Respect

• It was Rodney Dangerfield who popularized the expression, “I get no respect.”

• He would use the statement in many of his comedy routines which was very self-deprecating.

• EX: Some Dangerfield jokes.• Not much respect was given Dangerfield

but it brings up the question, “How does one get respect?”

How to Get Respect

• Some possible ways:• 1. Not by talking more but by living better. • Allow your actions to speak for themselves.• If you constantly explain why you do what

you do, it will bring it into question. • 2. Not by disrespecting others but by

respecting them.• Respect given leads to respect returned.

How to Get Respect

• 3. Not through flattery but through honesty. • You need not agree with everything a

person says or does but you do need to be honest, speaking the truth in love.

• 4. Not through false promises but by being a person of your word.

• If people know they can count on what you say and do, they will respect you more.

Respect

• Some general statements:• - Respect comes over time. • - Respect is earned. • - People may respect your position but not

respect you. • Today, our text challenges us to “win the

respect of outsiders.” • It will provide two ways to gain respect.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12(Page 879)

• 9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

• 11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (NIV)

Winning the Respect of Others

• I. By Loving Fellow Christians (Vv. 9-10)

• II. By Living for Christ (Vv. 11-12)

• A. Leading a Quiet Life• B. Minding Your Own Business• C. Working to Support Yourself

Winning the Respect of Others

• You win the respect of others when you walk the talk.

• When your life demonstrates that you know Jesus and are committed to Him.

• “Win the respect” = from a phrase - peripateo (one’s walk or conduct) + euschemonos (good form or example; “decently,“ or “honestly”) - Vine's Expository

Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

Expressing God’s Love

• We express God’s love for us by demonstrating a love for others.

• Here it is speaking of a brotherly love (philadephia = brotherly love) —Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

• The challenge of the text is to love our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith “more and more.”

• Is your love for fellow believers growing?

Expressing God’s Love

• When was the last time you showed genuine love and concern for a fellow believer in Christ?

• It seems to be easier to serve those we don’t know; those whose faults are not as obvious; or those for whom we feel sorry . . . BUT have you chosen to show love to someone you know, whose faults are very obvious and who may have no visible needs?

Expressing God’s Love

• Why not encourage a fellow believer today?• Tell them that they matter to you and to

God.• Show them that they are a priority.• EX: The New Car• Is your desire to be a brother like that?• Are you wanting more for you or wanting

more to be able to give more?• Do you demonstrate your love for other

believers?

Winning the Respect of Others

• I. By loving fellow Christians.• II. By living for Christ.• A. Leading a quiet life. • Quiet = hesuchadzo - "tranquility arising

from within,” —Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New

Testament Words • While the world is running about with no

purpose, no direction, caught in a state of panic, you (as a believer) rise above the circumstances and rest in God.

Leading a Quiet Life

• Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV)

• Psalm 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (NIV)

• Zechariah 2:13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." (NIV)

Leading a Quiet Life

• Are you able to rest, knowing that Jesus is coming again?

• Are you able to rest, knowing that God is at work?

• Are you able to rest, trusting God with the many challenges you are facing?

• Are you able to rest, trusting God to take care of your todays and your tomorrows?

• Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.

Winning the Respect of Others

• I. By loving fellow Christians.• II. By living for Christ.• A. Leading a quiet life. • B. Minding your own business.• "Tend to your own knitting" is the way I

used to hear it as a boy. Keep your nose out of the affairs of other people.—J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible

• Don’t go where you have not been invited.

Minding Your Own Business

• Be busy but not a busybody.• Don’t meddle or pry into the

affairs of others.• Don’t offer advice when you don’t live

by your own advice.• Make sure your own home and life are

in perfect order.• Ask yourself, “Are the problems I see in

others, the problems I have myself?”

Winning the Respect of Others

• I. By loving fellow Christians.• II. By living for Christ.• A. Leading a quiet life. • B. Minding your own business.• C. Working to support yourself.• “Work with your hands . . . so that you will

not be dependent on anybody” (Vv. 11-12).• Don’t be afraid of hard work.

Working to Support Yourself

• On the flip side, don’t be ashamed if after working your hardest, you need help from other believers.

• One goal of working hard is to provide for yourself.

• The other goal of working hard is to serve as a strong witness for Christ.

• You will win the respect of others.

Winning the Respect of Others

• Our testimony is based in our words and evidenced in our walk.

• The best testimony is a living testimony of faith.

• Are you a good testimony?• Do others respect you for your faith?• Do they respect you for how you live?• Do they respect you because you trust

God?

“Few things are harder to put up

with than a good

example.”Mark Twain

Winning the Respect of Others

• Do they respect you because you are able to be at peace during the storms of life?

• Do they respect you for minding your own business and then offering help and insight when asked?

• Do they respect you for your hard work?• When we win the respect of others, it

changes our family, our church and our community.