LMD Week 13

Nurturing Christ-like Character In Your Disciples

LMD Lesson 18 Date: 11/13/2023 Topic: Discipleship

Text:  1 Corinthians 4:14–21 “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. 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. 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?”

Intro: We are suppose to nurture Christ like characteristics in people.

It is not just to learn facts about Christianity

It’s not a program

It’s not just a short-term thing

Look to the example of Paul: a shepherd, deep relationship.

1 Timothy 1:5 “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

The reason to disciple is to teach people how to love correctly.

The goal is transformation of character into Christ-likeness - which Paul calls POWER.

Context: Corinthians are struggling with doing the right things. Paul is using strong language to point out what they are doing wrong. But in Ch 14-21 he starts to change his tone. He has an approach to nurturing and fathering them. In 4:6-11 Paul is being sarcastic with them telling them that they think that they are so good and the Apostles are nothing.

How To NURTURE Your Disciples

PARENT Them (vs. 14-15)

“I do not write these things to shame you” (v. 14) but rather to admonish them as loved children. This is the reason why he came down hard. Humiliation is a poor teacher, so Paul is trying to restore them after he tells them about their shameful acts.

“you would not have many fathers” (v. 15). He is reminding them that he has a special relationship with them from God. He brought them up in Christ. He is their spiritual father.

Application: The bond is forever with the people that you bring or that brought you to Christ. There is an intimacy like a father.

LOVE Them (v. 14)

“my beloved children” - as irritated as Paul may have been with them doubting him or following false teachers.

A serving and sacrificial life. Not just a notch in his belt.

How to be patient with a wayward or stubborn disciple: See them as they will be (transformed in glory), not as they are right now.

It should take a long time before determine someone is “not faithful” and let them go.

2 Corinthians 12:15 “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?”

2 Corinthians 11:11 “And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!”

2 Corinthians 6:11–13 “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.”

Application: Disciples we need to seek out. We need to be intentional. You love someone who you don’t even know well yet. The discipler takes the initiative as Jesus did for all of us.

You may work hard with very little yield. It may cost you financially and nothing came of it (But it means something to God though).

Jesus told us those things that we would be rejected.

The fruit is not up to us. And yet, this is the best way to spend your life.

Glutton for punishment.

ADMONISH Them (v. 14)

Nouthoteo - give counsel, put some truth into their mind, to show there is a consequence, WARNING. Pleading and exhorting them to change their ways because of the danger/consequences.

We use the standard of the Bible NOT our own experience or feelings or opinion or preferences. Can’t admonish someone based sourly on a suspicion. You have to disciple them toward who they are in Christ. Use the word of God. Even with the kids.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

John 16:8 “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”

The Holy Spirit and the Word will end up convict them. So when they don’t do the right things, you need to pray. And you need to keep relying on the Scripture.

Application:

You must DO IT (i.e. admonish)

Colossians 1:28 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

Admonish with HUMILITY and LOVE

Acts 20:31 “Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.”

Admonish to RESTORE THE PERSON

Galatians 6:1–4 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.”

MODEL For Them (v. 16)

1. “Be imitators of me” - MIMIC, copy me, be like me.

COMMANDS to follow models

Philippians 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”

Philippians 4:9 “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

2 Timothy 3:10 “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,”

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

The ULTIMATE Model - the immediate context is that Paul is in opposition to false teachers, telling them not to boast in any of your accomplishments (Phil 3).

But rather, we need to have our disciples be more like Christ, just like how we ourselves aim to do that.

The goal is to copy man only as he mimics Christ.

APPLICATION: You are modeling for them a lifestyle what the Gospel looks like in real life. They even follow the Repentance.

The proof is in the fruit 1 Corinthians 4:17 “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 didn’t have to be there. Timothy is the perfect character clone of Christ-likeness of Paul. That is the fruit.

Philippians 2:20 “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.” Paul regarding Timothy.

How To EVALUATE Your Disciples (v. 19) 1 Corinthians 4:19 “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.”

A. DO Use SCRIPTURE As Your Standard - make sure to separate Scripture for experience

B. Don’t Look At WORDS Only - 1 John, evidence of new life. How to live. The words of someone should never be alone. There is a walk.

C. DO Look At THEIR LIFE - to see there is power. The evidence is there for all to see.

Godliness is loving God so much, people must see He changed you.

D. Ultimately, Use CHRIST as Your Standard

You are not even making someone who is obedient to the Bible.

You are making Christ-like people.

When admonishing, it’s for them to walk with Christ. The person who saved you who YOU professed you trust in for salvation.