Keep These Things In Mind

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (ESV)

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil. 

Once again we can find some great instructions / reminders in the closing of Paul’s letters.

This section starts out with a plea to respect your pastor/minister (“over you in the Lord”). Remember, ever since Adam, we’ve been rebellious towards God; so is it a far stretch for us to be rebellious towards those who have been called as shepherds and leaders? I mention rebellion because Paul indicates two aspects about leaders that may cause folks to rebel: 1) “are over you in the Lord,” and 2) “admonish you.”

ad•mon•ish

Pronunciation: \ad-ˈmä-nish\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English admonesten, from Anglo-French amonester, from Vulgar Latin
*admonestare, alteration of Latin admonēre to warn, from ad- + monēre to warn.

Date: 14th century

1 a: to indicate duties or obligations to b: to express warning or disapproval
  to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner 2: to give friendly
  earnest advice or encouragement to

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary copyright © 2009 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

Though “admonish” is defined as a gentle way to correct others it is not always taken that way: “You’re not the boss of me!!!” Sometimes (and sometimes deservedly), our church leaders are treated like worldly leaders – but if the man is preaching God’s word and as a shepherd trying to lead you to righteous living Paul asks you to esteem him highly in love. We are in a time when folks don’t want to hear the truth nor make choices that lead to righteous living, so they will dog the servant of God to put in someone with a “feel-good” message (2 Tim 4:3-4).

To recap: respect and esteem your pastor in love. I will add pray for him. If you have opportunity, do what you can to enable him to be in the Word of God, to preach the Word of God, and to shepherd his flock.

(will continue tomorrow).