How To Live: Part 1 Series

How to Live: Part One

CSBC 7/29/09

1 Thessalonians

Paul talking to a great church filled with great people (we are)

Been talking about the end times

Paul goes—Christian living

Prophecy is meant to help us live right today

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1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

I. EVERYONE HAS A BOSS. (12)

Brethren (includes everyone not just some—didn’t note those that don’t have bosses)

No one like authority—no one say I really like to be told what to do all the time

Authority is good for us

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You might say I really don’t have a boss.

- Self Employed—clients are boss

- CEO—stockholders are boss

- Minister--God is your boss

- We must all recognize we have a boss.

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Listen you are the boss of what you pay for—if you don’t pay for it your not the boss of it.

When kids get teenager—you are still the boss—if you feel they should not go they shouldn’t go. You are still smarter than them even if they can run your phone better than you can.

If they don’t believe you—if they don’t mind—hand them a bag of groceries and one months rent & say call me when it hits the fan—b/c as long as you live here you will listen to me.

I say that b/c I know a man who did it—his son thought daddy was bluffing—so one night snuck out—got drunk—came in the next morning to eat breakfast and his daddy said you wont eat breakfast here. You don't live by my rules you don't eat my food. He fully didn't let him eat that meal.

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I've heard it said, "Life has a board for every bottom"

2. HIGHLY REGARDED LEADERS ARE RESPECTABLE, HARD WORKING, GODLY, TRUTH TELLERS. (13)

In a word they have (Character)

character & greatness just go together

What is character?

Character is—Ill<>

Spiritual Leaders must have character

- I don’t agree w/ my husband, but God would you bless obedience

- I don’t agree w/ my parents, but God I am choosing say yes sir

- It is the mature way to respond

Be at peace among yourselves. (good leader promote peace)

- Being a spiritual leader is far greater responsibility than anything you ever do (parent, spouse, employer)

- I am the spiritual leader of this church (I do not view that as powerful, perk, position)

- GREAT RESPONSIBILITY—the day fall I carry lots of people with me