothy 5:17) A. Obviously, not in things that are unscriptural. Acts 5:29 B. Elders are to RULE WELL and we are to OBEY. 1. Some only want to obey as long as everything goes their way. 2. We are to do more than just obey – we are to submit! a) Means to give into their desires & abide by their decisions. b) Eph. 5:21; 24; 1 Pet. 5:5 – submit to one another. C. But, elders are exempt from taking in the desires of the congregation in making decisions. Elders are not LORDS over the church. IV. We honor them by imitating them. (Hebrews 13:7) A. Follow in their footprints as long as they follow Christ’s. (1 Cor. 11:1) B. Rom. 12:1-2; Titus 2:11-12 – these are expectations for EVERY Christian – not just those who serve in leadership capacities. V. Pray for them. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) A. Pray that the church may be in peace. B. That the elders will lead with humbleness and in a godly way. VI. Call on them when in need. (James 5:14) A. Do we hide our troubles from them? 1. Or can they be sought after for advice/wisdom when times get rough? Conclusion: Are you as a member here in subjection to our elders?