1 THESSALONIANS 5:12

1 Thessalonians 5:12

INTRODUCTION: This sermon kept me up all night. I see no good way out of it. There are areas that are going to offend some, areas that some will say are self serving, and much of it dismissed out of hand. But it is the word of God and we need to not only hear it but listen carefully. If some part pinches you try not to get angry but give it some honest thought.

1. RESPECT THOSE WHO WORK HARD, HOLD THEM IN HIGH

A. WHO IS HE TALKING ABOUT?

a. PASTORS

b. SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS

c. CHURCH STAFF

d. VOLITEERS

B. WORK HARD

a. DOUBTFULL IN MY CASE

b. VOLINTEERS ARE HERE AT ALL HOURS

c. MANY PUT IN HOURS AT HOME AS WELL

d. MANY GIVE UP VACATIONS TO WORK IN THE CHURCH

2. HOW DO YOU HONOR AND RESPECT THEM

A. ENCOURAGE THEM

B. PRAY FOR THEM

C. SHOW SOME PRIDE IN YOUR CHURCH

D. DON’T FIND FAULT WITH THEM

a. NOTHING HURTS MORE THAN THE NASTY COMENTS

E. BE TEACHEABLE AND OPEN TO NEW IDEAS

F. GIVE THEM A BREAK

a. SABBATICAL BREAK, WORKING WITH SESSION TO PLAN AND FUND ONE, FORMER PASTOR OF WAUSAUKEE HAD TWO; THE PASTOR IN SHAWANO HAS JUST COME BACK FROM HER THIRD. I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE IN 25 YEARS OF MINISTRY.

b. OUR VOLINTEERS NEED BRAKES TOO. MANY HAVE WORKED FOR YEARS ON THINGS WHITH NO ONE SAYING “YOU REST AND I WILL TAKE OVER THIS FOR A WHILE.”

c. SOME WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO WORK WITH THEM.

G. FIND YOUR OWN SPOT TO SERVE

a. VOLINTEER DON’T WAIT TO BE ASKED

b. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

c. FIND YOUR GIFT AND USE IT.

d. ROGER – SINNING BY NOT USING HIS GIFT OF TEACHING

H. SUPPLY THEIR NEEDS, GIVE THEM THE TOOLS

a. EQUIPMENT WE DON’T HAVE OR NEED TO UPDATE

b. EQUIPMENT THAT WOULD MKE THEIR WORK EASIER OR MORE EFFECTIVE.

c. SESSION CAN NOT ADDRESS NEEDS FROM SUPPLIES TO WAGES WHEN WE FAIL TO DO OUR PART TO FUND THE CHURCH.

d. IT IS SINFUL TO DONATE TO OTHER CHURCHES WHILE YOUR CHURCH STRUGGLES.

e. IT HURTS TO HEAR SOMEONE GO ON AND ON ABOUT A CHURCH THEY VISITED OR HEARD OF AND IT’S PROGRAMS AND STUFF ALL THE WHILE THEY ARE PUTTING LITTLE OR NOTHING TOWARDS HELPING THEIR OWN CHURCH.

CONCLUSION: HONOR AND RESPECT MAY START WITH WORDS OF PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, BUT IT GOES BEYOND THAT. HONOR AND RESPECT ARE ABOUT FINDING YOUR PLACE TO WORK AND JOING IN, IT’S ABOUT GIVING OTHERS A BREAK, IT’S ABOUT MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ALL THE TOOLS THEY NEED, IT’S ABOUT COOPERATING WITH THE WORK THEY ARE TRYING TO DO.