Christian Ministry - Spiritual Power

1 Corinthians 18-21

Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 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. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? 

Paul openly rebukes the Corinthians for their arrogance in his absence – this is hypocrisy. Paul was going to visit them undaunted by their arrogance. When he visits, he will discipline these arrogant people. He expected a confrontation in which the power of the Holy Spirit would reveal some disciplinary action against those who harm the church.

Paul, then introduces the kingdom of God (v.20). The phrase, ‘the kingdom of God’ means, God’s reign/rule in human life. Christ is the King of kings (Matt. 6:33; Mark 10:15; Isa. 41:21). Christians are members of the kingdom of God because of the Lord Jesus Christ who is enthroned in their hearts as King. Christ brought this kingdom by His coming. Christians possess an inheritance in the kingdom in the future (Matt. 25:34; Luke 22:16; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 12:28).

But the problem is that the Corinthian church members were not living as citizens of this kingdom. They were more ‘Corinthians’ than pilgrims headed to the Celestial City. They loved divisions just like the world. They tolerated immorality. They spoke in arrogance and pride just as the world. The same word in verse 6 translated ‘puffed up’ is here translated as arrogance. Literally, it means, ‘bellows’ for it shows itself in big talk (v. 18; cf. 5:2 and 13:4). They were full of talk without any spiritual power (v. 19). They needed to appreciate that the Christian life and service is not a matter of empty words but of power in holiness, spiritual maturity and obedience to God.

We ought to judge a preacher's doctrine, in terms of its effects in godliness in himself and his hearers. Find out if one’s ministry is producing likeness to God, and to Christ. Are people getting more heavenly-minded or are they worldly? Do you see spiritual change in men's hearts? Are people killing sin? Do you see spiritual piety? Do you people tremble at the word of God?

Then Paul put it to their choice how he should come and deal with them. Shall I come to you with a rod (whip) or with love and the spirit of gentleness (v.21). The point is if they continued in wickedness then it would be essential to come with a rod to chastise them for their indiscipline demonstrated by their ungodliness and want of righteousness.

Stubborn offenders must be dealt with severely. In families and in Christian communities, paternal pity and tenderness will require to be shown by chastisement. Christian love and compassion sometimes force formative discipline.

Yet he was also willing to display to them the tenderness of a father. Christian ministry should always be tempered with the spirit of love and gentleness predominant, and yet to maintain its spiritual power, and discipline.

What are the characteristics of Christian service?

1.   Faithful Stewardship (vv. 1-5)

2.   Humble Ministry (vv. 6-8)

3.   Willing Service (vv. 9-13)

4.   Fatherly care (vv. 14-15)

5.   Exemplary Living (vv. 16-17)

Spiritual Power (vv. 18-21)

Christian Ministry - Exemplary Living

1 Corinthians 4:16-17

I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 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. 

Paul urges them, “be imitators of me.” Later on he tells them the same thing in 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” It was fitting for him to urge them to ‘imitate’ him for two reasons:

First, Paul had personally set them an example of hard work in the ministry. They were the products of his labour among them. He had set them an example of humility and dependence upon God. Paul was indeed a trophy of God’s grace (15:10) and an example of hard work.

Secondly, Paul’s ministry had fruit of good example in Timothy. Timothy who had occupied the same position as the Corinthians of being called Paul’s ‘beloved’ (compare v. 14 and v.17). Timothy had shown himself faithful child in the Lord. For this reason he was going to send Timothy to remind them of his ways in Christ that were worth of emulation. In sending Timothy Paul was proving to them that he teaches the same things in every church everywhere. Timothy like the Corinthians was one of his spiritual children and, therefore, well equipped to remind them of the example of their spiritual father.

Ministers ought to live in such a manner that attract people not only to follow them, but consequently follow Christ. They are the teaching and learning aids that Christ has given the world for their education in the spiritual things. Pastors, we have a responsibility to guide the flock of God by our lips and our lives.

Writing to the pastors, apostle Peter says,

… shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (1Peter 5:2-3)

Therefore, like Timothy (4:12, 15-16) we have to set those who learn from us an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. We are to practice these things, immersing ourselves in them, so that all may see our spiritual and ministerial progress. This way, we may save ourselves and our hearers (as the God-appointed means of the salvation of men).

And like Titus, we are to show ourselves in all respects to be a model of good works. In our teaching, we are to show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing to say about or against us (2:7). They should follow us as far as they are satisfied that we follow Christ in faith and practice.

Christian Ministry - Fatherly Care

1 Corinthians 4:14-15

I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 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.

God has graciously given the church ministers, who not only demonstrate the love of God, but also the fatherhood of God. Those who serve in this ministry must develop a caring and loving relationship that is fatherly. See Paul’s very special relationship with the Corinthians, not as their guide or guardian, but as their father.

A ‘guide’ or a guardian or godparent or pedagogue was a man, usually a slave. His work was to take a youth to and from school, and generally to supervise his activities. He told them that they had many of those, but only one father – Paul! This is what informed the statement, “… you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers.” (v.15). Paul on his part asserts so confidently, “For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

What does a father do? First, he sires them. During his stay of more than eighteen months in Corinth, Paul had seen many of those who composed the membership at Corinth come to a new birth. He was their spiritual father, because through him they born again. He was the instrument in the Redeemer’s hand for the spiritual birth of the Corinthians. Undoubtedly the Spirit regenerated the Corinthians. But the Holy Spirit uses means. The means of new birth used for the salvation of souls is the Word of God – since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God (1 Pet. 1:23). Who brought this word of God to them? It was Paul. Paul described the human agency of a preacher this way:

It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! (Gal 4:18-19)

Secondly, the father disciplines in order to make them better.

Negatively, the father does not shame his own children. “I do not write these things to make you ashamed…” Paul says. That is to say that a good father does not do anything that provokes his children to anger.

Positively, the father admonishes out of his love. “…but to admonish you as my beloved children.” Paul says again. Those who are loved have to be disciplined. This is true even of our heavenly Father as we read in Hebrews 12:6-7:

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

When rebuking sin, we should have a regard to the reputation, as well as the reformation of the sinner. We should distinguish between sinners and their sins. In Christian service we take care not to discover any spite against those we serve. There should be no guile in us.

If you fail to reprove in the spirit of gentleness you risk exasperating them. Kindness and gentleness are likely to reform more than a rod, yet the two are not mutually exclusive. When the affections of a father mingle with the admonitions of a minister, it is to be hoped that they may at once melt and mend. We must never lash like an enemy exposing them to ridicule from the world.

Christian Service - Humble Ministry

1 Corinthians 4:6-7

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. 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? 

It is always good to apply the truth one preaches to oneself, even before applying it to others. This is what the Apostle does here. 

Paul acknowledges that he had been so far evaluating the ministry of Apollos and himself. He actually applied all these things to himself and to Apollos. This was in order to benefit the Corinthians, by teaching them to learn not to go beyond what is written, so that they regard them according to the scriptural parameters. 

Mark the words ‘not to go beyond what is written’ which encourage us to know our boundaries are the Scriptures (v.6a). This is a good place to learn the regulative principle of worship. We must not argue from silence and so be guilty of adding. Neither should we argue away what is written and so minimize what the Lord has said effectively subtracting from the Word of God and from our basket of divine blessings.

Surface obedience to the Scriptures and the commands of the Lord is one of the wicked suggestions of the devil in order to ensnare us away from the Lord’s will for us. This is pride, which Paul describes as being ‘puffed up.’ The devil teaches pride. For God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. The humble keep within the limits of the Bible, neither adding nor subtracting. We know that Corinthians were proud of their human wisdom. They may have thought that they were very discerning in their choice of their favourite preacher (v.6b). But actually, to be proud of one’s discernment is to lack discernment!

We must realize that there is a very close relationship between the sin of unbelief and the sin of pride. The relationship is that while the latter abandons Christ for idols, the former abandons Christ for self-gratification outside of the will of God. The battle for humility is the battle for the true Christian faith. No haughty or arrogant person will enter the glory that was purchased by the humble Saviour.

Humility is acknowledging that all you have are gifts that you have graciously received from Christ! First of all you are what you are by grace, for who sees anything different in you?  (v.7). All the temporary blessings are from God, for what do you have that you did not receive? (v.7) And since you received how then can you boast as if it is a wage rather than gifts? Paul is simply saying that arrogance is not congruent with true Christianity.

In condemning their foolish pride, Paul turns to sarcasm: 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! There is an illogical retrogression from sufficiency to wealth, and then to royalty!

Pride too soon forgets and disdains he who enthroned it! Pride is a great hindrance to your improvement. For when you start reigning in your haughtiness you no longer think you need grace to become better or to listen to God’s servants who enrich you. Due attention to our obligations to divine grace would cure us of arrogance and self-conceit.

When everything has been said and done the questions to consider are:

1. Are you serving the Lord?

2. Are you serving in humility?

3. Are you willing to do whatever the Master commands in His Word?

4. Do you evaluate your service under the scrutiny and spotlight of the Word of God?

5. Do you only use Scripture as the paradigm?

Christian Service - Humble ministry (1 Cor. 4:6-8)

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. 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?

Show me a preacher who has a high view of the Scriptures, preaching and living accordingly, and I will show you a humble minister. Therefore, Paul says here, ‘none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another’.

Paul acknowledges that he had been evaluating the ministry of both himself and of Apollos. This was for the benefit of the Corinthians, so that they may learn not to go beyond what is written. The point is ministers are to be evaluated on the basis of Scriptures (not some sentimental feelings). Mark the words ‘not to go beyond what is written’ which encourage us to know our boundaries are the Scriptures. This is a good place to learn the regulative principle of worship. We must not argue from silence and so be guilty of adding. Neither should we argue away what is written and so minimize what the Lord has said, effectively subtracting from the Word of God and from our basket of divine blessings!

Surface obedience to the Scriptures and the commands of the Lord is one of the wicked suggestions of the devil in order to ensnare us away from the Lord’s will for us. The devil teaches pride. But God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. The humble keep within the limits of the Bible, neither adding nor subtracting.

We know that Corinthians were proud of their human wisdom. They may have thought that they were very discerning in their choice of their favourite preacher. To be proud of one’s discernment is to lack discernment! Once one is wise in his own eyes, unbelieving the Word of God, then he effectively becomes proud and ‘puffed up’.

We must realize that there is a very close relationship between the sin of unbelief and the sin of pride. The relationship is that while the latter abandons Christ for idols, the former abandons Christ for self-gratification outside of the will of God. The battle for humility is the battle for the true Christian faith. No haughty or arrogant person will enter the glory that was purchased by the humble Saviour.

Humility is acknowledging that all you have are gifts that you have graciously received from Christ! First of all you are what you are by grace, for ‘who sees anything different in you’? All the temporary blessings are from God, for ‘what do you have that you did not receive’? And since you received it, how then can you boast as if it is a wage rather than a gift? Paul is simply saying that arrogance is not congruent with true Christianity. No one can truly preach the gospel in pride and arrogance. Once pride is let in, then the gospel message withdraws.

In condemning their foolish pride, Paul turns to sarcasm: “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!” There is an illogical retrogression from sufficiency to wealth, and then to royalty! Pride too soon forgets and disdains he who enthroned it!

Pride is a great hindrance to your improvement. For when you start reigning in your haughtiness you no longer think you need grace to become better or to listen to God’s servants who enrich you. Due attention to our obligations to divine grace would cure us of arrogance and self-conceit.

Preachers have no reason to boast, for what they preach is a humiliating gospel. The King whom they represent is a humble King. The sinners whom they are reaching have been humiliated by the sinfulness of sin.

Christian Ministry - faithful stewardship

What are the characteristics of Christian service?

From 1 Corinthians 4, I will present five characteristics of an effective Christian ministry and service. Each mark at a time, one-by-one. Today we begin with the first characteristic from verses 1-5

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 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. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 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. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

Faithful stewardship is the first characteristic of Christian ministry. How are we to think of pastors and preachers in our midst? They belong to our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given them to us as gifts. Paul has already said that all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas… all things are yours.  Preachers are to be respected or regarded as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. These ministers have arduous responsibilities as Christ’s servants who have been entrusted with the gospel. But they also have immense privileges as stewards of the mysteries of God.

God has made all believers and preachers in specific to be servants as of first and foremost, as His disciples. We must never mistake a servant, or an attendant or a slave, for his master. The master is over the servant and He is prominent over the most important servant. This is the way it must always be in our service of the Lord Jesus – Christ is the Master.

God has also made all preachers stewards or trustees of the mysteries of God. Paul always uses the word mystery to mean, what was hidden to the natural faculties for ages but is now graciously revealed. ‘Mysteries of God’, therefore, is the truths, which were hidden to a natural man, but are now revealed to the spiritual man by God. The ‘mysteries of God’ is the gospel. Preachers are to faithfully manage the gospel, and faithfully propagate it for the salvation of sinners. Only the good news of the crucified and resurrected Christ can save helpless sinners.

While success in the service is important, faithfulness is the first responsibility of stewards. People’s eternal destiny hinges upon hearing the true gospel and believing in Christ. Depth in faithfulness is what God will use in expanding the breath and the extent of our ministries.

But preachers are to be assessed and judged by Christ who is their employer rather than men. ‘Pastor roasting’ is condemned when Paul says, 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. What Paul is saying is that outward critical judgment is discounted, whether by the Corinthian church, or by the human courts society around him or even by himself! He should only be judged by his employer and Master, even Christ.

Why is Paul saying this? We judge in a merely worldly manner, using only human and sometimes worldly standards in the assessment. Instead of making these unnecessary critical human judgments, we are to live in the light of the all-searching judgement that is to come on that great Day when the Lord will come. The Lord will bring the hidden things to light. He will disclose motives of hearts and every human pretense will be brought to naught. It is on this basis some will receive either commendation or condemnation from God.

Does this mean that we should not name and shame those who mismanage the truths of the gospel? Should we keep quite when there is apparent unfaithfulness? Is there a place for critiquing preachers? But Paul himself criticized Peter in Galatians for his conduct (Gal. 2:11-14). False teachers and their false teachings must be exposed (Acts 20:29-31; 1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. 2:16-18). But if someone preaches the truth, and you know him to be a faithful minister, don’t purport to know his motive. This is what informed his statement in Philippians 1:12-18. The most important thing is that ‘Christ is proclaimed’ (v.18). We are to rejoice when the gospel is preached even from the most unlikely quarters or preachers.

Three points of application:

   Here is a call to faithfulness more than a call to ‘success’. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2Tim. 2:15). We have to serve the people in good conscience before God. Aim to be blameless!

   We thank the Lord that He will recognize and reward true and faithful servants of His church, who might never be recognized by the Church. Human approbation will not always do for a servant of Christ. Sometimes opposition and rejection is what will be the road of faithful ministers, yet they have divine approval, which is far better.

   You are to labour now as one who will soon appear before the Judgement throne of God to either receive a reward (3.14) or to be saved through fire (3:15) or to be eternally condemned! Be careful in handling the Scriptures.