WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.919 Back to 12 through 15. 00:00:03.300 --> 00:00:05.639 Let's just read that section once more. 00:00:06.620 --> 00:00:11.939 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. 00:00:12.599 --> 00:00:15.839 To esteem them highly in love because of their work. 00:00:16.539 --> 00:00:17.800 Be at peace among yourselves. 00:00:19.080 --> 00:00:26.480 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, and to be patient with them all. 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:35.280 See to it that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:36.219 Amen. 00:00:37.640 --> 00:00:45.079 A couple of years ago, Ashlyn and Harper decided that they wanted to share a room together. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:47.700 We had gotten into this point. 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:48.560 They had separate rooms. 00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:53.000 We'd gotten to this point where most nights they were kind of sleeping in the same room anyways. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:58.960 They were playing together in the same room, and they wanted to join rooms together, but the regular bedrooms were too small. 00:00:59.159 --> 00:01:05.319 So Julie and I moved them in together into a large bonus room that is above our garage. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:10.900 And it functions really like quite a multi-purpose room. 00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:12.740 It's part bedroom. 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:16.620 It's part schoolhouse where they do their school during the day. 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:26.900 And it's part music studio with Harper's piano and with Ashlyn's violin where they practice music and prepare for that throughout the week. 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:30.560 Now, to be honest, I don't go in there very much. 00:01:32.040 --> 00:01:38.540 But every once in a while, it's necessary for me to step in for one reason or another. 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:43.280 And sometimes stepping into that room is breathtaking. 00:01:44.340 --> 00:01:48.500 And I don't mean that in like it's really beautiful and it smells really nice way. 00:01:48.860 --> 00:01:55.060 I mean it's breathtaking in that there's a lot happening, and there's two girls living there. 00:01:55.500 --> 00:01:57.960 One that's a teenager and one that's almost a teenager. 00:01:58.360 --> 00:02:05.780 And sometimes entering in there is not quite as pleasant and orderly as you might expect. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:14.439 There's so many purposes for the room that just going a couple of days without trying to straighten up can really cause quite a problem. 00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:26.560 And you can step in and sometimes if we're not careful, it just kind of seems as if it's a random bunch of things that are kind of scattered about with no rhyme or reason. 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:30.759 It's just kind of a mess that needs to get sorted out and properly ordered. 00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:32.879 We all know what that's like. 00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:35.819 Half the time, mine and Julie's room is the same way. 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:42.879 When we come to this particular passage and we look at this final section of 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, 00:02:43.079 --> 00:02:56.519 it appears at first a bit like an unkept bedroom with a few scattered thoughts that need to be sorted out and organized if we're going to make any kind of sense of it. 00:02:56.520 --> 00:03:08.140 But having carefully walked through the letter, we know that there really is actually nothing random or scattered at all in this text. 00:03:08.139 --> 00:03:18.559 Every instruction that we just read, every admonishment from Paul corresponds to a feature that is covered elsewhere in the letter. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:32.580 So what's happening in this final section is Paul is giving his final notes regarding how the Thessalonian Christians should be living as they await the coming of the Lord. 00:03:32.580 --> 00:03:39.900 He's covered all of this stuff and now he's almost summarizing it with just some final notes, but all of it corresponds. 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:43.660 All of it's ordered and structured for a particular reason and for a purpose. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:46.240 Their eyes are still set on the coming of the Lord. 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:53.560 And now he's giving one final set of practical instructions for how they are to live as they await that moment. 00:03:53.560 --> 00:04:02.699 And all of these instructions, indeed really all of the letter, reaches a climax in verses 23 and 24. 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:04.879 Just look at those verses with me again. 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:17.779 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:22.399 He who calls you as faithful, he will surely do it. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:24.659 That's the climax of the letter. 00:04:25.299 --> 00:04:28.479 Everything in the letter is building toward that final benediction. 00:04:28.919 --> 00:04:33.839 Everything in this section is building toward this final benediction. 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:43.859 So then we know that what Paul writes in verses 12 to 22 has to do with the Christian's sanctification. 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:44.899 He makes that plain. 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:49.039 He's praying that God will sanctify them completely. 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:51.779 What is our sanctification? 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:55.239 It's our progress in holiness or impurity. 00:04:55.239 --> 00:04:57.279 That's what Paul is aiming at here. 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:10.319 But we also find out that this sanctifying work is fundamentally an act of God's grace that he will be faithful to complete when Jesus returns. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:25.100 And yet, he says in those verses that the Thessalonians and by extension all of us believers are to pursue a blamelessness that God calls us to. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:34.379 That there is a kind of blamelessness that should be true of us not because Christ returns but in light of Christ's return. 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:40.839 And of course, we are to pursue that now in the power of his spirit. 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:55.319 Verses 12 to 22 then contains a few practical ways that the Thessalonian church in particular needed to pursue greater purity in preparation for the coming of the Lord. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:06:07.219 Now, in verses 16 to 22, the focus is especially on the Christian's attitude toward God and the ordinary means of the Spirit's work. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:09.000 We're going to set that aside for now. 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:11.959 We're going to come back to that next Sunday and zero in on it. 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:30.699 But today, I want to draw your attention to verses 12 and 15 as we see what God says through Paul about the believer's spiritual progress, our sanctification, and how it relates to the congregation and its leaders. 00:06:31.179 --> 00:06:32.979 That's what this section is about. 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:42.040 It is practical instruction in the pursuit of purity, specifically as it has to do with the Christian and his church. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:49.720 So not only is our sanctification revealed in how we personally relate to one another and to our pastors, 00:06:49.720 --> 00:07:12.280 but we find in this text that faithful, intentional, meaningful, congregational life is a means of God that he uses to sanctify his people in preparation for Christ's return. 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:13.280 Are you with me? 00:07:13.440 --> 00:07:14.500 That was a lot of words. 00:07:15.340 --> 00:07:16.380 But what are we learning here? 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:25.699 That the Lord uses his people and their relationship with a local church to prepare them for Christ's return. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:35.159 So that when he does return, we might have this blamelessness that he speaks of and prays for in verse 24. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:38.100 Now there's two units here that we're going to deal with. 00:07:38.159 --> 00:07:38.980 The first one is this. 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:41.800 The first instruction can be summarized this way. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:45.779 We need to follow faithful leaders. 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:49.100 Follow faithful leaders. 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:51.579 Look again at verses 12 and 13. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:57.759 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 00:07:58.259 --> 00:08:04.980 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work, and to be at peace among yourselves. 00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:10.759 Now we saw the example of faithful spiritual leadership in chapter 2. 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:24.180 Paul preached the gospel of Jesus as his first priority, and he did so with the kind of integrity that marked him out from the other religious and philosophical charlatans of his day. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:31.019 He said that like a nursing mother, he dealt gently and affectionately with the young church, 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:39.360 sacrificially giving his time and his effort and his money for their good. 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:42.600 He worked hard not to burden them. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:53.539 And like a loving father, he said, he exhorted them to walk in a way that was worthy of God, displaying the glory of God's kingdom on earth. 00:08:54.539 --> 00:09:00.840 The problem at this point, at the end of the letter, though, as we've come to see, is that Paul isn't there. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:09.160 What we read about his leadership in chapter 2 is there for example, but Paul is not in Thessalonica anymore, 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:16.100 and the church needed to learn how to respect and esteem the leaders that they had. 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:24.440 And so the first unit here, practically, how are we going to pursue purity as it relates to congregational life? 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:27.120 We need to follow faithful leaders, Paul says. 00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:29.960 There's four parts to his instruction here. 00:09:29.960 --> 00:09:34.900 The first thing that I want you to see is the objects of our respect and esteem. 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:37.780 The objects of our respect and esteem. 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.180 Look again at verse 12. 00:09:39.660 --> 00:09:47.900 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you, are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:53.560 Who exactly are we to give this special respect and esteem? 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:56.759 Paul uses three descriptors here, doesn't he? 00:09:56.759 --> 00:10:03.759 Those who labor among you, those who are over you in the Lord, and those who admonish you. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:12.200 Now Paul isn't speaking about three different groups of people or three kinds of people in the church. 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:20.340 He is referring to the particular responsibilities of the office of elder or pastor. 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:28.720 And we know that it was Paul's custom to establish pastors in the churches as he traveled. 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:40.440 And whether he did this initially during his time in Thessalonica, maybe Timothy played a role in this as he went back as Paul's messenger and as Paul's ministry partner later on. 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:41.259 We don't know. 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:45.819 What we do know is that the Thessalonians had a group of elders. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:52.220 There were men there that Paul had affirmed and recognized to serve the church as their pastors. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:58.639 And following the example that he set for them, and that we read about in chapter 2, 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:05.019 these men were responsible for shepherding the church under Christ. 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:10.840 Now I want to linger for just a moment on these three descriptors. 00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:16.299 As what they do is paint a portrait of faithful pastoral leadership. 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:20.620 The first descriptor is that they labor among you. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:26.319 Who is it that the congregation is to give their respect and esteem in the context of this passage? 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:28.600 Those who labor among you. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:36.019 Like Paul, these men were marked by diligence in their service to the church. 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:40.259 They worked hard to care for the people. 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:45.500 They were among them as often as they could be. 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:51.180 Bringing two helpful reminders to us about what elders are to be like. 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:53.500 What pastors in the church are to do. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.259 Number one, they can't be lazy. 00:11:56.259 --> 00:12:01.939 Laziness is a disqualifying sin in pastoral leadership. 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:09.279 Second, we are reminded here that shepherds smell like sheep. 00:12:11.319 --> 00:12:14.700 They labor among the people. 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.059 Not above the people. 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:19.659 Not outside the people. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:23.000 They labor among them. 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:24.700 They're with them. 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:31.200 They live their lives in such a way that they know the people that they serve. 00:12:32.439 --> 00:12:38.100 That the people that they serve and that they lead can see their lives. 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:43.000 Not only as an example to follow, but live close enough. 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:45.220 Engage closely enough. 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:51.220 That there can be mutual discipline that is carried out between the two parties. 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:54.420 They labor among you. 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:56.820 Paul says, respect these men. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:58.420 Esteem these men. 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:02.340 Second, they're over you in the Lord. 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:04.320 They're over you in the Lord. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:11.960 Pastors are overseers who are responsible for leading the church. 00:13:13.160 --> 00:13:16.160 Exercising oversight of its members and its ministries. 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:21.260 We see this clearly in 1 Peter 5 and verse 2. 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:23.180 Peter says to the elders there, 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:26.000 They are to shepherd the flock of God that is among you. 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.739 Exercising oversight. 00:13:29.479 --> 00:13:30.859 Not under compulsion. 00:13:31.359 --> 00:13:36.399 Not because they feel like they have to or somebody strong-armed them into agreeing to serve in the role. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:36.759 No. 00:13:36.979 --> 00:13:39.000 But they are to do it willingly. 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:41.019 They're to have a heart for it. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:43.379 They're to have a burden for it. 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:45.159 As God would have you. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:47.799 They're not to do it for shameful gain, Peter says. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:49.159 But eagerly. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.059 Not domineering over the people. 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:55.179 But providing an example in their leadership. 00:13:56.460 --> 00:14:00.120 They are exercising oversight in the Lord. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:05.299 Of course, elders and pastors, they don't possess absolute authority. 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:08.200 Absolute authority belongs only to Jesus. 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:15.600 But under Christ, they have a real spiritual authority over the church. 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:22.620 And the emphasis here in 1 Thessalonians is on their oversight in the Lord. 00:14:23.280 --> 00:14:26.940 They labor among you and they are over you in the Lord. 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:28.259 That's the emphasis here. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:31.800 These men are not self-appointed. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:36.540 Neither do they lead based on their own will. 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:39.179 They are called by God. 00:14:39.339 --> 00:14:41.939 They are affirmed by the church. 00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:47.159 They lead on the basis of Christ's will for his people. 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:51.679 And we see this again plainly in Acts chapter 20 and verse 28. 00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:54.439 Paul addresses the elders in Ephesus. 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:57.480 And he says, pay careful attention to yourselves. 00:14:57.959 --> 00:15:00.919 Pay careful attention to all the flock, to the church. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:05.899 In which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:08.059 They weren't self-appointed. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:10.980 The Holy Spirit of God raised them up. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:13.099 Making that clear to the congregation. 00:15:13.099 --> 00:15:15.299 So that in affirming them as the leaders. 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:17.759 The congregation could then turn. 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:22.439 And respect them as those whom God had put over them in the Lord. 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:27.980 I might find it helpful just to make this statement at this point. 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:31.200 As a pastor of this church. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:34.019 I will always be your servant. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:37.560 But you will never be my master. 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.340 That belongs only to Christ. 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:46.180 I serve you as I serve Christ. 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:50.279 I serve you not on the basis of everything that I want. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:55.740 I serve you, Lord willing, on the basis of what Christ has said in his word. 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:59.740 Exercising wisdom and oversight based on what we see in the scriptures. 00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.759 That's the role of an elder. 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.980 That's the role of a pastor. 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:07.539 And Paul comes to these Thessalonians and he says, 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:09.899 as we're preparing for the coming of the Lord. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:13.419 As we're thinking about congregational life and pursuing purity. 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:18.719 There's a way that we need to regard the men who are laboring over us. 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:21.860 Whom God has placed there as gifts to the church. 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:25.360 In order to serve us by serving Christ. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.519 And we need to respect and esteem them. 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:29.620 But there's a third descriptor here, isn't there? 00:16:31.079 --> 00:16:32.039 They admonish you. 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.120 And what does this remind us of? 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:39.639 That the core responsibility of elders is to teach the Bible. 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:43.539 That's the core responsibility that your pastors have. 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.299 Teach the Bible. 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:47.419 Preaching it to the church corporately. 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:52.980 And then using it to counsel and warn and instruct privately. 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.620 That's my job. 00:16:56.519 --> 00:17:01.199 Is to shepherd you under Christ with his word. 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:04.000 To proclaim his gospel. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:09.619 And to help you understand how his gospel and his word instructs your life. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.520 That's my role. 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:14.300 That's any pastor's role in this church. 00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:15.960 Paul says, 00:17:16.080 --> 00:17:17.020 Those who do it, 00:17:18.100 --> 00:17:20.220 We need to respect and to esteem highly. 00:17:21.300 --> 00:17:23.540 That would appear that these men were doing this. 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:28.420 Not only does the church in Thessalonica have a faithful group of elders. 00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:29.680 But Paul says, 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.820 They're laboring among you. 00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:33.040 They are over you in the Lord. 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:33.980 They're not self-appointed. 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:35.480 God has put them there for your good. 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:37.420 And they are admonishing you. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.560 They're being faithful. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.140 And he says, 00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:43.779 Insofar as they are being faithful to do these things, 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:50.800 We are to relate to them with respect and esteem. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:53.619 And as we relate to them in that way, 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:56.079 It only helps us. 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.779 And benefits our walk with Christ. 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:01.980 That's the objects of our respect and esteem. 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:02.419 Secondly, 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:06.480 I want you to see the nature of our respect and esteem. 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.779 Look again at verse 13, 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:08.599 Just the first part. 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:11.779 We are to esteem them highly in love. 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.659 Highly in love. 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.640 Now, 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:20.800 How exactly are we to relate as a congregation to the elders of the church? 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:25.900 What does it actually mean to respect and esteem them highly? 00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:27.580 Well, 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:31.640 Behind this word respect is the word for remembering. 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:36.800 Perhaps you'll remember from our study in Judges last year or two years ago, 00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:37.620 Whenever that was, 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:43.939 There are so many times in the Old Testament where Israel is either commanded to remember the Lord, 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:47.059 Or they're rebuked because they have not done so. 00:18:47.459 --> 00:18:51.639 Remember is the emphasis of the instruction that they're given. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.419 What does that mean? 00:18:53.939 --> 00:18:57.859 It's not that the Israelites had literally forgotten God. 00:18:57.959 --> 00:18:59.859 It's not a mental lapse. 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:05.759 To remember the Lord meant that Israel would acknowledge his power and authority, 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:09.199 That they would submit to his rule in their life. 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:12.159 That's what's behind this word respect here. 00:19:12.719 --> 00:19:21.759 It is to acknowledge and recognize the spiritual authority that our elders have under Christ by respecting the office. 00:19:22.639 --> 00:19:23.979 And then there's this word esteem. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.159 To esteem very highly, 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:28.919 It simply means to think much of those who shepherd our souls. 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:31.919 Not undeservedly, 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:39.859 But as they are faithful to the descriptors in the previous verse. 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:43.579 Now there's some other texts that help us fill this out in the New Testament, right? 00:19:43.719 --> 00:19:50.039 What does it mean to relate to the pastors of the church in respect and high esteem? 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:52.119 In Hebrews chapter 13, 00:19:52.479 --> 00:19:53.979 We get a glimpse of this. 00:19:53.979 --> 00:19:55.419 In verse 7, 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.459 The writer says, 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.819 Remember your leaders. 00:19:57.959 --> 00:19:59.319 That's that word again. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:19:59.799 Respect. 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.399 Remember. 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.740 Remember your leaders. 00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:04.219 Those who spoke to you the word of God. 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:06.699 They're being faithful to do their job the right way. 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.579 Remember them. 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:10.299 Consider the outcome of the way of life. 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.099 And imitate their faith. 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:15.319 And then he goes on to say in verse 17, 00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:16.879 Obey your leaders. 00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:18.500 And submit to them. 00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:19.240 Why? 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:22.479 For they are keeping watch over your souls. 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:26.219 As those who will have to give an account to God for doing it. 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:28.660 Let them do this with joy. 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.799 Let them do this with joy. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.880 He says. 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.559 And not with groaning. 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:35.279 For that would be of no advantage to you. 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.920 So in Hebrews 13, 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:40.920 What do we find is the way that we relate to the elders of the church. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:43.320 We are told to remember them. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:45.480 We are told to imitate them. 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:47.340 We are told to obey them. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.320 We are told to submit to them. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:52.860 We are told to make their task joyful. 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:55.899 And not worthy of groaning. 00:20:56.959 --> 00:21:00.179 And we find in 1 Peter chapter 5 and verse 5. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.699 Peter says after addressing the elders. 00:21:02.699 --> 00:21:05.459 And what their responsibility is to the church. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.939 And to love and care for the church. 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:09.299 He then turns his attention to the church itself. 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:09.719 And he says. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:12.119 Likewise be subject to the elders. 00:21:13.159 --> 00:21:13.979 Clothe yourselves. 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:16.259 All of you with humility toward one another. 00:21:16.979 --> 00:21:18.479 For God opposes the proud. 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.799 But gives grace to the humble. 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:23.039 When we learn about how we relate to the elders there. 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.399 We are subject to their leadership. 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:29.399 Humble in the way that we relate to them. 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:31.720 Then there is 1 Timothy chapter 5. 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:33.460 Verses 17 to 20. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:37.519 Let the elders who rule well. 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:39.419 That is the overseer language. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:41.099 Let the elders who rule well. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.639 Be considered worthy of double honor. 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:47.180 Especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.279 For the scripture says. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:51.119 You shall not muzzle an ox. 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.319 When it treads out the grain. 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:54.879 And the laborer deserves his wages. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:58.160 Do not admit a charge against an elder. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:00.660 Except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:03.059 As for those who persist in sin. 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.859 Those elders who persist in sin. 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:07.059 Rebuke them in the presence of all. 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:09.180 So that the rest may stand in fear. 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.920 So they are subject to discipline. 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.339 This is. 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.559 That is why we say. 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:14.399 It is not an absolute authority that they have. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.660 But what does that passage tell us about? 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.740 How do we relate to the elders of the church? 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:19.539 Well he says double honor. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:20.519 He says that. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:23.039 If there is a charge to be brought about them. 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.420 That it should be done carefully. 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.779 That it should be done. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.900 With sufficient evidence. 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:28.660 And witnesses. 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.480 And if it is found to be true. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:32.339 They are to be properly disciplined. 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:33.579 Like anybody else. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:38.380 What's the nature of this respect and esteem? 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:39.660 What's all of these things? 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:41.400 Third. 00:22:41.820 --> 00:22:42.740 We see. 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.019 The reason. 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.779 For our respect and esteem. 00:22:47.040 --> 00:22:47.400 The reason. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:49.140 Look again at verse 13. 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:51.980 Esteem them very highly in love. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.580 And I failed to mention that. 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:55.220 All of this is rooted in love. 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:57.200 But then he says we do this. 00:22:57.580 --> 00:22:59.019 Because of their work. 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:01.000 Because of their work. 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:04.000 And this is such an important qualification. 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.560 For this command. 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.559 The reason. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.159 The reason. 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:08.799 For this unique respect. 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:10.159 And esteem. 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:12.179 Is because of the work. 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.079 That they do. 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:16.000 The emphasis. 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.460 Is on the office. 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.919 And it's duty. 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:21.059 Not on the personality. 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.119 Of the man. 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:23.119 Who feels it. 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:25.039 That's important here. 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.099 Insofar. 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.839 As the elders of the church. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.419 Faithfully execute. 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.200 The ministry. 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:34.039 According to verse 12. 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:35.720 Laboring among the people. 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:38.500 Giving faithful oversight. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.299 In the Lord. 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:41.000 According to the Lord's word. 00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:42.519 And admonishing them. 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.259 With the Bible. 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.240 In so far. 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.680 As the elders faithfully. 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:47.000 Execute that ministry. 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.920 And that office. 00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:49.319 We are to respect. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.240 And esteem them. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:50.899 In love. 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.859 It doesn't matter their age. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.359 It doesn't matter. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.920 Their level of giftedness. 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:57.579 It doesn't matter. 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.779 If they're a better preacher. 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.599 Or a worse preacher. 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.539 Than the other guy. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.920 It doesn't matter. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:03.359 Their personal history. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.779 And what personal history. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.219 We may even have with them. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.939 We must honor. 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:09.139 The work. 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.119 That they do. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:12.539 Esteem them highly in love. 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:14.619 Because of their work. 00:24:15.479 --> 00:24:16.919 Now you're very fortunate. 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.519 That there's not. 00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:19.959 Another pastor in this area. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:21.039 That is as good looking. 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.319 And as charismatic. 00:24:23.699 --> 00:24:24.779 And as gifted. 00:24:24.979 --> 00:24:25.500 As a leader. 00:24:25.699 --> 00:24:26.639 As what you have. 00:24:27.719 --> 00:24:28.039 Of course. 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:29.000 None of that's true. 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.720 But one of the ways. 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.119 That we. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.839 That we respect. 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:33.920 And we honor the elders. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:35.819 Is that we honor their work. 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.960 Not their particular successes. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.039 Or failures in it. 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:42.220 Not their personalities. 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:42.960 And whether or not. 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:43.880 This one is one that. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.380 We like better than another one. 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.619 We can't do it that way. 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:48.319 It can't be based on those things. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:50.559 It must be based on their faithfulness. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.039 To feel the task. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:54.019 The emphasis is on the office. 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:56.359 Not on the personality. 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:58.759 Forth. 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.519 What's the product. 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.959 Of this respect and esteem. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:05.139 The product of this respect and esteem. 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:07.379 Look at the end of verse 13. 00:25:09.199 --> 00:25:10.899 Be at peace among yourselves. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.539 Be at peace among yourselves. 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:15.500 Now that's not a random statement. 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.919 Paul writes it here. 00:25:18.439 --> 00:25:19.339 For a reason. 00:25:22.219 --> 00:25:24.439 It implicates both the congregation. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.359 And its elders. 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:28.719 Leaders must. 00:25:29.219 --> 00:25:30.179 Pursue peace. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.179 By not pridefully. 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:33.479 Dominating the people. 00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:36.159 As Peter said in 1 Peter 5. 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.859 Would be a sin for them. 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.179 They pursue peace. 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.659 By not dominating the people. 00:25:41.919 --> 00:25:43.679 Or insisting on their own way. 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.459 In all things. 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.519 The congregation. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.859 Then must pursue peace. 00:25:47.959 --> 00:25:49.659 By respecting and esteeming. 00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:51.579 The office that they feel. 00:25:52.659 --> 00:25:54.199 Even in moments of. 00:25:54.699 --> 00:25:55.379 Disagreement. 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:55.580 Disagreement. 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.520 And when we do this. 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.740 When the leaders of the church. 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:03.380 Are faithful to do what God has called them to do in the Lord. 00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:06.820 And when the congregation is faithful to respect and esteem them. 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:08.960 Because they are being faithful to that work. 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:10.000 What is the product? 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.360 Peace. 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:12.760 Peace. 00:26:14.520 --> 00:26:16.620 There's almost the suggestion in this. 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:21.059 That an undercurrent of dissension existed in the church. 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:26.599 Now we know it wasn't because of any disqualifying sin in the elders. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:28.179 Because Paul would have addressed that. 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:33.099 He would have told the church that they needed to remove them for the disqualifying sin in their lives. 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:35.299 And because he doesn't do that. 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:38.679 We know that there was something else that maybe was happening here. 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.679 This church loved Paul. 00:26:41.439 --> 00:26:43.579 Timothy proved it when he came back with this report. 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:46.099 He said they miss you just as much as you miss them. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:50.199 They want you to be there just as much as you want to be there. 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:58.620 And perhaps, maybe, something was happening in the church where they were showing less respect and esteem for the elders that they had. 00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:00.259 Than what they would have shown for Paul. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.120 Maybe. 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:06.759 Maybe because of that the elders were a little offended. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:11.200 And making things a little harder on the people in the church. 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.660 Because of their own sensitivities. 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:16.400 And what is that going to result in? 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.380 War. 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.160 Right? 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.740 War in the church. 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.960 Paul says no. 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.480 Be at peace. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.579 How? 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.759 The leaders need to be faithful. 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:29.420 And the church needs to respect and esteem them for their faithfulness. 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.940 And when that happens. 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.259 There's peace. 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:35.039 And when there's peace between the church and its leaders. 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:36.900 What does everybody grow in? 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.720 Blamelessness. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.900 They're taught the word. 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.819 They're disciplined by the word. 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.539 Both sides. 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.799 And we grow in holiness. 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:48.920 As we await the return of our Savior. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.480 And of our Lord. 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:56.220 The spiritual health of a church is seen in the faithfulness of its pastors. 00:27:56.220 --> 00:28:01.359 And the respect of the congregation for the office that they hold. 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:08.939 Spiritual leadership then is a means that God uses to sanctify his people. 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:11.639 And if we are to be faithful to Christ. 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:15.719 We must relate properly to the pastors that he gives us. 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:18.219 What does that mean for us practically? 00:28:18.459 --> 00:28:19.859 What does that mean we are to do? 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:23.079 Well just at least just three practical applications here. 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.119 Number one. 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:27.459 We need to take the office seriously. 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:31.579 We need to take the office of pastor, elder, overseer. 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.979 All the same office in the New Testament. 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:34.479 We need to take it seriously. 00:28:35.959 --> 00:28:37.479 Understanding the weightiness of it. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:41.879 Being careful as we relate to those who hold it. 00:28:41.979 --> 00:28:44.319 And affirm those who should hold it. 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.839 Second. 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.720 Second. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:48.379 We need to be quite careful. 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:59.359 To recognize only men who have the character, competence, and heart for the work. 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:03.039 We need to be sure. 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:06.679 That when we affirm someone in the office of elder. 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:09.359 And install them as a congregational church. 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:15.699 That they are those who clearly have the mark of the Holy Spirit on their life. 00:29:16.699 --> 00:29:19.579 Consistent with Acts 20, 28 that we read just a moment ago. 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:22.679 That their oversight in the Lord. 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:26.339 Is because the Lord has clearly appointed them to this task. 00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:28.539 And the church can clearly see it. 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.259 Third. 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:33.259 We need to respond to them then. 00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:35.039 In humble submission. 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:37.859 As they care for our souls. 00:29:38.479 --> 00:29:39.379 Under Christ. 00:29:41.219 --> 00:29:42.259 That's the first unit. 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:45.639 Second unit comes to us in verses 14 and 15. 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:47.359 Where we find that. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:50.459 A good summary of the instruction might be this. 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:53.379 Paul says you are to meaningfully. 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:54.879 Disciple. 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.099 One another. 00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.339 Meaningfully. 00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:59.859 Disciple. 00:29:59.939 --> 00:30:00.019 Disciple. 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:02.059 Other Christians. 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:04.500 Now in this second unit here. 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:07.759 The focus that shifts from following faithful leaders. 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:10.059 To meaningfully engaging. 00:30:10.439 --> 00:30:14.159 In discipling relationships with fellow believers. 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:16.720 Now let's just understand the terminology. 00:30:16.939 --> 00:30:18.039 Let's get on the same page here. 00:30:18.419 --> 00:30:19.019 A disciple. 00:30:19.439 --> 00:30:22.759 Is someone who follows Jesus as Lord and Savior. 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.759 Discipling. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:22.900 Here. 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:24.900 Discipling. 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:26.500 The verb form of that word. 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:28.059 Is when disciples. 00:30:28.379 --> 00:30:29.759 Those who are following Jesus. 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.500 Help each other. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.539 Follow Jesus. 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.500 Better. 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:35.119 Follow Jesus. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.400 More faithfully. 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.700 That's at the heart of what's happening here. 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:39.920 Paul is saying. 00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:41.960 Not only are you to respect and esteem your leaders. 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.680 Follow faithful men in the church. 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:45.440 But then you got to help each other. 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:50.779 Meaningfully engage in congregational life. 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.100 He says. 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.460 And of course. 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:55.539 Undergirding these commands. 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.559 Is the assumption. 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:59.080 Of a covenant relationship. 00:30:59.080 --> 00:31:01.340 Between Christians in a local church. 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:03.720 What we call church membership. 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.380 Or partnership. 00:31:05.380 --> 00:31:05.820 Relationship. 00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:10.360 These instructions here in 14 and 15. 00:31:10.580 --> 00:31:12.180 They only make sense. 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:15.900 When a Christian recognizes his or her relationship. 00:31:16.280 --> 00:31:19.180 To a particular church community. 00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:23.460 And that the pastors and members of that congregation. 00:31:24.060 --> 00:31:27.920 Understand who actually belongs to their spiritual care. 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:30.060 Nothing Paul says here makes sense. 00:31:30.060 --> 00:31:31.680 Without that covenant relationship. 00:31:32.060 --> 00:31:33.020 This doesn't make sense. 00:31:33.760 --> 00:31:35.300 It can't be lived out faithfully. 00:31:35.780 --> 00:31:37.620 Apart from something like this. 00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:39.400 So let me encourage you. 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:41.960 Maybe on the fringes of this church. 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.860 Or another church. 00:31:43.020 --> 00:31:43.880 Let me just encourage you. 00:31:44.100 --> 00:31:46.080 Fully covenant with a church. 00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:46.960 A faithful church. 00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:49.000 For your own spiritual good. 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:51.260 That's what's undergirding this. 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:53.160 Here in this passage. 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:57.140 Now within the covenant community of the church. 00:31:58.360 --> 00:32:00.080 Christians are responsible. 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:03.660 To oversee one another's discipleship. 00:32:03.820 --> 00:32:04.540 Under Christ. 00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:08.360 And that's what this second unit is all about. 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:09.120 Let's read it together. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.800 In verse 14. 00:32:09.800 --> 00:32:11.360 We urge you brothers. 00:32:11.820 --> 00:32:13.020 Admonish the idle. 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:15.220 Encourage the faint hearted. 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.440 Help the weak. 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:18.300 And be patient with them all. 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:21.120 See that no one repays anyone. 00:32:21.280 --> 00:32:22.120 Evil for evil. 00:32:22.760 --> 00:32:24.340 But always seek to do good. 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.480 To one another. 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:27.160 And to everyone. 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:34.600 Now certainly pastors bear a unique responsibility in this task. 00:32:35.320 --> 00:32:41.540 But notice that the command is not given especially to the elders of the church. 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:43.960 It's given to the congregation itself. 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.440 The whole church. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.720 The whole church. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:49.740 We know that because he doesn't change his designation at all. 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.819 He says we urge you brothers. 00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:54.579 Which he said a number of times already in the letter. 00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:55.940 Every time. 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:58.480 Meaning the brothers and sisters in the church. 00:32:58.759 --> 00:33:01.460 Those who belong to the church in Thessalonica. 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:04.399 He's addressing everyone with this command. 00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:07.840 And elders lead in it to be sure. 00:33:08.840 --> 00:33:11.720 But elders are also to equip the congregation. 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:14.640 To do the task themselves. 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:16.120 We see that in Ephesians 4. 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.700 Which we've studied often. 00:33:19.060 --> 00:33:20.580 And when this is done faithfully. 00:33:21.600 --> 00:33:24.000 The church caring for itself. 00:33:24.320 --> 00:33:25.700 When done faithfully. 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:27.620 By the entire congregation. 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.900 What happens? 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:33.300 Christians grow in their sanctification. 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:35.680 As they await Christ's return. 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:38.579 As we look to our leaders. 00:33:39.139 --> 00:33:40.980 And then as we endeavor to help one another. 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:42.419 What happens? 00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:47.079 We pursue this blamelessness that Paul prays for. 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.599 In verse 24. 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:52.899 Now Paul touched on this in his prayer at the end of chapter 3. 00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:58.480 Showing that perseverance of faith and maturity. 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:01.220 Is a community project. 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:04.460 But still the church needed to learn. 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:06.200 How to help one another. 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:07.819 So what Paul does in these two verses. 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.940 Is he taught them. 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:12.619 How to practice discipling. 00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:14.539 This is how to practice. 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:16.639 This mutual soul care. 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:18.320 That should exist within the local church. 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.860 Two things to point out. 00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:20.740 Number one. 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:23.679 We must care for people individually. 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:27.380 We must care for people individually. 00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:29.079 Verse 14. 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:32.119 We urge you brothers. 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.319 Admonish the idle. 00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:36.860 Encourage the faint hearted. 00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:38.639 Help the weak. 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:41.719 Be patient with them all. 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:45.000 Now I want you to notice how Paul taught them. 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:47.900 To recognize individual needs. 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:51.719 And respond in a way that is appropriate. 00:34:52.259 --> 00:34:53.599 To those needs. 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:57.719 What's absent from this command. 00:34:57.719 --> 00:35:00.460 Are the meaningless platitudes. 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:02.860 That we're so quick to offer to people. 00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:06.239 Meaningless platitudes. 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:07.719 Are useless. 00:35:08.339 --> 00:35:09.819 In discipleship. 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:13.039 There is no basic solution. 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:14.900 For all spiritual problems. 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:17.599 We cannot simply tell people. 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:19.519 Who are struggling with one thing or another. 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:21.559 That they just need to read their Bible. 00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:22.340 And pray more. 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:25.039 And expect suddenly that their sins disappear. 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:27.679 And that their discouragements dissipate. 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.000 And that their needs. 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:31.159 Are suddenly met. 00:35:31.759 --> 00:35:33.340 It just doesn't work that way. 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:36.500 Of course the word is at the heart of it all. 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:36.940 And yes. 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:38.940 The gospel is the answer. 00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:40.759 But when it comes to discipling. 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:42.840 We can't engage with one another. 00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:44.980 In these meaningless platitudes. 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:46.799 All for a basic prayer. 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:48.559 And just expect that it's going to help. 00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:49.239 Help. 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.539 And I want to prove that to you here. 00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:51.219 In this text. 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:54.259 Faithful discipling. 00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:56.279 Takes care. 00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:57.559 To know. 00:35:57.840 --> 00:35:58.699 The individual. 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:01.900 To truly understand. 00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.739 Their issue. 00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:05.139 And to respond. 00:36:05.279 --> 00:36:06.299 With biblical wisdom. 00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:08.320 That is appropriate. 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:10.320 To that need. 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:12.179 You want to say that again. 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:15.380 Faithful discipling. 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:16.659 Takes care. 00:36:16.659 --> 00:36:18.119 To know the individual. 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.879 To understand. 00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:21.599 Their issue. 00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:24.079 And to respond. 00:36:24.279 --> 00:36:25.679 With biblical wisdom. 00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:27.719 That is appropriate. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.699 To that need. 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:31.920 And I want you to consider. 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:33.039 The three situations. 00:36:33.199 --> 00:36:34.039 That Paul brings up. 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:35.779 One. 00:36:35.899 --> 00:36:36.799 Is a sin problem. 00:36:38.679 --> 00:36:39.159 One. 00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:41.359 Is a discouragement problem. 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:43.480 And one. 00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:45.179 Is a physical problem. 00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:47.239 All three issues. 00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:47.899 All three issues alluded to. 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:49.739 At other places in the letter. 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:52.119 The idol. 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.779 That's the sin problem. 00:36:54.859 --> 00:36:56.000 Needed to be. 00:36:56.799 --> 00:36:57.440 Admonished. 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.199 Warned. 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.059 Corrected. 00:37:02.279 --> 00:37:02.839 Instructed. 00:37:04.119 --> 00:37:05.460 The faint hearted. 00:37:05.719 --> 00:37:07.199 That's the discouragement problem. 00:37:07.919 --> 00:37:08.819 Needed to be. 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:10.639 Encouraged. 00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:13.079 The weak. 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:14.759 That's the physical problem. 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.619 Needed to be. 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.019 Helped. 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:19.159 Helped. 00:37:19.319 --> 00:37:20.059 In their weakness. 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:22.759 Now listen. 00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:25.579 It would do the idle person. 00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:27.900 No spiritual good. 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:29.860 To be encouraged. 00:37:31.799 --> 00:37:33.139 It wouldn't do them any good. 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:36.440 It wouldn't affect their idleness. 00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:37.259 At all. 00:37:38.299 --> 00:37:39.860 You couldn't just go to the idle. 00:37:40.259 --> 00:37:41.159 And say no worries. 00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:42.899 Jesus paid for your sin anyways. 00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:44.319 You can't just say that. 00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:45.179 Is that true? 00:37:45.819 --> 00:37:46.259 Yes. 00:37:46.279 --> 00:37:46.839 It's true. 00:37:47.159 --> 00:37:48.759 Does that help them grow in holiness? 00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:50.159 Not at all. 00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:51.559 Why? 00:37:51.699 --> 00:37:52.699 What is it that they need? 00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:54.699 He says they need to be admonished. 00:37:55.219 --> 00:37:56.059 It means warned. 00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:58.420 They need to be warned about their idleness. 00:37:58.799 --> 00:38:04.440 They need to be warned that habitual idleness is going to prove that they don't actually have a regenerate heart. 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:08.299 They need to be warned so that they might repent and turn. 00:38:08.300 --> 00:38:14.660 You can't just go to them with some kind of meaningless platitude and it actually make a difference. 00:38:15.640 --> 00:38:19.560 It would do the faint hearted no spiritual good to be admonished. 00:38:20.580 --> 00:38:25.320 Someone struggling with discouragement because they're having a hard time in their life for one reason or another. 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:27.880 In the case of the Thessalonians, they're being persecuted. 00:38:29.320 --> 00:38:32.660 Not because of sin, but because of their faith. 00:38:33.080 --> 00:38:34.120 And they're discouraged. 00:38:36.120 --> 00:38:41.220 Some of them are confused about what's happening to their friends in Christ who are dying. 00:38:41.300 --> 00:38:43.680 And they're not exactly sure about some of the doctrines and what that means. 00:38:43.820 --> 00:38:44.660 They're discouraged. 00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:45.640 What is it that they need? 00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:50.559 They don't need somebody to come and browbeat them to death about how they just need to read their Bible more and pray more. 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:51.740 What do they need? 00:38:52.100 --> 00:38:52.980 They need encouragement. 00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:55.119 They need encouragement through doctrine. 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:58.380 They need somebody to love them and build them up in the gospel. 00:38:58.480 --> 00:38:59.340 That's what they need. 00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:02.420 It would do the weak person no good. 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:06.280 No good merely to receive words of encouragement. 00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:08.039 It's a physical need. 00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:10.179 It's a physical need that they have. 00:39:10.639 --> 00:39:11.760 James says this. 00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:13.579 Remember what James says in his letter. 00:39:13.579 --> 00:39:19.940 James says it does no one any good if they're poor for you to walk up and say, oh God bless you. 00:39:20.259 --> 00:39:22.559 I pray that he will clothe you and feed you today. 00:39:23.380 --> 00:39:25.019 James says foolish. 00:39:25.699 --> 00:39:27.119 It means nothing. 00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:29.519 What are we to do? 00:39:30.179 --> 00:39:31.319 Get them some food. 00:39:32.179 --> 00:39:33.319 What are we to do? 00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:35.340 Buy them some clothes. 00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:37.159 What are we to do? 00:39:37.659 --> 00:39:39.579 Offer some real help. 00:39:39.579 --> 00:39:40.139 Help. 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:40.900 Do you see? 00:39:41.099 --> 00:39:42.319 Do you see what's happening here? 00:39:43.139 --> 00:39:44.299 This discipling. 00:39:44.480 --> 00:39:46.719 This mutual soul care. 00:39:47.259 --> 00:39:49.739 It demands meaningful care. 00:39:50.279 --> 00:39:56.460 And we all desperately need other Christians to help us according to our particular needs. 00:39:56.719 --> 00:39:57.920 We need one another. 00:39:58.139 --> 00:40:01.739 And we need one another to help us individually. 00:40:01.739 --> 00:40:09.019 You can't help me the same way that you're going to help Terry or that you're going to help Courtney or that you're going to help Evelyn. 00:40:09.319 --> 00:40:17.359 I don't need the same kind of help today that Evelyn needs as she awaits for Bob and his surgery and his recovery in the next few weeks. 00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:19.699 She needs something specific. 00:40:19.819 --> 00:40:20.459 You know what she needs? 00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:23.899 It's for our church to love her according to that need. 00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:32.160 And we can go through the whole church and we can say if we're going to do this well we need to actually know one another. 00:40:32.559 --> 00:40:38.780 We need to pay attention to one another and stop just pretending to be members that care. 00:40:39.519 --> 00:40:40.880 We need to truly care. 00:40:42.900 --> 00:40:50.000 Now the spirit with which we are to do this work is twofold and it's almost paradoxical isn't it? 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:57.860 On the one hand, this intentional discipling, it requires urgency. 00:40:58.480 --> 00:40:59.539 That's the word he uses. 00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:03.179 He says, I urge you brothers, urgency. 00:41:03.699 --> 00:41:04.619 Don't let it go. 00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:05.940 Don't be casual. 00:41:06.280 --> 00:41:09.659 The one who's in sin, don't just wait and see what happens. 00:41:10.300 --> 00:41:15.000 The one who's discouraged, don't just think, well, they'll have a better day tomorrow. 00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:19.219 The one who's weak, don't think, well, somebody else will deal with it. 00:41:19.219 --> 00:41:20.899 No, there's urgency here, isn't there? 00:41:21.119 --> 00:41:24.299 There's urgency to come around each other and to help each other in the Lord. 00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:34.079 But then almost paradoxically, there's this other spirit qualification at the end where he says that we are to be patient with everyone. 00:41:35.419 --> 00:41:35.739 Patient. 00:41:35.959 --> 00:41:37.719 So on the one hand, there's urgency. 00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:42.739 On the other hand, our efforts must be clothed in patience. 00:41:42.739 --> 00:41:42.819 Patience. 00:41:44.359 --> 00:41:52.139 Meaning that the first time that you approach somebody who's struggling in sin, they might not respond the first time. 00:41:52.959 --> 00:41:53.639 You know what you need? 00:41:54.779 --> 00:41:55.179 Patience. 00:41:56.779 --> 00:42:03.259 The first time you go to coffee with the person that's just struggling with some discouragement, they might not feel better after that first coffee. 00:42:03.519 --> 00:42:04.159 You know what you need? 00:42:05.479 --> 00:42:05.879 Patience. 00:42:05.880 --> 00:42:05.960 Patience. 00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:09.660 Those people that you're trying to help with their physical needs. 00:42:09.860 --> 00:42:12.920 Just because you do it once doesn't mean that they're not going to have the same need tomorrow. 00:42:13.180 --> 00:42:13.840 You know what they need? 00:42:15.039 --> 00:42:15.440 Patience. 00:42:16.079 --> 00:42:16.480 Patience. 00:42:17.180 --> 00:42:17.500 Urgency. 00:42:18.900 --> 00:42:19.340 Patience. 00:42:19.340 --> 00:42:20.940 Patience. 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:20.940 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:32.000 intentional heart level soul care and as we do that we trust that as we are faithful to serve 00:42:32.000 --> 00:42:39.820 one another that the holy spirit will be faithful and fruitful in his sanctifying work as we do 00:42:39.820 --> 00:42:47.860 those things it helps us to live blameless as we await the coming of christ now there's a second 00:42:47.860 --> 00:42:55.079 part to this in verse 15 not only are we to care for people individually we are to care for people 00:42:55.079 --> 00:43:04.700 generally generally look again at verse 15 see that no one repays anyone evil for evil 00:43:04.700 --> 00:43:12.420 but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone now in this verse paul seems to be moving 00:43:12.420 --> 00:43:19.700 from issues that are specific to individuals to temptations that are common to the whole church 00:43:19.700 --> 00:43:27.800 and given what we know about the persecution in thessalonica it's not hard to see why they would 00:43:27.800 --> 00:43:33.860 be tempted by this sin of retribution or this sin of vengeance that's what he's dealing with 00:43:33.860 --> 00:43:43.019 see to it that no one repays anyone evil for evil honestly it's a general temptation that wasn't only 00:43:43.019 --> 00:43:48.539 true for the church in thessalonica but it's true for all christians isn't it's true for all people in 00:43:48.539 --> 00:43:54.800 any age especially in overly litigious societies like ours 00:43:54.800 --> 00:44:02.039 but the scriptures routinely confront the spirit of vengeance 00:44:02.039 --> 00:44:07.640 they continually confront the spirit of retribution 00:44:07.640 --> 00:44:13.200 as a serious sin that is itself distinct 00:44:13.200 --> 00:44:16.640 from what we would say is justice 00:44:16.640 --> 00:44:17.640 right 00:44:17.640 --> 00:44:21.200 let me just show you a few passages 00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:24.139 Matthew 5 38 and 39 00:44:24.139 --> 00:44:26.159 you probably know this well 00:44:26.159 --> 00:44:27.899 listen to what jesus said 00:44:27.899 --> 00:44:32.299 you've heard that it was said an eye for an eye and a tooth for two for a tooth 00:44:32.299 --> 00:44:33.339 that's evil for evil 00:44:33.339 --> 00:44:33.960 right 00:44:33.960 --> 00:44:35.019 that's retribution 00:44:35.019 --> 00:44:38.539 and there were people in israel that were teaching that that was right 00:44:38.539 --> 00:44:41.659 that vigilante justice 00:44:41.659 --> 00:44:42.460 idea 00:44:42.460 --> 00:44:45.139 but i say to you says jesus 00:44:45.139 --> 00:44:47.679 do not resist the one who is evil 00:44:47.679 --> 00:44:50.319 but if anyone slaps you on the right cheek 00:44:50.320 --> 00:44:52.019 turn to him the other also 00:44:52.019 --> 00:44:54.800 if anyone would sue you 00:44:54.800 --> 00:44:57.680 and take your tunic 00:44:57.680 --> 00:45:00.380 let him have your cloak as well 00:45:00.380 --> 00:45:04.600 if anyone forces you to go one mile go with him two miles 00:45:04.600 --> 00:45:07.900 there's cultural context behind that that you can study on your own 00:45:07.900 --> 00:45:09.500 what is it that jesus is getting at 00:45:09.500 --> 00:45:12.160 he's not saying that we have to let injustices go 00:45:12.160 --> 00:45:13.380 that's not what he's saying 00:45:13.380 --> 00:45:17.140 what he's saying is that we should not be driven by a heart and a spirit of 00:45:17.139 --> 00:45:19.480 retribution and vengeance 00:45:19.480 --> 00:45:21.559 toward those who do us wrong 00:45:21.559 --> 00:45:26.059 peter talks about it first peter chapter three 00:45:26.059 --> 00:45:29.579 he says plainly do not repay evil for evil 00:45:29.579 --> 00:45:32.059 or reviling for reviling 00:45:32.059 --> 00:45:34.299 but on the contrary 00:45:34.299 --> 00:45:35.679 bless 00:45:35.679 --> 00:45:38.519 for to this you were called 00:45:38.519 --> 00:45:41.759 that you may obtain a blessing 00:45:41.759 --> 00:45:45.679 romans chapter 12 and verse 17 00:45:45.679 --> 00:45:47.900 repay no one evil for evil 00:45:47.900 --> 00:45:49.579 but give thought 00:45:49.579 --> 00:45:52.280 to do what is honorable 00:45:52.280 --> 00:45:54.679 in the sight of everyone 00:45:54.679 --> 00:45:57.980 now in our text 00:45:57.980 --> 00:46:00.099 paul builds on those other commands 00:46:00.099 --> 00:46:02.179 that are just issued directly to christians 00:46:02.179 --> 00:46:02.659 doesn't he 00:46:02.659 --> 00:46:05.199 he builds on it but he changes it in a different way 00:46:05.199 --> 00:46:07.219 he addresses the sin of retribution 00:46:07.219 --> 00:46:09.039 but he tasked 00:46:09.039 --> 00:46:11.779 the congregation with seeing to it 00:46:11.779 --> 00:46:13.460 that no one was driven 00:46:13.460 --> 00:46:15.099 by such a spirit 00:46:15.099 --> 00:46:15.679 do you see that 00:46:15.679 --> 00:46:17.719 he says brothers 00:46:17.719 --> 00:46:18.659 church 00:46:18.659 --> 00:46:21.359 you see to it 00:46:21.359 --> 00:46:23.819 that no one among you 00:46:23.819 --> 00:46:25.399 does this 00:46:25.399 --> 00:46:30.919 there are sins that all of us will be tempted by 00:46:30.920 --> 00:46:34.500 and we must meaningfully engage with one another 00:46:34.500 --> 00:46:37.960 to avoid falling into such sins 00:46:37.960 --> 00:46:42.240 now of course abstaining from retribution 00:46:42.240 --> 00:46:47.539 and vengeance is foreign to modern sensibilities 00:46:47.539 --> 00:46:49.860 probably even ancient sensibilities 00:46:49.860 --> 00:46:53.440 but if you're here and you're not a christian today 00:46:53.440 --> 00:46:54.960 i want to point out 00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:58.579 that our model for this 00:46:58.579 --> 00:47:00.199 is jesus himself 00:47:00.199 --> 00:47:02.819 in fact why don't you just turn with me 00:47:02.819 --> 00:47:04.639 to first peter chapter two 00:47:04.639 --> 00:47:06.759 first peter chapter two 00:47:06.759 --> 00:47:21.039 first peter chapter two 00:47:21.039 --> 00:47:22.039 look with me at verses 00:47:22.039 --> 00:47:24.840 21 to 25 00:47:24.840 --> 00:47:30.820 peter addressing christians 00:47:30.820 --> 00:47:31.480 he says for 00:47:31.480 --> 00:47:33.880 for to this you have been called 00:47:33.880 --> 00:47:37.720 because christ also suffered for you 00:47:37.720 --> 00:47:40.300 leaving you an example 00:47:40.300 --> 00:47:43.900 so that you might follow in his steps 00:47:43.900 --> 00:47:46.860 he committed no sin 00:47:46.860 --> 00:47:50.220 neither was deceit found in his mouth 00:47:50.219 --> 00:47:52.980 when he was reviled 00:47:52.980 --> 00:47:55.459 he did not revile in return 00:47:55.459 --> 00:47:57.480 when he suffered 00:47:57.480 --> 00:47:59.439 he did not threaten 00:47:59.439 --> 00:48:02.879 but continued entrusting himself 00:48:02.879 --> 00:48:05.299 to him who judges justly 00:48:05.299 --> 00:48:08.799 he himself bore our sins 00:48:08.799 --> 00:48:10.099 in his body on the tree 00:48:10.099 --> 00:48:12.919 that we might die to sin 00:48:12.919 --> 00:48:14.619 and live to righteousness 00:48:14.619 --> 00:48:17.639 by his wounds you've been healed 00:48:17.639 --> 00:48:20.159 for you were straying like sheep 00:48:20.159 --> 00:48:21.900 but have now returned 00:48:21.900 --> 00:48:22.719 to the shepherd 00:48:22.719 --> 00:48:24.079 and overseer 00:48:24.079 --> 00:48:25.279 of your souls 00:48:25.279 --> 00:48:27.940 i want you to meditate on this 00:48:27.940 --> 00:48:29.980 especially if you're not a christian 00:48:29.980 --> 00:48:30.519 i want you to see 00:48:30.519 --> 00:48:31.019 this is 00:48:31.019 --> 00:48:32.659 this is where we get this from 00:48:32.659 --> 00:48:33.920 jesus is our example 00:48:33.920 --> 00:48:36.559 there has been no greater injustice 00:48:36.559 --> 00:48:38.819 that the world has ever seen 00:48:38.819 --> 00:48:42.219 nothing greater than the murder 00:48:42.219 --> 00:48:44.839 of the sinless son of god 00:48:44.840 --> 00:48:47.039 isn't that what peter's saying 00:48:47.039 --> 00:48:49.340 jesus committed no sin 00:48:49.340 --> 00:48:51.980 neither was deceit found in his mouth 00:48:51.980 --> 00:48:55.059 he did not revile against those 00:48:55.059 --> 00:48:57.079 who reviled him on the way to the cross 00:48:57.079 --> 00:48:59.460 he did not threaten those 00:48:59.460 --> 00:49:00.800 who nailed him to the cross 00:49:00.800 --> 00:49:01.640 as he suffered 00:49:01.640 --> 00:49:03.680 he did none of those things 00:49:03.680 --> 00:49:05.320 it was a great injustice 00:49:05.320 --> 00:49:06.860 yet even then 00:49:06.860 --> 00:49:08.960 he did not revile or threaten 00:49:08.960 --> 00:49:10.039 what did he do 00:49:10.039 --> 00:49:12.300 he entrusted his cause 00:49:12.300 --> 00:49:14.180 to god the father 00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:16.359 and in doing so 00:49:16.359 --> 00:49:19.679 the world's greatest injustice 00:49:19.679 --> 00:49:22.460 brought about man's 00:49:22.460 --> 00:49:25.399 greatest good 00:49:25.399 --> 00:49:29.980 christ death 00:49:29.980 --> 00:49:32.099 provides forgiveness 00:49:32.099 --> 00:49:35.659 to all who will trust him as savior 00:49:35.659 --> 00:49:38.139 and follow him as lord 00:49:38.139 --> 00:49:40.519 that includes you 00:49:40.519 --> 00:49:43.619 you should be thankful 00:49:43.619 --> 00:49:44.800 that he did not revile 00:49:44.800 --> 00:49:45.880 because that would have been sin 00:49:45.880 --> 00:49:46.360 which meant 00:49:46.360 --> 00:49:47.579 that his sacrifice 00:49:47.579 --> 00:49:48.460 wasn't sufficient 00:49:48.460 --> 00:49:49.300 for your sin 00:49:49.300 --> 00:49:50.900 be thankful 00:49:50.900 --> 00:49:51.800 that he didn't threaten 00:49:51.800 --> 00:49:52.940 that would have been sin 00:49:52.940 --> 00:49:54.280 meaning that his sacrifice 00:49:54.280 --> 00:49:55.400 was not sufficient 00:49:55.400 --> 00:50:01.320 we don't receive salvation 00:50:01.320 --> 00:50:05.099 for refusing retribution 00:50:05.099 --> 00:50:06.019 and doing good 00:50:06.019 --> 00:50:09.759 christians refuse retribution 00:50:09.759 --> 00:50:10.699 and do good 00:50:10.699 --> 00:50:13.659 because they have received salvation 00:50:13.659 --> 00:50:15.000 by faith in jesus 00:50:15.000 --> 00:50:17.400 and they want to live as he lived 00:50:17.400 --> 00:50:21.920 and jesus calls us to a radically 00:50:21.920 --> 00:50:22.739 different life 00:50:22.739 --> 00:50:27.360 rather than repaying evil for evil 00:50:27.360 --> 00:50:28.980 which would be par for the course 00:50:28.980 --> 00:50:30.000 for most people 00:50:30.000 --> 00:50:33.659 we are to find ways to do good 00:50:33.659 --> 00:50:35.019 for everyone 00:50:35.019 --> 00:50:37.159 that's the positive end of the instruction 00:50:37.159 --> 00:50:37.519 isn't it 00:50:37.519 --> 00:50:39.099 look again at verse 15 00:50:39.099 --> 00:50:43.539 see to it that no one repays evil for evil 00:50:43.539 --> 00:50:44.799 but instead 00:50:44.799 --> 00:50:47.379 always 00:50:47.379 --> 00:50:49.579 in every circumstance 00:50:49.579 --> 00:50:49.899 ! 00:50:51.480 --> 00:50:52.039 seek 00:50:52.039 --> 00:50:54.079 look for 00:50:54.079 --> 00:50:55.920 intentionally 00:50:55.920 --> 00:50:57.719 do good 00:50:57.719 --> 00:50:59.399 to everyone 00:50:59.400 --> 00:51:03.539 we're to find ways 00:51:03.539 --> 00:51:04.220 to do good 00:51:04.220 --> 00:51:06.940 to those in the church 00:51:06.940 --> 00:51:09.220 and those out of the church 00:51:09.220 --> 00:51:11.980 to those we count as friends 00:51:11.980 --> 00:51:14.220 to those we see 00:51:14.220 --> 00:51:15.900 as enemies 00:51:15.900 --> 00:51:18.400 isn't this what jesus taught us 00:51:18.400 --> 00:51:19.119 in matthew 5 00:51:19.119 --> 00:51:20.740 he said 00:51:20.740 --> 00:51:21.559 you've heard it said 00:51:21.559 --> 00:51:22.940 that you shall love your neighbor 00:51:22.940 --> 00:51:23.800 and hate your enemy 00:51:23.800 --> 00:51:25.700 but i say to you 00:51:25.700 --> 00:51:27.099 love your enemies 00:51:27.099 --> 00:51:29.880 pray for those who persecute you 00:51:29.880 --> 00:51:32.759 so that you may be sons of your father 00:51:32.759 --> 00:51:33.559 who is in heaven 00:51:33.559 --> 00:51:37.860 for god makes his son rise on the evil 00:51:37.860 --> 00:51:38.519 and on the good 00:51:38.519 --> 00:51:40.639 and he sends rain on the just 00:51:40.639 --> 00:51:41.559 and on the unjust 00:51:41.559 --> 00:51:43.420 for if you love those who love you 00:51:43.420 --> 00:51:44.599 what reward do you have 00:51:44.599 --> 00:51:47.319 do not even the tax collectors 00:51:47.319 --> 00:51:47.960 do the same 00:51:47.960 --> 00:51:48.679 the unbelievers 00:51:48.679 --> 00:51:51.159 and if you greet only your brothers 00:51:51.159 --> 00:51:52.960 what more are you doing than others 00:51:52.960 --> 00:51:55.819 do not even the gentiles do that 00:51:55.819 --> 00:51:56.599 unbelievers 00:51:56.599 --> 00:51:59.059 you therefore must be perfect 00:51:59.059 --> 00:52:00.920 as your heavenly father 00:52:00.920 --> 00:52:02.579 is perfect 00:52:02.579 --> 00:52:05.440 when we live this way 00:52:05.440 --> 00:52:09.920 we show that we belong to god 00:52:09.920 --> 00:52:13.440 when we live this way 00:52:13.440 --> 00:52:16.019 we image him 00:52:16.019 --> 00:52:18.400 to the world around us 00:52:18.400 --> 00:52:21.739 jesus says when you do good 00:52:21.739 --> 00:52:23.259 and love even your enemies 00:52:23.260 --> 00:52:25.120 you act like god acts 00:52:25.120 --> 00:52:27.540 who allows the sun to come up 00:52:27.540 --> 00:52:28.900 even on those who hate him 00:52:28.900 --> 00:52:30.820 who provides food 00:52:30.820 --> 00:52:31.620 even for those 00:52:31.620 --> 00:52:32.620 who hate him 00:52:32.620 --> 00:52:35.040 who sends rain for the crops 00:52:35.040 --> 00:52:35.760 of even those 00:52:35.760 --> 00:52:37.060 who hate him 00:52:37.060 --> 00:52:39.080 when we live this way 00:52:39.080 --> 00:52:42.440 we show christ to the world 00:52:42.440 --> 00:52:45.520 but the point of the text 00:52:45.520 --> 00:52:46.920 is that we need each other's help 00:52:46.920 --> 00:52:47.780 to do it 00:52:47.780 --> 00:52:50.560 see to it 00:52:50.560 --> 00:52:53.960 that no one repays evil for evil 00:52:53.960 --> 00:52:55.280 but it's always looking to do good 00:52:55.280 --> 00:52:57.580 when you're at coffee 00:52:57.580 --> 00:52:58.740 and the person brings up 00:52:58.740 --> 00:52:59.680 that spirit of bitterness 00:52:59.680 --> 00:53:01.240 about the person who wronged them 00:53:01.240 --> 00:53:03.100 see to it 00:53:03.100 --> 00:53:05.320 that they don't repay evil for evil 00:53:05.320 --> 00:53:07.540 they need you to do that 00:53:07.539 --> 00:53:11.420 i need you to do that 00:53:11.420 --> 00:53:15.759 when they're looking for retribution 00:53:15.759 --> 00:53:16.880 against that person 00:53:16.880 --> 00:53:17.739 or that company 00:53:17.739 --> 00:53:18.579 or that whatever 00:53:18.579 --> 00:53:21.000 remind them 00:53:21.000 --> 00:53:22.699 do good 00:53:22.699 --> 00:53:24.880 trust it to the lord 00:53:24.880 --> 00:53:27.239 act the way god acts 00:53:27.239 --> 00:53:28.019 toward these people 00:53:28.019 --> 00:53:29.960 and leave the judgment to him 00:53:29.960 --> 00:53:33.639 we need each other to help with that 00:53:33.639 --> 00:53:35.719 i need you to help me with it 00:53:35.719 --> 00:53:39.519 now as we await christ's return 00:53:39.519 --> 00:53:43.539 we must pursue the blamelessness 00:53:43.539 --> 00:53:45.419 that he will complete in the end 00:53:45.419 --> 00:53:48.959 and what we find in these first two units 00:53:48.959 --> 00:53:49.639 of the four 00:53:49.639 --> 00:53:53.379 is that vital to our sanctification 00:53:53.379 --> 00:53:57.419 is engagement in the life of the local church 00:53:57.419 --> 00:54:00.099 that's the principle here 00:54:00.099 --> 00:54:04.480 that in order for us to have the blamelessness 00:54:04.480 --> 00:54:05.880 at christ's return 00:54:05.880 --> 00:54:07.539 that is prayed for in verse 24 00:54:07.539 --> 00:54:10.860 we need to care about the church 00:54:10.860 --> 00:54:14.159 we need to engage with the church 00:54:14.159 --> 00:54:14.900 and its leaders 00:54:14.900 --> 00:54:17.480 in ways that are obedient to the lord 00:54:17.480 --> 00:54:20.440 so what do we take away 00:54:20.440 --> 00:54:24.019 well if you don't formally belong to a faithful church 00:54:24.019 --> 00:54:25.619 you need to 00:54:25.619 --> 00:54:26.740 you need to join one 00:54:26.740 --> 00:54:27.900 you need to covenant with one 00:54:27.900 --> 00:54:31.619 you need to learn to recognize 00:54:31.619 --> 00:54:33.320 and value faithful leaders 00:54:33.320 --> 00:54:36.039 submitting to their spiritual leadership 00:54:36.039 --> 00:54:39.320 and you need to meaningfully engage 00:54:39.320 --> 00:54:41.559 in the mutual soul care of the congregation 00:54:41.559 --> 00:54:47.160 and it is through these ordinary means of grace 00:54:47.160 --> 00:54:51.099 that god sanctifies his people 00:54:51.099 --> 00:54:54.619 and prepares us for christ's return 00:54:54.619 --> 00:54:55.159 you