HOW THE PEOPLE SUPPORTS THE PASTOR
1 THESSALONIANS 5:12-13
(October 13, 2019 – SUN p.m. – MBC baesa)
     The problem of unresponsive, complacent, resistance to change, just going with the flow is prevalent in churches.
In spite of good preaching some people in the church were apathetic, no response at all, no action, no intention for change.
Some people want others to instruct them what they need to do, I don’t say discipleship is bad or wrong, but they should be motivated by the Word of God and act initiatively accordingly as God speak.
These are detrimental to the church. We are not a church family having each own way in different directions.
It is church member’s job to be responsive to the pastors and be sensitive to what the Pastor want?
God had set the responsibilities of the Pastor and now God expects his people to supports the Pastor.

I- SUPPORT THE PREACHING OF THE PASTOR
     A. PRAYING THAT THE LORD USE HIS WORD (Colossians 4:3–4)
Colossians 4:3-4 “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
• We see here the support of God’s people to the preaching of God’s Word through Prayer.
→ In verse 3 “Withal praying also for us” – Paul requested his readers to intercede.
• Reason to Pray that the Lord use the preaching of the Word:
          1. OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE FOR EVANGELISM AND EDIFICATION
→ Paul said, “that God would open unto us a door of utterance”
­ Paul asked them to pray that the Lord would give him and his companions in the missionary journey
opportunities for evangelism and edification.
          2. OBJECTIVE TO PRESENT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
→ Paul said, “to speak the mystery of Christ,”
­ Paul also requested his readers that when that opportunities came, Paul would be able to have a clear presentation of the gospel of Christ.
­ In verse 3 “the mystery of Christ” is the gospel (Colossians 4:3, Colossians 1:26-27).
→ In verse 3b to verse 4 “to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
­ Paul expresses his great concern about getting the gospel out than he had with getting himself out of prison that is why he requested his reader’s support of prayer that the Lord would use His Word.
     B. PRAYING THAT THE LORD CHANGE YOUR LIFE (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
• Paul is thanking God continually because the Lord change the lives of these Thessalonians:
→ Paul said, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing,”
­ Paul referring previously how he thanked God for these believers in the way they were bearing the fruit of righteousness in their own lives (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)
• Reason to Pray that the Preaching of the Word change your Life:
          1. SOURCE OF CONVERSION – Paul thanking God for their trusting gospel of Christ.
→ Paul add, “because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us,”
­ Now this time Paul thanked God for the way this Thessalonians responded when the first time he had
preached the gospel of Christ to them.
          2. SCRIPTURES OF CONVICTION – Paul Thanking God for truth of the Word of God.
→ Paul stated “ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God”
­ These people sensed that it was a divine revelation rather than a human philosophy and they believe it.
          3. SPIRIT OF GOD FOR CONSECRATION – Paul thanking God for transformation in the believer’s life.
• Paul said in the last part of the verse, “which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
­ Since these people received that divine message, the Word of God had work mightily transforming their lives as the Holy Spirit of God used the Word.
­ It is encouraging to all the Pastors as with Paul, that their diligent preaching of the Word change the lives of the people of God, not because of preacher’s ability in preaching but the powerful Word of God used by the Spirit who work effectively to the willing heart of the listeners. Every time you attend church services, and listen to Word of God, the Lord has a perfect plan to change your life. Please pray that the Lord change your life.
• Beside from prayers, we can support the gospel preaching and teaching through financial assistance.
→ Paul was supported by the Church at Philippi (Philippians 4:15-16, 18-19)
• The culture of John’s day, philosophers and teachers relied on the people whom they minister regarding their
lodging and financial assistance except for false teachers. (2 John 10; Acts 18:2-3; Acts 21:7).
II- SUPPORT THE SHEPHERDING OF THE PASTOR
     A. VALUE THEIR LEADERSHIP (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
• Let us talk about the attitude toward leaders.
• This leaders probably the elders in the Thessalonians church and possibly the deacons and others in the positions of leadership (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 5:17).
• Reasons why we must value the Leadership:
          1. RECOGNIZING THE LABOR – Leaders must be appreciated for their labors.
→ Paul requested, “to know them which labour among you,” (KJV); “that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you” (NASB)
          2. REPRESENTING THE LORD – Leaders are God’s representative and instructor in their lives
→ Paul describes the duties of their leaders, “and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;” (KJV) ; “have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction.” (NASB)
          3. RESPECTING HIGHLY IN LOVE – Leaders must be esteemed very highly in love.
→ Paul writes his readers “And to esteem them very highly in love”
­ While some individuals naturally obtain or draw out more affection than others, the Thessalonians were deliberately to demonstrate self-sacrificing love to all their leaders.
→ Paul said “for their work’s sake" (KJV); “because of their work,” (NASB)
­ Paul instruct his readers to love the leaders very highly not because those leaders have lovable or even have admirable personality, but because of the labor or contribution they made to the other believers.
→ Paul said “Live in peace with one another.”
­ In case a leader made a small contribution, those people who profit from his ministry should still show the same appreciation and respect to the leader for his service. That respect and appreciative attitude toward leaders would enable the Thessalonians to continue to experience peace in their church (1 Thessalonians 5:13).
• Listen for some Bible expositors:
Thomas said: "That Paul included such a command shows that relations were not all they could have been." [Note: Thomas, page 288.]
Warren Wiersbe said: "I have discovered that lack of respect for spiritual leadership is the main cause of church fights and splits." [Note: Wiersbe, page 16.]
Morris said: "Leaders can never do their best work when they are subject to carping criticism from those who should be their followers." [Note: Morris, The Epistles ..., page 99.]
     B. FOLLOW THEIR LEADERSHIP (Hebrews 13:17, 7)
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” KJV
Hebrews 13:7 “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” KJV
• The Church elders in our passage are the Pastors (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24).
• Why we should follow the Leadership of the Pastor:
          1. PASTOR STIMULANT – Pastor’s work become easier.
→ Paul said, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:”
­ People of the church should make the Pastor’s work now easier for them by being obedient and submissive to their leadership.
­ People of the church must submit to the God given scriptural based authority.
          2. PROTECTING STEWARDS – Pastor are stewards of our souls.
→ Paul said, “for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,”
­ These shepherds will have to give account to God one day for their stewardship over us.
          3. PLEASURABLE SERVICE – Pastor may work with Joy and pleasure.
→ Paul said, “that they may do it with you, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
­ Will the leaders of your church be able to tell God that shepherding you was a great pleasure when they account and stand before the judgement seat of Christ?
          4. PROFITING SPIRITUALLY – Pastor was God’s instrument in the church for your spiritual profit.
→ Paul said, “and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you,”
          5. PRESIDING SERVANT –Pastor was God appointed leaders in the church to rule over you.
→ Paul said, “Remember them which have the rule over you,”- Hebrews 13:7
­ We are told to recognise and follow godly leadership in the body of Christ.
          6. PREACHER OF THE SCRIPTURES – Pastor proclaimed the Word as God spoke to bless you.
→ Paul said “who have spoken unto you the word of God”
­ Leadership shown to be legitimate by faithfulness to the word of God.
          7. PATTERN TO FOLLOW AS SET – Pastor’s faith and conduct must be follow.
→ Paul said, “whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”
­ Pastor lives must exemplify what he proclaim.
­ Such leaders should be recognised (“Remember them”) and followed. Just as much as a church needs godly leaders, it also needs godly followers.
­ Leaders don’t need to be perfect, but they should be able to show with their life that the power of Jesus is real as it impacts and transforms the individual life. That demonstrates a faith that can actually be followed.
­ People tend to forget or to idolize their former leaders, but we should remember them and their godly teachings and examples (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
­ This spiritual leaders, like the heroes of faith in chapter 11, set a good pattern. The outcome of their life, if they had died, was that they were now with the Lord and already beginning to enjoy some of their eternal inheritance. They may have been the founders of the church to which this letter went.