The Church in Noble - Cornerstone
August 2, 2026
      • Bible Trivia
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      • 1 Thessalonians 5:12NASB95

  • Raise A Hallelujah
  • We Have Heard The Joyful Sound (Jesus Saves)
  • Doxology
  • Here I Am To Worship
  • Victory In Jesus
  • Great Are You Lord

  • Responsibilities

    ILLUST: Rowing team (IMAGE)
    READ 1 Thess 5:12-14
    The Church, believers with the H/S - God’s outreach to the world
    The visible presence of Christ today
    Task? Make disciples, grow spiritually
    Who are you here for?
    You, or others?
    The rest of this chapter/book - encouraging a church to grow
    For a church to excel (like rowing team), need
    Leader - Christ is the head, we got that
    The tool (oars, boat) - We have the Word
    A team, a working team - that’s us
    Focus here - the people in the church - can’t grow/excel without people
    The assumption is that a common goal is in view
    Ownership, growth, community, responsibility
    To “excel still more”
    Start with? Appreciate the leaders in the church….
    That would be easy to just say from here, but…

    1) Responsibilities of Leaders

    (Specifics not given here, generalities)
    Work hard
    Diligently labor
    Work ethic, desire to do a good job
    Support self
    To not be a burden to a church
    Most churches today are <100 people
    47% of independent churches like ours, bi-vocational (work outside of the church)
    (pastoring is NEVER the second job added for money)
    Love the flock
    Selflessness
    The church (and its spiritual health) is typically more important to the pastor than to anyone else
    Peter is told to, and tells other pastors to, “shepherd the flock among you…”
    1 Peter 5:2 NASB95
    shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
    Much here - shepherds were selfless, hard workers, not forced to do the work, serving God
    For selfless reasons, they did not get wealthy doing the work
    And did the hard work eagerly
    Some days were easier than others
    Instruct/Admonish - same word in v. 12 as in v. 14 (to give you instruction)
    To “admonish/instruct” is to teach, with a depth led by the Spirit

    noutheteo

    noutheteo = corrective, caring communication
    To guide toward understanding, with the purpose of being Christ-like
    This is NOT punishment, it is corrective discipline
    This IS the heart of Biblical counseling (nouthetic)
    POINT - I am to give you instruction, based on God’s Word, to communicate correction in a caring way, to guide you toward Christ-likeness
    And…Remain qualified - See 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (read and discuss each)
    1 Timothy 3:1 NASB95
    It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
    God’s challenge to me

    2) Responsibilities to All

    Appreciate the leaders/pastors in the churches - this is a SINCERE REQUEST
    Know what work is being done
    Take opportunity to understand what goes into ministry
    The thoughts, choices, decisions, purposes
    Prayerfully follow the instruction and teaching
    Respect the leaders
    Hold leaders in high esteem - with love/selflessness
    Admonish others - You now, admonish others - this is now URGED (stronger word use)
    And it is brethren who are urged…
    Be taught, so you can teach
    Admonish who?
    The unruly - those who demonstrate disorder, who are undisciplined spiritually
    Teach them, caring, communicating correction
    Encourage others - the fainthearted
    Many think this Christian life is too hard, not worth it
    They need YOUR encouragement
    Who needs encouragement? Those who are DIScouraged
    That is any one of us
    Help - the weak, morally and spiritually
    Offer and provide assistance
    Be patient - with those you like most…NOPE
    With everyone!
    Long-tempered, not short-tempered (v. 15 will lean on this next time…)
    God is patient with you...so…

    3) Working Together

    “Live in peace with one another” - easy, general, enough said??
    Leaders - not rulers
    Church members - prayerfully supportive
    The Thessalonians needed reminders
    Hope
    Comfort
    Paul was thrilled that the church was remaining strong in the middle of their world
    They needed hope, and reminders of the Lord’s goodness
    They needed encouragement, to keep going
    And to be examples to others
    To do all this
    They needed to work together
    ?? ILLUST: Ever move a large piece of furniture through a doorway? Whose left, someone gets pinned…
    This is an EASY passage to study through and figure out
    Loaded with verbs, commands
    Including me and you
    Work hard
    Give instruction
    Appreciate leadership
    Keep leaders in your prayers, think on what leaders do
    Live in peace
    Usually means putting your OWN interests lower in priority
    Admonish
    Encourage
    Help
    Patience
    NEED GUIDANCE in how to help this church grow?
    Here is your list…
    OUR CHALLENGE - Closing
    A healthy, growing church
    I have to know and own my part
    You have to know and own your part
    We all have to ask - how important is this to us?
    How much does the health of this church matter to you?
    We like good health
    We don’t always want the effort that goes into that health
    Good church health is not accidental, not a coincidence
    It was not an accident that the church in Thess was growing healthy
    It took healthy surrender to Christ
    It’s really not a fair option to just show up and enjoy the health that others are working at
    Your effort is also needed
    All the parts are here…but without the effort, growth will not occur
    SO, HONESTLY….
    The question is not - “So, who else can be doing this here?”
    The question IS - “What is God expecting me to do?
    That points to service and selflessness
    As for how we function with each other: (SLIDE)
    Am I appreciating and praying for those who lead me? Am I living at peace with my church family? Am I willing to lovingly correct someone who is wandering? Am I encouraging the discouraged? Am I helping the weak? Am I showing patience—even toward the person who tests my patience most?
    EASY
    Show up and hope to get something
    To notice what’s missing or not quite right
    To wait for someone else to serve
    MATURE and CHALLENGING
    Jesus did not save you in order to just save a seat here
    Service and connection is important
    Ask this again - who are you here for? (J - O - Y)
    Look at this list
    If everyone here is doing these the way you are…
    What kind of church would this become?
    I mean, right now, if YOU are the example in all these things, what would it look like if everyone did the same?
    That is CONVICTING to me - to take seriously
    TODAY
    We stop looking around, and we look in the mirror
    And we look up, and ask Christ how we can grow
    Let’s not just leave here with good intentions
    Identify someone you can encourage
    Find someone you can help
    Make peace where there is strife or tension
    Pray for me as I pray for you
    Accept correction
    Step up to work for the Lord
    LAST THING
    Jesus loved this church enough to die for it
    How much does this church, and its health, matter to us?
    Our answer is not in what we say
    Our answer will be seen in how we actually respond

      • 1 Peter 5:2NASB95

      • 1 Timothy 3:1NASB95

      • 1 Timothy 3:1–7NASB95

  • Above All
  • Holy Forever

      • 1 Thessalonians 5:14NASB95

The Church in Noble - Cornerstone
cornerstone@wabash.net
618-723-2779
https://cccnoble.faithlifesites.com
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