1. “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;” 1 Thes. 4:11 NKJV = mind your own business ESV = mind your own affairs

2. II Thes. 3:11 “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” “prying into other people's affairs.” Living Oracles 1 Peter 4:15 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.”

3. Phil. 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

4. Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Shepherd - “feed” 1 Pet.5:1-3 This shows they must be concerned about others

5. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17 Watch = to be awake and alert Watching for souls of members is a big responsibility This shows they must be concerned about others

6. 1 Timothy 3:4,5 “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Take care of the church Elders must be involved in the lives of members This shows they must be concerned about others

7. Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Take heed= pay attention Overseers = bishops = superintendent Feed = tend as a shepherd This shows they must be concerned about others

8. Elders are to:  Keep the sheep from straying - Heb. 13:17  Go after straying sheep - Luke 15  Protect sheep from wolves – Acts 20:28

9. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:2 Reprove = convict, tell a fault Rebuke = admonish for sins and wrong Exhort = encourage to greater fidelity The preacher will be concerned about others

10. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Preacher is to preach the word This will pierce and discern The preacher will be concerned about others

11. Church at Corinth was of concern to Paul 1 Cor. 1:10-17 = heard of contentions pleaded for unity 1 Cor. 3:1-3 = they walked as men - sinful wanted them to be spiritual 1 Cor. 5:1-7 = family problems church must get involved The preacher will be concerned about others

12. Love our Neighbour - Luke 10:29-37 Good Samaritan Priest & Levite did not love Samaritan recognized that helping the man was his business

13. Eph. 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” Jas. 1:27 - visit the fatherless and widows 1 John 3:17 “But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

14. Great Commission Romans 1:15-16 Debtor - under obligation

15. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Rom.13:9 Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Restore = repair, adjust, mend

16. 1 Thes. 4:11 “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” Not to be a busybody Phil. 2:4 “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Concerned for their soul Concerned to help those in need

17. Cain asked: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Gen. 4:9 Jesus says “YES” Romans 15:1-2 (ESV) “1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”

18. Cain asked: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Gen. 4:9 Jesus says “YES” “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all [men] in all [things], not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of many, that they may be saved. 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 - 11:1

20. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249arthurpigman@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening December 16, 2012