Appreciate and Esteem Your Spiritual Leaders? What Does That Look Like?

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

What does it mean to “appreciate” and “esteem” those who have charge over us in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)?  A number of things, the very least of which is the regular, punctual and serious attendance of the preaching ministry.

Regular. There are persons whose attendance at services is as impossible to depend as upon the blowing of the wind. How disheartening this is to both preacher and congregation!

Punctual. Late attendance is a great annoyance to orderly worshippers, disrespectful to the minister, and an insult to God.

Serious. Come from the closet to the sanctuary. The fire of devotion should be kindled at home. Remember where you are, whose Presence is with you, and what is your business in the house of God.

Will you prepare yourself to worship God and bring Him glory by appreciating and esteeming your spiritual leaders in this  way?

- adapted from a sermon by John Angel James (1785—1859)

Are You Dependable to the Body of Christ?

In last week's sermon (Acts 14:21-28), I closed with some practical ways in which a Christian can demonstrate dependability to the Body of Christ.  There are just a few here and I would love to have you add to the list! Hopefully these will stimulate more ways in your own thinking.

1. Be there; be present (at church services); show up and be involved in everything you can; not simply as a spectator; ask to be a part of service, event or meeting. What was the last thing you specifically did for the local gathering of the saints? (and do not say, “I showed up!”)

2. Read your Bible with the intention of sharing what you read with other believers for the purpose of encouragement and refinement.

3.   Pray daily for your fellow church goers; asking often what you might pray for them.

4. Offer your help, services, time or resources to help another believer in a project.  Offer to watch another couples’ children so they can go out; purpose to take another believer out for coffee or meet for breakfast.

5. Encourage believers who are faithfully serving the church body in their efforts.  Express and attitude of gratitude for your church leaders, for the specific ministry and undertakings of people in the church.  When was the last time you thanked the church treasurer for treasuring; the church greeting for greeting; the church nursery coordinator for coordinating?

I dare you (okay…exhort you in the Lord) to come up with five more and do them!