1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 Corinthians

4:1-5

Intro:

Last week we studied 3:16-23. We were taught that God will deal harshly with those pastors and believers who destroy the church through false teaching and wicked actions. Paul called the believers to become wise with God's wisdom which begins with salvation through faith in Christ and then growing in wisdom through the knowledge of God's Word. As they do this they will learn that they inherit amazing blessings through Christ and that Christ is in charge of everything.

This week we are going to learn how to accurately view Christian pastors and believers. Also, we will learn one way that we are to react to the ministry of those who lead us. Christianity is based on truth. Therefore, Christians must study the truth of God's Word, so they may know how to live. Paul wrote to Timothy, “I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but ^in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in ^the household of God, which is the ^church of ^the living God, the ^pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:14-15 NASB). The Word of God is essential for us to know how to live and conduct ourselves in the church.

Message:

Paul urges the Corinthians to think of Christian leaders as slaves of Christ and stewards/managers of God's divine revelation (1). Even Christian leaders are slaves, not masters. They are appointed as managers of God's truth. Stewards should be trustworthy since they are overseeing their master's interests (2). Christ set forth this principle repeatedly during His earthly ministry (Lk. 12:42-48). This is true even for Christian leaders who are slaves of Christ and managers of God's truth.

Paul is not concerned with the Corinthians examining his life and ministry (3; cf. 9:3). He knows the ultimately man's opinion of him doesn't matter (cf. Prov. 29:25). Paul doesn't know of anything in his life and ministry that is a matter of wrongdoing (4). His conscience is clear. But, Paul's analysis is insufficient (cf. Jer. 17:9). The Lord is the one who examines Paul and Paul answers to Him alone (cf. 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Rom. 14:10-12).

Paul urges the Corinthians to stop comparing Christian leaders and their ministries (5). Christ will examine these leaders and their ministries. It is not the responsibility of the Corinthians to be comparing and criticizing leaders. When Christ examines the leaders He will expose hidden things, good and bad (cf. 1 Tim. 5:24-25). Christ will reveal the motives of the leader, good and bad. Then at that time, the leader's praise will come from God, not man (cf. Rom. 2:28-29).

Paul has used himself and Apollos as figurative examples (6; cf. 3:1-4:5). This was to teach the Corinthians not to exceed what Scripture teaches as appropriate. In this case, they weren't supposed to be arrogant and choose one leader over another. They were proudly supporting one leader over another based on personality and outward skills. Paul questions why they think they are better (7). Everything they have they received from God. So they shouldn't be arrogant (cf. Eph. 2:8-9).

Conclusion:

There are three principles that we gain from this passage of Scripture.

#1 – The Corinthians have been taught how to view pastors and leaders properly, as slaves of Christ ans stewards of God's Word. As stewards it is required of them to be trustworthy as they oversee Christ's interests.

#2 – Christ is the one who will examine every pastor and Christian leader. As a result Paul tells the people to stop spending their time thinking they are Jesus by examining/comparing the pastors and leaders.

#3 – Don't go beyond Scriptural standards. This causes a lot of damage to the church.