1. As sons of light and sons of the day, we have a duty to comfort and edify one another - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
2. This duty is true of all us who are members of the body of Christ - Ephesians 4:15-16
a. Each member has a part in which he or she does their share
b. When all are working, the body grows through the edifying of itself in love
3. We have this duty to those who serve us.
4. We have this duty to those who are in need.
A. IN EVERY ACTIVE CONGREGATION
1. There is much labor going on
2. Do we recognize those who often labor quietly for our benefit?
B. THOSE THAT ARE OVER YOU
1. In the Lord
2. And admonish you
3. Any congregation with men qualified to serve as elders should certainly be careful to recognize them as such, and respect their God-given duty
C. TO ESTEEM THEM VERY HIGHLY IN LOVE FOR THEIR WORK'S SAKE
D. TO BE AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES
1. Peace among brethren, like unity, is a wonderful thing - Psalm 133:1
2. It is a mark of heavenly wisdom, and provides the atmosphere in which much righteousness can be sown - James 3:17-18
3. It is certainly something we all should pursue - Romans 14:17-19; Hebrews 12:14
A. IDENTIFYING THE UNRULY...
1. The Greek word (ataktos) means "disorderly, out of ranks"
a. Used often of soldiers who fall out of line
b. Deviating from the prescribed order of rule
2. The unruly Christian is one who does not abide by the teachings of the apostles
a. From the beginning, faithful Christians continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine
b. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to do the same - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15
B. WARNING THE UNRULY...
1. Warning brethren is a crucial component of preaching Christ - Colossians 1:28
a. Paul warned the brethren at Ephesus - Acts 20:31
b. He encouraged Timothy to do the same - 2 Timothy 4:1-2
2. Unruly brethren who do not heed the warning are to be marked and fellowship withdrawn - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
a. In an effort to save the unruly
b. Also an effort to keep the church pure - 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
A. IDENTIFYING THE FAINTHEARTED
1. The Greek word (oligopsuchos) literally means "small-souled, little-souled"
a. Translated "feebleminded" (KJV), "timid" (NIV)
b. It describes those who lose heart, prone to dropping out, be quitters
2. Various conditions might lead some to lose heart; for example:
a. Persecutions, tribulation - Ephesians 3:13
b. Lack of immediate results - Galatians 6:9
B. COMFORTING THE FAINTHEARTED
1. Such brethren are to be encouraged, consoled
a. Paul had done this while at Thessalonica - 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
b. He did it earlier in this epistle - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
2. Thus we see need to make a distinction
a. Some brethren (the unruly) need to be warned, admonished
b. While others may need a more tender touch, to be encouraged
A. IDENTIFYING THE WEAK
1. The weak could be those in need - cf. Acts 20:35
2. But more likely it refers to those whose faith is weak
a. Who are likely to violate their weak consciences - 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
b. Who are tempted to sin
B. UPHOLDING THE WEAK
1. We uphold the weak by receiving them - cf. Romans 14:1-3
a. Not to argue over things in which they have doubts
b. Nor to despise them because of their weak faith
2. We uphold the weak by bearing with their infirmities - Romans 15:1-2
a. Making an effort not to put stumbling blocks in their way - Romans 14:13
b. Determining not to destroy our brother through the use of our liberties - Romans 14:14-23; Galatians 5:13
3. Brethren who are weak in faith need time to grow, for their consciences to become strong. Our duty is for "each of us to please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification" - Romans 15:2
1. As we wait for the coming for the Lord, we are blessed not to wait alone
a. The Lord's church is here to comfort and edify us
b. There are individuals who labor among us, and are over us in the Lord
1) Some meet our needs, making it easier for us to grow
2) Others watch over us, and admonish us as necessary
c. For such blessings we ought to be thankful!
2. But we can do more than just be thankful
a. We can recognize those who labor among us, and are over us
b. We can esteem them highly in love for their work's sake
c. We can be at peace among ourselves
3. Indeed, this is our duty to those who serve.
4. And we have a duty to those in need
a. To warn the unruly
b. To comfort the fainthearted
c. To uphold the weak
d. To be patient with all
5. In a world filled with much evil and moral depravity, those who do such things are truly
a. children of light
b. children of the day
6. Is this true of us? If not, then we need to heed another exhortation from Paul:
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful, even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." - Ephesians 5:8-14
-- Don Treadway, November 2009 --
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