How NOT to be a Corinthian, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Welcome and Announcements:

(IF VISITORS)

If you are joining us for the first time today, we would like to thank you for joining us. We know you have options, and we are honored that you would choose to be with us today.

Undivided, First Call

Stand with me as we open our worship with scripture.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Opening Scripture:

Ephesians 4:1–6 NIV

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Prayer

Worship Set

Prayer

Worship Through the Word:

How NOT to be a Corinthian!

Do any of you remember the old show, “The Dating Game?”  I want you to imagine something similar today.  In The Dating Game, there was a stage with a partition that divided the stage.  There were 3 stools on the left and 2 stools on the right.  The people on either side of the partition were unable to see each other.  In the show, the contestant and a show host sat on the right of the partition and 3 possible dates sat on the left.  The contestant would then ask the 3 candidates questions and after a time, the contestant had to choose which bachelor or bachelorette they wanted to date.  The show then paid for them to have a spectacular date.

Today I want you to imagine a different scenario.  Three pastors sit on the left, and you sit on the right.  You begin to ask the potential pastors questions.

Pastor # 2, If I choose you, how long may I expect to sit during your sermon?

Pastor #1, At the end of your sermon, how can I expect to feel?  Happy, guilty, entertained, challenged?

Pastor #3, What is your opinion about how often I should be in church?

After 15 minutes of asking questions, you get to choose which one you wish to be your pastor.  What do you believe the average church attender in our nation, would feel was the criteria that is most important in choosing a pastor?  How important does that person become in your life?  It is not unheard of for people to change churches over loyalty to a pastor.  Do you think God would agree with this action? 

It is good to support your pastor, but we each need to remember that it is not the pastor we are following, but God. 

Word had come to Paul that there were quarrels among the people in the Corinthian church.  One of the subjects being argued over was regarding their allegiance to various teachers that had come to them.  Some championed Paul, others Apollo, and others Cephas (Peter).  Fortunately, even Christ made the list.  I am glad someone named Him!   

Please stand as we look at today’s text.

1 Corinthians 1:10–17 NIV

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

The Word of God for the people of God.  Thanks be to God!

Father, please bless this Word which you have provided and which we now receive. Amen!

I.  A Church Divided  1 Corinthians 1-6

Paul was addressing various letters and the first had to do with the quarrels taking place within the church.  Paul addresses this divisive behavior in the first six chapters.  This subject on pastoral leaders spans the first four chapters.  I have really struggled over how best to present this account, and I decided to preach three sermons on this subject.  Today we will zero in on the pastors.  I believe there are some important truths we need to understand about the role of pastors as the issue we find here in 1 Corinthians, still exists today.

To begin, I need to give you some of the back story that led up to this division over teachers.  To do so, we need to go back to Acts 18 & 19.  In Acts 18Paul began the church in Corinth.  There he met Priscilla and Aquila.  Paul remained in Corinth for 18 months, after which he traveled with Priscilla and Aquila to Ephesus.  Later, Paul left Ephesus, but Priscilla and Aquila remained.  And this is where we first meet a man named Apollo.  Allow me to read from Acts 18.

Acts 18:24–28NIV

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Now, here is where the case becomes a bit more complicated.  While Apollo is in Corinth, Paul returns to Ephesus and finds some of Apollo’s converts from before Apollo had the greater knowledge imparted by Priscilla and Aquila.  Look with me at Acts 19.  This should sound a bit familiar as we looked at it a few weeks back when I preached on sanctification.

Acts 19:1–2NIV

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

Paul then prayed with them and they were sanctified with the baptism of the Spirit.  Now, there was nothing wrong with what Apollo had taught these men, it was just incomplete.  He had heard of Christ, and he believed.  However, there were further important details, such as the work of the Spirit that Apollo didn’t understand until he met Priscilla and Aquila.  He gladly learned what they had to share, and he was so gifted as a speaker, they encouraged him to go to the new church in Corinth and preach there in Paul’s absence.

Are you with me so far?

There is nothing wrong with any of this.  This was how the news of the gospel spread.  We also see a building of the understanding as various teachers moved about from place to place.

I do not know how much you know about Greece, but they prided themselves on their ability to discover wisdom.  They loved debating philosophies.  The more gifted you were at debating or able to hold men’s attention with amusing speech, the more men would follow you.  People would then gain favor based on whose teaching they sat under.  It didn’t need to be proven, it just needed to sound good.  The more intelligent you sounded the better! 

This culture has been carried into the Corinthian church and people are picking and arguing over who is the better leader/teacher in the church.  They are actually attributing their own righteousness to the teacher they follow.  Sound familiar?  I hear people do the same in our world today.  “Well, I am spiritual because I listen daily to Joyce Meyer, David Jeremiah, or Kenneth Copeland.”  Unlike some of these I just named, in Corinth, Paul, Apollo and Peter preached the truth.  They were all preaching the same thing.  The only difference was their style, or their position.  Peter was head of the church.  People probably felt they were following the top dog perse.  Apollo was a very gifted speaker.  He was perhaps easier to listen to than others.  Paul started the church, so others felt loyal to him.  However, it was not meant to be a popularity contest.  They had no need to choose one or the other.  Each pastor had something good to pass on.  They are all fulfilling God’s purpose.  Listen to what Paul says in chapter 3.

1 Corinthians 3:5–9 NIV

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

As I said before, this same issue exists today.  Too often pastors are chosen for their ability to dazzle people with entertaining stories, or by being extremely animated (shouting and jumping around on the platform/stage).  Some like pastors that sound extremely sophisticated and it doesn’t matter if you cannot understand their message if others think you can.  Unfortunately, unlike Paul, Peter, and Apollo, too many today are not preaching a sound message.  But more on that in a moment.

Throughout these four chapters, Paul helps us to see that it is not about the pastor but about the message.  In these four chapters, we find some important lessons we can learn about...

A.  The Pastor’s Role in the Church.  1 Corinthians 1-4

The role of the pastor in the church has changed but I am not sure it is for the good.  We put too much emphasis on what people want the role of the pastor to be.  However, Paul makes it very clear that it is not about men and their ideas but about God’s call and purpose.  So, allow me to outline for you what we find in these chapters.

1. Pastors are described as servants and stewards of Christ, entrusted with the mysteries of God.  1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 Corinthians 4:1–5 NIV

1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

As servants of Christ, it is Christ who is to lead us in the way we are to go.  That means, God determines where we serve, and how we serve. 

I once knew a pastor who was a gifted youth leader.  As he became older, people thought he needed to be promoted to pastor.  You see, we so often want to equate these titles with status but that is not supposed to be what we are after.  Anyway, this man had pressure put on him from various people that he should be “promoted.”  So, he finally gave in.  It was a disaster.  He returned to leading youth and once again excelled in that ministry.  Before too long, people were once again pressuring him to move to something “more substantial.”  He was encouraged to teach at the college level how to do youth ministry.  However, he struggled there as well.  It wasn’t where his heart was, nor where his gifting was.  He soon went back to the youth ministry.  I lost track of him after that, but I felt bad for him that people could not see that he was truly content in the role of youth pastor.  It is important for us to do what we are called to rather than what people think we should do because...

a.  Pastors are not to be judged by human standards but by their faithfulness to God's Word.  1 Corinthians 3:5-15

This means that their primary responsibility is to faithfully deliver the message of God, regardless of the external results or consequences.  It is God’s calling upon us that we are to follow.  It is obedience to Him in all aspects of our life that matters.

In 1 Corinthians 3there is a scripture that I have come to realize we often misinterpret.  I think I have even taught it before and it does fit the way we use it, but when we look at it fully in the context it is presented, it is directly talking about those who preach in the church.

1 Corinthians 3:5–15 NIV

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Do you see it?  What we teach you will be tested by God.  If we lay a good foundation, it benefits you as well as us.  However, if we lay a poor foundation that will be revealed through testing as well.  God holds us accountable for the foundation we lay in your life.  Therefore, we must follow God and be careful to use His Word in a correct manner.

The books of Matthew, Luke, 1 Timothy and James all teach about the accountability of pastors and teachers for this reason.

It used to be that the chief responsibility of a pastor was to study.  These days, it has morphed into so much more.  I fear too many of us will stand ashamed when it comes to giving an account of the time we spent in sermon prep.  I cringe over the number of times I hear pastors who tell me they were throwing their sermon together late on Saturday night.  It is our task to study and be able to open for you the mysteries of scripture.  Scripture is not always easily understood.  God has a purpose for that.  It takes searching, studying, prayer and listening to God’s Spirit to interpret it correctly.  Everyone needs to take some time daily to do just that, but not everyone has the time to do it to the full measure required to fully understand.  So, God calls certain people to do just that and to help you to learn and mature in your faith by bringing proper understanding of the mysteries that are found there.

My next point speaks directly to the issue within the Corinthian church.

2.  Pastors are not to be treated like popularity idols .  1 Corinthians 1:11-12, 22-23; 2:1-5

The Corinthian church tended to divide and align themselves with a favorite pastor, which led to division and conflict. They literally argued over who was the better man or better public speaker.  Paul emphasizes that all true ministers should be treated equally, and that the focus should be on the message of the gospel rather than the personality or popularity of the pastor. It is important that we avoid the temptation to elevate pastors to a position of idolatry or to make them the center of attention, as this can place an undue burden on them and distract them from the true purpose of their ministry. 

It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when people give the pastor too much power.  I witnessed a board that said “yes” to everything their pastor wanted, even though some of it was extravagant.  Over time, the board became frustrated with the pastor always wanting fancy office equipment and land improvements that they really couldn’t afford.  After 18 years, they finally said, “no.”  However, the pastor had grown so used to their “yeses” that he did it anyway.  It ended with the church board requested the D.S. remove the pastor. 

Pastors are just people.  God does expect you to respect your pastor, and to follow your pastor’s lead, within reason.  However, the role of pastor today often calls for us to make calls regarding any variety of things that are not particularly of a spiritual nature.  It does not require a spiritual leader to decide whether to put in lawn sprinklers or to decide what insurance company to go with, if you get my drift.

In our culture with mega churches and mega pastors, we have created a multitude of idols.  Many prefer to stay home and watch the pastors on television because they are such gifted speakers.  However, there are too many of them that rely on their talent or their ability to say what people want to hear.  Paul speaks against both issues.

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 NIV

1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

Paul was a gifted speaker.  He proved himself on many occasions.  However, when it came to sharing the gospel, he did so in a simple manner that the message would be focused on and not his personality or talents.

Too many today seek pastors who say what they want to hear or present in a fashion that is pleasing and entertaining.  In our world, that is what people look for and that was the culture of Corinth that Paul spoke against.

1 Corinthians 1:22–23 NIV

22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

So, pastors are servants of God, not servants of men.  Pastors are to present the gospel and make clear the message of God found in the scriptures.  The third role Paul direct us to is…

3.  Pastors should be role models for their congregations, demonstrating a life of faithfulness and dedication to Christ.  1 Corinthians 4:16-17; 11:1

1 Corinthians 4:16–17 NIV

16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

Later in this letter, Paul will reiterate this statement.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

I had a pastor once tell me you would never hear him making this statement.  He didn’t want that responsibility.  However, by accepting the call as pastor, he was doing just that.  It is not a responsibility to be taken lightly, but it is part of the package of pastor.

James 3:1NIV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

However, severe caution needs to be mentioned here.  It is the one thing I often have to remind myself. 

a.  It is not for us to judge a pastor’s ministry.  1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Corinthians 4:6

1 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.

We must be careful to evaluate pastors based on their proper treatment of God’s Words and not their looks, personality, talents, or any other type of criteria.  We do not want to idolize them because of their positive gifts, but we do not want to judge them on their negative issues either.  Too many choose pastors on fancy speeches, classy presentations, messages that are pleasing to our desires.  We are just as fast to refuse to listen to those who perhaps do not fit our idea of what a pastor should look like, talk like, or any number of negative personal ideas.  The sole thing we are to consider is their knowledge and proper teaching of God’s Word. 

You should be very careful of discrediting a pastor unless you have very good reason to do so.  Good reasons may be immoral behavior, or misrepresentation of God’s Word, but never for reasons of personal judgment, such as with someone who just doesn’t appeal to you.  That judgment rests with God Himself.  Remember what God said when he chose David.

1 Samuel 16:7NIV

7 But the Lordsaid to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

One thing I did not touch on but that we see exemplified in Paul, is humility.  A pastor should be humble.  Paul demonstrates his humility several times in this letter.

Conclusion:

A pastor’s role is to bring God’s Word to God’s people.  They are to work to help their congregation to mature in the faith.  This means that the pastor needs to be maturing in their faith as well.  As we study, and work out God’s will for our lives, we become role models for those around us.  This does not mean we never fail.  However, even with our failures we can be role models.  Everyone fails from time to time.  Be careful not to judge your pastor too hard when he or she does fail, as you may miss the lesson you learn from them on how to overcome such failures.

Always remember, the central focus is always God’s message, not the one delivering it.

Prayer

Worship Set

Benediction