"Her Pastors and Her People"

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (English-KJV)

12. 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.

1. The Responsibilities of the Pastors to the People
   Some people think pastors have an easy job --- preach once or twice a week, drink tea and coffee with the people, and generally have a relaxed easy going life. Paul, however, says:
   1. Pastors are to be laborers among you . . . "know them that labor among you" (v.12). Labor involves the idea of "toil, work, pain and effort". What does a pastor do like this?
      1. He "feeds the flock" with the Word of God. This is not as easy as it seems! The pastor is to go to the well himself personally before he can give to others.
      2. He "cares for the flock" when one is straying or injured. Wounded animals lash out, hurting people do the same. It's not pleasant!
   2. Pastors are to be watchmen over you . . . "(they) are over you in the Lord" (v.12). "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account." (Hebrews 13:17)
   3. Pastors are to be admonishers of you . . . "and admonish you" (v.12). Admonish --- literally "to put them in mind" or "to bring to your attention".
      1. A pastor is to remind you how the Lord deals with His people in love.
      2. A pastor is to remind you what the Lord has said about different situations.
      3. A pastor is to remind you of the consequences of ignoring the Lord. How do you receive a pastor when he talks to you? Do you resist? Deny? Ignore?
2. The Responsibilities of the People to the Pastors
   1. You are to know them (v.12).
      1. To "know" your pastors can mean "to make yourself known" (I Cor. 2:2) God calls you to tell them your fears, worries, concerns and needs.
      2. To "know" your pastors can mean "to own them as your pastors" (Luke 13:27). Not to know Christ means to treat with disrespect and contempt (I John 3:1)
      3. To "know" your pastor can mean to show a concern for their honor and welfare.
      Dr. Gill, "Allow nothing ever to even be whispered to his discredit."
   2. You are to esteem them (v.13). "Esteem" means to hold them in high regard and honor in the heart. To esteem "highly" (lit."superabundantly") makes clear what you are to think of them You are to think of them this way "for their works sake". Because of their calling!
   3. You are to assist them (v.13)."Be at peace among yourselves". In other words, the greatest thing you can do to help your pastor in his ministry is to make sure he doesn't get dragged into inter-personal conflicts that take his focus away from carry for the souls of God's people.

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