Ordination Charge to the Church
1st Thessalonians 5:12 & 13
Intro: God has called certain men to the ministry. They have at least one of the ministry gifts. Today you have requested the ordination of one of these called men.
Core: Just as Paul’s charge to the man of God is seen in 2nd Timothy 4: 1 -5 so also is the church given a charge by Paul. This charge is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 & 13, in which Paul says, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour 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. And be at peace among yourselves."
Body I. Paul gives three commands to the church concerning their actions toward those who "labour among" them.
A. When you call a man to be your spiritual leader he is "labouring among you."
1. When he is fulfilling his ministry you have certain responsibilities to him.
2. Paul sets three of these out in order and shows their purpose for the church.
B. "Know them," Paul says in verse 12.
1. Understand where they’re coming from.
2. Understand their teaching.
3. Recognize them as your teacher and follow them.
4. That is what we are doing here today.
5. Why are you to do this?
6. Because they labor over you and they have authority (spiritual authority) over you.
C. Paul admonishes the church at Thessalonica to do this for these teachers.
1. I admonish you to do this for this man seated before you today.
2. Respect him, follow him and love him.
3. Pray for him every day,
4. Ask God to watch over him and keep him from falling, and give him the knowledge and wisdom to lead you.
D. Esteem them Paul said in love.
1. Look to him for admonishment.
2. Look to him for spiritual guidance.
3. Seek his prayers for you in all situations.
4. Submit to his leadership of you.
5. And do this in love.
6. Because that my friend is honoring to God and His word.
II. When you honor and respect the one in authority over you, you will then be able to follow Paul’s next admonition.
A. "Be at peace among yourselves."
1. Peace only comes as we submit to the authority God has placed over us.
2. For the faithful minister it is submission to the Holy Spirit.
3. For the wife it submission to the husband,
4. For children it is submission to parents,
5. And for the church it is submission to the faithful minister who is over you.
6. Only when these things are in place can we follow this last admonition.
B. This is what God expects. In fact He demands that this be done.
1. You must be willing to submit.
2. To pastoral authority as he submits to and follows the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.
3. Never cease to pray for him.
4. Never cease to recognize him.
5. Never cease in your esteem for him.
6. That will bring peace and when a church is at peace growth comes.
Conc. Will you as a church body, accept this charge to you? Committing to pray for, to esteem, to recognize and follow him as he follows the Lord. To submit to his authority and his guidance as you seek the Lord’s will for this church. Will you accept this charge?
