1 Corinthians 4,6-13
1 Corinthians 4:6-13
February 3, 2002
Intro: As last week we evaluated a minister of the gospel, we saw WHO a minister is to be. Tonight Paul is going to describe WHAT a minister is.
A- Describe Minister; Pastor, Servant, Parent, Child, (Christian)
1- I see 5 major earmarks on who a minister is to be in Verses 6-13
#1- (V:6), He is to be a living illustration of who a minister is to be.
#2- (V:7-8), He is to be of no personal reputation.
#3- (V:9-10), He is to be humble
#4- (V:11), He is not to be influenced by the riches of the world
#5- (V:12-13), He know that the trials of present day are not worthy to
be compared to the glory of our future.
B- When we studied Exodus 32 we saw in Moses the spiritual aspects of who a minister is to be.
Turn to Exodus 32
1- We saw in Ex.31:18 the spiritual minister is to be a possessor of God’s word.
Luke 4:4, But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”
a- It is all that I have to fall back on or to validate my position as a Pastor.
- Authority, submission, decision making
2- In Verses 1 we see the Example to those who we are to serve.
a- That they have a propensity to move away from things spiritual more than towards things spiritual.
- A mouse lured by the bait in a trap
· led by his nature.
3- In Verses 7-10, The dedication of the minister is tested
a- Here God is testing (displaying) the very essence of a godly leader.
- “Let me alone” will he intercede on the part of the people?
- “That I may consume them” Does he desire for the people to be killed (done away with)?
- “And I will make of you a great nation” Do you want to alter God’s plan?
b- The promise of the “great nation” was to Abraham.
- They would then be refereed to as children of Moses.
Are you in it the praises of man??
4- In Verses 11-14, we see the true spiritual minister in the response.
a- One of intercessory prayer
- His appeal to God is according to his knowledge of God .
· Moses appeals to God on the basis of God’s (Power, purpose, promise)
C- Then there is the example of our Lord
Philippians 2:6-8, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Ø Each time (Moses, Jesus, Paul) servanthood is always about the obedience of the servant and not the worthiness of the people.
1- Learn to see people as Jesus does.
Mark 6:34, And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
l- What we’ll see in Paul’s example is Moses’ spiritual aspects
manifested is physical ministry.
A- Paul continues to deal with the divisions in the church at Corinth cause by pride.
1- The worldly influences working against the church in Greece would be
- The wisdom of man
- Immorality
1 Corinthians 4:6, Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
#1- The first aspect of who a Minster is to be is AN EXAMPLE.
James 2:18, But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
A- Don’t tell me show me.
1- “These things” that were transformed to our example are;
a- The farmer (3:6-9)
b- The builder (3:10-15)
c- The steward (4:1-5)
2- I you are a proper follower of these men you should place yourself in subjection to them and follow their example of humility and not make it a point of pride.
a- Bob Stripler (counseled with everyone)
Numbers 12:3, (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
2 Timothy 2:3,5,6 (Paul’s example to Timothy)
Read Verses 7-8
#2- A minister is to be of no personal reputation.
A- The basis of our faith is Jesus Christ and grace for 2 reasons.
1- You were helpless.
2- God would have the place of honor.
Revelation 2:15, “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
B- What have we received
1- The Gospel, instruction, Understanding, The Holy Spirit, Gifts of ministry, The opportunity to minister, people to minister to.
a- The only part that we have is obedience and that is expected (our reasonable service).
2- Who is man
Read Deuteronomy 7:6-7
1 Corinthians 1:4-5, I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
Read verse 8 (this is who Corinth thinks they are)
A- Paul is being sarcastic here.
Revelation 3:17, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Read verses 9-10
#3- A Minister is to be humble
A- Jesus being the first displayed (on the cross)
John MacAurther: When a Roman general won a major victory it was celebrated by what was called a triumph. The general would enter the city in great military splendor, leading his officers and troops. Behind those would come a group of prisoners in chains, with the conquered king and his officers prominently displayed for all to see and mock. The prisoners were under the sentence of death and would be taken to the arena to fight wild beasts. Conquered prisoners condemned to death.
1 Corinthians 4:11, To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.
#4- A minister is not to be influenced by the riches of the world.
A- Ministry is sacrifice
Matthew 8:20, And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28
1- My children doing without
a- Me on staff and our financial statement.
Read verses 12-13
#5- A Minister knows that the trials of present day are not worthy
to be compared to the glory of our future.
A- To a Greek this would be beneath them. This would be the work of a slave.
1- In this Paul has made His point
a- Do you want the system of the world (Pyramid)
Read Isaiah 31:1-3
b- Or do you want the system of God (upside down Pyramid).
- Jesus at the bottom then the Apostles…
B- In the kingdom of God the way up is down
1- Moses: on you knees in prayer. Paul: as a slave.
