Live In Peace

I Thessalonians 5:12-13

1. LEADERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

A) Diligently Labor

B) Oversee

C) Instruct/Admonish

2. PEOPLE’S RESPONSIBILITIES

A) Appreciate

B) Esteem

C) Live in Peace

What approach does Paul use in verse 12?

What does he want the brethren to do (verse 12)?

What is our responsibility to those who labor among us & are over us?

What does appreciate, recognize, or respect mean (verse 12)?

Who is Paul talking about & what are their responsibilities (verses 12-13)?

Why should they be esteemed very highly (verse 13)?  What does this mean?

What will be the outcome of following the advice of these verses?

Do your words & actions within the church promote peace?  Or do they produce

strife by being accusatory, gossipy, or manipulative?  What can you do to

improve in this area?

Why is the work of church leaders worthy of appreciation & honor?

What do these verses say about church leaders?

Matthew 20:25-28~

1 Timothy 3:13~

Hebrews 13:17~

1 Peter 5:1-3~

We are often inclined to evaluate the job our elders are doing by a much harsher standard than we judge ourselves by.  Here are some questions to ask ourselves when we feel the urge to criticize those God has placed over us:

Considering the job I am doing in the church, would it be hypocritical of me to

criticize the job someone else is doing as a leader in the church?

If all the members of the church related themselves to the leadership as I do, how

difficult would the work of the elders be?

Am I a part of the solution or a part of the problem?

Am I anything more than an armchair critic, a Monday-morning quarterback?

Do I know what I am talking about?  How many of the facts do I have?  Is what I

know about the situation enough to make a responsible judgment, or are

there aspects of the problem that I may be unaware of that would significantly

alter my judgment if I knew about them?

Am I aware how much easier hindsight is than foresight?  Do I understand how

much more difficult it is to make unerringly wise judgments in the midst of

stressful, complicated, & rapidly-developing circumstances than it is to say,

after the fact, what should have been done?

What price have I paid to see this problem from the perspective of an elder, to

understand the matter within his frame of reference, & to empathize with his

situation?  How far have I walked in my elders’ shoes?

Are my criticisms of my elders truly fair & just?  Do I voice them in an appropriate

& biblical way?