1 Corinthians - Part 7
1 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Review: A few weeks ago we began a series on 1 Corinthians. Just to remind you what we’ve covered so far:
Review: A few weeks ago we began a series on 1 Corinthians. Just to remind you what we’ve covered so far:
Corinth was a major City - very large, cosmopolitan
Corinth was a beautiful, yet wicked place.
Corinth was located at a major commercial crossroads - this is why it is so prominent.
The Church at Corinth had been planted by Paul - He had spent 18 months there working.
He has written back and forth to them once and he’s now received word from one of the House Churches that there are some problems in the Church. He’s also received a letter from them to ask him some pastoral questions.
He writes 1 Corinthians to respond to the issues in this Church and to answer their questions
Our First week, we said he begins dealing with their issues by reminding them of their identity. He reminds them who they are
They are set apart and sanctified in Christ Jesus
They are “Saints”
They are members of a bigger body of believers all over the world.
Our Second week we said that Paul moved to reminding them of Who God is and what he had done for them.
Paul reminds them to be thankful to God.
Paul reminds them God had given them everything they needed to live as Saints
Paul reminds them that the Faithfulness of God is their foundation
God had called them into fellowship with himself. This idea of fellowship means and intimate sharing. A better word might even be “communion.”
Our third week we talked about how Paul begins to address divisions within this Church.
They are supposed to be united - With one voice, one, mind, and one purpose.
Instead they are divided
Paul Says - “Stop being divided! Christ is not divided and we don’t follow a man, we follow Jesus!”
Our Fourth week, we looked at how Paul Addressed these divisions: By appealing to the cross!
Last week we talked about how Paul defines Spiritual Wisdom and Spiritual Maturity.
A couple of weeks ago we discussed leadership and what to look for in a godly leader.
Opening Story/Illustration: If you were to come up with the best term or image to describe a leader, what would that be? Shepherd? Administrator? Coach? CEO? General? President?
Opening Story/Illustration: If you were to come up with the best term or image to describe a leader, what would that be? Shepherd? Administrator? Coach? CEO? General? President?
When we think of leaders, we often think of positions and titles AND we have a stereotype - People with charismatic personalities who know how to get things done. People who are outgoing and magnetic. Those people who walk into a room and all eyes go to them.
Transition to Text: Paul has moved on from their divisions now, but continues to talk about leadership. The Corinthians have a warped idea of what leadership is.
Transition to Text: Paul has moved on from their divisions now, but continues to talk about leadership. The Corinthians have a warped idea of what leadership is.
Text: 1 Corinthians 4
Text: 1 Corinthians 4
1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. 6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
Transition to Points: Let’s take a look at how Paul would describe leadership.
Transition to Points: Let’s take a look at how Paul would describe leadership.
Points:
Points:
Servants and Stewards
Paul uses two words with similar meanings to describe leadership.
The first word is “servants.”
In Greek, Paul does not use the typical word here we would normally expect him to use for “servant”
He uses the word “huperetes” which means “under-rower...literally “the slave who rows on the lowest level of a boat.”
literally “the slave who rows on the lowest level of a boat.”
The word hyperetas literally means an “under-rower,” in the sense that someone is a rower on a big galley ship.
It is not the most lowly word for a servant, but not a prestigious position. Under-rowers serve “Christ the master-pilot, helping forward the ship of the Church toward the haven of heaven.” (Trapp)
The “under-rower” as “one who acts under direction, and asks no questions, one who does the thing he is appointed to do without hesitation, and one who reports only to the
Get this picture - You are a slave assigned to the stinkiest, nastiest part of the ship. You sit at an oar and you row all day. You sit down there and your job is to simply row the boat with the other slaves. You do not direct the ship, you are not the in charge, you simply row the boat. Imagine the smell and the sweat.
• An under-rower had to row to the captain’s beat.
• The under-rowers had to row together.
• An under-rower had to trust the captain.
• An under-rower was committed for life.
• An under-rower received no honor.
We are called to be servants! To be “under rowers.” We are not the captain. Jesus is!
God never called us to make a name for ourselves.
God never called us to make ourselves famous.
The goal of a Christian leaders it to make Jesus famous.
The second word he uses here is translated “stewards”
What is a Steward?
A steward was a slave who was the manager of the household and wealth.
The idea of slavery is different than what we have in our history. Slave’s in the ancient world, could be slaves, but have a lot of authority.
To the master they were a slave, but to the slaves they were a master.
Most master’s didn’t bother themselves with the menial tasks of buying the food, and scheduling the laundry, and such, so they would set a slave.
A steward owned nothing; he was a slave who managed his master’s wealth. The pastor is a servant who is a steward.
The word “Servant” in vs.1 is It means to be the “under rower.” A steward’s responsibility is to be faithful to the Master, and the pastor’s responsibility is to be faithful to teach the things of the Lord, especially those truths that relate to the mystery of the church.
And stewards of the mysteries of God: What did Paul and the other apostles “manage” in the household of God?
Among other things, they were stewards of the mysteries of God. They “managed” (in the sense of preserving and protecting) and “dispensed” (in the sense of distributing) the truth of God.
Whenever Paul would hear criticism of his style or manner, he could simply ask, “Did I give you the truth?”
As a good steward, that’s what he first cared about.
The success of the servant and the steward is determined by the master
Paul reminds them that God is God who knows the motives and knows whether or not a steward and servant is successful.
Paul doesn’t even appeal to his own conscience! He knows how rationalizing and self-deceptive people can be.
There are people who behave terribly yet think the Lord is with them and they are justified in what they do.
There are people who who sleep well at night on their own integrity
Paul’s point is that neither one is right if they are resting on their own conscience. We will be evaluated by God!
A slave in his master’s home might think he is doing a good job, but only the master decides if he actually doing a good job.
Paul’s idea here goes beyond what we do to WHY WE DO IT: We do what we do to please God - Not to get praise or recognition from People.
Paul goes on to deal with the Corinthians false ideas of wisdom and leadership
How do we keep from allowing ourselves to be influenced by the worldly view of wisdom and leadership?
We Look to the Scriptures
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
We look to the apostolic example
He uses his suffering as an apostle as an example of true leadership
We learn from him that the life of faith may entail suffering and difficulty
Such was the way of Jesus; his disciples must not think they are better than He. We are to imitate Paul and his Faithfullness to the Lord!
We depend on the power of God, not worldly wisdom
Are we impatient with the time it takes to fast, pray, study, cultivate and listen to the voice of the Spirit, finding God’s wisdom to work through the complex issues and challenges of our age?
Would we prefer to find an “expert” to come and tell us what to do?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Here’s the question tonight, especially for anyone who leads - Am I being a true servant and steward of Christ? Or am I more worried about recognition, fame, and others seeing me? What does Jesus think of the way I lead? What does Jesus think about the way I treat others? Will Jesus find me faithful?
Let’s pray!