March 9, 2022
Paul Was a Servant and a Steward. Who Are You?
1 Corinthians 4
Marcy Archer
Central Truth
God has given us everything we have. We have no room to boast about anything! We have no right to compare or compete, because all of us have received everything we have from God. The appropriate response to these gracious gifts is to receive them with an attitude of gratitude.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 4:7
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?
1 Corinthians 4
The Ministry of Apostles
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, 1 4:6 Or brothers and sisters 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 2 4:15 Greek you have ten thousand 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 3 4:17 Or am sending you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, 4 4:17 Some manuscripts add Jesus 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?
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Listen NowDive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 4
The Christians in Corinth were immature, arrogant, and divisive (1 Corinthians 1:10-11). They proudly judged and compared God's servants who had been sent to teach them (1 Corinthians 4:5-6).
Paul asked them, "For what gives you the right to make such a judgment?" (1 Corinthians 4:7a, NLT) Only omniscient God has that right! Paul urged the believers to center on the fact that everything they had they received from God.
Right now I am in "Humble Camp." That's what I call this good, but uncomfortable, season of training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). I am confronted with my own pride and tendency to promote myself, depending on my own resources apart from God, and feeling proud of experiences or connections. Yet everything I have, I have received from God! So what have we received?
1. We have received our very life.
We receive our physical characteristics, our temperaments, our innate abilities, and our family of origin (Psalm 139:13-16). We receive and embrace God's handiwork in us!
2. We receive our salvation.
God sought us out to rescue us from sin and give us rich, satisfying, eternal life in His Son, Jesus Christ. He gave His life for us so He could give His life to us and live His life through us. We receive and rest in God's finished work of salvation (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9).
3. We receive our transformation.
Even our spiritual growth is a gift from God. He knows what will bring about spiritual growth in us (Romans 8:18-39). "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day." (2 Corinthians 4:16, NLT) We receive and cooperate with His good work in our lives!
4. We receive our ministry.
Paul reminded the Corinthians, "For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power." (1 Corinthians 4:20, NLT) "We are dependent on God's enabling power and at the end of the day, we can only say, 'God has done this.'" (Jerry Bridges, God Led Me by the Hand) We receive and depend on God.
Discussion Questions
1. What would it look like to let God repurpose your life to elevate God rather than self? "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness." (Psalm 115:1, NLT)
2. "From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." (John 1:16, NLT) How many of these gracious gifts can you list right now? Would you consider beginning a gratitude journal to help you recognize and acknowledge all you have received from God?
3. Are you experiencing a hard season of suffering right now? Will you ask God how you can receive this as a gift from Him with gratitude for the gracious work He is doing in you? What is one thing you can thank Him for right now in this difficult time? Can you think of more?