WEBVTT

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 Well, this morning is really kind of a pick-up from last week as we talked about the significance

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!

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 And depending upon your orientation, depending upon where you're coming from, your background,

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 and maybe even your work experience, there is a sense in which we look to leaders to kind

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 of be the end-all for us in setting the course and helping to create a healthy environment.

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 That unless we have good leaders with certain qualities, we can't ever hope to have a healthy

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 organization or a successful company or, in our case, a healthy church.

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 And certainly there is a significant factor of having healthy leaders, but today I want

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 to draw out from our text today the significance of a healthy body that is instrumental in selecting

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 and choosing out healthy leaders.

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 And also coming alongside those leaders and allowing the ministry to be effective because

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 of the work of God in your lives in carrying out the ministry in our midst.

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 It's clear that healthy leaders are important, but without a healthy church, that leadership

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 is going to be disruptive and ineffective.

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 Maybe the telltale example of that is to go back a bit in history and to look at Jonathan Edwards.

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 And those of you who would know Jonathan Edwards would be familiar with a man who was key in

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 helping to lead America into two significant revivals.

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 The first and second great awakening that we enjoyed as a country.

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 And for 25 years, Jonathan Edwards faithfully preached and proclaimed the word of God in his church,

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 which happened to be his grandpa's church.

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 But over the course of 25 years, you would think that a church that is hearing the deep,

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 living truths of the scripture would be healthy, but in fact, they were not.

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 And after 25 years of ministry, Jonathan Edwards was fired from his position, expelled from his church,

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 and only 10% of his members voted for him to stay.

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 What was the issue?

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 The issue was a commitment that Jonathan Edwards had to the sanctity of communion

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 and preserving that holy ordinance for those who were truly saved.

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 For those who had actually come to faith in Christ,

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 those are the individuals he wanted to be able to participate.

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 And to the exclusion of those who did not know Christ,

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 he wanted to preserve them from the ramifications of that,

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 taking that in an unholy, ungodly way.

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 That's what the deal breaker was.

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 That's what sent him over the edge.

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 And for all of the ministry and sound leadership that he provided for that church,

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 it was still insufficient to overcome the unhealthy nature of the body.

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 So as we come to our text this morning,

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 I want to point this out that we've kind of fast-forwarded a bit in our study.

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 Last week we were in chapter 2, now all of a sudden we're in chapter 5.

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 And for some of you, you're wondering, what in the world happened here?

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 Did we just forget and leave behind all the other chapters?

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 The answer is no, but that we wanted to use 1 Thessalonians as a means to address this important topic.

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 Especially given the fact that here in October,

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 you're going to be instrumental in nominating leaders

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 who will serve you as deacons here in this church.

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 What do you look for?

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 And what are the qualifications for those leaders?

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 And what would you expect them to do?

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 These are all important in our conversation

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 and things that will come up in our passage today

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 from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, beginning in verse 12.

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 Let me read this for us and we'll begin in our study.

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 If you're a guest with us today, you can find it on page 988 in the Pew Bible in front of you.

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 It says,

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 Be patient with them all.

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 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil,

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 but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

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 Rejoice always.

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 Pray without ceasing.

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 Give thanks in all circumstances,

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 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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 Do not quench the Spirit.

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 Do not despise prophecies,

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 but test everything,

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 hold fast what is good,

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 abstain from every form of evil.

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 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely,

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 and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless

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 at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 He who calls you is faithful.

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 He will surely do it.

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 Brothers, pray for us.

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 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

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 And I put you under oath before the Lord

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 to have this letter read to all the brothers.

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 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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 Now just in reading through that passage this morning,

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 there should be a couple of things that really stand out to you

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 in just a cursory reading of that passage.

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 First, it is loaded with commands.

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 One after the other,

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 there are this stream of imperatives that Paul addresses to this church.

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 Things that he expects them to do,

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 things that are directed to them specifically

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 as members of the body of Christ

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 and as those who are fellowshipping together in community.

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 He addresses them on at least two occasions.

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 We see here in verse 12, he says,

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 we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor over you.

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 And then in verse 14, we urge you, brothers.

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 These commands go not to the leaders themselves,

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 but we're going to find the significance of our personal contribution

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 to the health of the body.

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 If you want to have a healthy church,

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 you must be a healthy member.

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 It's all really is as simple as that.

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 Certainly, it's important to have healthy leaders.

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 But it begins with having a healthy church.

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 It begins with being a healthy member.

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 And Paul begins to understand

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 and is helping the church to understand

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 the significance of their contribution

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 to make this church a church

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 that not only glorifies God,

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 but is effectively accomplishing the objectives

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 in the world around them.

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 We're going to step through this

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 and we're going to see what does it take then

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 to be a healthy member.

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 What does it take to be a person

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 who is contributing well to the body of Christ

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 and helping to assist

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 and helping to come alongside this process

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 and be used of God

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 to create a healthy environment,

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 a church that is glorifying Him

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 and is working out its purpose in the world.

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 We find the first purpose,

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 the first recognition of the quality of this church

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 in verses 12 and 13.

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 It begins, Paul begins with this,

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 affirming your leaders.

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 That's the first goal.

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 Recognizing the significance of affirming your leaders.

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 Now really, right here at the outset,

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 I want to make it clear

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 that although I'm a pastor here,

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 this is really more about the deacon process

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 and the leadership that we have as a church.

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 I don't want this to seem self-serving in any way.

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 And in a sense,

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 there is a responsibility for me as well

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 to be robing myself

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 and adorning myself with the same characteristics.

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 That as God has permitted us

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 to have diverse leadership here at this church,

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 it's important for all the leaders

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 to be treating one another this way

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 and it's important for the members of the church

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 to be doing this for their leaders.

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 This is something we're all commanded to do.

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 This is something that we all must

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 adorn our lives with

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 and that is beginning with affirming your leaders.

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 It begins right here at the start.

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 We ask you, brothers,

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 to respect those who labor among you.

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 It really begins by recognizing their labor.

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 By recognizing their labor.

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 And so I want to just pull out some observations for you

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 to help you understand

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 what does that look like

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 and how does that happen?

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 How do we begin to recognize their labor?

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 Well, first, I think we recognize

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 that it's our personal responsibility.

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 That the Apostle Paul is speaking to the members of this church

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 and he's telling them to take action.

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 Don't be inactive in this process.

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 Don't be indifferent about this process.

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 Be actively engaged in the ministry

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 so that you can personally recognize those

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 who are in your church

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 and those who are taking responsibility.

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 Those who are leading in this way.

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 Paul uses an endearing term

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 to request and to implore

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 and to encourage them to a certain activity.

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 He doesn't use his apostolic authority

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 in this particular verse,

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 but he is coming as a friend would for a peer.

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 And he's coming alongside of them

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 and just making a request

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 and helping them to recognize

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 their personal responsibility

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 in identifying leaders.

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 The church was already doing so well

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 in so many areas

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 and they just needed some encouragement

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 to step up their game

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 and to continue to be a church that was healthy.

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 It began with recognizing

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 their personal responsibility.

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 Second, it was important for them

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 to recognize the efforts of those around them.

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 To recognize the efforts of those around them.

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 And although this is not up on the screen,

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 this is extra, no extra charge.

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 He says, respect those who labor.

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 They're diligently laboring.

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 It's the word in the Greek

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 that would point to labor

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 to the point of exhaustion.

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 Labor to the point of sweat

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 and even pain

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 and a sense of suffering

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 that is taking place in their life.

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 There is this expending of energy

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 and a personal investment

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 in the ministry.

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 Paul had already set this kind of example.

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 We saw that last week in chapter 2

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 when we're reading his example

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 of spiritual ministry in this church.

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 He says in chapter 2, verse 11,

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 for you know how like a father

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 with his children,

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 we exhorted each one of you

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 and encouraged you

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 and charged you to walk

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 in a manner worthy of God.

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 Well, how did that all start?

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 Well, it started as in verse 9,

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 you remember our labor and our toil.

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 We work night and day

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 that we might not be a burden to any of you

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 while we proclaimed to you

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 the gospel of God.

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 The apostle Paul had set the example.

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 He had helped to condition them

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 to recognize what true labor looked like.

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 It was exhausting,

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 but it was for the sake of the body.

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 He did whatever he needed to do

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 to set the precedent for godly leadership.

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 He did this in Colossae.

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 He did this in Ephesus.

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 Wherever the apostle Paul went,

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 he was committed to labor

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 at his own expense

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 for the sake of those

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 that he was serving.

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 He tells them to respect

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 those who labor among them.

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 This is really an unusual word.

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 Respect is a translation

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 of the common New Testament word

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 to know by experience.

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 The connotation here is that

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 these believers would be able

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 to identify,

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 would be able to recognize,

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 they would come to an awareness

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 of those who were working among them

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 because they were in community

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 with these individuals.

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 They got to see it firsthand.

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 It wasn't just something

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 that they heard about,

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 but it was something they witnessed.

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 There was no indication

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 that Paul had actually appointed leaders

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 in this city.

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 As we've been working through

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 this little letter,

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 we've become familiar with the fact

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 that Paul's time in Thessalonica

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 was really pretty small.

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 Maybe a matter of weeks

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 or a few months.

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 And so,

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 there wasn't any time

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 for him to identify

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 leaders among them.

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 There wasn't time for him

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 to establish,

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 well, these are going to be

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 the pastors

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 and these are going to be

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 the deacons of your church.

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 There just wasn't time

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 for that to develop.

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 And so,

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 what Paul is trying

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 to help them understand

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 is here are the cues,

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 here are the indicators

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 that you can look for

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 to identify the people

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 who are growing

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 in leadership among you.

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 See, Paul,

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 as we saw in chapter 1,

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 was committed

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 to the understanding

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 that the Holy Spirit

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 was actively at work

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 in this church.

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 And because the Spirit

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 was at work in this church,

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 he had regenerated

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 this group of believers,

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 he had indwelt

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 this group of believers,

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 he had gifted

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 this group of believers,

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 and he had allowed them

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 to experience

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 a measure of spiritual fruit.

00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:07.879
 So, as Paul was committed

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.300
 to the work of the Spirit

00:16:09.300 --> 00:16:09.879
 in the lives

00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:11.120
 of these people,

00:16:11.400 --> 00:16:12.780
 he knew that what was

00:16:12.780 --> 00:16:14.060
 going to happen over time

00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:15.700
 is there would be people

00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:17.340
 that the Holy Spirit

00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.500
 would gift for leadership

00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.259
 and for teaching,

00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:21.000
 and they would just begin

00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:23.060
 to rise to the top.

00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.020
 They would begin

00:16:25.020 --> 00:16:26.120
 to recognize

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.160
 the call of God

00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:27.820
 in their life,

00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.600
 and they would begin

00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:30.220
 to put that call

00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:32.259
 to work in the church.

00:16:32.900 --> 00:16:33.580
 They would begin

00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.680
 to commit themselves

00:16:34.680 --> 00:16:35.360
 to ministry

00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.280
 and to service

00:16:36.280 --> 00:16:38.060
 among the people

00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.879
 within the body.

00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.480
 And I believe

00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.679
 that's what's happening here.

00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:44.980
 Similar to what we find

00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.139
 in Acts chapter 6,

00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.639
 and so I just encourage you

00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.419
 to keep your finger

00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:51.879
 in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5

00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.039
 and turn with me briefly

00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:55.860
 to Acts chapter 6.

00:16:55.860 --> 00:17:03.740
 Now, what's taking place

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.099
 in Acts chapter 6

00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:05.880
 is the church

00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:07.680
 is beginning to explode.

00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.640
 There are growing numbers

00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.380
 of individuals

00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.420
 who are coming to faith

00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.180
 in Jesus Christ.

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.400
 And Peter

00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.579
 and the rest of the apostles

00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.740
 have come to the point

00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.460
 where they recognize

00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.680
 that everything

00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.740
 is important,

00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.759
 but not everything

00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.559
 is possible

00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.960
 for them to do.

00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:27.559
 And so that the only way

00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:29.740
 they can meet the needs

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:32.199
 of this growing group

00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:33.139
 of believers

00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:36.019
 is to allocate the ministry

00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:37.579
 to faithful individuals

00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.579
 who will be able

00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.419
 to carry it out.

00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:41.959
 And so we find

00:17:41.959 --> 00:17:44.459
 in verse 2 of chapter 6,

00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.679
 and the 12

00:17:45.679 --> 00:17:47.439
 summoned the full number

00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:48.779
 of disciples and said,

00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.299
 it's not right

00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.219
 that we should give up

00:17:51.219 --> 00:17:52.879
 preaching the word of God

00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.639
 into served tables.

00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:55.240
 Therefore, brothers,

00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.900
 pick out from among you

00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:58.880
 seven men of good repute,

00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.559
 full of the Holy Spirit

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.039
 and wisdom,

00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:03.059
 whom we will appoint

00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.859
 to this duty.

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.640
 But we will devote

00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:07.579
 ourselves to prayer

00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:08.460
 into the ministry

00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.680
 of the word.

00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:12.160
 And so that's what they do.

00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:14.259
 They recognize

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:16.539
 seven faithful men

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:19.079
 who have a good reputation

00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.180
 and are full

00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.960
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.880
 How do you suppose

00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:23.480
 they're able

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.200
 to identify those men?

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.380
 And how do you suppose

00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.700
 they're able

00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:30.920
 as a massive group

00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:31.620
 of believers

00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:33.220
 to all agree?

00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:34.960
 Now that's probably

00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.120
 the biggest miracle

00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:36.680
 of all.

00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:39.039
 It's possible

00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:40.380
 only because

00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.740
 these men

00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.720
 were already

00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.900
 committed to ministry.

00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.519
 These men

00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.240
 were already

00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.019
 actively

00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.980
 serving

00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:49.180
 and laboring

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:49.960
 in the church.

00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.779
 And so as

00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.759
 these individuals,

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.019
 these Hellenistic

00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.440
 converts

00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:57.380
 were recognizing

00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.279
 the ministry

00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.500
 of these faithful men,

00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.339
 they said,

00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.980
 well that is easy.

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.759
 That's really easy.

00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:06.019
 These are the men

00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.779
 we need to pick.

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.559
 These are the men

00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.980
 who clearly demonstrate

00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:12.000
 not only a commitment

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.279
 to the Holy Spirit,

00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.140
 not only a good reputation

00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.720
 among the group,

00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.180
 but a faithful,

00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.920
 serving attitude.

00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:22.280
 A ministry to us.

00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:23.960
 A ministry

00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.360
 that is devoted.

00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:27.140
 A ministry

00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:28.120
 that is faithful.

00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:31.320
 So the takeaway

00:19:31.320 --> 00:19:31.980
 for us

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:34.180
 as we look

00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.620
 at this passage

00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:36.220
 this morning

00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:38.300
 is to recognize

00:19:38.300 --> 00:19:40.360
 that leaders

00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:41.540
 lead.

00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:44.619
 to recognize

00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:46.480
 that those

00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.220
 who have

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.740
 the gifts

00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.819
 of service,

00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:49.819
 those who have

00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.379
 the gifts

00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:51.399
 of teaching,

00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:53.139
 those who have

00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:53.779
 been called

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.619
 to serve

00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.420
 in this way

00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:57.680
 will serve

00:19:57.680 --> 00:20:00.379
 because that's

00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:00.839
 what God

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.319
 has called them

00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:01.720
 to do.

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.299
 They're going

00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.099
 to take initiative.

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.220
 They're going

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.200
 to look for opportunities.

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.599
 And maybe it's not

00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.599
 in the most

00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.960
 favored places

00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.960
 of ministry,

00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.680
 but they're going

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.480
 to find ways

00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.340
 to fill the gap

00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:14.059
 so they can

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.019
 exercise their

00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.779
 spiritual gift

00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.620
 and benefit

00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.460
 the body of Christ.

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.140
 Now that all

00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:20.079
 happens of course

00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.200
 within the context

00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.140
 of the leadership

00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:22.620
 structure

00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:23.360
 that's already

00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:23.940
 in place.

00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.840
 It happens

00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.420
 as they

00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.680
 faithfully

00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.539
 submit themselves

00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.240
 to the leaders

00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.920
 who are already

00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.279
 there.

00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:33.200
 Like these

00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:34.200
 seven men

00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.079
 in Jerusalem

00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:36.660
 who were

00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.720
 actively serving

00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.840
 this church

00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.759
 without having

00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.299
 been given

00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.160
 any instruction

00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.900
 all underneath

00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:43.480
 the leadership

00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.180
 and authority

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.859
 of the apostles

00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.700
 but now

00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.839
 that there's

00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.680
 some assistance

00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.240
 in leadership

00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.000
 that's required

00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:50.319
 they are happy

00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.279
 to carry out

00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.839
 the objectives.

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.960
 I would just

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.019
 like for a moment

00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.960
 if it's not

00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.660
 awkward

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.440
 can I just

00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.039
 encourage

00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.240
 the deacon team

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.640
 to stand

00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.240
 with your wives

00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.599
 please?

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:05.900
 Can you do

00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.379
 that for me?

00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:07.940
 I want to

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.760
 call out

00:21:08.760 --> 00:21:09.580
 the faithful

00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:10.280
 leaders

00:21:10.280 --> 00:21:11.520
 of this

00:21:11.520 --> 00:21:12.140
 congregation.

00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:13.440
 Now there are

00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:14.120
 some who are here

00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.720
 there are probably

00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.260
 many others

00:21:16.260 --> 00:21:16.920
 who are serving.

00:21:18.340 --> 00:21:19.800
 This team

00:21:19.800 --> 00:21:21.160
 has demonstrated

00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:22.680
 a commitment

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.900
 to ministry

00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:25.060
 this way.

00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:26.540
 They have

00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:27.320
 demonstrated

00:21:27.320 --> 00:21:28.420
 relentless

00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.420
 labor

00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.480
 to the point

00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.440
 of exhaustion.

00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.120
 congregation

00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:33.340
 in areas

00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:33.740
 that are

00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.640
 public

00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:36.180
 in areas

00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.600
 that are

00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:37.000
 private

00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.799
 there is

00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.559
 a desire

00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.559
 for them

00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.279
 to serve

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:42.380
 this congregation

00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.240
 but more

00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.740
 importantly

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.580
 to serve

00:21:44.580 --> 00:21:45.019
 the Lord

00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.420
 because

00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.620
 of the

00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:47.279
 giftedness

00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.620
 that God

00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:47.960
 has given

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.440
 to them

00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.160
 the call

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.519
 of God

00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:49.759
 on their

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.140
 life

00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:50.660
 and they

00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:50.820
 have

00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:51.480
 demonstrated

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.220
 even without

00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:52.740
 having to

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.100
 have

00:21:53.100 --> 00:21:54.059
 the title

00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.559
 of deacon

00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.200
 that they

00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:55.600
 have a heart

00:21:55.600 --> 00:21:56.100
 to serve.

00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:57.039
 Thank you

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.639
 for standing.

00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:08.279
 As we're

00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:08.779
 talking

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.639
 as a deacon

00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.099
 team

00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:12.159
 it continues

00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:13.279
 to astound

00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:13.720
 me

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.599
 of all

00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.299
 the areas

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.980
 that this

00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.220
 faithful

00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.139
 servant

00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.819
 team

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:20.200
 ministers

00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.659
 to this

00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:20.920
 body.

00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:22.539
 There's

00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.099
 teaching

00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:24.139
 and visitation

00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:25.220
 counseling

00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.000
 Maranatha

00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.559
 movers

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.519
 security

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.179
 teams

00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:28.899
 greeters

00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.559
 and ushers

00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.619
 there are

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.419
 small groups

00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.139
 and hosting

00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:32.619
 families

00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:32.899
 in their

00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:33.339
 homes

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.119
 there's

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.919
 discipleship

00:22:34.919 --> 00:22:35.159
 that's

00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.679
 taking place

00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:36.319
 one-on-one

00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.500
 there are

00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.559
 marathon

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.179
 meetings

00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:39.679
 on

00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:40.720
 Saturdays

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.539
 there are

00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.019
 serving

00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.599
 families

00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.179
 in various

00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:43.779
 ways

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.940
 children's

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.419
 ministry

00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:46.019
 Awana

00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.919
 and youth

00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.279
 group

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.039
 there are

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.299
 mowing

00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.039
 lawns

00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.500
 and setting

00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.159
 up tables

00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:51.039
 overseeing

00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.519
 the budget

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.480
 and serving

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.399
 to the point

00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:54.299
 of exhaustion

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:56.259
 these men

00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.680
 and their

00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.139
 wives

00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:57.940
 should be

00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.339
 commended

00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:00.399
 and identified

00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:02.200
 and esteemed

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.980
 and respected

00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.359
 because of

00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:05.039
 their labors

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.879
 for Christ

00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.919
 on behalf

00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:07.639
 of this

00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:07.960
 church

00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.859
 what a

00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.200
 blessing

00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:14.500
 it's also

00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.180
 important for us

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.840
 to understand

00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:16.279
 that

00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.519
 that they

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:17.819
 are

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.299
 we need to

00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.720
 recognize

00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.680
 the authority

00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.279
 with which

00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.920
 they serve

00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.980
 notice

00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.000
 the phrase

00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.380
 here

00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.960
 who labor

00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.940
 among you

00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.559
 and are

00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.720
 over you

00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:30.039
 in the

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.819
 Lord

00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:33.600
 over you

00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:34.279
 in the

00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.600
 Lord

00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:36.219
 their

00:23:36.219 --> 00:23:36.699
 ministry

00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:37.299
 is

00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:37.919
 to

00:23:37.919 --> 00:23:38.139
 the

00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:38.500
 Lord

00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.740
 their

00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.179
 ministry

00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:40.799
 is

00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.319
 for

00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:41.539
 the

00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:41.919
 Lord

00:23:41.919 --> 00:23:42.500
 and

00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:42.639
 their

00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:42.980
 ministry

00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.259
 is

00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.759
 commissioned

00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.419
 by

00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:44.619
 the

00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:44.879
 Lord

00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:47.439
 they

00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:47.559
 are

00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:48.199
 serving

00:23:48.199 --> 00:23:48.779
 under

00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.240
 the

00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.759
 authority

00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.500
 of

00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:50.759
 him

00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.779
 and

00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.179
 thus

00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:53.379
 they

00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:53.980
 demand

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.039
 as

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.379
 God

00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:55.899
 demands

00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.559
 respect

00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.219
 and

00:23:57.219 --> 00:23:57.839
 esteem

00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.759
 as

00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.439
 representatives

00:23:59.439 --> 00:23:59.980
 of

00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.299
 him

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.179
 they

00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:01.699
 command

00:24:01.699 --> 00:24:01.959
 and

00:24:01.959 --> 00:24:02.359
 demand

00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:02.779
 our

00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.500
 respect

00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.519
 so

00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:05.640
 they

00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:05.819
 won't

00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.200
 speak

00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.440
 on

00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:06.619
 their

00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:06.819
 own

00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.200
 authority

00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.380
 but

00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:07.519
 they

00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:07.680
 will

00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.299
 admonish

00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.619
 you

00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.000
 with

00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.119
 the

00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.559
 authority

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:09.839
 of

00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.119
 Christ

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.299
 and

00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:10.460
 that's

00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:10.559
 what

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:10.680
 we

00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:10.960
 find

00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.119
 here

00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:11.539
 next

00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.440
 they're

00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:12.700
 over

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:12.920
 you

00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.039
 in

00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.160
 the

00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.359
 Lord

00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:13.759
 and

00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.380
 admonish

00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:14.640
 you

00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.819
 that's

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:15.940
 an

00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.279
 important

00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.660
 word

00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.000
 it's

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.400
 it's

00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:17.519
 the

00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:17.859
 word

00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:19.200
 which

00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.539
 is

00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:19.700
 the

00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:19.880
 word

00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.019
 we

00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.200
 get

00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.400
 new

00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.240
 counseling

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.720
 from

00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.819
 it

00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.059
 is

00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.319
 the

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.180
 idea

00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.440
 of

00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.180
 instructing

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.359
 or

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:25.920
 teaching

00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.759
 it's

00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.279
 identifying

00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.099
 behaviors

00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:28.599
 and leading

00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:28.779
 them

00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:28.859
 to

00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.019
 the

00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.339
 scriptures

00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:29.680
 and

00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.000
 seeking

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.259
 to

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.019
 call

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.240
 them

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.500
 to

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.200
 righteous

00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:32.720
 living

00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.460
 and

00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:34.559
 then

00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:34.720
 we

00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.039
 find

00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.240
 in

00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.480
 verse

00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.059
 13

00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.000
 our

00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.839
 responsibility

00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.200
 to

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.759
 esteem

00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.099
 them

00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:39.640
 highly

00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.359
 in

00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:40.819
 love

00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.640
 because

00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.200
 of

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.380
 their

00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:42.859
 work

00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:44.440
 not

00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:44.859
 because

00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.119
 of

00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.279
 their

00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.799
 title

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.779
 not

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.160
 because

00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.359
 of

00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.519
 their

00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.000
 gifting

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.259
 but

00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.920
 interestingly

00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.420
 because

00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.059
 of

00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.220
 their

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.619
 work

00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:53.039
 because

00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:53.519
 again

00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.160
 of

00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.000
 recognizing

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.460
 the

00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.299
 labors

00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.139
 that

00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:57.339
 they

00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:57.960
 have

00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:59.139
 and

00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.259
 the

00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.440
 way

00:24:59.440 --> 00:24:59.599
 that

00:24:59.599 --> 00:24:59.759
 they're

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.139
 serving

00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.419
 the

00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:00.720
 Lord

00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.099
 in

00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:01.480
 your

00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:01.919
 midst

00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:03.480
 that

00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.819
 is

00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.139
 our

00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:04.700
 responsibility

00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.599
 to

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.039
 leaders

00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.139
 but

00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:07.319
 then

00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:07.539
 the

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:07.839
 apostle

00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.139
 Paul

00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.500
 moves

00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:08.819
 on

00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:09.379
 he

00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:09.740
 moves

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:09.899
 to

00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:10.059
 the

00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.440
 next

00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.200
 thing

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.480
 but

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:12.579
 I'm

00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:12.700
 getting

00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:12.980
 ahead

00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.379
 of

00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:13.659
 myself

00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:13.960
 aren't

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.119
 I

00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:15.960
 we

00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.200
 need

00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.619
 to

00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.619
 I

00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:17.940
 said

00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.559
 recognize

00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:20.059
 their

00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.460
 labor

00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:20.720
 but

00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:20.859
 we

00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.159
 also

00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.419
 need

00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:21.559
 to

00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.159
 choose

00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:22.460
 them

00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:22.879
 based

00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.379
 upon

00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:23.740
 their

00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.159
 character

00:25:24.159 --> 00:25:24.639
 sorry

00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:26.119
 choose

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.359
 them

00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:26.699
 based

00:25:26.699 --> 00:25:27.000
 upon

00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.199
 their

00:25:27.199 --> 00:25:27.579
 character

00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.919
 if

00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:29.039
 we

00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.159
 had

00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:29.500
 time

00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:29.719
 this

00:25:29.719 --> 00:25:29.959
 morning

00:25:29.959 --> 00:25:30.119
 we

00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:30.279
 would

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.439
 look

00:25:30.439 --> 00:25:30.539
 at

00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:30.719
 this

00:25:30.719 --> 00:25:31.119
 passage

00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.319
 and

00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.500
 we

00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.000
 could

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.419
 begin

00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:32.679
 to

00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:32.959
 fill

00:25:32.959 --> 00:25:33.479
 out

00:25:33.479 --> 00:25:34.479
 the

00:25:34.479 --> 00:25:35.439
 qualifications

00:25:35.439 --> 00:25:35.899
 that God

00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:36.219
 lays

00:25:36.219 --> 00:25:36.619
 forth

00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.039
 for

00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.599
 deacons

00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:39.679
 but

00:25:39.679 --> 00:25:39.839
 there

00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.139
 are

00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.539
 several

00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.099
 different

00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:42.059
 observations

00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.479
 I would

00:25:42.479 --> 00:25:42.679
 like

00:25:42.679 --> 00:25:42.839
 to

00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.219
 make

00:25:43.219 --> 00:25:45.079
 first

00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.379
 I

00:25:45.379 --> 00:25:45.519
 would

00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:45.699
 like

00:25:45.699 --> 00:25:45.979
 to

00:25:45.979 --> 00:25:46.699
 identify

00:25:46.699 --> 00:25:46.939
 the

00:25:46.939 --> 00:25:47.119
 fact

00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:47.299
 that

00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:47.659
 these

00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:48.379
 relate

00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:49.099
 to

00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.299
 their

00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.979
 duties

00:25:49.979 --> 00:25:50.699
 excuse

00:25:50.699 --> 00:25:50.879
 me

00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:51.199
 these

00:25:51.199 --> 00:25:51.899
 do

00:25:51.899 --> 00:25:52.139
 not

00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:52.500
 relate

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.659
 to

00:25:52.659 --> 00:25:52.819
 their

00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.179
 duties

00:25:53.179 --> 00:25:53.699
 or

00:25:53.699 --> 00:25:54.079
 their

00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.399
 spiritual

00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:54.859
 gifts

00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:56.559
 and if

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.619
 you

00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:56.759
 would

00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.039
 turn

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.799
 just

00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.000
 for a

00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.219
 moment

00:25:58.219 --> 00:25:58.559
 to

00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:58.859
 1st

00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.139
 Timothy

00:25:59.139 --> 00:26:00.399
 chapter

00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:00.740
 3

00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:02.899
 the

00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:03.159
 only way

00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:03.279
 we're

00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.399
 going to

00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:03.500
 be

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:03.699
 really

00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.179
 able to

00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:04.519
 appreciate

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.000
 this

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.359
 is to

00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:06.199
 see it

00:26:06.199 --> 00:26:07.740
 1st

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:07.959
 Timothy

00:26:07.959 --> 00:26:08.259
 chapter

00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.619
 3

00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:11.019
 beginning

00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.240
 in

00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.439
 verse

00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:11.859
 8

00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:13.259
 it

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.479
 says

00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.099
 deacons

00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099


00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099


00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.640
 likewise

00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.220
 must

00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.460
 be

00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.240
 dignified

00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.759
 not

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.059
 double

00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.640
 tongued

00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.539
 not

00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:19.880
 addicted

00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.099
 to

00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.299
 much

00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.720
 wine

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.819
 not

00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.140
 greedy

00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.420
 for

00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:22.880
 dishonest

00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.319
 gain

00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.360
 they

00:26:24.360 --> 00:26:24.559
 must

00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:24.920
 hold

00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.140
 the

00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:25.480
 mystery

00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:25.759
 of

00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:25.900
 the

00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.259
 faith

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.599
 with

00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:26.700
 a

00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:26.900
 clear

00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.519
 conscience

00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.819
 and

00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.019
 let

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.180
 them

00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.460
 also

00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.660
 be

00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:29.980
 tested

00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.440
 first

00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:30.700
 and

00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.160
 then

00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.380
 let

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:31.519
 them

00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:31.860
 serve

00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.000
 as

00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.400
 deacon

00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.339
 if

00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.519
 they

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:33.920
 prove

00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.620
 themselves

00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:35.620
 blameless

00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.980
 their

00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.420
 wives

00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:37.880
 likewise

00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.799
 must

00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:38.960
 be

00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.539
 dignified

00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.380
 not

00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:40.960
 slanders

00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.839
 not

00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:42.140
 sober

00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:42.519
 minded

00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.720
 But sober-minded.

00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:46.519
 Faithful in all things.

00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.900
 That could be a problem, huh?

00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:52.900
 It's okay for the husband not to be drunk,

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.960
 but the wife, she can get a little tipsy.

00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.940
 Wow.

00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:02.599
 I guess I'll be looking for a job this week.

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.240
 Shoo!

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.639
 Verse 12.

00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:15.500
 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife,

00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:19.720
 managing their children and their own households well.

00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:23.920
 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing

00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:28.839
 for themselves and also great confidence in faith

00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.200
 that is in Christ Jesus.

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:35.119
 Do you see the concentration, the focus on character

00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.539
 and not on performance?

00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:41.539
 Not on their duties or even their giftedness,

00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:43.359
 but the quality of life?

00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:49.579
 The significance of an individual who has been tested and proven

00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:54.000
 and has demonstrated a commitment to Christ first?

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:56.720
 That's what qualifies them to serve.

00:27:56.720 --> 00:28:05.900
 There's also the perspective of understanding that Paul's expectations

00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:08.480
 use a present tense.

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:12.680
 We understand that we're flawed as individuals.

00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:17.980
 There are moments of life where God has taken us through learning processes.

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:22.680
 And that by God's grace,

00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:26.980
 he can not only redeem, but he can also restore.

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:33.299
 So Timothy is supposed to look at the current quality and pattern of life.

00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:39.079
 All of these adjectives and all of these verbs are given in the present tense

00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:43.200
 and describe the quality of life from this point on.

00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:49.379
 The significance of an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to faithfulness

00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:50.420
 and a commitment to the Lord.

00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:57.060
 Although broken, although sinful in the past,

00:28:57.060 --> 00:29:01.140
 has been able to move by God's grace into purity,

00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.560
 into faithfulness, and into obedience.

00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:08.799
 I want you to notice, third of all, that this encompasses all of life.

00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:12.460
 We see a character in the private sector.

00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:16.579
 There in verses 8 and 9.

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.399
 They're dignified.

00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.819
 They're not double-tongued.

00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:21.319
 They're not addicted to much wine.

00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:23.159
 They're not greedy for dishonest gain.

00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:27.779
 They hold fast the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:32.000
 There is this private commitment to God.

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:36.619
 God that is visible not only privately but publicly.

00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:39.960
 There's also a commitment to family.

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:42.140
 They're the husband of one wife.

00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:44.140
 They're a one-woman man.

00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:47.859
 There's a sense of loyalty about them and devotion at home.

00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:51.920
 And he manages his children and household well.

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:56.619
 There is this indication that God has affirmed his leadership

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:59.599
 through the way he's been able to lead his family.

00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:07.359
 And also affects his impact or presence in the community.

00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.119
 Verse 10 says,

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:12.220
 Let them be tested first and then let them serve as deacons

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:14.900
 if they prove themselves blameless.

00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:19.539
 There is a sense of their character that has shown up,

00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:22.720
 even in the community, as those who love the Lord.

00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:26.000
 We choose them based upon their character.

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:30.740
 Now moving to the second responsibility of the church

00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:33.319
 and the brothers to one another.

00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:38.200
 There is a command to assist your leaders.

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:42.100
 Not only to affirm them, but also now to assist them.

00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:48.019
 And we find four rapid-fire commands here in verse 14.

00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:51.960
 Back in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 now.

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:57.539
 We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,

00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:59.500
 encourage the faint-hearted,

00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:03.480
 help the weak, be patient with them all.

00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:13.940
 Now, what's truly remarkable about these commands

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:19.880
 is that almost all of them show up in 1 Thessalonians

00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:25.279
 and they're all related to what you would expect of your leaders.

00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:30.799
 This word, to admonish, is used in verse 12.

00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:33.599
 It's used of the leaders themselves

00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:35.379
 in the ministry that they have for the church.

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:39.579
 They're involved in this newthetic ministry

00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:43.579
 of counseling and encouraging and instructing the people.

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:46.480
 But it doesn't end with the leaders.

00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:49.980
 It is a part of a healthy body as well

00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:53.000
 as we're learning to stir one another up

00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.339
 to love and good deeds.

00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:58.619
 There is a connection to the body of Christ.

00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:02.339
 There is a commitment to the people

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:04.859
 that God has put in community with us

00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:07.740
 and also a commitment to serve them

00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:09.420
 in lots of different ways.

00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:16.200
 Some of these aren't terribly fun to do.

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:20.079
 Like how many of us really enjoy to admonish?

00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:23.779
 How many of us really like to confront sin

00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:25.680
 that we see in a brother or sister?

00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:30.460
 That's not something that we want to do.

00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:32.740
 It's something we prefer for our leaders to do.

00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:34.879
 And yet, if we're going to be a healthy church,

00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:38.480
 it's something that Paul tells the church of Thessalonica

00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:40.220
 they must be committed to do.

00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:47.960
 Because truth be told, there are things that are totally unaware

00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:50.200
 that your leaders are totally unaware of.

00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:53.480
 And for us to be a healthy community,

00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:56.240
 we all need to be doing this for one another.

00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:59.339
 Admonishing the idle.

00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:02.640
 Now, some of you may have the translation,

00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:05.140
 admonishing the unruly.

00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:07.980
 And that's probably a better translation of this word.

00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:11.480
 Those who were idle or unruly,

00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:15.000
 it was a military term.

00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:17.960
 It referred to a soldier who was out of rank

00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:21.740
 and behaved in a disorderly and insubordinate manner.

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:26.240
 It came to refer to anyone who did not perform his duty

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:28.460
 or follow through on his responsibility.

00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:33.059
 So, in a sense, they were inactive or idle.

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:34.180
 It wasn't that they were lazy.

00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:36.360
 It was just that they were plain defiant.

00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:39.779
 And there is no place for that in the church.

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:42.400
 And for us as believers,

00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:45.240
 we need to do the ministry of love,

00:33:46.100 --> 00:33:50.620
 of admonishing in love those who we see are out of step.

00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:55.700
 The second is a little bit more endearing to us

00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:57.420
 to encourage the faint-hearted.

00:33:58.460 --> 00:34:02.160
 There were those in the church of Thessalonica

00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:05.440
 who were experiencing any number of difficulties.

00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:10.039
 Those who were faced with tremendous persecution and pressure.

00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:13.199
 As we find in chapter 4 and chapter 5,

00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:16.460
 those who were grieving over the loss of a loved one

00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:22.280
 who they thought had missed the opportunity to be with Christ.

00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:26.119
 Paul was trying to help them understand

00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:29.460
 and bring fullness to their doctrine and theology,

00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:33.639
 but in the same time encourage the church to come alongside

00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:40.119
 and embrace and comfort those who were feeling discouraged.

00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:46.880
 Paul uses this of himself in his dad-like ministry that we saw last week.

00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:52.179
 It's this ministry of drawing individuals to yourself,

00:34:52.420 --> 00:34:54.980
 of walking together in fellowship,

00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:58.900
 of walking towards a goal in community.

00:34:58.900 --> 00:35:03.440
 And that's what we need to do with those who are feeling discouraged.

00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:05.700
 To help the weak.

00:35:07.180 --> 00:35:09.680
 It's the word to hold them firmly,

00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:12.380
 to cling to them, to support them,

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.440
 and to hold them up.

00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:16.139
 And then to be patient with all.

00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:20.659
 If those previous words didn't cover it,

00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:22.219
 then this will.

00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:25.519
 And certainly it's a good word for all of us

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:30.319
 to learn to be patient with the people that God has put us in community with.

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:33.359
 To have this sense of enduring,

00:35:33.859 --> 00:35:36.679
 this enduring quality of love,

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:40.219
 this spiritual quality,

00:35:40.659 --> 00:35:41.420
 fruit of the Spirit,

00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:44.920
 as God is helping us to grow in love,

00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:45.619
 and joy,

00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.360
 and peace,

00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:47.420
 and patience,

00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:49.980
 and kindness towards one another.

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:53.200
 Finally, in verses 16 to 24,

00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:56.579
 Paul addresses the issue of the heart.

00:35:57.840 --> 00:36:01.200
 He addresses the issue of the heart.

00:36:02.220 --> 00:36:03.880
 Any healthy church

00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:07.400
 has a healthy relationship with their God.

00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:09.860
 Now this morning,

00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:14.700
 I was drinking from my favorite coffee cup,

00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:18.079
 and it is very functionally,

00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:22.079
 it's very sound functionally.

00:36:23.180 --> 00:36:24.559
 The lid screws on,

00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:26.680
 it doesn't leak,

00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.579
 which is great.

00:36:27.660 --> 00:36:28.519
 It keeps the coffee,

00:36:28.920 --> 00:36:30.140
 the liquid inside hot.

00:36:31.120 --> 00:36:32.579
 The button works,

00:36:32.700 --> 00:36:33.980
 so that when you press it,

00:36:34.099 --> 00:36:35.180
 the coffee comes out.

00:36:35.180 --> 00:36:36.519
 But for some reason,

00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:39.599
 what I was tasting,

00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:41.740
 was bitter and sour.

00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:43.720
 Now I put,

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:47.000
 I put fresh coffee in there.

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:50.079
 I put fresh cream in there,

00:36:50.180 --> 00:36:52.160
 but for whatever reason,

00:36:52.740 --> 00:36:56.500
 I just kept tasting sour coffee.

00:36:57.700 --> 00:36:58.599
 And so this morning,

00:36:58.680 --> 00:37:00.140
 I looked in the side of,

00:37:00.300 --> 00:37:01.960
 inside of my lid,

00:37:01.960 --> 00:37:04.960
 and I think you know where this is going,

00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:09.139
 it was full of curdled milk.

00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:13.280
 And so it had been there for a while.

00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:18.179
 There's no wonder why I thought I was drinking sour cream,

00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:18.960
 instead of...

00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:27.960
 This is really where it comes to a head for us,

00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:29.340
 this last component.

00:37:30.820 --> 00:37:32.480
 Because we can have the right leaders,

00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:35.099
 and we can have right ministry,

00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:37.099
 but if we don't have the right heart,

00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:40.139
 we're not going to be a healthy church.

00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:47.119
 So Paul wants to commend a healthy ministry

00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:48.819
 to these people.

00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:51.319
 He wants to get rid of the residue,

00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:53.239
 the spoiled milk,

00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:56.699
 that's the buildup that can be there,

00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:59.099
 and he wants to help them recognize

00:37:59.099 --> 00:38:01.119
 the significance of a ministry

00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:03.699
 that is holy and sanctified

00:38:03.699 --> 00:38:04.599
 and effective

00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:06.940
 for what God has called them to do.

00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:13.619
 He begins here with the attitudes of thanksgiving.

00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:16.780
 Because, to be honest with you,

00:38:17.539 --> 00:38:22.059
 it all kind of comes to a pinnacle here

00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:25.300
 in this orientation.

00:38:26.260 --> 00:38:29.599
 To recognize the significance of rejoicing always

00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:31.340
 and praying without ceasing

00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:34.000
 and giving thanks in all circumstances.

00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:34.840
 Why?

00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:40.840
 Because this is the will of God for you.

00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:47.600
 I'm astounded at how Paul puts it in Romans 1.

00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:51.300
 When he is describing the condition

00:38:51.300 --> 00:38:52.840
 of the unregenerate heart,

00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.039
 and he says,

00:38:54.280 --> 00:38:55.300
 although they knew God,

00:38:55.380 --> 00:38:57.500
 they did not serve Him as God,

00:38:57.800 --> 00:39:00.440
 nor were they thankful.

00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:00.600
 Thankful.

00:39:04.840 --> 00:39:10.079
 Does that seem serious to you?

00:39:11.920 --> 00:39:16.660
 And then when Paul is describing

00:39:16.660 --> 00:39:18.900
 the fruit of the Spirit,

00:39:19.240 --> 00:39:19.900
 he says,

00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:21.620
 the fruit of the Spirit is love,

00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:23.620
 joy,

00:39:24.440 --> 00:39:25.220
 and peace.

00:39:25.219 --> 00:39:29.219
 So when Paul puts it that way,

00:39:29.619 --> 00:39:32.139
 the unregenerate heart is not thankful,

00:39:32.539 --> 00:39:35.439
 and the Spirit-filled heart is thankful

00:39:35.439 --> 00:39:36.339
 and full of joy,

00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:38.159
 it begins to help us recognize

00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:40.379
 the significance of this kind of attitude.

00:39:43.339 --> 00:39:44.199
 And maybe,

00:39:45.199 --> 00:39:46.519
 the best,

00:39:46.519 --> 00:39:50.059
 the best litmus test to know

00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:53.099
 if there's true holiness taking place in our life.

00:39:54.259 --> 00:39:57.059
 What is our posture in relationship to Thanksgiving?

00:39:58.199 --> 00:40:00.880
 What is our orientation or attitude

00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:02.699
 when hard things come?

00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:08.280
 Do we have an attitude of rejoicing evermore

00:40:08.280 --> 00:40:10.640
 and praying without ceasing?

00:40:12.240 --> 00:40:14.900
 He moves in verses 19 to 21

00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:16.840
 to their tenderness to the truth.

00:40:17.600 --> 00:40:19.019
 He describes it in several ways.

00:40:19.280 --> 00:40:20.000
 He says,

00:40:20.420 --> 00:40:21.800
 don't quench the Spirit.

00:40:22.240 --> 00:40:23.660
 Don't despise prophecy.

00:40:24.260 --> 00:40:24.960
 Test everything.

00:40:25.320 --> 00:40:26.400
 Hold fast what is good.

00:40:26.700 --> 00:40:28.080
 Abstain what is evil.

00:40:30.660 --> 00:40:31.720
 Know the truth.

00:40:32.400 --> 00:40:33.200
 Love the truth.

00:40:33.700 --> 00:40:34.540
 Test the truth.

00:40:35.140 --> 00:40:36.100
 And apply the truth.

00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:39.440
 There must be a tenderness to the truth

00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:40.619
 in your life,

00:40:40.799 --> 00:40:42.179
 which will flow then

00:40:42.179 --> 00:40:45.719
 into a separation from sin.

00:40:47.319 --> 00:40:51.779
 A desire to put sin away from you

00:40:51.779 --> 00:40:54.679
 and to live the holy life

00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:56.299
 that represents your holy God.

00:40:58.079 --> 00:41:02.679
 And we begin to wipe away the residue of our life

00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:06.259
 and to seek to let God do a work in our heart.

00:41:06.259 --> 00:41:12.119
 Then we'll begin to have other things in order in our life.

00:41:13.119 --> 00:41:16.179
 And the promise that Paul ends with

00:41:16.179 --> 00:41:19.099
 in verses 23 and 24.

00:41:19.859 --> 00:41:21.139
 Because this is a work,

00:41:22.119 --> 00:41:24.319
 the sanctifying work is beyond you.

00:41:25.219 --> 00:41:28.839
 The cleansing work is not possible without the power of God.

00:41:28.840 --> 00:41:30.840
 And so he says here,

00:41:31.660 --> 00:41:33.940
 Now may the God of peace himself

00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:36.100
 sanctify you completely.

00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:38.000
 Not just partially,

00:41:38.440 --> 00:41:39.220
 but completely.

00:41:40.600 --> 00:41:42.480
 And may your whole spirit

00:41:42.480 --> 00:41:43.760
 and soul

00:41:43.760 --> 00:41:44.900
 and body

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:46.740
 be kept blameless

00:41:46.740 --> 00:41:48.960
 at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:41:49.440 --> 00:41:51.079
 He who calls you

00:41:51.079 --> 00:41:52.059
 is faithful.

00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:54.160
 He will do it.

00:41:54.860 --> 00:41:55.760
 Don't you love that?

00:41:55.760 --> 00:41:59.300
 God cares

00:41:59.300 --> 00:42:01.460
 about your sanctification.

00:42:02.300 --> 00:42:03.320
 God cares

00:42:03.320 --> 00:42:04.260
 about your holiness.

00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:06.620
 Because God cares

00:42:06.620 --> 00:42:07.560
 about his glory.

00:42:08.680 --> 00:42:10.040
 And how he's being represented

00:42:10.040 --> 00:42:10.700
 in the world.

00:42:11.800 --> 00:42:12.520
 And he cares about

00:42:12.520 --> 00:42:13.300
 your effectiveness

00:42:13.300 --> 00:42:14.140
 and fruitfulness

00:42:14.140 --> 00:42:14.880
 in ministry.

00:42:15.340 --> 00:42:16.280
 And he cares about

00:42:16.280 --> 00:42:17.260
 the leaders

00:42:17.260 --> 00:42:19.480
 that you are going to be appointing.

00:42:19.540 --> 00:42:20.280
 And he cares about

00:42:20.280 --> 00:42:21.140
 the ministry

00:42:21.140 --> 00:42:22.120
 that you're going to be having

00:42:22.120 --> 00:42:23.540
 amongst yourselves.

00:42:23.539 --> 00:42:26.019
 He cares about

00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:28.960
 his gospel

00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:29.739
 showing up

00:42:29.739 --> 00:42:31.039
 among us.

00:42:32.119 --> 00:42:32.480
 And

00:42:32.480 --> 00:42:33.759
 having

00:42:33.759 --> 00:42:34.759
 extensions

00:42:34.759 --> 00:42:35.340
 into

00:42:35.340 --> 00:42:36.300
 the community

00:42:36.300 --> 00:42:37.239
 around us.

00:42:38.400 --> 00:42:39.639
 So that we can bring

00:42:39.639 --> 00:42:40.559
 other worshipers

00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:42.179
 along with us

00:42:42.179 --> 00:42:43.099
 to celebrate

00:42:43.099 --> 00:42:44.199
 the wonder of our God.

00:42:44.719 --> 00:42:45.239
 Let's pray.

00:42:45.239 --> 00:42:47.639
 Thank you.

00:42:47.639 --> 00:42:47.639


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