Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22
Sermon notes
II THE WORK OF THE OVERSEER.
The duties of the elder are seen in a lengthy list of commands v14-22. The overseers of God’s work are to see to it that in the light of Christ’s return they themselves practice these duties and implement these practices in the lives of others in the church.
These verses indicate the character of a congregation that is exercised to live looking for the return of the Saviour and is educated in the Biblical data on that event. This is the rule of behaviour that all saints are to submit to.
- Warn them that are unruly, v14. Here is a primary duty of the elders of God’s work. Warn = admonish v12—‘put in mind’. Unruly > ‘not arranged, disorderly’. Cp same root, 2 Thess 3:7. The Greek root gives us the English words, tactics/tactical etc.—a plan executed with military precision. The work of the overseer in God’s house is give such warning in the light of Christ’s return. God’s people are to live in an orderly fashion. A conscious consideration of the Biblical data of Christ’s return produces order and discipline. Cp Luke 12:35-36.
- Comfort the feeble minded, v14. The word comfort here indicates a drawing near to speak. There is personal instruction here. Feeble-minded is not a reference to limited intellect, but rather indicates a lack of courage, dispirited, fainthearted condition. The ministry here restores vigour, courage and zeal.
- Support the weak, v14. The duty is to ‘stick to’ the weak. To be a support/prop to them. Weakness is a grave danger to the Christian. It threatens to undermine his preparation for the Saviour’s return! He needs power/strength/ability. The overseer is here commanded to embrace the weak and communicate strength to them.
- Be patient toward all men, v14. The grace of ‘longsuffering’ is in view. The work of the overseer is not quickly accomplished. It is a long work.
- Avoiding evil retribution, v15. Often the natural response is to pay back in this evil fashion. Cp Luke 12:45, Rom 13:13. There are to be no bitter reprisals among those who are consciously living for Christ’s return. There is a positive course to be pursued, v15 that will keep us from this spirit. ‘All the time’ we are to follow what is good. Here is the spirit of true discipleship. Cp Heb 12:15.
- Rejoice evermore, v16. ‘All the time’ joy is to mark the life of the Christian. This is the duty of the believer and the responsibility of the overseer is to labour to produce it. This joy is the product of submissive faith! It is the beginning of the joy of Heaven, 1 Pet 1:8-9.
- Pray without ceasing, v17. Living as God has called us to requires constant prayer. The help of God, the supply of Divine grace is crucial to the life that God has called us to. Prayer will mark the Church living and ruled in the light of Christ’s return.
- Thanksgiving, v18. This is joyful worship, Heb 13:15. Everything—no matter what it is—is a reason to give thanks to the Lord. Those who keep the hope of Christ’s return before their minds see that cause to be thankful. This is the stated purpose of God for His people. That purpose is in Christ. It is based upon salvation and accompanied by the supply of all the grace we need in Him.
- Quench not the Spirit, v19. The Spirit’s work is spoken of as a fire. The Holy Ghost will clearly work until Christ returns. The believer is to take care not to extinguish the sacred flame till Jesus comes. Everything necessary to keep the fire burning is to be done!
- Don’t despise the preached word. This is how the Spirit works. He speaks through the ministry of His word. This was part of the responsibility of the overseer. No preacher or hearer is to treat the word of God with contempt, or as nothing.
- Testing all things, v21. God’s people need discernment. The Church of Christ living in the light of His return is to exercise discernment. Cp 1 John 4:1. There is a duty to hold on to the that which is discerned to be good. By implication all that is not good is to be cast aside regardless of its source.
- Abstain form every form of sin, v22. The meaning of the verse is not—as is often taught—that we are to abstain from that which happens to look like sin. It is speaking of every form or manifestation of sin. This is connected to the discernment above.