Sermon preached on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Garden Valley Chapel; 1 Thessalonians 5:12b.

Take your Bible if you will and open it to the fifth chapter of Paul´s first epistle to the Thessalonians where we continue our study on verses 12 & 13.

I invite you to stand for the reading of God´s Word.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. [You may take a seat.]

If you recall we began our study looking at the responsibility of the shepherds. In looking at verse 12 we posed two simple questions:
1. Who are these men?
2. What do these men do?

Our desire is not only to answer these important questions but to set in order a most crucial relationship in the church.

Our desire as leaders in the church is to be a healthy church, one whose relationship between the shepherds and the sheep is right, good, and most importantly God-honoring.

His Word is not silent about this vital relationship in the church. As Paul begins to give a long series of exhortations and commands that deal with the practical life in the church, in vv. 12-22, he begins with this one, in v. 12.

Here our Lord through His servant, the Apostle Paul, teaches us the responsibility of these men God in Christ has given to the church to equip the saints (cf. Eph 4:11-12).

Who are these men? V. 12a - "those who" (4 terms in the NT)

What do these men do? V. 12b - "those who...diligently labor among you...have charge over you...give you instruction"

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,