The Ball is in Your Court

1 Corinthians 4:21 KJV 1900

21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

1 1 Cor 21

Paul had admonished the church at Corinth from chapter 1 all the way to the text tonight.

How I come and what gets said from this pint on will be determined by you....

Elitist Snobbery in the Church 1 Corinthians

Divisions and backbiting

1 Corinthians 1:10–12 KJV 1900

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

1 cor

Paul rebukes the Corinthians because there are divisions and quarrels in the church.

This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict.

Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who think of themselves as the spiritual elite.

They are proud and smug because of their associations, especially with their leader, and they look down upon those who are not in their group.

The elitism evident in Corinth was based upon two things: (1) who they followed – who their leader was; and, (2) the message and method of their leader

If the Corinthians thought of themselves as “the elite,” then they had certainly forgotten their origins and the true source and object of their boasting:

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 KJV 1900

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

The first section comes to a close ......

What will you do?

The choice is yours

Illustration -

Children

Bible training

Educational training

Its now up to you

The ball is in your court......

Its time for you to decide.

Paul say when he comes it will be with a rod or in the spirit of meekness

1 Corinthians 4:21 KJV 1900

21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

1 cor 4.

You will determine which Paul shows up.....

I Warning Given

1 Corinthians 4:14–16 KJV 1900

14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1cor 4.14

Up to this point Paul had warned the church or the divisions and the man center ways along with puffed up knowledge.

1 cor 4.17

1 Corinthians 1:26–27 KJV 1900

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1 Corinthians 2:1 KJV 1900

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

1 Corinthians 2:5 KJV 1900

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 KJV 1900

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

1cor 3.1

The final statement in vs 16 Is follow my example !

Is follow my example

Who do you follow?

Tragedies that could have been avoided.

The sinking of the British RMS Lusitania by a German U-boat during World War I wasn’t supposed to be unexpected or surprising, since Germany had ran several advertisements in The New York Times, warning of the ship’s impending doom.

On January 28, 1986, the Challenger space shuttle exploded over the skies of Florida while being watched by millions of people on the ground and on live television. The explosion was caused by the formation of ice around the space shuttle’s O-rings, which were used to separate the rocket boosters from the shuttle.

Of course, there were warnings. This time, they came from Bob Ebeling, an engineer who worked for the company that produced the booster. He had warned that the extremely cold weather would prevent the O-rings from sealing properly and would cause an explosion. He and another engineer then requested that the shuttle’s launch be delayed until the weather was favorable.

Paul's warning had been given!

The ball is in your court.

You are destroying the church and its unity

illustration -

II Window of Opportunity

1 Corinthians 4:17 KJV 1900

17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 10: Romans through Galatians 3. The Challenge to Be God’s Humble Servants Also (4:14–21)

Since Paul could rightfully claim to be their spiritual father, he feels he can ask them to become imitators of him (cf. 1 Cor 11:1; Gal 4:12; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thess 1:6; 2 Thess 3:9). In the light of this request, he says he has sent Timothy to them to help them in their progress. Timothy, too, was Paul’s beloved child, “begotten” through the gospel, and faithful in the Lord—i.e., in his service for Christ.

Since Paul could rightfully claim to be their spiritual father, he feels he can ask them to become imitators of him (cf. ; ; ; ; ).

In the light of this request, he says he has sent Timothy to them to help them in their progress. Timothy, too, was Paul’s beloved child, “begotten” through the gospel, and faithful in the Lord—i.e., in his service for Christ.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 4:14–17

Paul had their interests at heart. For that reason he urged them to imitate him (1 Cor. 4:16; cf. vv. 9–13). He had one spiritual child who did just that, namely, Timothy (Phil. 2:20). Timothy could remind them by precept and example of Paul’s way of life in Christ Jesus, which was in turn an imitation of their Lord

Paul had their interests at heart. For that reason he urged them to imitate him (; cf. vv. 9–13). He had one spiritual child who did just that, namely, Timothy (). Timothy could remind them by precept and example of Paul’s way of life in Christ Jesus, which was in turn an imitation of their Lord

Paul sent timothy to remind them of their obligation and to point out their sin.

This was an opportunity to repent and get right with God before Paul comes.

Praise God for preachers and those God sends to us to straighten us out

Praise God for second chances

Praise God for his patience

Timothy was sent to them to renumber Paul's way of Christ

Will you listen or keep in divisions and bickering?

2 cor 36.15-16

2 Chronicles 36:15–16 KJV 1900

15 And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

The window may be closing .......

Lasko Foundation - 2009/10 foundation was changing and we had to act fast… first proposal was rejected ..... was told what needed to be done and re-submission ASAP....

Window closed.....

Paul was saying when I come I will not hold back

III Words or God’s Power

1 Corinthians 4:18–21 KJV 1900

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

1 cor 4.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 4:18–21

Paul anticipated that not all would be moved by his appeal. Some, probably the unnamed party leaders (v. 5) or guardians (v. 15), were arrogant, which was the cause of the Corinthians’ division problem. They might not be swayed by exhortation. They required action. And that, Paul knew, he was capable of meting out in the power of the Spirit (Acts 13:9–11). When he had preached to the Corinthians, he had not depended on his own ability but on the power of the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:4–5). He would rely on this same power for discipline (2 Cor. 10:4–6). This was the authority of God’s rule (cf. Acts 5:3–11). Though Paul loved the Corinthians he knew that a loving father did not shy away from discipline (cf. Heb. 12:7). If it were needed, he would wield a whip (rabdos, a “rod”). From the Greco-Roman point of view this “rod” was a symbol of discipline executed by one in authority. Paul himself had been punished by rods more than once (Acts 16:22–23; 2 Cor. 11:25). But he preferred a visit characterized by love and … a gentle spirit.

Puffed up - Paul anticipated that not all would be moved by his appeal. Some, probably the unnamed party leaders (v. 5) or guardians (v. 15), were arrogant, which was the cause of the Corinthians’ division problem.

Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Divisions among Believers (1:10–4:21)

4:18 When Paul explained that he was sending Timothy to them, perhaps some of his detractors in Corinth would rise quickly to suggest that Paul was afraid to come himself. These men were puffed up in suggesting that Paul was not coming personally.

4:19 But he promises that he will come in the near future, if the Lord wills. When he does, he will expose the pride of those who can talk so freely, but have no spiritual power.

4:20 After all, it is power that counts, for the kingdom of God is not concerned principally with words but with action. It does not consist of profession, but of reality.

4:21 The manner in which Paul comes to them will depend on themselves. If they show a rebellious spirit, he will come to them with a rod. If, on the other hand, they are humble and submissive, he will come in love and a spirit of gentleness.

4:18 When Paul explained that he was sending Timothy to them, perhaps some of his detractors in Corinth would rise quickly to suggest that Paul was afraid to come himself. These men were puffed up in suggesting that Paul was not coming personally.

4:19 But he promises that he will come in the near future, if the Lord wills. When he does, he will expose the pride of those who can talk so freely, but have no spiritual power.

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 KJV 1900

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

4:20 After all, it is power that counts, for the kingdom of God is not concerned principally with words but with action. It does not consist of profession, but of reality.

4:21 The manner in which Paul comes to them will depend on themselves. If they show a rebellious spirit, he will come to them with a rod. If, on the other hand, they are humble and submissive, he will come in love and a spirit of gentleness.

When he had preached to the Corinthians, he had not depended on his own ability but on the power of the Spirit ().

Though Paul loved the Corinthians he knew that a loving father did not shy away from discipline (cf. ). If it were needed, he would wield a whip (rabdos, a “rod”). From the Greco-Roman point of view this “rod” was a symbol of discipline executed by one in authority.

The Puffed leaders would have to decide which Paul would show up....

Gentle spirit

Judgement

What do I what you to Know?

If Paul was scheduling a visit to your home would he be coming with a rod as a meek leader?

1 cor 10.10-12