Sunday Sermon
APPRECIATING OUR CHURCH LEADERS
Speaker: Pastor Vince Alcaide
Scriptural Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Listen to Audio Sermon

There are special days throughout the year that we say thank you.

1)Christmas: we give thanks for both the gift of the Savior and salvation.
2)Easter: we remember that Jesus died for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God.
3)Mother’s/ Father’s Day: we remember with a spirit of thanksgiving our mothers/fathers and all that they do.
4) Thanksgiving: we remember and set aside a special time to be thankful for all of our many blessings.

And what about Appreciation Month for October? How many of you are aware that October was designated as Ministry & Clergy Appreciation Month?

Why do we have this Ministry & Clergy Appreciation Month?

Why are we having this special recognition?

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO APPRECIATE OUR LEADERS BASED ON THE SCRIPTURE?
Let’s see how some of the other versions translate verse 12.

(1 Th 5:12 KJV) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
(1 Th 5:12 NIV) Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
(1 Th 5:12 GWT) Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you.
(1 Th 5:12 NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong.

By reading all of these translations , we will be able to know what Paul is telling the church /flock in this passage in reference to their church leaders.

1) THE FLOCK MUST KNOW THOSE WHO LABOR AMONG THEM

understand them, — not just know about them
Relationship is the key in spiritual leadership

a) We cannot evaluate the leaders ability to lead us if we don’t know them.
b) We cannot trust their leadership if we do not know them.
c) We cannot follow their leadership if we do not know them.

2). THE FLOCK SHOULD RESPECT THOSE WHO LABOR AMONG THEM

1 Timothy 5:17 - Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

a) Not only referring to the pastor who shepherds the flock but to the church elders as well

b) 1 Thes 5:12 & Heb 13:17 explained

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.

• This type of obedience and submission is NOT the same as when Paul told children to obey their parents in Ephesians 6:1 or when he tells servants to obey their masters in verse 5

The “obey” in Ephesians means “to hear under/conform to a command or authority (as a subordinate)- Children to parents & Servants to Masters
The “obey” in Hebrews & 1 Thes 5:12 means “to listen to, to trust, have confidence, (based on the context of this passage)

Too often, when leaders are esteemed, it is for the wrong reasons. The reason given here is not status or position or their dynamic personalities, but what was said is because of their work.
What is the basis of your giving them the respect?

a) The respect for the leaders does not come from the fact that you are to be submissive (as if Servants –Master relationship) , but it is based on your love and respect for the work that they do. In short

• Recognize the vital function for which the leaders of the church are gifted for and have a spirit of cooperation when dealing with them.

II. WHY ARE WE TO APPRECIATE OUR LEADERS?

Paul gives us two reasons that can help us to understand why we are to appreciate them

1) Leaders diligently labor among us. ( Explained clearly in Heb 13:17c)

The job of leading the church is tough. It is a joyful experience, but one or two people can make it a bad experience.
Hebrews 13:17 tells us that we want to make the job of leading the church one that is a joy for the people leading it!

It would not be good for us to be a burden to them. It should break the heart of the elders to have to deal with a person who refuses to submit to the will and authority of God.

2) Leaders have charge over us. (Heb 13:17b)

Hebrews 13:17 says that they keep watch over our souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Leaders will give an account to God. They are the stewards of the church
We should look for ways to help them, cooperating with them in the work that they do.

a) Remember them at the throne of grace. Pray that God will constantly renew their passion for Christ, the church, and the unsaved.

b) Use Your Skills to Bless them - They need your help. There are some things that you can do well that they can’t.

c) Stop Gossip - If you hear a negative comment, respond with a positive one. If misinformation is being spread, correct it with the accurate information.

d) Praise Them - Express appreciation from time to time in writing/calling them.

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.“ (William Arthur Ward)

III. WHAT TO DO IN SHOWING APPRECIATION………….

A. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FLOCK TO THEIR LEADERS

1). Respect them (12b)
2) Recognize their RIGHT to lead (12c)
3) Love them (13a)
4). Accept the IMPORTANCE of what they do (13b)

B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PASTORS & LEADERS TO THE LOCK (12)

1). WORK hard for their flock

2). Use their AUTHORITY to help their flock
--authority can be an ego trip or can be misused for personal agendas

a). Not blanket permission for ANYTHING
b). Leaders accountable to the CHURCH at large
c) Leaders are to OVERSEE the church and ENABLE people to serve

THEIR JOB- to develop others to serve and reach maturity via edification
Eph. 4:11-13, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

CONCLUSION :

The leaders of the church have an awesome responsibility before God to shepherd the flock that Jesus gave His blood for. This should tell us how important the church is to God.

We are called to make the job of church leaders as easy and joyful as possible by appreciating their hard work, by giving them the respect for their hard work and by loving & cooperating with them.