Peter Barnes: 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13
SERMON NOTES: ELDER-CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONS (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
Calvin: ‘This admonition is very necessary.’ It is directed mainly at the congregation but also the elders (see Acts 14:23. John Stott is right to say that the Bible opposes both clericalism and anti-clericalism.
- Elders must:
(a) work hard. See 2:9; also 1 Cor.15:10; 1 Tim.5:17.
– Thomas Chalmers in 1805: ‘after the satisfactory discharge of his parish duties, a minister may enjoy five days in the week of uninterrupted leisure, for the prosecution of any science in which his taste may dispose him to engage.’ Chalmers in 1825: ‘I had forgotten two magnitudes – I thought not of the littleness of time – I recklessly thought not of the greatness of eternity!’
(b) govern. 1 Tim.3:4-5; 5:17. This is to be done in a Christian way – Luke 22:25-26. But there is a ruling and governing function with the eldership – Heb.13:7, 17, 24.
(c) admonish. This is ‘sympathetic disagreement’ – 1 Cor.4:14; 2 Thess.3:15.
- Congregational members must:
(a) respect. Luther told false preachers to ‘Go preach to the geese.’ Many American churches are fond of gimmicks like ‘Pastor Appreciation Month’. John Eadie: ‘To claim or extort it in virtue of the office is to miss or forfeit it – it must be won by the earnest discharge of duty.’
(b) love. The cheap slogan ‘Love all’ is supposed to solve everything. Love Hitler? Love the devil? Love is true and righteous; that is the love which reflects the character of God.
(c) be at peace. Calvin has ‘be at peace with them’, which would mean ‘be at peace with the elders’. But the more likely reading is that the congregation members are to be at peace among themselves. There is nothing quite like needless quarrels and complaints in a church.
Leaders/elders work hard, govern and admonish, while members respect, love, and live at peace.