Servants In Ministry
Last weeks lesson was titled "Servants Together". It was addressed to all believers, and their duties as Christians. The church was doing the worldly thing, and dividing into separate groups. Based on their personal likes and dislikes. They believed in the messenger, not the message. Which has no room in the building of the church. Everyone has a different gift of their own. Each has it's place in the upbuilding, of the kingdom. All of them were given by God. This week Paul directs his message to the Preachers, and spiritual leaders. As Christians we are all held, to the same standard. Ministers of the Gospel have responsibilities and duties, beyond that of a layman. Ministers have to be very careful to keep their egos in check.
Even then people were drawn to personalities. Here Paul admonishes Ministers and leaders, not to believe the hype. This is something that not only applies to preachers. It applies to all believers.
1 Corinthians 4:1-4
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord
It is something special, to be a Preacher. It is a gift from God, and a job. To rightly divide and teach the word of God, is honourable. It takes a special person to be effective, in this role. But it doesn't matter how much charisma, or ability you have. It's not about what you think. To be big in the eyes of man, is not worth anything. All that really matters, is how you measure by God's standards. So here Paul is letting them know it doesn't, he is not judged by them.
1 Corinthians 4: 5-6
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
A modern term would be "don't put the cart, before the horse". Don't take on those spiritual things. Which has been promised by God, to be revealed in the end. It is the nature of man, not to leave God's plan in place. Paul is talking to some people, who are calling themselves followers of Paul. He did not find this comforting at all. He informs them of the fact that he and Apollos, are simply servants of God. Who have shared with them the gospel of Jesus. There is no reason to have division, in the body of Christ. We are all benefactors of the same covenant.
1 Corinthians 4: 7-13
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Who is the creator of all things? What do you possess, that wasn't given to you by God? Wouldn't he know better than anyone else? What the future holds. The Corinthians have become self important. They think they have devised a path of their own. The Corinthians much like Christians today, seek a customized relationship with God. They are basing salvation on the accomplishments deemed important by man. They have been blessed to obtain worldly success. But the Corinthians are not giving God the credit, for the blessings they have received. They think it's due to their own actions, as opposed to grace. Paul uses several contrasts to illustrate. What the world thinks is good, as opposed to the word. Some of Paul's comments could be perceived as sarcastic. We must remember the context in which the letter was written. Here Paul is talking to, for a lack of a better term a group of "know-it-alls". Paul's letter was to let the leaders know, of their error in teaching. But everyone can learn a spitual lesson. Since we should study and show ourselves approved. This shouldn't happen anyway, we should kowThe written word is the same for all believers.
Even then people were drawn to personalities. Here Paul admonishes Ministers and leaders, not to believe the hype. This is something that not only applies to preachers. It applies to all believers.
1 Corinthians 4:1-4
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord
It is something special, to be a Preacher. It is a gift from God, and a job. To rightly divide and teach the word of God, is honourable. It takes a special person to be effective, in this role. But it doesn't matter how much charisma, or ability you have. It's not about what you think. To be big in the eyes of man, is not worth anything. All that really matters, is how you measure by God's standards. So here Paul is letting them know it doesn't, he is not judged by them.
1 Corinthians 4: 5-6
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
A modern term would be "don't put the cart, before the horse". Don't take on those spiritual things. Which has been promised by God, to be revealed in the end. It is the nature of man, not to leave God's plan in place. Paul is talking to some people, who are calling themselves followers of Paul. He did not find this comforting at all. He informs them of the fact that he and Apollos, are simply servants of God. Who have shared with them the gospel of Jesus. There is no reason to have division, in the body of Christ. We are all benefactors of the same covenant.
1 Corinthians 4: 7-13
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Who is the creator of all things? What do you possess, that wasn't given to you by God? Wouldn't he know better than anyone else? What the future holds. The Corinthians have become self important. They think they have devised a path of their own. The Corinthians much like Christians today, seek a customized relationship with God. They are basing salvation on the accomplishments deemed important by man. They have been blessed to obtain worldly success. But the Corinthians are not giving God the credit, for the blessings they have received. They think it's due to their own actions, as opposed to grace. Paul uses several contrasts to illustrate. What the world thinks is good, as opposed to the word. Some of Paul's comments could be perceived as sarcastic. We must remember the context in which the letter was written. Here Paul is talking to, for a lack of a better term a group of "know-it-alls". Paul's letter was to let the leaders know, of their error in teaching. But everyone can learn a spitual lesson. Since we should study and show ourselves approved. This shouldn't happen anyway, we should kowThe written word is the same for all believers.
posted by Common @ 6:32 PM
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