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. ______________________ them. (1 Thessalonians 5:12)

A. There is a dual responsibility here.

1. Elders need to be _______________________.

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

1. Know their ___________; know the _____________ they advocate.

2. Know their ____________________ relative to the congregation.

C. This duty to know means to recognize their ________________, to ___________________, and highly regard their leadership.

II. Esteem them _________________ in ______________. (1 Thessalonians 5:13)

A. Christians have a responsibility to love everyone.

1. For _____________________. Should love their souls.

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

B. For ______________________. 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 _________________.

C. Why? Because of the __________________ they do.

1. Heb. 13:17 – they watch for __________ _________________.

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

III. ____________________ to them. (1 Timothy 5:17)

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

B. Elders are to __________ _________ and we are to ____________.

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 ____ _____ 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 ________________ over the church.

IV. ____________________ them. (Hebrews 13:7)

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

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

V. _________________ 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. ___________ 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. ______________________ them. (1 Thessalonians 5:12) A. There is a dual responsibility here. 1. Elders need to be _______________________. B. But...what does it mean to know them? 1. Know their ___________; know the _____________ they advocate. 2. Know their ____________________ relative to the congregation. C. This duty to know means to recognize their ________________, to ___________________, and highly regard their leadership. II. Esteem them _________________ in ______________. (1 Thessalonians 5:13) A. Christians have a responsibility to love everyone. 1. For _____________________. Should love their souls. 2. For our _______________________. Mt. 5:43-44; 1 Thess. 5:15 B. For ______________________. 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 _________________. C. Why? Because of the __________________ they do. 1. Heb. 13:17 – they watch for __________ _________________. D. There is a lack of respect/love for them in the church today. III. ____________________ to them. (1 Timothy 5:17) A. Obviously, not in things that are unscriptural. Acts 5:29 B. Elders are to __________ _________ and we are to ____________. 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 ____ _____ 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 ________________ over the church. IV. ____________________ them. (Hebrews 13:7) A. Follow in their footprints as long as they follow _____________. (1 Cor. 11:1) B. Rom. 12:1-2; Titus 2:11-12 – these are expectations for ______________ Christian – not just those who serve in leadership capacities. V. _________________ 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. ___________ 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?