LLesson 8Loving Leadership

1 Thessalonians 5:12-151 Thessalonians 5:12-15

August 15, 2010

Paul’s Epistles to the ThessaloniansPaul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians

I.I. Introduction to Lesson 8Introduction to Lesson 8A.A. I have another confession . . .I have another confession . . .

B.B. Sanctification: the overall theme of 3:11—5:22Sanctification: the overall theme of 3:11—5:221.1.3:11-13 (Sanctification = the goal)3:11-13 (Sanctification = the goal)

2.2.4:1-12 (Sanctification, sex, and work)4:1-12 (Sanctification, sex, and work)

3.3.4:13—5:11 (Sanctification and the Second Coming)4:13—5:11 (Sanctification and the Second Coming)

4.4.5:12-22 (Sanctification in the church)5:12-22 (Sanctification in the church)a.a. 5:12-15 (church leadership)5:12-15 (church leadership)

b.b. 5:16-22 (the priorities of church life)5:16-22 (the priorities of church life)

5.5.5:23-24 (Benediction/prayer for sanctification) 5:23-24 (Benediction/prayer for sanctification)

C.C. The structure of our textThe structure of our text

II.II. Recognizing church leadership (5:12-13)Recognizing church leadership (5:12-13)A.A. Important backgroundImportant background

1.1.Formal leadership has not yet been recognized in Formal leadership has not yet been recognized in Thessalonica.Thessalonica.

2.2.Acts 14:23 – appointing elders in every cityActs 14:23 – appointing elders in every city

3.3.1 Timothy (especially chapter 3)1 Timothy (especially chapter 3)

4.4.Titus (especially chapter 1)Titus (especially chapter 1)

B.B. Who is “you?” The congregationWho is “you?” The congregation

C.C. Who is “them?” Those functioning as leaders, Who is “them?” Those functioning as leaders, who ought to be formally recognized as suchwho ought to be formally recognized as such

1.1.Not women (masculine participles)Not women (masculine participles)

2.2.Not clergyNot clergy

3.3.Not singularity, but pluralityNot singularity, but plurality

D.D. Who are “acknowledged” or “recognized?”Who are “acknowledged” or “recognized?”1.1.Elders Elders andand deacons? (not designated) deacons? (not designated)

2.2.Those who are Those who are already functioningalready functioning as leaders; those as leaders; those who (present participles). . .who (present participles). . .

a.a. Labor / Labor / work hardwork hard among you (like Paul); see also 1 among you (like Paul); see also 1 Timothy 5:17Timothy 5:17

b.b. LeadLead (go before/not “preside over”) you (go before/not “preside over”) you

c.c. AdmonishAdmonish (warn) you (warn) you

3.3.[Those who meet the qualifications (1 Timothy 3; [Those who meet the qualifications (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1)]Titus 1)]

E.E. How are leaders “acknowledged?”How are leaders “acknowledged?”D.D.We should be informed by Paul’s silence – no We should be informed by Paul’s silence – no

specific method set forth (here or elsewhere).specific method set forth (here or elsewhere).

E.E.Parallel passage: 1 Corinthians 16:15-18 Parallel passage: 1 Corinthians 16:15-18 (Stephanas, (Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus)Fortunatus, and Achaicus)

F.F. How leaders are “acknowledged” at CBCHow leaders are “acknowledged” at CBC1.1.In the beginning: “Provisional leaders”In the beginning: “Provisional leaders”

2.2.In the presentIn the present

G.G. The relationship of elders and deacons @ CBCThe relationship of elders and deacons @ CBC1.1.No “deacon board”No “deacon board”

2.2.Very similar qualifications in 1 Timothy 3Very similar qualifications in 1 Timothy 3

3.3.Same ministry (shepherding), but at different levels Same ministry (shepherding), but at different levels of leadershipof leadership

4.4.Deacons assist the elders in shepherding the flock.Deacons assist the elders in shepherding the flock.

5.5.Ministry group leaders are deacons at CBC.Ministry group leaders are deacons at CBC.

H.H. Other matters (verse 13)Other matters (verse 13)1.1.Esteem them highly in love for their workEsteem them highly in love for their work

2.2.Live in peace among yourselvesLive in peace among yourselves

III.III. A call for additional leadership (5:14-15)A call for additional leadership (5:14-15)A.A. Who is “you?”Who is “you?”

1.1.Some (like A.T. Robertson) believe this refers to Some (like A.T. Robertson) believe this refers to those who are leaders.those who are leaders.

2.2.Why I think “you” refers to the congregation:Why I think “you” refers to the congregation:a.a. ““Ask” (verse 12) and “urge” (verse 14) are different Ask” (verse 12) and “urge” (verse 14) are different

words; “you brethren” is the same.words; “you brethren” is the same.

b.b. Same antecedent for “you” unless clearly changedSame antecedent for “you” unless clearly changed

c.c. The functions Paul encourages are not just elder or deacon The functions Paul encourages are not just elder or deacon functions (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16)functions (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16)

d.d. Ephesians 4:11-13: The work of ministry is the work of Ephesians 4:11-13: The work of ministry is the work of the bodythe body

B.B. A call for leadership from within the A call for leadership from within the congregation (verse 14).congregation (verse 14).

1.1.Admonish/warn the undisciplined/idle/lazyAdmonish/warn the undisciplined/idle/lazy

2.2.Comfort/console the discouraged/faintheartedComfort/console the discouraged/fainthearted

3.3.Help/cling to the weak/helplessHelp/cling to the weak/helpless

4.4.Be patient toward allBe patient toward all

C.C. Other matters (vs. 15)Other matters (vs. 15)1.1.See that no one repays evil for evilSee that no one repays evil for evil

2.2.Always seek the good of othersAlways seek the good of others

IV.IV. Conclusion/Application Conclusion/Application A.A. Elders, deacons, church body: 3 levels of Elders, deacons, church body: 3 levels of

leadershipleadership

B.B. Spiritual leadership and New Testament Spiritual leadership and New Testament ecclesiology – nothing works better to produce ecclesiology – nothing works better to produce leadership (e.g. The Meeting of the Church)leadership (e.g. The Meeting of the Church)

C.C. Ministry is the work of the body.Ministry is the work of the body.

D.D. A job description for everyone – Your work is cut A job description for everyone – Your work is cut out for you.out for you.

E.E. The Second Coming and Sanctification: The wait The Second Coming and Sanctification: The wait means “get off the bench” and step up to the means “get off the bench” and step up to the plate. This is what we are to be found doing at plate. This is what we are to be found doing at His return (Luke 12:41-44).His return (Luke 12:41-44).

Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 8 in the series, Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians,prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for August 15, 2010. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.