Pastor Appreciation

Follow Along with the Message

INGRATITUDE as sinful norm.

Toward God.  "They did not honor His as God, nor did they give thanks."--Romans 1:21

     "For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies;

     For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies;

     Christ, our Lord, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise."--Folliott Sandford Pierpoint

Toward People.  "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you."--Philippians 1:3

"The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor."--5:17

Elders who RULE well.  Pro histemi  (pro, before, in front of.  histemi, to stand)

Elders who rule WELL.

     "No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent."--Abraham Lincoln

Elders who work hard at PREACHING and TEACHING

Double Honor

--PROTECT HIM FROM ACCUSATION--v. 19

     "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses."

--SUBMIT TO HIS LEADERSHIP

     "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."--Hebrews 13:17

--HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE--v. 20

     "Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning."

________________________

     "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.  Do not lay hands on anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin."