Human Relations

A practical course in human relations. Similar messages also at: youtube.com/watch?v=UoRC1tMuAu8 and youtube.com/watch?v=sg_6TyrVWeo

Three kinds of people - and how to deal with them - from 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

Warn them that are unruly,
Comfort the feebleminded,
Support the weak,
Be patient toward all men.

1. CORRECT THE DISORDERLY
…warn them that are unruly…

Some people are like undisciplined soldiers. Out of order, out of line, out of step.They are easy prey for the enemy.

Some are unruly – disorderly. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 …there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

These folk were… shirkers and rebels.

God brings order and harmony. Not discord, and disunity. The disorderly are:
• Divisive (Romans 16:17, 1 Timothy 6:3-5)
• Disruptive
• Destructive.

They will not support a godly church, or submit to godly leadership…

They are Rebels - who want to…
• Bring in their own, different teachings. To
• Go their own way, and do their own thing.

Paul warns… Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…

People who are out of order need to be brought back into order. There is needful warning…

The Bible talks about sin, and doctrinal error, as TOXIC - like a cancer.

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Paul warned while he was weeping. Acts 20:31 …I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. We must boldly speak against error.

The undisciplined youth of our day are crying out for help. There is need for telling the truth in love.

Paul tells also of another group of people- THE DISCOURAGED.

2. COMFORT THE DISCOURAGED

The Word says, …comfort the feebleminded…

These are the fainthearted - those who lose heart…
• The disheartened
• The downcast
• The discouraged ones.

These ones need comfort. Give them hope.

Give encouraging, uplifting words.

The discouraged of our day are those…
• Lacking in victory
• Labouring under burdens
• Low in spirit - due to trials and tests and setbacks.

Do we see them - all about us? Those…
• Downtrodden,
• Battle-weary ones.

Those…
• Who have had battles to fight?
• Who have trod some difficult pathways?
• Who bear the scars of discouragement and defeat?

Encourage one another daily. Day by day by day.

Give a word of praise.

Take time to reach out to those who are bruised and fragile.

Do we reach out to uplift the troubled?

Take time for the hurting - to bring healing.

Do we reach out to people when tragedy strikes?

Paul says we are to…
EN-courage those who are DIS-couraged…
Discouragement is powerful. But encouragement is also powerful.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Build each other up.

Be an encourager - like Barnabas - the “son of encouragement”...
• Barnabas encouraged Paul when he was newly saved, standing with him.
• Barnabas was a generous man in the church to meet needs.
• Barnabas exhorted - encouraged - the people at Antioch to stay true to the Lord, Acts 11:23.
• Barnabas wanted to give John Mark a second chance. He showed forgiveness and grace and saw the best in people.

Look out for opportunities to…
• Give encouragement;
• Give a word of cheer.

An encouraging word can make all the difference.

Paul talks of The disorderly, The discouraged, and now, of a third set of people… THE WEAK… He says:

3. CARE FOR THE WEAK
…support the weak…

Look after them…
• Strengthen them
• Be supportive
• Stand by them.

Show your love and care.

Nurture the weaker ones. The frail. The sick. Many are weak and stumbling.

Those who are weak in faith need…
• Our understanding
• Our consideration
• Our care.

Help the afflicted. The downtrodden.

Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

The weaker ones are all around us. We may not always notice. It is easy to miss them.

David honoured Mephibosheth.

Let's not just look out for our own interests, but also consider the needs of others (Phil 2:4).

Paul wraps it all up, by saying, with all men…

4. KEEP PATIENT TO ALL
…be patient toward all men.

Be patient here with absolutely everybody…

Paul says… continue being patient toward all…
• Patiently enduring
• Longsuffering
• Putting up with much.

Be patient with everyone.

Love is patient.

Show a calm and enduring spirit.

Learn to be gracious and kind.
Don’t hold any grudges.
Be forgiving.

Show God’s grace to others.

These are all very practical tips for living life with others…

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.