The power of reputation.
A. Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Tim.4:12-13
1. Be man of your words. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
The practice what Jesus said: Let your yes be yes, your no, be no. Beyond this is from the devil.
Devil is the father of lie! Matt.5:37, John 8:44
2. In life, in love, in faith and in purity are correlated.
What you live for. What are your life priorities. All these show what your faith in God and in you.
Handling relations with others in purity, without evil intent!
B. As a teaching of the Bible this most important! 2 Tim.2:15
1. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim.2:15
2. Be sure to teach words from the mouth of God. 1 Peter 4:11
Constant check with what says in the Bible.
3. This way you are not responsible in how listeners react to what you teach!
As for me this is my constant theme: Here is the chapter and verse, check it out for yourself.
C. As elders they must also have good reputation with outsiders. 1 Tim.3:7
1. Nowadays, this must be measure with what says in the Bible!
2. The constant life theme in America used to be--> Honesty is best policy!
With many practice In God We Trust. The world was better. People mean what they said!
Now, In God We Trust are printed on currency! And this mean trust only in God, not in people!
3. If elders able to be constantly use by outsiders, they will always have good reputation!
4. Jesus said: Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:22
5. Jesus: The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. John 7:7
D. Romans 15:1-4
1. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Ro.15:1
2. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Romans 15:2
3. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. Romans 15:3
4. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
E. Apostle Paul’s example! 2 Cor.11:16-23
1. I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 2 Cor.11:16
2. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I.
Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 2 Cor.11:22
3. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more.
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely,
and been exposed to death again and again. 2 Cor.11:23
4. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 2 Cor.11:28
5. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 2 Cor.11:29
6. Take good care of his young co-workers in the Lord. 1 Cor.16:10-11
Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he work the work of the Lord, as I
also do: let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may
come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.
E. Conclusion: 1. Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you,
who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 1 Thes.5:12
2. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. 1 Thes.5:12
3. Live in peace with each other. 1Thes.5:12
4. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak,
be patient with everyone. 1 Thes.5:14
5. Make sure that nobody pays back evil for evil. 1 Thes.5:15
6. Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thes.5:15
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this August 23, 2015.