1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (Servants and Stewards)
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Servants and Stewards
Servants and Stewards
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Paul is practicing and teaching humility here:
Consider us servants
Don’t look at us as anything more than people being directed and submitted to God
The word servant there is hyperetes
A rower on the lower bank of a trireme ship
Giving us the analogy that he’s a slave rowing the ship not steering or guiding but propelling not being seen by anyone
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
If we can grasp this picture:
Jesus is the one steering the ship
We are the ones who propel the ship manually to uncharted territories through his guidance
We as servants accept the orders of Christ and labour only as our master directs
We’re Servants first then we’re stewards
We have to be a servant before God can trust us to steward anything
The word steward there is the word oikonomous
Oikonomous: one who manages a household or estate
A chief servant: in charge of the whole administration of the house, he issued the supplies, controlled the staff but he himself was still a slave in the house
No matter our position in the church, the power we yield, the prestige we may enjoy, we are still remain servants of Christ
We steward the mysteries of God
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Stewards must be found to be faithful
Are you trustworthy?
10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Are we passing the test?
James 1:2-4 NKJV
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
1 Peter 1:7 NKJV
“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”
Discipleship is:
Instruction
Training
Testing
Here’s where you get instruction
Why church is important to gain instruction
BIBLE SCHOOL get instructed
It’s up to you to do the training
No one can train for you
I wish they could
Sometimes you don’t passed the test but you have to get up and keep training
Proverbs 24-17 NKJV
“For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.”
Have to be faithful in the small things
Passing test is where you move up in levels
God is looking for good Stewards
He can’t just unleash things on you you have no business handling
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
How good are you at judging yourself?
Without a jaded view or being lenient or harder?
Why do we think that it’s ok for us to judge others?
We lose the heart of the Father when we stand in judgment against other people
I don’t think would’ve done it that way
Most people don’t think they would’ve Obeyed hitler either
I think Paul is simply saying God is going to sort this mess out
Stay in your lane
Why are we so focused on everyone else’s race?
The Hop Hop Half:
Wasn’t running my race
Don’t adopt other people’s race plans
Do what you know to do
Go back to what you know to do
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Lay aside our weight not worry about what other people are carrying
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
God will bring the hidden things to light in the timing he sees fit
We don’t need to try and uncover everything and everyone
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
