Effective Leading and

Effective Following
I Thessalonians 5:12-23
by Joe Morecraft, ill
Introduction
1. "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 instruc-
tion, and that you esteem them very
highly in love because of their work.
Live in peace with one another. And we
urge you, brethren, admonish the un-
ruly, encourage the fainthearted, help
the weak, be patient with all men. See
that no one repays anoMer with evil for
evil, but always seek after that which is
good for one another and for all men.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks; for this is
God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do
not quench the Spirit; do not despise
prophetic utterances. But examine every-
thing carefully; hold fast to that which
is good; abstain from every form of
evil. Now may the God of peace Him-
self sanctify you entirely; and may your
spirit and soul and body be preserved
complete, without blame at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2. Context {5:1-28): Paul is preparing
the Thessalonian church for handling fu-
ture crises successfully. He is showing
it how to be ready when Jesus comes.
3. Theme of text (5:12- 15): Effective-
ness in advancing Christ's kingdom de-
mands effective leadership; and effective
leadership demands effective following.
4. Considerations:
a. Two crises facing today's church
in the U.S. are a crisis of leadership and
a crisis of following; which are signs of
God's judgment, Isaiah 3:12.
b. The restoration of these two
things must be viewed as:
(1). A gift of God in answer to
prayer.
(2). A lifting of God's judgment
from our nation.
(3). A beginning of national re-
vival-refonnation.
5. Commitment: Now is the time for
American, bible-believing Christians,
who have been richly blessed in the
past with godly leadership to rededicate
itself to the biblical reconstruction of
_the way we lead and the way we follow.
Exposition
I. The responsibilities of effective leader-
ship.
A. (5: 12a) The ministry of self-sacri-
ficing work.
1. The Greek word for 'labor' in-
dicates hard work until weariness sets
in, in the work of the Gospel, Philip-
pians 1:5f.
2. John Calvin said this work
includes: "the edification of the church,
the eternal salvation of souls, the re-
storation of the world, and in short, the
kingdom of God and Christ."
3. Throughout I Thessalonians
Paul assumes that every Christian is in-
volved in this 'labor,' 1:3; 2:9; 2:13;
3:2,5; 4:11; 5:12; and that leaders are
leading in the work, and not doing it all
themselves.
4. Effective leading demands ob-
servable and conspicuous involvement
in edifying individual Christian fami-
lies; in sharing the gospel to the lost;
and in working to reconstruct all areas
of American life by the word of God. In
so doing, 'followers' will be motivated
to a similar devotion and involvement
5. Christians must manifest a
similar self-sacrificing commitment to
devote all to our cause, that Douglas
Hyde finds in the communist in his
book, Dedication and Leadership. See
appendix for great quotations.
B. (5:12b) The ministry of shep-
herding.
1. This does not have reference
to dictatorial rule or to a "corporation
board mentality," but to Christ-like
leadership, "in the Lord."
a. "In the Lord" adds the idea
of spiritual fitness and the warmth of
Christian solidarity in Christ.
b. Christ-like rule is the rule
of a servant, Mark 10:45; Matthew
20:27. A leader must be an obvious
servant of God and servant of men. He
must put the interests and welfare of
others above his own, Philippians 2:3f.
He must be conunitted to serving
others sacrificially, r ather than with be-
ing served or being recognized as a
leader, Matthew 23:lf.
2. Paul describes a good leader
in I Thessalonians 2: 1-12.
3. The Larger Catechism applies
this principle:
.... The Counsel of Chalcedon Jan.-Feb., 1990 page 37
a. Q124
b. Q125
c. Ql29
d. Q130
C. (5:12c) The ministry of coun-
seling.
1. The Greek wdrd for "ad-
monish" has reference to 'nouthetic
counseling.' See Acts 20:31; I Corin-
thians 4:14; Romans 15:14 to see how
this work is to be approached and per-
formed.
2. Biblical counseling always
includes these three elements:
a. Loving concern
b. Loving confrontation
c. Loving correction (from
the Bible).
3. An effective leader is a man
with answers to the personal and na-
tional crises of his day. He is a of
Issachar," (I Chronicles 12:32), who be-
lieves in and applies the all-sufficiency
of the Bibie, (ll Timothy 3:16-17).
a. The people must seek out
this counsel from their leaders, rather
than waiting for their leaders to seek
them out. If you need counsel, take the
initiative.
b. The leaders must lead in
such a way that the people value their
counsel. The people must feel that the
leaders do care for them and they are
important to them and interested in
their concerns.
4. For answers to today's
personal and national problems read Jay
Adams, The Christian Counselor's
Manual, and RJ. RtJShdoony's Insti-
tutes of Biblical Law.
II. The responsibilities of effective
followers.
A. (5:12-13) the follower's responsi-
bilities to his leaders.
1. He is to familiarize himself
with their hard work; and "appreciate"
them for it.
2. He is to "esteem highly," re-
spect and submit to them as laborers -
shepherds - counselors, not because
they are perfect, but "for their work's
sake."
3. He is to 'love' them, i.e. re-
gard with affection, and to be as self-
giving to them as they are supposed to
be to him.
4. These words are primary atti-
tudinal, but they demand concrete appli-
cation.
a. In the way you them.
b. In the way you speak of
them.
c. In the way you sup:port them.
5. The larger catechism applies this
principle:
a. Q127
b. Q128
B. (5:13-15) The followers' responsi-
bilities to each other. .
1. (5: 13) Keep the peace among
yourselves.
a. 'Peace' in Greek involves har-
mony, order, health and
welfare and safety.
b. This injunction reflects
Matthew 5:9 and Colossians
3:15.
c. The injunction here is three-
fold:
(1). Do not continually criticize
and be negative about each other. Be
easy to get along with.
(2). Look out for each other's
total peace, as defined above, thereby
preserving God's order and church
harmony.
(3). Reconcile yourself with
offended or offending brothers.
d. The responsibility belongs to
all the "brethren," who took this vow:
"Do you submit to the government and
discipline of the church and promise to
strive for its purity and peace?"
2. (5:14a) Biblically counsel those
who are out of step with
the rest of the army because of
disorderliness or idleness.
a. The verb here is 'nouthetically
counsel,' i.e., oot of loving concern,
tenderly confront the brother about his
sin, and wisely correct him by the word
of God.
b. The Greek word for 'dis-
orderly' is a military tenn, meaning,
'out of step.' It is also used in Greek for
'loafing.'
(1). Counsel those out of step
with God's orders.
(2). Counsel those who have left
the battle and ceased to work for the
kingdom.
(3). Examples: 4:11,12;
5:12,13; II Thess. 3:10.
c. Implications:
(1) . . Leaders and followers are
expected to be competent to counsel,
Rom.15:14 . .
(2). Church discipline begins
The Counsel of Chalcadon Jan.Feb., 1990 page 38
with the follower. H someone is 'out
of step,' do not wait for the official
leaders to act--you act first. Then, if
necessary, call them You take the
lead.
3. (5:14b) Tenderly encourage the
discouraged, the disheartened, and the
weary.
a. The Greek word for 'en-
courage' expresses tender concern, Isa.
42:3, sympathetic and ever-ready assis-
tance.
b. Examples: 4: 13-18; 5:4,5,9.
c. Your aim in this encourage-
ment is to make them ready and willing
to return to the battle.
d. Implications:
(1). In dealing with people be
discerning enough to make distinctions.
Do not be legalistic or iilflexible in
your nietbods. . .
(2). Pray that the Holy Spirit
would encourage people through you,
Jolm 14:16; II Cor. 7:6.
(3). Obedience to this injunction
demands:
(a). True affection for one
another, Phil. 2:3f.
(b). Sensitivity to each
other's condition.
(c). Goal-orientation--get
everybody fit and back in
the battle.
4. (5:14c) Support and cling io the
weak and stumbling, i.e., those with a
tendency to fall into sinful patterns.
a. The Greek word for 'support'
suggests the idea of closeness, in atti-
tude, feeling and practical helpfUlness.
(1). 'The thought is that it is
good for weak souls to know that there
are others who are with them, who will
cleave to them in the difficult moment,
who will not forsake them." -L. Morris
(2). Examples: 4:1-8.
b. Implications:
(1). 'There is a place for such in
the church, and the strong have a
particular duty towards them. . . . the
weak are not to be simply abandoned,
but made to feel that they belong, that
they have comrades in Christ." -L ..
Morris
(2). Be lovingly honest with
each other. Treat with gentleness those
who easily succumb to sinful habits
and desires. Do not be pharisaical. Do
not be harsh artd condemnatory, Gala-
tians 6:1.
5. (5: 14d) Be patient with every-
body; bear with each other; and patient-
ly lead each other in the way of Christ.
a. The Greek word for 'patient,'
suggests the idea of being long-suffer-
ing with people.
(1). It is a divine attribute,
Romans 2:4; I Timothy 1:16; Romans
9:22.
(2). It is a Christian virtue, II
Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 4:2;
Colossians 1:11; 3:12; II Timothy
3:10; 4:2; Galatians 5:22.
b. Implications:
(1). Do not try to drive 'sheep'
to goals. Lead them.
(2). This injunction implies two
things"
(a}. A sense of your own
sinfulness and God's patience with you,
Hebrews 5:2.
(b). A recognition that time
is on our side. Since the future is ours,
we need not live in a panic, I
Corinthians 3:22.
6. (5:15) Do not allow yourself to
be provoked to retaliation, Romans
12:17, 19.
a. Pursue that which is bene-
ficial for one another.
b. Assist each member to cul-
tivate and manifest holiness and in-
volvement in the battle.
c. Implications:
(1). This is not easy, but it
can be done, because, with God's com-
mands he provides power to comply.
(2). This principle of good-
ness in the face of provocation must un-
derlie Cluistian conduct at all times.
(3). In Romans 12:21 we see
the victory-orientation of this injunc-
tion.
7. (5:16-23) Be consciously and con-
stantly dependent upon God for every
moment of life and service in the battle.
a. (5:16) Always be joyful by
thinking more of our riches in Christ
than in our difficulties on earth.
b. (5:17) Ceaselessly pray -
prayer includes the realization of the
presence and activity of God
c. (5:18) In everything give
thanks by realizing and by seeing God's
good hand in everything.
d. (5:19) Do not put out the flre
of the Spirit, resulting in a loss of
power and joy, through disorderliness or
idleness.
e. (5:20-2i) Be discerning. Em-
brace truth whether you like it or not
f. (5:22) Live a life separated
from all forms and appearances of evil.
g. (5:23) These duties ofleading
and following are essential to our entire
sanctification.
Concluding Applications:
1. We are presented here with a
relationship between leaders and
followers that is:
a. Effective in reaching biblical
goals.
b. Low in hurt feelings,
misunderstandings, bickering
and rivalries.
c. High in unity, love and
cooperation.
2. In order to obtain such a relation
ship:
a. Followers must give their
leadership the respect and submission
they would Christ, as they are faithful
to Him, since they are Christ's
representatives.
b. Leaders:
(1). Be Christ-like servant-
leaders. This will make it less difficult
for followers to give you support.
(2). Always be looking to de-
velop new leadership for the future.
(3). Make as your goal: "Every
Christian a leader and every home,
school, business, and cluuch a fortress."
3. This relationship demands:
a. Goal-orientation; setting
biblical goals, reachable and measurable
objectives; and workable, specific plans
for reaching them. An organization is a
social unit deliberately constructed to
seek specific goals.
b. Supervision, oversight,
coordination.
c. Motivation by example.
d. Communication and constant
contact
e. Vision, faith in God and
sanctified imagination.
f . "Fellowship in the gospel,"
i.e., a unity in mission and total
devotion to the work of the gospel 'til
death do us part.
Appendix
The following excerpts are taken from
Douglas Hyde's excellent book, Dedica-
tion and Leadership, published by Uni-
versity of Notre Dame Press, Notre
Dame, Ind., 1966. Mr Hyde was a
member of the British Communist Par-
ty for twenty years and editor of the
London Daily Worker. He, in the early
1960's, renounced communism, and be-
came a Roman Catholic. His book is
not a refutation of Communism, but a
study of the question of what is the
secret of communism's success, in at-
tracting so many philosophical adher-
ents throughout the world.
"If you ask me what is the distinguish-
ing mark of the Communist, what it is
that Communists most outstandingly
have in common, . ... I would say, be-
yond any shadow of doubt, it is their
idealism, their zeal, dedication, devotion
to their cause and willingness to sacri-
fice." (Pg. 15-16)
"Communism becomes the dominant
thing in the life of the Communist It
is something to which he gives himself
completely." (Pg. 18)
"The Communists' appeal to idealism
is direct and audacious. They say that if
you make mean little demands upon
people, you will get a mean little re-
sponse which is all you deserve, but, if
you make big demands on them, you
will get an heroic response." (Pg. 18)
"The dedicated man stands out by way
of contrast. The dedicated man makes
his own appeal simply by virtue of the
fact that he is dedicated Thus dedication
perpetuates itself." (Pg. 20-21)
"If ... the majority of members, from
the leaders down, are characterized by
their single-minded devotion to the
cause, if it is quite clear that the majori-
ty are giving until it hurts, putting
their time, money, thought, and if
necessary life itself at its disposal, then
those who consider joining will assume
that this is what will be expected of
them." (Pg. 21)
"It is ludicrous to suppose that half-
hearted Christians can conduct a fruitful
dialogue with fully-dedicated Commun-
ists." (Pg. 21)
"Often ex-communists meeting together
can talk of 'the old days when we were
in the party' rather like old soldiers dis-
The Counsel of Chalcedon Jan.-Feb., 1990 page 39
cussing nostalgically the campaigns
they shared in the past 'Do you remem-
ber what life was like in the party? You
got up in the morning and as you
shaved you were thinking of the jobs
you would do for Communism that
day. You went down to breakfast and
read the Daily Worker to get the Party
line---to get the shot and shell for a
fight in which you were already in-
volved. You read every item in the
paper wondering how you might be
able to use it for the cause."'
"On the bus or train, on my way to
work, I read the Daily Worker as os-
tentatiously as I could, holding it up so
that others might read the headlines and
be influenced by them. I took two
copies of the paper with me; the second
one I left on the seat in the hope that
someone would pick it up and read it
"When I got to work, i kept the
Daily Worker circulating. One worker
after another would take it outside, read
it for a few minutes and bring it back to
me again. At lunchtime, in the canteen
or the restaurant, I would try to start
conversations with those with whom I
was eating. I made a practice of sitting
with different groups in order to spread
my influence as widely as I could.
"Before I left my place of work at
night, there was a quick meeting of the
factory group. There we discussed in a
few minutes the successes and failures
of the day. And we discussed, too, what
we hoped to be able to do on the follow-
ing day." n
Please remember
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in your prayers as we begin
our twelfth year with the
next issue.
Continuing the series of taped messages on
I Corinthians
by Joe Morecraft, Ill
The Holy Spirit & the Body of Christ
I Cor. 12:1-27
The Holy the Body of Christ & the Spiritual Gift
I Cor. 12
The Miraculous Gifts, I
(1 Cor. 12 & 14)
The Miraculous Gifts, ll
The Miraculous Gifts, ill
$4.00 per tape (cassette)
$17.00 for set of five. Order from:
Specialty Media Services
P.O. Box 28357
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The Counsel of Chalcedon Jan.-Feb., 1990 page 40
The Role of Women
Continued from page 32
viously would not vote because of
Scripture's prohibition against women
exercising authority over men. One
would ask, "How are unmarried women
represented?" Assuming the woman's
father is not in the church, they are
represented the same way as the whole
congregation -through the elected elders.
It is advisable that unmarried women be
put under the close oversight of some
church elder; whq can provide some
degree of headship for that woman.
Presently, in most Presbyter-
ian churches, all communing members
regardle&s of sex aJ:ld age are entitled to
a congregational vote. Thus, we not on-
ly can have women exercising authori-
ty, but we can have young girls having
authority! How is this consistent with
biblical teaching? It isn't.
It is time that Presbyterians
scrutinize their practice of church gov-
ernment in light of the Bible's admoni-
tions about women. The role of wom-
en in the Bible is not a degrading one.
The position of being in subjection is
not a less dignified position. Women
are equally as precious to God. Women
are co-heirs of all of God's blessings.
God has created mankind as
and female. Each sex has its own
specially _created nature; which is what
makes the marriage state such a mar-
velous and beautiful institution. Each
sex has its own God-ordained role for
functioning in society. The man is the
head and the woman is subject to that
}leadship. The role of women in the
church is one of subjection to male
headship. Why make a woman func-
tion in a capacity that she was never
suited for? -
As noted earlier, I do not in-
tend. for my conqnents to be the final
word on this issue. Howevet", if there
are some who disagree with my analy-
sis, I would like to know where
I have misinterpreted and onsapplied
Scripture. I would like to see a compel-
_ ling biblical case allowing women to
pray in public worship, to serve on pul-
pit committees, and to vote in congrega-
tional meetings. 0