Summary: Learning how to live from the book of 1 Thessalonians. This is not in full text it is just the copied & pasted sermon outline a spoke from on a Wednesday night Bible Study.

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

- Work hard—Love people—Preach the word

- I believe there should be a certain level of respect for spiritual leaders

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Scripture teaches that Leaders Lead (Church it is backward for some reason)

(Talking with a deacon on the phone the other day—pastor wanted to do something—he didn’t like—pastor couldn't do it) Churches must allow their pastor to lead...not just preach.

All through the Bible God give a man the vision & people follow (no where say got group people(committee) & they told the man if he could shoot for the vision or not)

CHURCH SHOULD BE

-Staff Led every growing and thriving church is staff led

-Deacon Served deacon means servant

-Committee/Team Reviewed None of us are as smart as all of us

-Congregation approved—on really big things

You look at any growing church and their are at least two of these four things present.

3. GOD HITS MOVING TARGETS. (14)

If we sit and allow a few unholy folks run the church, I don't believe God will pour out his blessings. God wants men to lead the church and move it forward b/c God loves to hit moving targets.

Bottom line, although in a perfect world everybody loves Jesus and wants his will, some people are on a power trip. they have a little bit of authority and they push everyone around. While you must try to work with them sometimes you must have to run over them.

4. ENCOURAGE THEIR HEARTS (14)

There are folks that want to but are afraid to

WILL IF Encouraged to do it

Fainthearted—small souled

Be Specific & Sincere

Tell them what you think they’d be good at and mean it

5. BE PATIENT WITH EVERYONE FROM BOTTOM TO TOP. (15)

Be patient with everyone—husband—kids—employer—when we practice patient revenge will come out of our lives

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