“And that ye study to be quiet, and todo your own business, and to work withyour own hands, as we commandedyou;” 1 Thes. 4:11
NKJV = mind your own business
ESV = mind your own affairs
II Thes. 3:11 “For we hear that there are somewhich walk among you disorderly, working not atall, but are busybodies.”
“prying into other people's affairs.” Living Oracles
1 Peter 4:15 “But let none of you suffer as amurderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as abusybody in other men's matters.”
Phil. 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things,but every man also on the things of others.”
Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; andsome, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,pastors and teachers;
Shepherd - “feed” 1 Pet.5:1-3
This shows they must be concerned about others
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submityourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they thatmust give account, that they may do it with joy, and notwith grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.”Hebrews 13:17
Watch = to be awake and alert
Watching for souls of members is a big responsibility
This shows they must be concerned about others
1 Timothy 3:4,5 “One that ruleth well his own house,having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For ifa man know not how to rule his own house, how shallhe take care of the church of God?)
Take care of the church
Elders must be involved in the lives of members
This shows they must be concerned about others
Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves,and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hathmade you overseers, to feed the church of God, whichhe hath purchased with his own blood.”
Take heed= pay attention
Overseers = bishops = superintendent
Feed = tend as a shepherd
This shows they must be concerned about others
This shows they must be concerned about others
Elders are to:
Keep the sheep from straying - Heb. 13:17
Go after straying sheep - Luke 15
Protect sheep from wolves – Acts 20:28
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out ofseason; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsufferingand doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:2
Reprove = convict, tell a fault
Rebuke = admonish for sins and wrong
Exhort = encourage to greater fidelity
The preacher will be concerned about others
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God [is] quick, andpowerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul andspirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] adiscerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Preacher is to preach the word
This will pierce and discern
The preacher will be concerned about others
Church at Corinth was of concern to Paul
1 Cor. 1:10-17 = heard of contentions
pleaded for unity
1 Cor. 3:1-3 = they walked as men - sinful
wanted them to be spiritual
1 Cor. 5:1-7 = family problems
church must get involved
The preacher will be concerned about others
Love our Neighbour - Luke 10:29-37 Good Samaritan
Priest & Levite did not love
Samaritan recognized thathelping the man was hisbusiness
Eph. 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no longer, butrather let him labor, working with his hands what isgood, that he may have something to give him whohas need.”
Jas. 1:27 - visit the fatherless and widows
1 John 3:17 “But whoever has this world's goods, andsees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart fromhim, how does the love of God abide in him?”
Great Commission
Romans 1:15-16
Debtor - under obligation
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Rom.13:9
Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in afault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one inthe spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thoualso be tempted.”
Restore = repair, adjust, mend
1 Thes. 4:11 “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life,to mind your own business, and to work with yourown hands, as we commanded you”
Not to be a busybody
Phil. 2:4 “Let each of you look out not only for hisown interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Concerned for their soul
Concerned to help those in need
Cain asked: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Gen. 4:9
Jesus says “YES”
Romans 15:1-2 (ESV) “1 We who are strong havean obligation to bear with the failings of the weak,and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us pleasehis neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
Cain asked: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Gen. 4:9
Jesus says “YES”
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever yedo, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence,neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to thechurch of God: 33 Even as I please all [men] in all[things], not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit]of many, that they may be saved. 11:1 Be yefollowers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.”1 Corinthians 10:31-33 - 11:1
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
Evans Church of Christ
515 Gibbs Road
Evans, Ga. 30809
706-855-1249
arthurpigman@bellsouth.netarthurpigman@bellsouth.net
www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org
Sunday Evening December 16, 2012