Church Life 101
1
Thessalonians 5:12-28
Intro: The tools were all gathered together for a
little meeting
The Hammer was appointed to preside over the meeting
Brother Screwdriver objected, saying “Brother Hammer, you’re too noisy to preside over this meeting.
You’re always driving home your point, always nailing people. I call for your resignation immediately.
Brother Hammer responded “Well, what about you, Brother Screwdriver?
All you ever do is spin around in circles.” “That may be true, said
Brother Screwdriver, but al least
I’m not like Brother Plane. His work is so surface, so shallow. What right does
he have to even be here?”
“If
you’re going to kick me out, protested Brother Plane, what about Brother Ruler?
He thinks he’s always right, measuring everyone else by his standards”
“Well, if you’re going to come down on me, argued
Brother Ruler, what about Brother Plier? He needs to get a grip!”
“At least I don’t rub people the wrong
way, said Brother Plier, who was
staring at Brother Sandpaper.
Just then the Master Craftsman walked in. And, as He
used each tool at the perfect time, He created an object of great beauty.
A)The
Church is the most blessed institution on earth
1)
the only one built by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself
B) The
Church is a Living organism – made up of all these unique personalities
/ each having their own giftings / talents and functions
C) In these final verses
Paul cuts here a string of pearls, that drop 1x1 into our hands, &
hopefully into our hearts!
D) Pearls that teach us
about Body life – about Church life -
Title: Church life 101
Outline:
3 Main subjects of Focus
[1] How to Live w/Leaders
[2] How to Live w/Learners
[3] How to Live w/our Lord
HOW
TO LIVE WITH LEADERS!
A) This is not a subject
that we talk very much about here at CCV – but it is in the Bible –
B) Instruction for the
Church in dealing with their Pastors RD ( v. 12,13)
C) In these verses we see
that Paul gives 3 things to do for your leaders
1)
And 3 Things leaders are to be doing.
3
Things to do for your Leaders
[1] Recognize =
To Acknowledge, appreciate & value.
A)
In other words Do not take them for granted.
B)
I know of churches where pastors are treated so badly { The worst Gayle Irwin –
People in his Church Prayed that God
would kill him – Too gracious !
C)
Let your Pastors and Leaders know you appreciate them !
1)
I know I speak not only for myself but for the other guys who serve here – We
are blessed by You
D)
Great Body !
Pastoring
a Church this size is interesting: Denise and I always joke when we are out –
How many see
A) Travel – SD / Temecula/
OC – always run into someone –
B) I love it when people
come up to say Hi
1)
Sometimes they Stare – Do I know you – see of Faces
C) So first Paul says
Recognize them : Acknowledge appreciate and Value !
[2] Esteem = Think highly of your leaders!
A)
Reason: 13b – “for their works sake
B)
This ought to come by the leaders reputation of the quality of their work, not
from any other cause.
1
Tim 5:17
Let the elders
who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in
the word and doctrine
[3] Be at Peace – No
Schism (not only w/them, but w/all). {
A) "Be at
peace among yourselves." Pastors are like Parents – they love it when there’s peace in the family!
B)
Paul uses the word peace 42 times in his epistles – indicating that peace is an
important trait to the Lord in the Life of his saints
C) In this context, it is
related to his instructions on how to treat church leaders.
1)
It suggests a deliberate refusal to create factions over individual leaders of
a church.
1
Tim 5:19 Do
not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
D) So 3 things that Paul
says to the Church about living with leaders:
1)
Recognize them Ack/ Apprec/ Value
2)
Esteem them : Think highly works sake
3)
Be at Peace with them and yourselves
3
things the leaders should be doing:
[1] Laboring – To work w/effort and speaks of both
Physical & mental labor.
A) Ministry is Labor – it is
work !
1) All pastors do is surf
and play golf and show up on Sundays
B) Not here: 60 plus hrs a week
1) Laboring in the word –
Prep for teaching
2) Laboring in Prayer { Acts
6 …………………..
3) Laboring in counseling
3) Laboring in Discipleship
4) Laboring in
Administration – Keep things going
C) Very Active Place -
1) Laboring with hands –
Most of our Pastors spend time each week doing Janitorial – cleaning Facility
1 Cor.15:10 “But by the grace
of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than all, yet
not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
D) I like to think like Paul – the guys here they
labor more than most Pastors in most Churches
[2]
Presiding – (over you) To stand before someone.
A) 2 meanings, both are appropriate here:
[1] To preside, lead, direct.
B) They are not to dictate,
but to lead! Lead first by example /
1)
2nd lead with instruction and giving guidance .
[2] To protect, to care
for.
C) Watch out for Wolves –
come into the flock to Feast on the Sheep !
[3] Admonishing
–
A)
To put one in mind, to advise, to warn. To correct those who are in error.
B) It refers to instruction
for the purpose of correcting and changing people.
1) It is teaching
with an element of warning, designed to direct the sheep to holy living
C) If you make this your
church… “expect correction if you are in sin!” In
Love !!!!
1)
We are not “sin sniffers”, but if we see cancer
we will take the scalpel to it…w/antiseptic!!!
D)
So there we have it – How to live w/ Leaders
HOW TO LIVE WITH LEARNERS! (RD
14,15 )
We
are all learners in Christ! DISCIPLE
A)
How to live w/each other! –
B)
Here are 5 duties to be done by the whole congregation:
[1] Warn – The “unruly”.
C)
Unruly was “A military term signifying the soldier who does not keep in proper
rank”
D) It was applied to a soldier who would not
keep rank but insisted on marching his own way.
E)
WARN = rebuke them – get on them
1)
Doesn’t say PRAY – SAYS- REBUKE THEM
D)
Soldiers in a battle need to be on the same page
Some
one getting a bad attitude – someone becoming rebellious – Warn them
A) Hold each other accountable – Don’t let each other get away with sin.
B) I think this is often an
area we lack in the body of Christ today { Avoid confrontation
1)
People with Bad attitudes are allowed to go un approached – Bad attitude
spreads like cancer
C) Listen Paul says to the
Body – Police yourselves
1)
Someone becoming unruly – Rebuke them –
Don’t wait for leaders – In love you do it !
[2] Comfort the fainthearted: The Fainthearted = Worried, discouraged, Fearful
A) Comfort = “encourage”.
B) The word is made up of
two Greek words – Para = near and Muthos = speech
1)
The idea being we must get close to them and speak tenderly.
C) We must teach the
"fainthearted that the trials of life will help to enlarge them and make
them stronger in the faith.
D) What if someone won’t
receive the comfort ?–
1)
Just Pray ! All you can do
[3] Uphold the Weak
A)
Lay hold of, hold firmly to: Weak "Don't let them fall!"
B) But who are these weak believers?
1)
Certainly, Paul did not mean people who were weak physically, since he was
dealing with the spiritual ministry in the church.
C) No, he was referring to
those who were "weak in the faith" and had not grown strong in the
Lord.
1) New Babes in the Lord
D)
Pay them special care & attention!
1) This is what Discipleship
is all about
E) One to One – Help you get
grounded – Built up !
Have you grown in the Lord?
Not talking more Knowledge – talking growth – stronger
A) Or are you Still struggling with the same things –
You need to be Discipled
B) Make Disciples – not
converts – glad you are here but we want to see you become all you can be in JC
[4] Be Patient = Longsuffering/long tempered.
A) Not short or quick
tempered toward those who fail, but patient & considerate.
B) It takes patience to be a
part of a family.
5]
Be Forgiving v.15
1
Peter 3:9-12
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one
another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil
for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that
you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For "He who would
love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."
Maybe
your spouse is being mean to you, unfair, uncaring, giving you the silent
treatment, cold shoulder, “no shoulder”, & you want to get even?
Don’t render evil for evil –
Forgive because you have been Forgiven
How
to Live with the Lord. RD v.16-22
A) V.16 Rejoice always - True Christianity is an
exhilarating thing.
B)
Christianity is to be a joyful RELATIONSHIP
1) a relationship which experiences Jesus in such
a way that there is, in fact, joy unspeakable.
C) The idea that true spirituality is to be
equated with misery is an idea completely contrary to Scripture,
1) for truly, the nature of Jesus was such that
people loved to be around Him.
C) Thus, there should be a joy within us which
is contagious.
1) But if you are like me it is easy at times to
get overwhelmed by life – last thing you want to do is rejoice
Reasons
to Rejoice
1) I am loved by God !
2) I am saved
3) I am declared righteous
4) God is with me today {
Nothing I can’t handle
5) I have a great family
6) I belong to a great
Church
7) I am able to serve the
Lord
8) I have some wonderful
friends
9) Trials today are going to
build Character.
D) The Christian can rejoice always because their joy isn’t based in
circumstances, but in God.
1)
Circumstances change, but God doesn’t.
Reasons
to Rejoice:
Isa
61:10
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
I
am saved and Declared Righteous
1 Chron 16:31 Let the
heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations,
"The LORD reigns."
A) God is on the Throne
! World is crazy – but the Lord reigns
B) May not know what the
future holds but the I know the one who holds the future
1)
And the one who holds the future is holding me
Ps
13:5
But I have trusted
in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
A) God is merciful and His
mercies are new every morning
B) Doesn’t give me Justice
1)
Mercy – not getting what I do deserve
2)
Grace – getting what I don’t deserve
C) Rejoice in the fact that
God deals with me in Grace and mercy !
Ps
63:7
7 Because You
have been my help,
Therefore in
the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
I am protected and He is
there to help me
Ps 89:15-17
15 Blessed are the people who know the
joyful sound!
They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your
countenance.
16 In Your name they rejoice all day
long,
And in Your righteousness they are
exalted.
17 For You are the glory of their
strength,
And in Your favor our horn is exalted.
God’s presence in my life
means that I have strength for today
A) Grace is sufficient his
power is made perfect in my weakness
Ps
119:162
162 I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
Rejoice because we have His
word !
A) Love letter / Guidebook
Jer 15:16
16 Your words
were found, and I ate them,
And Your word
was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
1
Peter 4:13-14
13 but rejoice
to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is
revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
Trials are Preparation
D) The
Christian can rejoice always because their
joy isn’t based in circumstances, but in God.
1)
Circumstances change, but God doesn’t.
E)
Rejoicing is a REFLEX - Response to how
Good God is !
Pray without ceasing ! v.17
A) Idea
of a tickle in the throat
B)
Really highlights our relationship with the Lord
1) Talking
to Him all day long!
C)
Denise and I { When we are together – not ok
1) 30
minutes lets talk –
D) Now
there are times when we have to sit down and talk about something
1) But when together – we talk – driving walking /
working / watching TV – we talk
E)
Because it is a relationship –
That is the idea in this with the Lord
A) We
are in a relationship with Him – so talk to Him all day long – work / play/
driving / walking
B)
Praying without ceasing – Lord help – Lord bless him or her – Lord heal
1) Lord thanks
“As
your tempted w/o ceasing, pray w/o ceasing!” Spurgeon
“Prayer
is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint!”{Oswald Chambers}
In Everything give thanks
v.18
A) Notice it doesn’t say for
everything but in everything !
Alexander Whyte, the Scottish preacher,
always began his prayers with an expression of gratitude. One cold,
miserable day his people wondered what he would say. He prayed, "We thank Thee, O Lord, that it is not always like
this."
B)
Difference between rejoicing and giving thanks
C)
Rejoicing is a mindset – I have reasons to rejoice
1)
I have reasons to have Joy in my life – Because of who God is
2)
Because of what He has done
3)
Because of What He has promised to do!
D)
Giving thanks in all things is an action – A Choice it is the by product of
having Joy
1)
It is the antithesis of Trust in the Lord
4)
Don’t Quench the Spirit v.19
A) The HS in the
Life of a Christian is like a fire !
He is a fire that can be
ignited or quenched based upon our decisions and obedience
B) Walking rightly with the
Lord – obeying His word
Is like pouring fuel on that
fire
1)
The fire grows, it gets stronger – it burns brighter
C) We can quench the fire of the Spirit
by our doubt, our indifference, our rejection of Him,
1)
or by the distraction of others.
D)
We also quench the Spirit when we try to do what the Lord wants us to do in the
Power of our Flesh
When
people start to draw attention to themselves,
it is a sure quench
to the Spirit.
To
properly understand what it means to Quench the HS we need to Know what His
Functions are in the Life of the Believer:
1)
Zech. 4:6 Not by
might nor by power – but by my spirit says the Lord
Our walk is to be done in the power of the HS
Thus
when we place our confidence in our own flesh to walk w/ the Lord or to serve
Him – we are quenching the HS
Paul
wrote to the Galatians – can that which is begun in the Spirit be made perfect
in the flesh
A)
When we are trying to do God’s work our way – We quench the Spirit –
B)
When our confidence is in some program
that we are following – some set of rituals – we quench the HS
2)
John 16:8 His ministry is to convict of sin
A)
He Does this by speaking to our hearts – in a situation – like an alarm get out
quick – flee –
B)
He speaks thru a Preacher – in a study –
1)
He speaks thru the word - V.22 Avoid all appearance of Evil - What it looks like
C)
Thus when we ignore that conviction and continue in our sin – He is quenched.
1)
Some people ask why am I so dry- the spirit has been quenched – the flow has
stopped.
3)
John 16:12 – His ministry is to guide us into all truth – Teaching & Preaching
A) Despise Prophecies
B) Prophecy – in NT
primarily – forth telling vs. fore-telling like in the OT
C) Declaring the word –
Sermon exhortation
1) Word from a friend
2) Word from the Lord –
D)
Despise that – resist / ignore – get annoyed by
1) Lewis T Talbot –
Submission
E) When you harden your
heart to the Lord and His word.
Thus
when we are not following his leading –
when we do what we think is best – He is quenched.
Test all things { Matches the Word
4)
John 16:14 His goal is to Glorify Jesus
Thus
when we accept the glory that belongs to Jesus or we put that glory on to
someone else or something else – He is quenched
5)
Ephesians 4:3 He desires Unity for God’s family
thus
when there is strife and division brewing – He is quenched.
6)
1 Corinthians 12 He supplies the Church with gifts When the gifts of the Holy
Spirit are being abused – not used
properly – He is quenched.
Living
w/ the Lord { Rejoice / Pray / Thanks / don’t quench
Closing Comments
Rd v.23-28
Here
in our text – Paul gives us a few examples of things that quench the Spirit
A) Despise Prophecies
B) Prophecy – in NT primarily
– forth telling vs. fore-telling like in the OT
C) Declaring the word –
Sermon exhortation
1) Word from a friend
2) Word from the Lord –
D) Despise that – resist /
ignore – get annoyed by
1) Lewis T Talbot –
Submission
E) When you harden your
heart to the Lord and His word.
v.21 Test
all things – Any word from the Lord is going to line up with Scripture .
V.22 Avoid every form of
evil
Form
= Appearance
A) Cohabitation
B) Lunch with opposite sex
1) Compromise.
v.23 Closing comments Rd
v.23-28