Bible Text: 1 Thessalonians 5 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship

What does a loving family look like?

— Pastor Lou’s Notes —
Intro:
A church that is born from the gospel needs to be shaped by the gospel in the community of believers. A church is …”a community loved and chosen by God, drawing its life from Him, manifesting this divine life in the basic Christian graces of faith, love, and hope.” (John Stott, The Gospel and the End of Time, page 117)

The church is a family. Every family has relational issues. As long as people are people, there will be people in a family who love one another, and or not talk to or associate with another relative. Even in immediate families, sometimes we don’t really know how to love one another in a godly, healthy and constructive manner. A church family is no different. You and I need to be reminded periodically how we should love each other.

This is exactly what Paul does for us in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15. Even though these principles apply to the church family, they also apply to the nuclear family.

1. Acknowledge your leaders…not just the pastor v.13
1. Who are these leaders?
1. Trustees, ministry leaders, Sunday School teachers, mentors…etc
2. They care for you
3. The admonish lovingly you when necessary
4. They teach us the Word of God
5. A person of godly character is an influencer

2. Respect them and hold them in highest regard in love
1. They work very hard for you
2. They are servant leaders
1. They care for you in the Lord
1. Not in an arrogant manner
2. As a caring servant

2. Pray for them
3. Be responsive to them
4. Don’t do things that make their jobs harder than they are
1. All ministry leaders are involved in spiritual warfare
2. All are carrying a big responsibility

2. We need to care for one another
1. Live in peace (imperative and durative) with one another v. 13b
1. Be quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness
2. Be ready to be instruments of reconciliation

2. Warn (imperative and durative) those who are idle and disruptive v.14
1. “Idle” here means unruly
2. These people need to know their behavior is sin and out of bounds
1. Need to follow the procedure of Mathew 24
2. The motive needs to be love and the goal needs to be restoration

3. Encourage (imperative) the disheartened v.14
1. These are fellow believers who are discouraged
2. We need to come along side one another in our Christian journey and route each other on.

4. Help (imperative) the weak v.14
1. These are people who might not be a mature in their faith
2. They need to be discipled and taught about the freedom we have in Christ

5. Be patient (imperative) with everyone v.14
1. Ministry takes much time, prayer, labor, and patience
2. Good relationship take time to build
3. Good spiritual growth form the inside out takes much time

6. Always do (imperative) what is good for each other
1. Do not repay evil with evil v. 15
2. Love and good always is the best way
3. Always be willing to encourage, assist, rejoice, cry, listen
1. There are all types of hurting people in a congregation

Closing:
These principles also apply to our family settings. Respecting dad and mom as they labor hard in love. Our homes should be a safe peaceful place for admonishment, ministry, patience, and always doing the right things in God’s sight and according to His Word. Today is a day to honor fathers…every day should be a day to honor fathers and mothers and one another.